Around the web this week for stories of interest to future missionaries, missionary moms, returned missionaries, member missionaries, and missionaries of every sort and variety.
Mormon Missionaries are All Safe After Earthquake Rattles Chile
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake shook Chile on April 2nd. The Church has given word that all missionaries serving in Chile are accounted for and safe.
A Devout Latter-Day Saint and a Conference Protester form a Friendship
A great missionary moment happens when two people from opposite poles of religious belief come together to form a friendship. Bryan Hall and Ruben Israel share their story about how Hall came to Israel to create a mutual understanding about their beliefs, which ultimately led to creating a bond between brothers from differing faiths. This story is worth reading.
LDS Missions Feel the Change Now that Women Have New Leadership Roles
Sister Missionaries have implemented the new roles that they have acquired from church leaders to now have leadership in mission council, learning, and training meetings. The freedom that the Sisters are receiving make it easier for all missionaries to organize themselves within the districts and zones they work in.
The Church Will Add Two New Missions Located in Africa in July
Come July, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will add two new missions in Africa. One is a division from the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan Mission that will create the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan West Mission. The other mission is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa.
Statistical Report on LDS Missions and Missionaries Given in General Conference
In the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2014 general conference, the Church gave the following reports on missionary statistics as of March 2013: There are a total of 83,039 missionaries currently serving; 14,375 have received mission calls; 6,306 are working with stake presidents and bishops to complete the process of getting their mission papers; the percentage of Elders, Sisters, and Seniors serving: 64% Elders, 28%, Sisters, and 8% Seniors
A Sister’s Story of Missionary Work and Using the Ding-Dong Ditch Strategy for Sharing the Gospel
Sister Christensen wrote a letter to Mark Albright of Meridian Magazine sharing her experience of how she gained a testimony of missionary work. Her family wanted to pursue teaching a young family in her neighborhood and talks about their efforts of bringing them to church and church activities. She shares how her boys took the initiative to get the family to want to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by using the ding-dong ditch approach. Read more to find out what happens.