Mormons to Consolidate Missionary Work Worldwide as Church Continues to Grow
David M. Bresnahan
February 10, 2010
Dublin, Ireland – Young, nicely dressed Mormon missionaries will continue to be seen in major cities and small villages throughout the world, even though the 348 offices that administer the program will be consolidated, according to an announcement made to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ireland on Sunday.
The change will take place on July 1, 2010 in an effort to make best use of available resources to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Church in Ireland and in other locations throughout the world, according to the announcement.
The more than 52,000 volunteer missionary force is divided into 348 administrative units, referred to as missions. Each mission is staffed by volunteers who serve without pay for up to 18 months, and a mission president and his wife who serve for three years.
The 52,000 missionaries are made up of young men age 19 and up who serve for two years, as well as young women age 21 and up who serve for 18 months, along with retired couples. All the young missionaries forgo personal plans, jobs, and education to serve at their own expense and without pay.
The Ireland Dublin Mission is an administrative office that oversees missionaries serving in both the Rep. of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is just one of the 348 missions in the world, according to statistics published by the Church.
The initial announcement was made to the missionaries and local Church leaders in Ireland on Wednesday, Feb. 3, and then to members of the Church during Sunday religious services on Feb. 7. Elder Stephen Kerr, Area Seventy, made the announcement to the missionaries.
The official announcement issued by the Europe Area Presidency states:
"The First Presidency has determined that the Ireland Dublin Mission and the Scotland Edinburgh Mission will be combined into one mission. This will take effect 1 July 2010. The new mission will be called the Scotland/Ireland Mission. The headquarters of the mission will be in Edinburgh, Scotland.
"This move will not effect the role of missionaries. It is a positive move as the Church continues to expand throughout the earth and as ward and stake leaders and members take a more active role in missionary work."
Additional consolidations will take place throughout the world as the Church makes the best use of available resources and the needs of a worldwide missionary effort, according to a statement sent by President Gordon Creer of the Ireland Dublin Mission.
The newly formed Scotland/Ireland Mission will have a complement of 146 missionaries. The number of missionaries is based on providing one pair of missionaries for each ecclesiastical unit or congregation. The size of the mission is typical, and most missions in the world will have a similar size and structure, according to a letter sent by President Creer.
"Missionaries that will still be here following the merger are excited about their expanded opportunities," said President Creer in the letter. He will finish his three years of service as mission president at the time the change will take place.
According to information on the Church website LDS.org , the missionary effort is based on the New Testament pattern of missionaries serving in pairs, teaching the gospel and baptizing believers in the name of Jesus Christ.
Male missionaries are addressed with the title "Elder" and women are addressed with the title "Sister." They serve without pay, and devote all their time to the missionary effort, skipping parties and social activities common to young singles their age.
A typical missionary day begins by waking at 6:30 a.m. for personal study. The day is spent proselytizing by following up on appointments, visiting homes or meeting people in the street or other public places. Missionaries end their day by 10:30 p.m.
In some parts of the world, missionaries are sent only to serve humanitarian or other specialized missions. Those missionaries do not proselytize.
Information about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found at both LDS.org as well as at Mormon.org where the public may also submit a request for a free copy of the Book of Mormon, informational videos, or an opportunity to meet with missionaries.
The change will take place on July 1, 2010 in an effort to make best use of available resources to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Church in Ireland and in other locations throughout the world, according to the announcement.
The more than 52,000 volunteer missionary force is divided into 348 administrative units, referred to as missions. Each mission is staffed by volunteers who serve without pay for up to 18 months, and a mission president and his wife who serve for three years.
The 52,000 missionaries are made up of young men age 19 and up who serve for two years, as well as young women age 21 and up who serve for 18 months, along with retired couples. All the young missionaries forgo personal plans, jobs, and education to serve at their own expense and without pay.
The Ireland Dublin Mission is an administrative office that oversees missionaries serving in both the Rep. of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is just one of the 348 missions in the world, according to statistics published by the Church.
The initial announcement was made to the missionaries and local Church leaders in Ireland on Wednesday, Feb. 3, and then to members of the Church during Sunday religious services on Feb. 7. Elder Stephen Kerr, Area Seventy, made the announcement to the missionaries.
The official announcement issued by the Europe Area Presidency states:
"The First Presidency has determined that the Ireland Dublin Mission and the Scotland Edinburgh Mission will be combined into one mission. This will take effect 1 July 2010. The new mission will be called the Scotland/Ireland Mission. The headquarters of the mission will be in Edinburgh, Scotland.
"This move will not effect the role of missionaries. It is a positive move as the Church continues to expand throughout the earth and as ward and stake leaders and members take a more active role in missionary work."
Additional consolidations will take place throughout the world as the Church makes the best use of available resources and the needs of a worldwide missionary effort, according to a statement sent by President Gordon Creer of the Ireland Dublin Mission.
The newly formed Scotland/Ireland Mission will have a complement of 146 missionaries. The number of missionaries is based on providing one pair of missionaries for each ecclesiastical unit or congregation. The size of the mission is typical, and most missions in the world will have a similar size and structure, according to a letter sent by President Creer.
"Missionaries that will still be here following the merger are excited about their expanded opportunities," said President Creer in the letter. He will finish his three years of service as mission president at the time the change will take place.
According to information on the Church website LDS.org , the missionary effort is based on the New Testament pattern of missionaries serving in pairs, teaching the gospel and baptizing believers in the name of Jesus Christ.
Male missionaries are addressed with the title "Elder" and women are addressed with the title "Sister." They serve without pay, and devote all their time to the missionary effort, skipping parties and social activities common to young singles their age.
A typical missionary day begins by waking at 6:30 a.m. for personal study. The day is spent proselytizing by following up on appointments, visiting homes or meeting people in the street or other public places. Missionaries end their day by 10:30 p.m.
In some parts of the world, missionaries are sent only to serve humanitarian or other specialized missions. Those missionaries do not proselytize.
Information about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found at both LDS.org as well as at Mormon.org where the public may also submit a request for a free copy of the Book of Mormon, informational videos, or an opportunity to meet with missionaries.
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