Mission Call Process Overview
One of the most frequent questions I get on Mormon Mission Prep is about the process of starting the paperwork, getting the application in, and details about when and how the mission call comes. This article is designed to give a high-level overview of the mission call process, from meeting with the bishop, to fill out your mission papers, to getting your call letter from the prophet. For more information on the time to expect each step in the process to take, see my overview article on the Mission Application Timeline or my more detailed example of times needed for the Mission Application and Preparation to Serve.
The picture above is an illustration of the high-level process for preparing, applying, and getting the mission call. Below is more detail on each step:
Before the Paper Work
- Prepare spiritually: Study the gospel, read the scriptures, pray and build a testimony of the Savior, His Atonement, and His restored Church including Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon (so be sure to read it!). Keep yourself spiritually clean and worthy to serve a mission.
- Prepare temporally: Save money, stay physically fit, and remove any obstacles such as unpaid debts, legal issues, weight and health problems. Familiarize yourself with the requirements to serve a mission.
The Application Process
- Meet with the Bishop: At least four months before you’re able to leave on a mission, set an appointment with your bishop for a personal interview. He will give you the mission application form, or the information you need to log on to the online missionary recommendation system if the online system is available in your area. Your bishop will also conduct a thorough worthiness interview at this time. He will discuss the qualifications to serve a mission and help you through the repentance process if their are any sins you need to clear up before going on a mission.
- Doctor and Dentist Visits: Make appointments with your doctor and dentist for evaluations. In the paper work the bishop will give you will be medical forms that they will need to fill out.
- Missionary Candidate Information: There are several sections of personal information to complete, and whether you do it online or on the paper application it will be the same. You’ll fill out background information about yourself, including your desire and ability to learn a language, your schooling, and how your mission will be financed. You’ll be asked to submit a photo (uploading it or mailing it in) with your application, so make sure that in this photo you are dressed according to missionary standards (i.e. conservative hair and clothing styles, etc. See my post on Missionary Dress and Grooming Standards).
- Meet with the Bishop Again: Set another appointment with your bishop after all of the forms are completed, and he will review the application. He will conduct a thorough interview to determine your worthiness to serve a mission, your ability to serve, and your testimony of the Savior and the restored gospel.
- Meet with the Stake President: After your interview with the bishop, he will tell you how to set up and appointment with the stake president. Your bishop and stake president will complete some additional parts including their own written recommendations for your missionary service. This will be the final step before the application is sent to Church headquarters (usually done by the Stake Clerk).
Receiving the Mission Call
- Assigned to a Mission by Prophecy: Your mission application is received by the Church and you are assigned to a specific mission by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who has been authorized by the President of the Church. The mission assignment comes after prayer and revelation. See my article about how missionaries are called by God for more information on this process.
- Mission Call Letter: After the mission call is made, a packet is mailed to you. It will contain information on your assigned mission, the date to report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC), a list of specific items you should bring with you, and other helpful information. See my article on the mission call letter for more information about what you’ll find in the mission call packet.
Though there are a lot of mechanical steps to go through in the process of getting your mission call, it’s important not to lose site of the spiritual–the spiritual preparation by the missionary and the spirit of revelation in the issuing of the mission call. Here is what President Henry B. Eyring said about the inspiration of each mission call:
“I have had [many] experiences feeling of the Holy Ghost…But I’ve never felt what I have felt as I have…participated in the assigning of missionaries…Because of technology, it is possible for us to have your picture and the information about you displayed. And then quickly, on that same screen, all the missions of the Church with all of their needs are displayed. Within minutes, and sometimes less than a minute, the impression comes so powerfully that it would be, if it were a single instance, something that you would never forget. Can you imagine sitting there for hours at a time, having that happen time after time without interruption? I testify to you that it is real…[The Lord] somehow not only knows you but loves you enough to ensure that your call is where He needs you to go to teach the children of our Heavenly Father.” (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, “Called of God,” address delivered at the Missionary Training Center, Aug. 26, 1997).
I am preparing for a mission right now and I am on process now. I will submit my papers next Sunday. And I am so excited about this. I hope I could be able to served outside the country.
I am grateful for this site. It helps me preparing well for my mission. Thank you so much!
Wow! This was 5 years ago. I went to serve my mission in Hawaii! I got back 2 years ago from today. I am married now. Time flies!
Best comment sister
Hi, I just had the Stake Presidents Interview. I was wondering if you could tell me what day of the week do the Apostles meet to do the Mission Selection Process? You can write to my E-mail if you can’t say in Public. Please and Thanks
Sorry Jared. I don’t know.
That’s ok. Thanks Anyways and a Wonderful Website you have. It’s Awesome! =)
It’s crazy I got to meet elder Anderson about 2 months ago! I turned my papers in last Monday and I actually have then back now, just waiting for friend to cone over! They day they meet together is Tuesday and they send papesr out on Thursday 🙂 hope I helped some.
thursday
They used to meet on Tuesday, but now they claim to do it individually and not meet…see the link here and recent facebook from Oaks.
My paperwork was submitted at the beginning of this week. This has been a long and stressful process but I am very excited to represent the Lord. I can’t wait to serve the Lord. :]
sir , give me a mission call software thanks
I have two questions:
1. I got my call to Vancouver Canada and I lost my application for Visa and I don’t know who to call. Do you have the number?
2. I’m preaching in Mandarin Chinese Language and everyone’s telling me that I’ll be at the MTC for a VERY long time. Do you know how long I’ll be staying there?
Please and thank you
metui,
1. Regarding your lost Visa application, you can try to contact the Missionary Travel department at Church headquarters, 1-801-240-5111 or 1-800-537-3537.
2. Regarding your length of stay at the MTC, as I understand it, for languages that have proven more difficult to master, they sometimes have the missionaries stay for 12 weeks, rather than the normal 9 weeks. And yes, this will seem like a very long time because you will be so anxious to get out into the field, preaching the gospel of Christ. But be patient. Your time will come. Take full advantage of the time you have in the MTC to learn your language. When you’re standing on someone’s doorstep, trying to speak to them in a new language, you’ll wish you had spent more time learning the language. But have faith in the Lord and he will help you.
-Jimmy
I have a question after a apostle has chosen your mission how long does it take to arrive your mission call? thanks
Call assignments are generally made on Fridays, and the call packets generally get mailed out on the following Tuesday. See this article for more detail: https://www.latterdaysaintmissionprep.com/call-process/day-of-the-week/
Thank you for this useful information! This helps reduce a lot of anxiety, so thanks!
i have like your points may almigthy GOD bless you and communicate to jimmy bye by
Hey guys,
I am still waiting for my call but it should be in late this week or early next week.
Can’t wait to get out there and start serving. Thank you for this site its been helpful with preparation for my Mission. Wherever I get called I shall serve 110 percent for the Lord.
Cheers.
What do I write for my acceptance letter? Is it just like a short few sentences, or do I write my feelings? I’m just looking for a basic idea
Jim, check out my post on the acceptance letter.
I just met with my stake president and I am wondering about how long it takes him to go over my papers and submit them? I am so anxious!
Hey, I put in my papers about three and half weeks ago, and I had a couple of questions.
My dad works for the church, and he’s been able to keep tabs on my mission paper status. According to his information, a committee convened to discuss my call last Friday. However, it is now Thursday and no call has been sent to me. Is it possible its lost I. The mail, or is this normal?
Matt, Delays are normal. If there has been an unusually lengthy delay, talk to your bishop or stake president, and they may be able to call church headquarters on your behalf to find out what the hold up is. Good luck and God bless.
Question…..My extremely responsible son kept track of his packet for two months while finishing school, then came home and gave it to me as I was so interested in getting to work on gathering needed things. I now cannot find it anywhere, and fear that it was thrown out by mistake! Luckily he has his call letter, as he put it on his bulletin board as soon as he returned home. I feel so sick about this. Do you know how I can get a new packet for him?
The best thing to do would be to call the missionary department at Church headquarters and I’m sure they can help you. Good luck.
he i just had the talk with my bishop a few weeks ago and i feel like i am spiritually ready to begin my papers now. my bishop said he would begin the process online. how do i get to my papers now? im on lds.org but cant find anything about it
The Missionary Online Recommendation System is located here: https://missionaryrecommendations.churchofjesuschrist.org/
You should be able to get in if your bishop has indeed gotten the process started and enabled you to login. Good luck.
so dissapointing. when i was younger i thought they did each one individually by hand. just a computer, with some prayer for “quality control”
Up to what age can an LDS young men serve a full time mission? Any references? Thanks.
The upper age limit for men is 25. I believe this can be found in the LDS Church Handbook 1.
Can someone be rejected not to go on a mission after applying? Can it be a very special situation where the Lord doesn’t want him to go?
Emmanuel, I have never heard of someone’s mission application being rejected in such a way. Now I have heard of it being rejected for health reasons. In such cases, the young man is honorably discharged from the responsibility to serve a mission. But besides those health issues, and of course worthiness issues, no one’s mission application is rejected. The prophet has told us that it is the will of the Lord that all young men serve a mission. I hope his helps. God bless you.
I know a worthy young man who recently sent in his papers and did not receive a call. Just a letter from the first presidency saying he was not to receiving an assignment, no other explication. He is very confused. I have never heard of this before either. His stake president advised him to continue to attend the temple and move on to pursue an education.
Jimmy, Emmanuel and Susan,
My name is Jaime Mejia. I am from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I am 23 years old and I’m a convert of the Church. As the only member of the Church from my family, I had to wait until I was 21 to finish the process of sending my papers. I committed some sins as I waited to turn 21, but I worked on solving those issues so I could be ready once I could really send my papers. My bishop and stake president were of great help.
After turning 21 (I would like to mention I was worthy enough), I sent my papers. I went through the process as all the youngters do. Actually, it was thrilling and exciting for my in such a way for I was able of finally starting this process of becoming like those ones who changed my life. To make this story short, after two months of sending my papers, someone from the Missional/Missionary Department sent my Stake President a letter telling him I was not going on a mission. Some things about my life as a non-mormon were mentioned and I guess that influenced my calling… It is interesting though, that all my papers went through all the process and even got to the Headquarters. The letter briefly said that the Lord was pleased with my desire of serving and that I could continue with my normal life. No service was required for me as a full-time missionary, but if desired I could serve in a special mission or in the Temple. As Susan stated in her post, some people (at least her friend and me) do not receive a call, but a letter saying no assignment is to be received.
I have been told so many times this is a special case. It is special, I’m not going to deny that, but it is also tough and harsh for not being able of what one really wants to be… At the end, I understood that we are here on this Earth to show our obedience to Heavenly Father. After all the sadness and confusion this experience brought, the learning and connection with God has been more significant.
Jaime
P.D.
Susan, I would like to get in contact with your friend. In fact, I’ve been looking a web page or something similar with people who share this experience, but I guess we are a minority. Let me know, please.
Instead of committed is DID. Sorry for the mistake, but I tend to get confused for I am a Spanish native speaker. My apologies.
Was it a packet or letter when they honorably excused you?
hello bro, my brother’s application was approved by our stake but got rejected at Salt Lake due to health history problems. my questions is.. when will his canceled application be purged from the system for him to re-apply re-apply? assuming all his health problems was resolved.
It is possible for us to chose the kind of work, i.e. serving at a visitor center? I am retired professional sales trainer, and love to talk. I am not good at door to door, but a visitors center would be perfect.
Glennis “Bear” Smith
Glen, Senior missionaries, compared to the 18 and 19 year olds, are given much more flexibility in terms of the kind of mission they will serve. You still have to be willing to go where the Lord calls you to go, but generally, for older couples, it is for the type of mission they request. You can check out the current senior missionary opportunities on the Church’s website. Click on the link in the right side bar called “Learn about current opportunities” to see the openings and possible missions you could serve. Good luck, and God bless you.
hello i already submitted my mission paper last november 8 2012 and until now i haven’t yet receive..
Hi!
I turned in my papers nearly 5 weeks ago, and I still have not received a call yet. Do you have any idea why it would be taking so long, or if there is anyone I can contact about this?
Thanks,
Chris
It sounds like there might have been a delay. You’ll want to reach out to your stake president. He can call Salt Lake and find out what is going on.
Hello,
I received my call to Utah and I just have doubts that I will be any good there. It’s to be excited about serving a mission when everyone around you is being called to Thailand, Ecuador, and France. I want to be in love with my call, but I just can’t seem to feel that way. I mostly feel guilty about this feeling. How do i fall in love with something I just can’t seem to love.
First of all, I empathize. I understand your feelings because I felt a little the same when I got my mission call. I went to Argentina, but at the time I got my call, my older brother was already there on a mission. I wanted to go some place different and more exotic. I wanted to learn a different, cooler language. But my mission was a fantastic experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world now.
I think you have to go back to why you decided to serve a mission in the first place. You probably decided to put your papers in because you had gained a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted to do what you can to build the kingdom of God. You didn’t decide to serve a mission so you could go to a far off and exotic land. You decided to go because you wanted to do the will of the Lord. Well, the the Lord’s will has been made known through his living prophet, and when you think about it, that’s pretty exciting.
Someone, probably multiple people, in Utah are waiting for you. You will be able to connect with them in a way no other missionary can. The Lord needs you to be his ambassador and to further his work. Please pray about your mission call. The Spirit will confirm that it has come from God, and I’m sure your enthusiasm will return. Good luck and God bless.
I have a question regarding the Insurance section of the papers, I can’t seem to find a phone number to call and it has now been three days that I have been waiting for an email back. By any chance do you know a number I could call to ask questions about the application?
My name is Joseph Forbush. I sent my papers last Tuesday but Salt Lake City received them on Thursday (1/24/13). I am so excited and can’t sleep a whole night without thinking about when mission call is going to come in the mail and what it says! I wondering when you guys think I might receive my mission papers in the mail. In your personal most exact opinion, what day or week do you think my mission papers will arrive in the mail?
Example: Tell me the day, date, and week you expect my call to arrive. I live in Michigan…if this helps at all!
Chill. It took me about 3 weeks. I got it on Jan 2. Nice way to start the year.
my mission assignment already completed last january 25.. I am very excited and im thinking it when my mission call arrive im in the phillipines…
I am reporting to the MTC in Provo in 2 days. I am really nervous about the flight and finding my way around the airport and just the logistics of everything. I am leaving from FL. Considering that it is winter, it might snow in UT and flight could be delayed. What happens if I am late to the MTC?
Also, is it still standard to stay 9 weeks to learn a language? I am serving in NV-LV Spanish speaking.
I have heard that they are having Spanish learning missionaries only stay 6 or 7 weeks, due to over crowding at the MTC. But I don’t know for sure if that is true.
As for being late to the MTC, if it is due to a flight delayed from winter weather, I’m sure they would understand. Good luck on your mission. May God bless you.
Hey samantha i was wondering how long it took for your call to get to you.i live in florida also and it has been 3 weeks ecactly today
What day did you recieve your call also in florida
My son set in his paperwork several weeks ago and already had a meeting with the bishop and stake president. His bishop and state president feel he is ready and prepared to serve, although he struggles with ADHD (he does not take medication). The Church requested my son see a counselor, which he did, and the counselor wrote a glowing report. Now Salt Lake is asking for a second counselor interview (which he has to meet with two times). Such delays have been very frustrating to him and us, as we are seeing his friends and cousins already receive their callings and everyone wants to know when he will get his.
Annemarie,
What happened with your son? I know that kind of feeling… Let me know, please.
Jaime
Hi, my name is Cameron and I wondering when my mission call would be mailed because I live in NC and I sent my papers out 3/12/13 and also that same week I was issued a call, so I was wondering if you could give me a estimate time when I should receive my call in the mail?
Thanks,
Cameron
Cameron, Check out my article on the Day of the Week Mission Calls are Issued and Mailed Out
My papers have been submitted to salt lake. When I asked my stake president the status of my papers he said they were “ready for assignment”. What exactly does that mean?
That means that your paperwork is ready for the meeting where an Apostle of the Lord will assign you to a specific mission. Read my article called Missionaries Are Called by God, that explains this more. That assignment should happen this week, and then your mission call packet should be mailed to you next week. Good luck and God bless.
Hi, my son is due to leave on his mission for Brazil on 5th June but we havent heard re his travel plans or visas etc. What would happen if all paperwork isnt ready before he is due to go. We live in England.
hi Brenden am rill in serious trouble. i became a member of the church when i was 12yrs old, i2yrs latter i left that area where the church was located. living the church for allmost 6yrs. at those period of time when i was 19yrs old i was dating a girl. for the fact that i dont rilly know much doctrine off the church. the dating now lead to a son. after coming back to church i made my confession to my branch president. after a year i apply to go on amission. go true an interview with my stake president but did tell him. due to our interview. i went on a mission, i pass true MTC ,i was already on my mission field. my mission president ask me to tell him about my life so i told him about my past. for the fact that i was honest. i was sent back home. i rilly want to serve the lord plz help me talk to my stake president so that i can return back to my mission field. am from Abuja Nigeria stake please help me am rilly confuse .
Awolowo,
What a story… I guess your Bishop and Stake President did not believe you. But you were honest, and because of that you should know you did your best. You actually had a chance to serve when one in the same situation as you can’t. Hope you’re good.
Jaime
My papers will be officially submitted on a tuesday. Does that mean my call will be assigned that Friday or will they be held until the next Friday?
Hi, I wanted to go on a mission but I have transgressed considerably in the past. I have repented the last 6 months. But I have fathered a child out of wedlock. I do not see the child as she lives with her mother. My bishop said I have completed repentance and I just received priesthood. He said it may be possible for me to go on a mission. Is that true? Has there ever been cases where people that have fathered children can still complete a mission?
While it is possible that someone in your situation could go on a mission, it is highly unusual. The Church Handbook, which gives guidelines to priesthood leaders, specifically says that men and women who have had a child out of wedlock are not normally recommended to serve missions.
I’m glad to hear that you have repented, and I applaude your righteous desires to serve a mission. While a full-time mission may not be possible for you, there are still plenty of ways you can serve and help the kingdom of God grow. There are Church service mission (non-full-time mission) opportunities, you can serve diligently in a calling in your ward or stake, and of course you can share the gospel with your friends and neighbors.
Good luck and God bless.
That’s what I’ve always thought that I would never be able to do a mission. So then why did my bishop say it might still be possible? Thanks!
Are Sister Missionaries supposed to get a second package a few days after their call from their mission president?
I am 62, divorced, retired, and have a temple recommend. I would love to serve a mission, but the only information I can find for senior mission opportunities seems to be for senior married couples. Can senior single women go on missions?
Senior single women can go on missions, though I don’t think senior single men can. The Handbook says that older single women are usually called to serve for 12 or 18 months and that these sisters are usually only called to nonproselyting missions. I hope this help. Good luck and God bless.
So… I don’t know if you’ll know the answer to this, and I won’t be able to talk try bishop about it until Sunday, so thought I’d try. So this last January I had my papers all done and ready to turn in, but the day they were going in, my stake president found out there is a rule that anyone who had an eating disorder (I did for a few months last year) had to wait a year. So this October is my year, but it was never clear to me; do I have to wait until October to resubmit my papers OR does it mean I just couldn’t leave until October, and can turn my papers in before then? (My availability date would be the first of December) any info you have would be VERY helpful!
Thank you!
Only your bishop can answer this for sure, but I would assume that you can put your mission papers in very soon, much earlier than October. Since the process of receiving the call and entering the MTC can take several months, usually people are allowed to do this, assuming the remain worthy to serve throughout the process. Good luck and God bless.
Hi, I am preparing to serve my mission in Auckland New Zealand. I am wondering if you could tell me what will happen if my travel visa isn’t cleared by the time I am supposed to report to the MTC in New Zealand.
If you don’t get your visa by the time you are scheduled to travel to New Zealand, then one thing for sure is that you won’t be going to New Zealand at that time. You’ll have to talk to the Church missionary department regarding what you are supposed to do in that instance. (You can call the Church at 801-240-1000.) I suppose they will either send you to a different MTC or delay your arrival date in New Zealand. I hope everything goes well. Good luck and God bless.
Hi!I’ve been planning to serve a mission after my graduation in college. It was just happened that after the said event in my life, I practiced my profession away from my family. I am 22 now and fully decided to end up my career and serve mission. Can I undergo the necessary actions going to mission such as interviews on the stake that my family used to attend church meetings? This is because I am working miles away from them…Thank you in advance!
I highly encourage you to go and talk to your bishop. It is wonderful that you have the desire to walk away from your profession and go on a mission. I don’t think you’ll run into any problems filling out your paperwork and getting the necessary interviews. But again, your bishop is the key person to guide you through this process, so please make an appointment to go talk to him. Good luck and God bless you.
I will most likely be 25 when my papers are submitted is this too late?
You should be okay, but be sure to talk to your bishop. The handbook says you can be 25, but not 26 years old, when you receive the call to serve a full time mission. Good luck and God bless.
If you want to serve a mission, talk to your bishop. Period. As well meaning and good intentioned as they are, it is very irresponsible and unhelpful for anyone other than your own bishop to try to answer questions about the process of obtaining a mission call. The process is far more dynamic than most people can imagine. In my church service I have the opportunity to work closely with those who have their calls and are preparing to serve and those who are just starting their missions. There are pilot programs and other R&D that is being conducted on the process of issuing missionary calls and pre- and post- call preparation of which few people are aware. And they totally throw off the accuracy of the silly speculations I hear being advanced. Just recently several missionaries had their MTC locations changed only days before their MTC report date due to some of this R&D activity. The missionaries are suddenly going to entirely different countries than what there original call specified and now have to meet different visa and immunization requirements. It has them scrambling. But they were chosen exactly because they are the type that can scramble and make the change. No one would have predicted that this sort of thing would have happened and if you generalized that what is happening to them is going to happen to others you’d be totally wrong. The reasons are complex and beyond the scope of this posting. What is relevant for anyone preparing to go on mission to know about that situation is that the missionaries’ stake presidents and bishops were involved throughout the process and they kept the preparing missionaries and their families informed on what they needed to do. From the very first step of the process things can change dramatically. Even a missionary who just left his bishop’s office and watched his bishop enter the information on the internet form to start his application moving forward cannot advise the guy walking into that same bishop’s office. Because whatever the first guy tells the next guy about the process could be outdated and wrong in the time it took for the second one to enter the office. ONLY your bishop (and later in the process your stake president)can be relied upon for any information related to your serving a mission. Dynamic does not begin to describe the fluctuating nature of the mission call process before, during and after a call is issued. And no aspect of it is trivial or can be generalized. I have seen applications take as little as 3 days and as long as 3 weeks between the stake president’s final submission and the call letter arriving — and the length of time was not due to anything that can be identified such as insider contacts, mail delivery variables, clerical errors or anything that could be explained to anyone — it just went super quickly for one and super slowly for the other. BTW both of the extremes I mentioned received “ordinary” calls to established missions. And it is not true that calls are always issued on a particular day of the week and sent out on a particular day. Although there is an apparent pattern that can be ascertained in certain areas where many people are receiving calls at the same time, the pattern is anecdotal. Speculating about any part of the process is not helpful and is ultimately irresponsible. If you want to serve, get with your bishop. Period.
Hey Jimmy,
I’ve been struggling badly with an addiction which has stopped me from serving, and now I’m 25. Any tips for someone in my situation? This has been something I’ve struggled with even before my joining the church.
You haven’t quite reached the age when you can no longer go on a mission. You may still have time to do it. See my post on Missionary Age Requirements. But not knowing the details of your addiction, it’s impossible for me to say whether or not it will be able to happen. My advice is to go see your bishop as soon as possible. He will be able to tell you if going on a mission is still possible. He will help and support you. Good luck, and God bless you.
My stake president say the status of my papers say “in Process” what does that mean?
I’m not sure. According to my information “In Process” isn’t a status. Of course, my information comes from a stake clerk view into the system. Perhaps bishops have a different view.
According to my information, there are 13 status options:
1 Candidate(s) Completing Forms
2 With the Bishop
3 Incomplete Forms at Stake
4 Ready for Stake President’s Action
5 Returned to Stake
6 With Church Headquarters
7 Assignment Made
8 Postponed Mission Start Date
9 Entered the MTC
10 Entered the Mission Field
11 On Leave
12 Released from Mission Field
13 Canceled
Perhaps “In Process” means it is “With Church Headquarters”
My Stake President said that my son’s also shows “In Process”
If I currently attend a YSA ward, would I go to that bishop or my home ward bishop? They’re both in the same city, I wouldn’t have to travel far for either.
You can do it either way. Most people fill out their mission paperwork in their home ward, if they can. If that is possible with you, that’s what I would recommend. Good luck and God bless.
When it says the Bishop and Stake President will make their own recommendations for your missionary service. What does this mean exactly? Do they put in a recommendation that you should/ should not go foreign, etc or where they feel you should serve? Thanks.
The content of the Bishop and Stake President recommendations will vary. Some will write a paragraph or two, some will only write a sentence. They could put recommendations to go foreign or not, but if so that is usually something they would have discussed with the candidate. They usually write about what they have learned and felt through the Spirit as they interviewed the young man or young woman. They may comment on how spiritually tuned the youth is or what kind of leadership potential the youth has. I hope this helps.
So then is it a better idea to be interviewed by a bishop/stake president who knows you well vs. moving and getting interviewed by a new bishop. I was not aware at all that a bishop/stake president put in any comments at all other than the missionary candidate is worthy to go.
and sorry one ,one question, but why do they ask if your parents/grandparents served missions and where they served? What does that have to do with my application?
Hey, I have a quick question. After months of going through interviews and getting prepped for sending my papers in, I finally had the privilege of meeting with my stake president and submitting my mission papers.
3 weeks go by with nothing, and my bishop is notified that my papers are being held by the mission center because an anonymous caller decided to call in to a hotline and report me for something I didn’t do. My S.P., current bishop, and previous bishop can all vouch for my worthiness and readiness to go, but somehow, my call is being held up by someone with no evidence against me other than word of mouth.
Now someone by the name of “________________ from LDS Family Services is requiring me to shell out $300 for a polygraph test and to go through a psychiatric evaluation before they release my papers. Have you guys ever heard of something like this happening? Someone basically just called in, lied about me, and now the whole mission department has me on lockdown.
I would call the actually office where they handle mission papers don’t waste 300 dollars
Hey,
I just read your post and was wonderting what happened at the end. I hope the best did.
Greetings!
Jaime
Same thing is happening to me. I’ve been waiting three months for my mission call, have gone through several interviews that I know no one else has to go through, just to find out I have to pay 200 bucks to have another interview and wait another month just because I answered yes to being “same-sex attracted”. I understand the necessity of being thorough, but you think they could prevent needlessly putting people through emotional stress.
I sent my papers in three weeks ago and my assignment still hasn’t been made. I am concerned that they may reject my papers since I struggle with mild depression but am stable on medication. Does the church reject mission papers for such things?
Well, you could be right. You’re just going to have to stay in communication with your stake president and the missionary department at Church headquarters. I know they (Church headquarters) do give close scrutiny that missionary applications where the candidate has had issues with depression. The screening process may take a little longer than usual, but if everything can be kept under control with medication, you likely will still be allowed to serve a mission. Good luck and God bless.
I’ve been told by a missionary that you can check your mission call status online on the missionary section of the church website. He said he has done it before. I’ve had a look but I haven’t seen anything. Do you know where I must go to check it? If this information helps, I’ve sent in my papers 2 weeks ago. The church called my bishop last week telling me I needed a haircut for my application picture, which I have sent in this past Sunday. The picture appears to have been updated. Thank you in advance.
Jimmy, my husband and I are going on a couples mission, is it basically the same timeline for receiving your call as for the young missionaries?
There are many similarities and there are some differences. I’m not as familiar with the senior missionary couple process, but I believe the Mission Application Timeline is about the same. Of course, one of the major differences with the senior couples’ process is the flexibility in where you will be assigned. Like young people you do state your willingness to go wherever you are called. But 9 times out of 10, if you request a certain mission type or mission location, that’s where they’ll assign you. Good luck, and God bless.
How do you request a certain mission type or location?
I just want to ask. I’m so curious about my mission call. I’m still waiting. The Stake President in my ward informed me that my application is now ready for assignment. Does it mean that one of the apostles is going to assign me somewhere through his revelation? So how many weeks does it take before I receive my call? By the way I’m from the Philippines.
Thanks
I can’t fit my feet into the photo that needs to be uploaded on the mission form. It shows me in full mission outfit, just not my feet. Is this a problem? What do they use that picture for? Will anything else see it besides the people who evaluate the forms?
I’d have to check on the precise guidelines and get back to you, but usually the picture is just from the shoulders up, or sometimes the waste up. The Church leaders who evaluate your application will look at the photo, and they’ll also give it to your mission president once you have been assigned. So make sure it’s a good photo.
Jimmy-I have a question. I hope you can help me. My son is serving in the Cordoba Argentina mission. A while back he asked us to please send him his mission call papers and packet. I did with out really thinking it through. And I asked him about them because he will be coming home soon and I want to make sure we have them for a book. He said he never got them. It must have been one of the packages he never got. I am just sick over this. Do you know if there is anyway we can get a copy of his call or what I can do? Thanks, Lori
My stake president said that my papers are in Salt Lake now- just curious as to when I should expect my call to come in the mail. Fantastic website, I love it so much!!!
Jason
We just got our call 2 weeks ago and it was about 4 weeks,but they had a question about our finances that I think took it an extra week. The young missionaries might be different than the older couples anyway. It is soooo hard too wait isn’t it? We’re going to Singapore and very excited. Good luck! ;-}
Jimmy can you please help me? I recieved my mission call about two weeks ago. I sent in my mission acceptance letter about a week ago. I have an online account where I keep track of immunizations, preparations etc and every time I log in to this online account the first thing that pops up is my mission call and then a link to an online acceptance letter, as if I haven’t already written and sent one in. Does this mean they haven’t received my acceptance letter? Is there any way to know? Should I type a copy of my acceptance letter on my online account and send that in as well? Any knowledge you can share regarding the whole acceptance letter ordeal would be greatly appreciated.
I really like this website , because I learned a lot of things. And I know that all the things that I’ve learned from this website can help me to become physically and emotionally prepared. Some of the questions that bothering in my mind are all answered. So, I am so greatful. 🙂
Please call my office at 409-880-8644. I am very interested in becoming a Mormon, but I have doubts that I would like to address beforehand, so don’t let me off the phone easy. I really want to talk, I just might try to back out because I am nervous.
Thank you very much for you persistence in reaching the lost.
Dr. Kaushik Ghosh
Dr. Ghosh,
I am not from the US but I would love to talk to you about what we as mormons believe. It will be great if you share your email address with me so we can get in contact via email. I hope you are fine.
Best regards,
Jaime
I heard that it’s a requirement to have all of your wisdom teeth removed before serving a mission, whether you need them removed or not. Do you know if that’s true?
I know for a fact that you don’t have to have all of your wisdom teeth removed, as long as your dentist will sign off saying that they won’t cause any problems for the next two years.
Most dentists will not sign off on that unless the wisdom teeth have already come in.
I turned in my online mission papers to my YSA bishop at school but am going home to do the interview with my home ward bishop and stake president. Even though I have already submitted my papers online to my YSA bishop, can he still send them to my home ward bishop? Also, how do they go about sending them to each other?
I have my mission call, and I am scheduled to ship out next week for my mission. But I really don’t want to go, and I just have the worst feeling about it. I makes me really sick to think about it, and not in a nervous, butterflies in the stomach way. Can I still choose to stay home? How does one go about that?
my brother’s had his mission call to go to the london south mission but his visa has bee refused. we are from Ghana. what do we do? what’s usually the process when this happens?
thanks
Ama
Hi,
I met with my Stake President last Thursday and he told me that he should be sending in my application that night. He said not to bother my bishop by asking if my call has been assigned, and if I don’t hear anything in 3 weeks I can ask just to make sure he remembered to submit it. I don’t want to bother him, but I’m in a really big time crunch and if they didn’t get sent in last Thursday I would probably need to change my availability date due to schooling. Is there any way to check on my own whether or not it’s been submitted/assigned or can only the bishop do that?
Thanks!
The hardest thing for me right now is waiting on my call, or if I get to receive a call. I am 28 years old and lived a rough life. But I came out of the bitter and learned the true sweet and feel very strongly that I needed to serve a mission. My patriarchal blessing also tells me I will serve a mission before education and marriage. I don’t really understand the drive but I am going crazy waiting on my call. My papers after many hoops made it to Salt Lake. But it’s been five and a half weeks with no response or call. Still waiting. Pray for me brothers and sisters. I really want this. WOuld be the best Christmas Present ever.
why do they ask if your parents/grandparents served missions and where they served? What does that have to do with my application?
All the information the Brethren can get about you helps them. I believe the saying is true that information often leads to inspiration. They want to know if their is a history of missionary service in your family or if you are the first in your family to go on a mission. This could be a indicator of what you have been taught throughout your life about missionary service and it may be an indicator of the amount of family support you have. They want to where family members have served, as this may help them to know if the Lord wants people from your family to continue to minister in that area of the world. As the Brethren study these and other things about you, the Spirit will be able to come more fully upon them to give them revelation about where you should serve. Good luck with you application. Know that your call comes from God through his living prophets.
What is the typical wait time between getting your call and entering the MTC? Both for stateside and foreign.
I don’t know if there is a typical, but if there was, I’d guess it is between two and three months. I have seen it as short as one month and as long as four or five months. And I don’t think there is a difference between domestic or foreign missions.
Do you know much about how to do a service mission at SLC Family and Church History Headquarters mission. I have been in contact with the Elder for Young service missions but I seem to be in a loop of going back to him not really getting the information I need. My Bishop seems to be at a lost too.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a friend who is not worthy to be serving a mission but made it through her interviews and should receive her call any day now. I am struggling with this as I have been close with many missionaries who tried very hard to be worthy to go and she is flying under the radar and going as well. I have tried to pray for peace, but I am just constantly bothered by it. What can I do?
Mckay, Keep praying, have faith, and know that your friend is not flying under God’s radar. Your friend will have to learn for herself of the blessings of obedience and worthiness. Many young missionaries, when they get to the MTC or the mission field, feel the overwhelming power of the Spirit of God and our convicted by the conscience of their own guilt if they have major unrepented sins. The General Conference talk by Sister Linda S. Reeves talks about just such a topic. Perhaps you should give it a read and see how you feel. Good luck and God bless.
why is my mission call taking do long? I have been waiting for two months now and I haven’t heard anything yet, talked to my stake president but he says I should just keep waiting. the worst part is that friends I submitted with have their calls already and I’m still hanging… is there anyway I can track my call?
hi my bishop pushed my papers to the stake president n for three weeks now i havent heard anything again not even interview so what should i do can i call the stake president?
Ernest, Yes, feel free to call your stake president or bishop to get an update.
what will mke one serve in his country, in other words how or what will one do if want to serve a mission in home country
I think the mission application form provides a place where applicants can say if they would like to stay in their home country or serve in a foreign nation. This is no guarantee that you’ll go where you ask, but your desire is a factor they take into account when determining where the Lord will send you on the mission. The bishop and stake president also can say in their comments section that the potential missionary want to serve either in the home country or a foreign nation.
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Do you know what the process is if someone starts their mission papers in one place (i.e. initial interview, medical, dental, etc) and then they move to another stake? Can they do their final bishop and stake president interviews in the new stake?
Mark, Your new bishop and stake president will do the final interviews and submit your [digital] paperwork. Because the process is electronic, the online application can easily be transferred to the new ward and stake. I’m not exactly sure how the transfer process will work to get your online application to the new ward and stake, but I assume it will move with your membership records. So if you have any trouble, talk to your ward clerk to make sure your membership records have been properly transferred. Good luck and God bless.
Just curious, does knowing a language, especially one such as Mandarin increase your likelihood of serving a mission with that language? Thanks so much!
Kirsten, Yes, I would say that knowing a language like Mandarin will definitely increase your chances of being assigned to serve in a mission using that language. Of course, it’s not the only factor the prophets consider, and ultimately it is by revelation from God that you are called and assigned to a mission. Good luck and God bless.
My papers where turned in about 3 days ago, I noticed there was something said about Tuesdays and Fridays or Thursday maybe! About when would they review and assign me and would I get my call this period or would I have to wait until the next review and assign session?
Hi!! I’m submitting my papers on a May 19 (that’s the plan!) and I was wondering, do the apostles stop assigning calls during the summer time? And if so when? I’ve heard June and July, I’ve heard just July. Thanks!
Brittney, Congratulations and your forthcoming mission call.
Most of the generally authorities do coordinate their summer vacations to all be in the same month. I don’t remember now if it is July or August. I think July. Regardless, I don’t think it matters because I don’t think the weekly apostolic mission assignment meeting stops. I’ve never heard of it coming to a halt anyway. I believe the apostles arrange their schedules so one of them is able to preside at the meeting that happens once a week in which mission calls are given out and assignments to specific missions are made.
Good luck and God bless.
Hi jimmy, am from Ghana.
Can I start a new application forms.
I did one(online) already and submitted to the mission president buh he is always requesting me to do some corrections. Its being like 3weeks now buh he still finds some faults with it. It seems my application is being problematic.
I wanted to know if I could start a new application, this time it will be paper work.
Hi, three months ago I applied to go on mission and my mission forms were submitted in july but until now am still waiting for my mission call…. what would be the problem ….and the other issue at hand is raising the money so does that mean the poor people won’t be serving a mission
Margaret, As I understand it, the Church’s policy is that finances should never prevent a worthy young man or young woman from serving a mission. They should, of course, strive to earn money to pay for their mission, but ultimately, if money is the only thing stopping them, the bishop and other priesthood leaders can help make arrangements to get the mission paid for. Regarding your specific delay, you’d have to ask your bishop or stake president to call the Church and see what is causing the delay. On both these issues, it sounds like you need to make an appointment to talk to your bishop. Good luck and God bless.
When would the MTC reopen
Hi,
I just have a question pertaining to the order of the process- can you complete the bishop’s interview before your dental and physical exams are complete? I know they must be complete for the stake president’s interview, but can the bishop’s still be completed?
Isabelle, As I recall, usually the bishop’s interview is done in parallel with the dental and medical exams. So I believe most bishops will go ahead and meet with you and interview you before the medical paperwork is complete. But your bishop may hold onto everything and wait to send it to the stake until the medical forms are complete. I hope this help.