Church Changing Process For Missionary Recommendation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday announced changes to the recommend process for young missionary candidates.

The change, which will take effect Jan. 2, 2019, will allow young men and women to serve mission who previously were unable to due to health reasons.

In a letter sent to the General Authorities Friday morning, the Church wrote that all missionary candidates, no matter their health concerns, will be able to use the missionary online recommendation process. Those who can’t serve in a proselyting capacity will be assigned as a “service missionary.”

Those called as service missionaries will be able to live at home and service with nonprofit and charitable organizations assigned by local Church leaders, according to a press release issued by the Church.

“During the recommendation process, all candidates will be considered first for full-time proselyting missions,” the release states. “Those unable to be called as proselyting missionaries for physical, mental or emotional reasons may be called as service missionaries. In some cases, candidates will be honorably excused from any formal missionary service.”

The service missionary program has been tested in various locations since 2014.

“They make a huge difference,” said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “They’re dependable, they show up, they do the work. They’re cheerful, they’re positive, they’re enthusiastic. They bring life and energy.”

Service missionary positions will also be available to proselyting missionaries who are called home early.

“This is serving the Lord as a missionary and bringing to pass God’s work,” Renlund said. “Service missionaries bring great blessings to themselves, but more importantly, as they are doing this work, they’re blessing Heavenly Father’s children in unique ways.”