what do they do?
2007-07-19 22:58:43 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They go around preaching the book of Mormon and the Bible are the holy words of God.
They also tend to be very helpful, if you need a garden dug over, if you need help getting your shopping in, if you need help in any way. They practice their religion, unlike many others.
When there is a disaster, no matter where it is in the world, Mormon missionaries are often the first people there, with the first supplies of food, water and shelter for those effected by the tragedy.
And no, I'm not a Mormon, but I have helped them many times when something bad has happened to someone or somewhere.
2007-07-19 23:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
when men are between 19-25 and women 21+, they can inform their local leaders that they would like to serve a mission. They go through church interviews and doctors appts. to see if they are worthy and healthy enough to serve. Then the Church Headquarters is sent the paperwork. There it is decided where the person will serve. Papers are sent to the person, and their local leadership. The missionaries don't get to choose where they go. They also pay for it themselves, or their family and local congregation help. Each missionary pays the same amount ($375/month when I was on a mission) and that pays for rent and other bills.
To start a mission, the missionary goes to a Missionary Training Center. There they learn the basics of missionary life, how to preach the gospel, and if necessary the language they will be speaking. If they will be speaking their native language, they are usually there for 3 weeks. If they are learning a new language, about 9 weeks. Then they go to their mission.
Each mission has between 100-250 missionaries and a mission president. The mission president is an older man who serves for 3 years and is the head of the mission. Missions are divided into geographic areas called Zones, and each zone has a number of districts, and each district has an area. Each area has two missionaries, a companionship, serving in that area. A typical day in misison life goes something like this.
6:30 wake up, pray individually and as a companionship, shower, eat breakfast, etc.
7:30 study individually
8:30 study as a companionship
(Somewhere is a 1/2 exercise routine, but they didn't have that when I was on my mission)
9:30 start proselytizing
12:00 lunch
1:00 keep proselytizing
6:00 dinner
7:00 more proselytizing
9:30 get home, make phone calls, plan the next day.
Missionaries try to teach as much as possible. They typically meet with people at their homes or the homes of members of the church to teach. When they don't have any teaching appointments, they go door-to-door finding people to teach. Depending on the culture of where they are, the missionaries have dinner with members of the church.
I served in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission from December '01 to December '03. Men serve for 24 months, women for 18.
I hope that helps.
2007-07-20 14:02:00 · answer #2 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Although I was one, I think this is a better answer then I could give.
Mormon missionary is a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church), more commonly known as the Mormon Church. The LDS church is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 50,000 full-time missionaries worldwide. Most Mormon missionaries are single young men and women in their early twenties, who are assigned to a mission of the church that is usually far from the missionary's home. Mormon missionaries do not receive a salary for any of the work they undertake.
2007-07-20 10:53:01 · answer #3 · answered by Sherpa 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
This is just a funny story-I was telling a man that my brother was Mormon and that they have missionaries. That the missionaries wear white shirts, ride bikes, and there is two of them. He said that there were some in his neighborhood and no one would talk to them because everyone thought they were the police. He was going to tell everyone that they were just missionaries. So many people don't know.
2007-07-20 06:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by Heart of man 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sure! I was a missionary in Puerto Rico about 15-17 years ago. You already have some good answers here.
2007-07-20 20:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They teach people about the church. They also serve the people in the areas they serve.
My son served in the Utah Ogden mission. He helped on farms and even "preg-checked" a cow. He is a city boy!
My youngest is currently in the Canada Montreal mission and speaks French. They were helping people paint houses.
They are good honest young men & women that give up time in their lives to serve others. No dating for 2 years (18 months for the girls). No college until they get back.
However, they can really grow up during that time. I have seen such a change in my sons!
2007-07-20 14:10:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Young men aged 19 - 24 or so serve a two year mission if they want to. For two years, they do nothing but spread the gospel of Christ. Also, young women 21 and older, and older people and couples who's children are no longer living at home.
2007-07-20 19:22:25 · answer #7 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
These are the young men who show up on your doorstep with the message that until then, you didn't know you needed. They are the 'Sales Force' of the mormon church, your first point of contact and entry into a bewildering ride of contradicting doctrine and unbelievable dogma.
They are not theologians, just 'soldiers' with only minimal knowledge of the church but all kinds of enthusiasm. Don't expect much in the form of a discussion, they are prepared as scripts, and your answer can only be "Yes".
It's a tough job, they're generally broke and hungry, and face disappointment after another in a hostile environment.
2007-07-20 15:08:23 · answer #8 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We spend 2 years of our lives, joined "at the hip" of our companion, devoting those 2 years to spreading the "gospel" to potential converts. During those 2 years, we watch no TV, read no newspapers, books, magazines, etc (save it be publications from the LDS church). We also spend those 2 years serving people. I remember having mowed peoples lawns, walked some people's kids to school, my companion and I even gave our bikes to a Lady and her kid who were stranded on the side of the road. We proceeded to walk the 3 miles back to our apartment. After those 2 years, we come home and are expected to marry in the temple...
If you're like me, you come back after those two years feeling stronger, brighter, smarter, and more prepared for the world, and more importantly, you come back ready to LEAVE THE MORMON CHURCH.
And once you do that, you are happier than ever!
B.
2007-07-23 02:32:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Somewhat. What did you want to know? They go out on their own tab for 2 years. Even though they spread a false gospel, the idea of going out like this is somehting that people look up to them for.
They also study theire stuff for just weeks before going out. NOTHING like having expertise in the subject.
2007-07-24 05:51:39 · answer #10 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋