Frequently Asked Questions
about Sierra’s Mission in the Philippines
We know that many of the family are excited about Sierra’s assignment to serve in her mom's homeland of the Philippines. We also recognize that for those not familiar with the missionary program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), there may be a lot of questions regarding her missionary service and her time in the Philippines. We hope this FAQ answers most of those questions, but if anyone has additional questions, feel free to ask! For more information on the LDS Church and its beliefs, visit www.Mormon.org.
What is the purpose of missionary work?
Missionaries have the sole purpose of helping others come unto Christ. They do this by teaching faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. They work to strengthen members of the Church as well as teaching those of other faiths.
How long do missionaries serve?
Young women (“Sisters”), age 19 and over, who are called as missionaries serve for a period of 18 months.
Young men (“Elders”), age 18-26, serve for 24 months.
Married couples without dependent children can also serve missions. The length of their missionary service varies depending on where they serve and the specific assignments given, but are usually 12-24 months.
Do missionaries choose where they will serve?
No. All missionary assignments are made by church headquarters. There are over 350 missions around the world, with missionaries serving in more than 160 nations.
Are missionaries paid?
No. Missionary service is completely a volunteer program. In addition to not being paid, the missionaries (or family and friends) pay their living expenses while serving unless family finances prevent them from doing so.
What training do missionaries receive?
Preparation before leaving on a mission is most important. Developing a strong faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, gaining an understanding of church doctrine and studying the scriptures are all part of missionary preparation.
The first part of a mission is spent at a Missionary Training Center or MTC. There are MTC’s in many countries around the world. The largest is in Provo, Utah, USA. The missionaries spend anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months in the MTC, depending on the need to learn a foreign language.
Sierra was sent to the Philippine Missionary Training Center. During her 6 week stay, she will learn Tagalog, receive gospel instruction and training on how to be an effective missionary.
How are missions organized?
Each of the Church’s missions covers a specific geographic area. There are more than 20 missions in the Philippines. Each mission is overseen by a Mission President and his wife, who are assigned to the mission for a three year period. Like the missionaries, they are not paid for their service. Each mission has 100-200 missionaries.
Within the mission, the missionaries are assigned to zones and districts overseen by fellow-missionaries who then report to the mission president. Each missionary is assigned to a specific area, usually correlating to the boundaries of church congregations.
Missionaries are also assigned to serve with a companion, with whom they work. They are expected to be with their companion at all times.
Every six weeks a mission has ‘transfers’ when the mission president may reassign companionships or move missionaries to a different area within the mission.
Where is Sierra serving?
Sierra has been assigned to the Philippine Angeles Mission. Information on Angeles Mission can be found here: http://clarksangelesmission.blogspot.com/
How is a missionary’s day and week organized?
Missionary work is a full-time work. For six days a week, they are expected to devote all their time and efforts to the missionary efforts. Set routines are followed, including being up at 6:30am, having gospel and, where needed, language study in the morning. They are to return to their homes or apartments at 9:00pm and be in bed by 10:30.
One day a week, usually Monday, is “preparation day”, or “P-day”. This is a time for the missionary to accomplish needed tasks such as shopping, doing laundry and cleaning their apartment. They also use this time to write (or email) family and friends, enjoy appropriate recreation and sightseeing activities and in general take a break from normal routine. However, the evening is again dedicated to missionary efforts.
While in the MTC, Sierra as P-day on Fridays.
How do missionaries stay in contact with family and friends?
All missionaries are expected to write their parents once a week. This is often now done via email. They can also write to other family and friends as time allows. Family and friends are encouraged to write or email the missionary often.
Missionaries are allowed to call home twice a year- on Christmas and Mother's Day.
Can family and friends visit a missionary?
In general, no. However, with extended family living in and around Sierra’s assigned mission, she will be able to discuss with her mission president when and how she can visit with them.
Family members wishing to see her should contact her by e-mail. She can then discuss it with the mission president. Please keep in mind she only has computer access on P-Day so it may take advanced planning to make any arrangements.
Can a missionary travel outside of their mission boundaries?
Any travel outside the boundaries of the mission requires specific approval of the mission president. Some travel within the mission but outside her assigned area may also require approval.
How can Sierra be contacted?
Sierra can be reached via email at Sierra.Allen [at] myldsmail [dot] net
Experiences from her mission will also be posted here on her blog: www.sistersierraallen.weebly.com
What is the purpose of missionary work?
Missionaries have the sole purpose of helping others come unto Christ. They do this by teaching faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. They work to strengthen members of the Church as well as teaching those of other faiths.
How long do missionaries serve?
Young women (“Sisters”), age 19 and over, who are called as missionaries serve for a period of 18 months.
Young men (“Elders”), age 18-26, serve for 24 months.
Married couples without dependent children can also serve missions. The length of their missionary service varies depending on where they serve and the specific assignments given, but are usually 12-24 months.
Do missionaries choose where they will serve?
No. All missionary assignments are made by church headquarters. There are over 350 missions around the world, with missionaries serving in more than 160 nations.
Are missionaries paid?
No. Missionary service is completely a volunteer program. In addition to not being paid, the missionaries (or family and friends) pay their living expenses while serving unless family finances prevent them from doing so.
What training do missionaries receive?
Preparation before leaving on a mission is most important. Developing a strong faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, gaining an understanding of church doctrine and studying the scriptures are all part of missionary preparation.
The first part of a mission is spent at a Missionary Training Center or MTC. There are MTC’s in many countries around the world. The largest is in Provo, Utah, USA. The missionaries spend anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months in the MTC, depending on the need to learn a foreign language.
Sierra was sent to the Philippine Missionary Training Center. During her 6 week stay, she will learn Tagalog, receive gospel instruction and training on how to be an effective missionary.
How are missions organized?
Each of the Church’s missions covers a specific geographic area. There are more than 20 missions in the Philippines. Each mission is overseen by a Mission President and his wife, who are assigned to the mission for a three year period. Like the missionaries, they are not paid for their service. Each mission has 100-200 missionaries.
Within the mission, the missionaries are assigned to zones and districts overseen by fellow-missionaries who then report to the mission president. Each missionary is assigned to a specific area, usually correlating to the boundaries of church congregations.
Missionaries are also assigned to serve with a companion, with whom they work. They are expected to be with their companion at all times.
Every six weeks a mission has ‘transfers’ when the mission president may reassign companionships or move missionaries to a different area within the mission.
Where is Sierra serving?
Sierra has been assigned to the Philippine Angeles Mission. Information on Angeles Mission can be found here: http://clarksangelesmission.blogspot.com/
How is a missionary’s day and week organized?
Missionary work is a full-time work. For six days a week, they are expected to devote all their time and efforts to the missionary efforts. Set routines are followed, including being up at 6:30am, having gospel and, where needed, language study in the morning. They are to return to their homes or apartments at 9:00pm and be in bed by 10:30.
One day a week, usually Monday, is “preparation day”, or “P-day”. This is a time for the missionary to accomplish needed tasks such as shopping, doing laundry and cleaning their apartment. They also use this time to write (or email) family and friends, enjoy appropriate recreation and sightseeing activities and in general take a break from normal routine. However, the evening is again dedicated to missionary efforts.
While in the MTC, Sierra as P-day on Fridays.
How do missionaries stay in contact with family and friends?
All missionaries are expected to write their parents once a week. This is often now done via email. They can also write to other family and friends as time allows. Family and friends are encouraged to write or email the missionary often.
Missionaries are allowed to call home twice a year- on Christmas and Mother's Day.
Can family and friends visit a missionary?
In general, no. However, with extended family living in and around Sierra’s assigned mission, she will be able to discuss with her mission president when and how she can visit with them.
Family members wishing to see her should contact her by e-mail. She can then discuss it with the mission president. Please keep in mind she only has computer access on P-Day so it may take advanced planning to make any arrangements.
Can a missionary travel outside of their mission boundaries?
Any travel outside the boundaries of the mission requires specific approval of the mission president. Some travel within the mission but outside her assigned area may also require approval.
How can Sierra be contacted?
Sierra can be reached via email at Sierra.Allen [at] myldsmail [dot] net
Experiences from her mission will also be posted here on her blog: www.sistersierraallen.weebly.com