Physical Mission Papers Forms
Mission Papers for missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were once a paper or PDF form known as the Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation or the Missionary Recommendation Form. It is the application missionary candidates, young and old, fill out to initiate the process of serving a mission. Though we often call it paperwork, nowadays, it is almost always filled out electronically through a web-based application form known as the Missionary Online Recommendation System (MORS). If you do not have access to complete the application online, you may be able to fill out the physical paper forms. Talk to your bishop and he may be able to order the paper forms from the Church.
Digital Mission Papers – Missionary Online Recommendation System (MORS)
You must get access to the MORS application from your bishop and once you do, you will see a link to it from the Missionary Portal. The MORS can also be accessed directly at missionaryrecommendations.churchofjesuschrist.org. In order to get past the login screen, though, your bishop must first go into the site and get the process started and grant you access. He will let you know when that is done so you can login and begin to fill out the information.
Related Articles
The Mission Call Process is one of the most frequent topics that people ask me about. Below is a summary and links to other articles I have written on the subject.
- Mission Call Process Overview: This article gives answers to questions about the Mission Call Process from meeting with your bishop, to submitting the mission papers / application, and then receiving the call letter.
- Mission Application Timeline: In this article, I give details about the steps involved in the mission call process with particular emphasis on when to begin, and how long to expect each step to take.
- Mission Application Form: This article talks in detail about the sections of Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation. It will give you a good idea of the information and other things you will need to do to fill out the papers.
- Missionaries Are Called by God: In this article, Elder Ronald A. Rasband explains the Mission Call Process, particularly, how missionaries are called by God through inspiration to our living prophets.
- Mission Call Letter: Two to four weeks after the Church receives you mission application, you will receive your call packet in the mail. This packet will contain your mission call letter from the prophet, as well as other materials, including a list of mission clothing and other items to bring. Read this article for more detail on the contents of the call packet.
- Latter-day Saint Mission Cost: How much does a mission cost? Missionaries pay their own expenses: $500 a month for young people from the United States (that’s $9,000 for sister missionaries who serve for 18 months, and $12,000 for men who serve two-years). Read the article for more detail.
- Day of the Week Mission Calls are Issued and Mailed Out: Future missionaries often wonder what day of the week mission calls are issued and mailed out. The answer is it depends, though the most common scenario has the call issued on a Friday and the call letter being sent out from Church headquarters on a Tuesday. Check out the article for more detail.
Thank you for sharing the President Eyring Quote! 🙂
Do you know the duration of this process, when the papers are sent in? My stake President forwarded them on June 16th. Do you know about when i should be expecting my call?
Thanks
It is generally 2 to 3 weeks from the time Salt Lake receives your papers until you receive your mission call. My understanding is that once a week they take all the new papers received and there is a meeting where they assign missionaries to their mission. Of course, there are things that can delay this process such as if the paper work wasn’t filled out completely or properly. I’d give it another week, and if you still haven’t gotten your call, talk to your stake president. He can then call Church Headquarters and get a status update on your mission call. I hope this helps. Let me know when your call arrives. Congratulations and may the Lord bless you.
Hello Bro Jimmy
Hope all is well and am writing to you to tell you that its hard for me to download the mission papers.
its says there is an error, is there any other way that i can download it in pdf formate please
Thanks.
Looks like the Church has removed the PDF from their website. Sorry. I don’t know if it will be possible to download them anymore. I presume the Church is trying to steer everyone to the online application process.
glad i found this site i was just browsing google then i found this(preparing for a bishop interview) and wanted to see what the process was like,sounds easy now if my bishop will just give me the “log in” info i need we are good as gold,its the hardest thing to get a job right now well where i live ive applied almost everywhere just no one is calling,just need to pray and have faith,already 2/6 of my friend shave gotten calls one came back from the MTC 4 weeks in after tearing his ACL basically,another is going to tacoma,im next wow im kinda nervous
I’ve been waiting for Nine weeks.
For a girl to go on a mission how soon can they put in their papers before their 21st birthday?
I’m currently on that last step, “talk to the Stake President”. Pretty darn excited about it!
Great!!! I’m guessing you on mission now 🙂
Congratulations Korey! Let me know when your call comes in.
I am going to start my missionary papers in January, these will be a bit prolonged for me considering I need to graduate in July before I go. I’m determining to do the medical stuff first before everything else, and that will take a while. I’m glad I found this site, having these steps laid out makes it a bit more manageable.
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
This message from Pres. Henry B. Eyring is sooo inspiring. I was so afraid before leaving our home for mission because i do always think that it will take too long. But then bacause of prayers and fasting, good advices from the members, this site and other things that inspires me. I am now on the process!!!
I know He has a great plan for me, as quoted from Pres. Eyring’s message…
“[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.”
It’s worth it to have this site on my list! 🙂
I’m 20 years of age ! Nd Im dying to serve my Lord, well i want to get a job ASAP so that i can pay for my own mission but my family does not want me to get a job but attend school, its kinda sad but my choice is to obey them or they’ll disown me.. Wats th deadline for girls to serve a mission plissss???? Im planning to go after i get my BA and thats wehn i turn 23 or 24 🙁
I don’t think there is a deadline for women to serve a mission. Age 23 or 24 is very common for women. Good luck, and God bless.
Hey I am super excited to serve the lord and become a sister missionary 🙂 I had a meeting with my stake president about two weeks ago, and come to find he still hasn’t submitted my paper work. I am get slightly worried because I want to leave asap. My question to you is does it really take that long for him to fill out his paper work or is he just really busy? Sorry so long, just can’t wait to serve the lord. My heavenly father.
Kayla, Congratulations! I’m glad to hear you will be serving a mission soon.
I’m sorry to hear about the delays. You’ll have to talk to your stake president to find out why. Many times, the stake clerk or stake executive secretary have to do a couple of things with the application before it can be submitted. And as you indicated, these stake leaders can be very busy sometimes. Regardless, do reach out and talk to your stake president or other stake leaders, and let them know that you are anxious to have the papers submitted as soon as possible.
God bless.
I see, I sppouse that would have to be the case.
I am almost done with everything, YAY! but i’m trying to figure out how long it is between your availability date and actually leaving. I know its different for everyone but any sort of general idea would be helpful. Thanks!
They try to get your departure date as close to your availability date as possible. But entering the MTC a few weeks, even a couple of months, after your availability date is common.
Even a few months can happen. My son received his call Nov 29th with an availability date of Jan 1st. He wasn’t scheduled to report till May 1st. But, he is serving in Spain, where the VISA process can take 6 months.
as a girl you can turn in your papers 90 days before your 21st birthday you can actually have your 21st b-day at the mtc…
i just turned 24 last monday and i am about to go to my bishop next week… i really need to go see the doctor this week for some medical things and I guess i need to lose some weight but i’m gonna work on that when my medical thing is over (something going on in my ankle) i know i won’t be able to turn my papers in before march (including time to save money) so I also want to get my medical things on order before starting to fill in my papers i know i need to remove my wisdom teeth and do some other things before i can talk to my bishop about serving… but i am so excited already… i really know this is happening and it will be the best 18 months of my life where ever the lord needs me to be…:D
I have done all these steps I am so excited to be able to serve my lord been preparing to serve for over a year and half now and I have defiantly seen the blessings in my life through preparation
i will passed may mission form maybe this September 2011. i want to go on the mission,im so exited^^,
I am 19 working on my paperwork. To earn money for my mission I got a full time job. at what point during the process should I quit my job?
Dexter, You should be able to keep your job until just before you enter the MTC. You’ll want to let your employer know that you are leaving on a mission and tell them when you enter the MTC and make plans for your last day of work to be a few days before that.
10-12 days before my call should be here in the mail!!! My papers went into salt lake a week ago! Longest week of my life coming up…
No, no, no. When it’s been nine weeks you have my permission to say “long”
Hi guys so good to hear everyones progress this forum is so Informative im prepping atm jsut a quick question how long do we need our needles done once every 3mths or can we get it all done b4 4mths ? my doctor told me once then next 3mths and next 6mths lol . im so Confused other than that im starting my papers In Jan on my bday 😉 so excited the Mission Will defs be the best 18mths of my LIFE !!! Cant wait to Serve the Lord A mission is the Lords University and i cant wait to be one of his Students =)
i am so!!!!!!….grate full for may mission papers for i am so happy that day……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..later.day.sain…is pure heat and great zion for all eternitis…+_+
im getting my physical examination by a NMD Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine . but the evaluation form says must be done by MD medical doctor or physician asisstant PA nurse practitioner or a NP . can the my NMD doctor fill it out . thanks
My reading of the mission paperwork instructions is that an NMD (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) would not be acceptable. Here is the quote from the missionary application: “The Physician’s Health Evaluation of Missionary Candidate form must be signed by a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). If the examination is done by a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP), the supervising physician must verify the findings and review and countersign the form. An examination by any other practitioner is not acceptable.”
Good luck. God bless.
thanks jim i need my hep A shot and it requires to wait 6 months for the next one can go on my mission even if i only have the first shot
Hi, my son has all his papers ready, just needs to see Bishop and stake president. We live in UK. He is planing on leaving after his exams, hopfully July or August.
Now there is a problem because he has not had Hep A or B injections and it takes 3 injections the last one being 6 months after the first. So I guess same comment as above… Could he have the last one while on mission field ? Thanks.
My son is worried because he missed than part on the forms and does not want to delay his departure.
I believe he can have the Hepatitis shots in the mission field, but I’ll see if I can find some more sure information. As I recall, getting Hepatitis A/B shots in the MTC is pretty common.
Hey Jimmy!
I was wondering if you found out for sure if we can get out Hep A booster in the mission field. I’m in a similar situation! I need my second Hep A shot in six months but six months from now I should be on my mission in the Philippines!
Thanks!
My son, who wants to leave on his mission in the next 4-5 months, is getting his first Hep A shot today. So we’re also very concerned about the timing of the second shot and whether he can enter the MTC without it. Any firm answers here?
Can missionaries enter the MTC without their second Hep A shot? My son only has 4-5 months before he hopes to start his mission and he’s getting the first shot today… Just wondering if you found a firm answer to this question. 🙂
Leanne, Did you ever find anything about getting a second Hep A shot in the mission field. My son is about to turn in his papers and is getting his first shot this week. Hep A thing totally caught us off guard! Am curious if this is the case for international missions as well. Have been searching the web and see nothing. Any feedback would be appreciated!!
I’ve been waiting 5 weeks for my call… :/
Hang in there brotha…I know that the Lord is very aware of your situation and I know He has a plan for you…just be patient.
is it true that the MTC is already filled up for the summer? If you didn’t get your application in by now (early May) you are not going to be able to depart until after August. Some college courses are rigid with prerequisites and year long courses. Leaving in Sepember after school starts and coming home then will effectively mean some might sacrifice 3 years of college not just 2 years.
Mike, You could very well be right. There is usually a rush of missionaries that floods the MTC during the summer. The Church usually gives missionaries 2 to 4 months from the time the call arrives until they enter the MTC. Four months from now is September, so I’d believe it if the MTC is basically filled until then.
As for the timing of college, I know it can be tricky and it is certainly a big sacrifice to miss school. But sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven.
I’m so excited! I am ALMOST THERE! Can you belive it? the moment everybody has been talking about, the mooment that I have grown up hearing about ALL THE TIME in primary, deacon’s teacher’s preists and elder’s quorum! All I have to do is get my wisdom teeth pulled out, physical, then talk to stake presidency and I’m good ot go. All my friends have left and now it’s my time to join them in the field; in this exciting event! (Considering I JUST turned 19!) Let the good times roll! haha
What does it mean when your online application says “Recommendation has been submitted”. Is this saying it has been sent to the Stake President or to Salt Lake? I’m a little confused.
Usually to the Bishop, who then authorizes the content, sends it through to the Stake President, who sends it to Salt Lake. When you’ve filled everything out online, and pressed submit without anything missing, it’s out of your hands and for the Bishop to then check over, meet with you, add his own part, and pass on from there.
I am so happy to be able to go on a mission at 19 now 🙂 I have dental issues to take care of and then my paperwork will be done. I look forward to serving the Lord. I know that even though I’m pretty shy I will become an instrument in the Lord’s hands.
I’ve had my forms in for over four weeks now, and I’ve been told other people have been able to check online when their calls had been issued & were on their way back because Salt Lake posts the date online somewhere when the call has been sent back to the would-be missionary. Can anyone advise me on how I can check up on that?
Hi my stake president told me that I have been assigned to a mission so I am just waiting for the pack to reach me in the post to find out were I am going I live inn the UK I am wondering wether my letter comes from there Europe area office our SLC. Thanks
Unfortunately, I do not know for sure whether you mission call packet will come from Salt Lake or from the Europe office. I assume it will come from Salt Lake. Once it arrives, will you let me know. Thanks. Congratulations. And God bless you on your mission.
My mission papers were sent from Germany and I have been called to the New Zealand Wellington Mission to report to the New Zealand MTC on April 25 thanks for your help it only took 3 weeks to get my call
Oh congrats man!! that is the mission i want to go to!! best oh luck to you.
Okay so i turned in my call last week and it went to salt lake last friday, now my bishop is keeping me posted what stage its at… it just passed the health check yesterday and it says waiting for assignment!! how much longer tell you think it will be her?! the anticipation is killing me!! 😀
Jimmy,
I turned in my papers two weeks ago and my aassignment still hasn’t been made. In Junior High I had some learning disabilities and was on medication for a time. Because I was honest, I included this information. My Stake President said that my application has been sent to a ‘committee’. Can you tell me about this panel and what they will be looking at and what the process is? Will they have the opportunity to look at my patriarchle blessing or my character essays on my BYU apps so they know my heart? All I’ve ever wanted to do is serve a mission and I feel like my honesty may have jeopardized or narrowed my opportunities. I know that either way, you absolutely can’t lie to the First Presidency….I never would.
The committee you are referring to is a group of highly skilled medical professionals who will review your application. They will take a look at all the medical documentation you have submitted and then they will make recommendations to the general authorities about limitations, if any, on how and where you might serve. I’m not sure how long this deliberation takes, but it could easily delay your call by a week or two. Trust in the Lord. Pray for those involved in making the mission call, including the committee of doctors. I know that you will be sent to the right place where the Lord would have you. Have faith to go where He wants you to go and know that the call from the prophet comes from God.
My call came!!! It was delayed three weeks but thankfully got passed through the health committee without any hangups. I’m going to be serving in Colorado and am sooo happy with the call and the opportunity to serve. It’s the perfect fit for me and I can’t wait to get out of here!!!
I’m 19. When I was 15 I was severely depressed and had thoughts of suicide and self harm. I’ve grown out of it and am perfectly stable and happy! However I’m afraid my papers will get submitted to the committee for review and I will somehow be limited due to my past. I also said I was diagnosed with ADHD, but my counselor wrote a letter saying I am perfectly capable to go into the field. Do you think my call, once submitted, will take longer than usual to go through in Utah?
Thankyou to all those who are preparing themselves spiritually and temporally, mentally and socially for their mission. It isn’t just prep after all, its your life! 🙂 Its your testimony! Experiences, stories, real-honest faith in living the Gospel. Just remember that there’s going to be someone who needs to hear what YOU have to say. They need you 🙂
I’ve been preparing for 2 years myself. Finally Submitted my papers and now waiting for the exciting news!
Never give up! 🙂
My papers have been submitted for 5 weeks and no call yet…. 🙁 I live in Utah. I know I need to be patient… I just hope it comes soon.
Hey Jimmy,
Should I serve a mission? Im 14.
Definitely! You’ll have to wait until you’re 18, though. But that gives you four years to prepare, so make the most of it.
My son has all hep B shots. Getting first hep A today. This is the end of the to do list. I just learned of the 6 mos. Between the two. Does he have to wait till after that second A shot before returning paperwork? If he is allowed to turn it in… will it be after he receives it that he can will leave MTC? Or will this be a shot he can finish up or in the field?
Thank you so so much!
Hey Jimmy! Quick question for ya: I finished my papers completely and submitted them to my local Bishop but then we both decided that a year of school would be a better thing to do before hand. It’s now nearing the end of the summer of 2015 and I want to submit my papers again. Will my dental and medical information be outdated or is it still okay for the papers to go through? Thanks for your help!
The medical and dental exam need to have taken place within the last year. So if they are more than a year old, I believe you will need to do them again. Good luck and God bless.
Hey, I was wondering what does it mean when my Stake President said that my mission papers are halfway. What do you think it means? I already had the interview with my Bishop and my Stake President.
So my papers went in last Saturday Jan. 13th. When should I be expecting my call? Will my Stake President be notified when my call has been assigned or will it just show up in the mail box one day?
How will I know when my sons mission paperwork is actually submitted? Will the screen in the missionary portal change or anything? As of now it looks the same as when we filled everything out, it’s just locked. He has met with both the Bishop and Stake president. We are only waiting for the medical papers to be added.
I keep logging in hoping to see “this paperwork has been submitted to SLC” or something like that.. Will I see anything like this? Thanks
I would Love to know this too!! I do not want to be calling my bishop. I know he is very busy man!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really understand what you’re talking approximately!
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