Around the web today for stories of interest to future missionaries, missionary moms, returned missionaries, member missionaries, and missionaries of every sort and variety.
- Laura Harrison “BYU Graduate Prepare for a Mission by Travelling the World“– What’s the most intense mission prep program you can think of? Think again. “At the end of November, Bingham left on an LDS mission to Bolivia. Her studies in anthropology and her experiences traveling will help her while she serves in a new culture.”
- LDS.org “Missionary Work and Retention: Georgia Elias Condensed”– This recent convert learned she could be with her late husband again in heaven and her entire outlook has changed. “I have gone from feeling alone to feeling part of a family, experiencing a gospel life I never had.”
- Jason Ruiter “Mormon Population Increases in Maryland Thanks to Missionary System and Recruiting”– What is a key to church growth in this bastion of missionary work? “In Maryland, the population has risen by two-thirds since 2000 to more than 42,000. . . . At the center of those rising numbers, according to experts and members of the church, is a burgeoning and sophisticated missionary program, like the Visitor’s Center, a patient recruiting approach and the appeal of a religion with kind and optimistic members who are part of an immense community.”
- Sarah Petersen “Mormon Score Highest on Religious Health-o-meter”– While studies can never testify of the truthfulness of the gospel, they can help us realize the blessings that church activity can bring into lives. “Newbold found the LDS Church ranked the highest for its religious health.”
- Charlotte Rose “The English Rose”– This young woman’s moving conversion story will blow you away. Make sure you have a tissue handy. “I found that it was amazing, different than any other I had been to. For the first time in my life I started to hear answers that made sense to the questions I had about life.”