Who Really Signs A Mission Call?

[Mormon Dude]

I just read this article about an "open secret that nobody in government wants to talk about;" the President's autopen (the United States President). I know I've heard my question raised before (without hearing an answer), but does the Prophet really sign mission calls? I've looked at my call, and it was clearly signed with a pen (not printed), just was it really the prophet holding the pen, or a machine? Anyone who worked or works in the COB know? If the Prophet didn't sign it, why make it appear as if he did, rather than just print it on?

[Duncan]

I just read this article about an "open secret that nobody in government wants to talk about;" the President's autopen (the United States President). I know I've heard my question raised before (without hearing an answer), but does the Prophet really sign mission calls? I've looked at my call, and it was clearly signed with a pen (not printed), just was it really the prophet holding the pen, or a machine? Anyone who worked or works in the COB know? If the Prophet didn't sign it, why make it appear as if he did, rather than just print it on?

I don't care who signs it as long as he or an Apostle prayed about it, which i'm sure they did, But if not who cares I had a great time!

[LeSellers]

I've looked at my call, and it was clearly signed with a pen (not printed), just was it really the prophet holding the pen, or a machine? Anyone who worked or works in the COB know? If the Prophet didn't sign it, why make it appear as if he did, rather than just print it on?

What difference would it make even were your insinuation true?

I know mine was. David O. NKay's signature was smeared as he dragged his hand through the ink trail. But that was our decades ago (and, yes, there were autopens back then).

Lehi

[Messenger]

This came up Y E A R S ago on my mission! When I was in the MTC, an instructor told us it was physically signed by a machine. He told us how to tell, simply hold up several callings with signatures, and you'll find they are all exactly the same. But, the decision about the mission call is not made by a machine. Besides, I really don’t want the prophet spending all day signing pieces of paper, I'd rather him be leading the church through revelation.

I suppose why this never bothered me was before I went on my mission, actually before I decided to go, I got a prompting that Heavenly Father wanted me to go, and he revealed he would send me to Australia if I decided to go. So, I saw the bishop, got the paper worked done, sent it in, and about 2 weeks later I had a dream I got my mission calling in the mail. That afternoon I got the mail, and it was a calling to Australia.

So, it never really mattered to me who signed it. I knew the whole process was true. When this came up on my mission, I pulled out my mission calling, added my companions to it, and held it up to the light bulb ... they were exactly the same. I then had my companion sign his name on two pieces of paper, held that up to the light, and they were different. It was a few hours later the whole Western Australia mission was in disarray over it! I thought to myself, Uh oh, what I have done! LOL. The Assistants to the President came down to visit me about the whole thing. Then the next thing I know we are having a mission conference with a General Authority talk about it. He talked about the process but not about the signature.

The faith in many missionaries was shaken, but mostly the Assistants and the Zonies faith, which I found peculiar.

[Minos]

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This topic has been closed by a moderator.

Reason: duplicate, closed by request of OP

Kind regards,

Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board Staff