Who can serve a mission?
The Mormon Church is always encouraging its members to serve missions, despite age or gender. The majority of the Mormon missionaries currently serving in the world are men between the ages of 19 and 21. Women can begin serving at the age 21. Elderly couples are always encouraged to serve missions. No matter the age, the missionary must be a baptized and confirmed member of the Mormon Church.
A man or woman who wishes to serve a mission must first pass a bishops interview. Your local bishop will sit you down and will tell you about the mission experience and determine if you are ready to go. In order to serve a mission, you must have a basic testimony of the truthfulness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. You must be committed to living the laws and commandments laid out in Mormonism. You must refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol, obey the law of chastity, and pay a full tithe of 10% to the Mormon Church. You must have a desire to serve the Lord. Recently, Mormon leaders have raised the bar for who can and cannot serve. Those who are simply serving because of family or society expectations are not encouraged to go. Those who are living a lifestyle that is not in accordance with the Mormon Church cannot serve. Those who have committed past transgressions still have the opportunity to go, but need to work it out with their local bishop.
Mormon missionaries apply for their mission by filling out an application, which can be filled out online. The application is sent to the Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, where it is reviewed by church leaders and an area of service is assigned. About a month later, the missionary receives his “mission call” in the mail, which is always cause for celebration. One interesting piece of knowledge is that missionaries actually have no say in where they serve. On the application, they are asked whether or not they are willing to learn a language but they are really sent wherever they are assigned. Elderly missionaries do, however, have a say in where they will serve. The “mission call” comes with additional information about the mission itself, what to bring, and how to prepare. Missionaries are given a date to report to the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah. In the MTC they will learn Mormon doctrine, read the Book of Mormon, and train to serve a full time mission.
Prior to leaving for the mission, missionaries must prepare physically and spiritually. Because the work is so demanding, missionaries entering the mission field need to be healthy. Missionaries should prepare by obtaining a temple recommend from their local bishop and take out endowments in the Mormon temple. In the temple, they make covenants to the Lord and promise to always keep His commandments. Missionaries should prepare by reading their scriptures daily and even begin to memorize some that will be used often throughout the mission. Missionaries should prepare to leave their families and friends. For young people who are mentally or physically impaired, special arrangements can be made for them to serve local missions or help with ward projects.