Change To Missionary Communication Policy: Phone Home On P-Day!

[cinepro]

The First Presidency has just announced a change to the missionary communication policy:

Quote

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced an update to guidelines regarding communication between full-time missionaries and their families.

Effective immediately, missionaries may communicate with their families on their weekly preparation day via text messages, online messaging, phone calls and video chat in addition to letters and emails. Previously, missionaries relied primarily on email and letters for communication. See the official notice to Church leaders.

“Regular communication with their families is an important part of a missionary’s service,” said the First Presidency in a statement. “One of the major purposes of this adjustment is to encourage families to be more involved in their missionary’s efforts and experiences.”

Under these new guidelines, missionaries are encouraged to use judgment in determining the length of phone calls and video chats and to be considerate of their companions. Additionally, to avoid disruption to missionary schedules, family members are asked not to initiate calls or chats but instead should wait for the missionary to contact them on his or her weekly preparation day. If a missionary’s parents live in different locations, he or she may contact each parent separately.

With so many advances in technology, this communication should take place at little or no cost. In those locations where families or missionaries do not have access to computers or phones, missionaries will be encouraged to continue using their current means of communication.

“We encourage missionaries to communicate with their families each week using whatever approved method missionaries decide,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Missionary Executive Council. “This may vary based on their circumstances, locations and schedules for that week. It is not expected that all missionaries will call or video chat with their parents every week. The precise manner of communication is left up to the missionary as he or she decides what will best meet their needs.”

In addition to weekly communication, missionaries are also encouraged to contact family on other special occasions such as Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, parents' birthdays and other culturally significant holidays.

Elder Uchtdorf said the new guidelines offer several additional benefits, including accommodating varied family circumstances as well as better supporting those missionaries who would benefit from increased personal contact with family at home.

Currently, more than 65,000 missionaries serve throughout the world in a variety of countries and cultures as representatives of Jesus Christ. Serving full-time, they study the gospel and teach its life-changing principles to people who are interested. Young men serve for 24 months beginning as early as age 18, and young women may serve for 18 months as early as age 19. They gain valuable and life-changing experiences along the way, giving of themselves and serving others.

“We love the missionaries and know the Lord values their selfless service,” said Elder Uchtdorf. “We continue to try to find the best ways to support and help them and their families while they serve.”

(Emphasis added)

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/missionaries-family-communication

Normally I wouldn't care very much, but my daughter is on a mission, so this will obviously make a big difference to our family for the next few months!

Edited February 15, 2019 by cinepro

[stemelbow]

It's good to hear after all of these decades, the church has come around to the notion that families aren't quite the distraction they were afraid of.  I wonder if this has something to do with the third of our missionaries are coming home early, more than anything?

I guess so:

Quote

Elder Uchtdorf said the new guidelines offer several additional benefits, including accommodating varied family circumstances as well as better supporting those missionaries who would benefit from increased personal contact with family at home.

 

Edited February 15, 2019 by stemelbow

[JAHS]

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

[SouthernMo]

3 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

At that age, I didn’t want to talk to my parents every week.  Not that this is a bad idea, but you’re right - different missionaries will have different needs.

[Duncan]

I have a story about calling home. My brother in his mission, Los Angeles, early 90's, told us he wasn't allowed to call home for Mother's or father's day so he didn't. Years later I met another person that served in his mission at the same time and kind of knew him. I asked them about this policy about not calling home, you know what he said??????!!!!!!!! he said that wasn't a thing! My barfbag brother just didn't want to call home😑

[pogi]

6 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

I did write my parents every week and appreciated weekly letters from them.  I felt like there was always something to talk about. Even just to hear their voice and "I love you, take care" can mean a lot to these kids. 

Missionaries will probably stop writing home as much now. 

[The Nehor]

I doubt there will be calls every week. Text message updates and things like that will probably be more usual.

I have mixed feelings about this though. I worry some will use family contact as an emotional crutch instead of support but I support the change in general though a part of me wants to beat my chest with a “back in my day we tracted through sleet uphill both ways with only the occasional ‘dear John’ letter to remind us how much we had been forgotten back home” speech.

[Tacenda]

15 minutes ago, pogi said:

I did write my parents every week and appreciated weekly letters from them.  I felt like there was always something to talk about. Even just to hear their voice and "I love you, take care" can mean a lot to these kids. 

Missionaries will probably stop writing home as much now. 

I know several that have returned early over anxiety issues, so this should help immensely.

Also, I hope if any are being sexually or physically abused or sick etc. this will give them instant access hopefully to get help. I didn't know my son had been physically abused until he got home from his 2 year mission.

Edited February 15, 2019 by Tacenda

[BlueDreams]

24 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

Some do keep consistent contact with their parents. I definitely wouldn't have been one of them. I think it was good for me that I didn't have as much contact with them because of my family dynamics. But most people aren't like that and I could see a number who are especially close to family benefiting from being able to contact their families more regularly. There were a few I had on my mission who were really struggling with homesickness that it may have helped ease a little too. 

 

I wish I could text my bro more. We were very close before his mission and he's missed several big changes in my life (when he left I was completely single....now I'm married, have two pets, a house, and have a baby on the way). But I don't know if that would really be a thing under the policy or the way it was described....and my bro is very acclimated to mission life in Chile. He's at that point where he's forgetting english and emails almost nothing back except that he's working hard in this or that way.  I couldn't be more proud of him and his focus on the work. But we'll see....I'll give him my info, just in case.  

 

With luv,

BD

Edited February 15, 2019 by BlueDreams

[SeekingUnderstanding]

3 minutes ago, JAHS said:

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

How many people write home once per week off their missions? I think this is an awesome step. 

[Tacenda]

7 minutes ago, BlueDreams said:

Some do keep consistent contact with their parents. I definitely wouldn't have been one of them. I think it was good for me that I didn't have as much contact with them because of my family dynamics. But most people aren't like that and I could see a number who are especially close to family benefiting from being able to contact their families more regularly. 

 

I wish I could text my bro more. We were very close before his mission and he's missed several big changes in my life (when her left I was completely single....now I'm married, have two pets a house, and have a baby on the way). But I don't know if that would really be a thing under the policy or the way it was described....and my bro is very acclimated to mission life in Chile. He's at that point where he's forgetting english and emails almost nothing back except that he's working hard in this or that way.  I couldn't be more proud of him and his focus on the work. But we'll see....I'll give him my info, just in case.  

 

With luv,

BD

Congrats BD!! I'm so happy for you! 😍

[pogi]

3 minutes ago, BlueDreams said:

and have a baby on the way...

No way!  Congrats!  When is the due date?

We have our second due in April.  And we were told that we couldn't have any after 10 years of failed attempts because of endometriosis, so this is our little miracle #2.

[The Nehor]

7 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I know several that have returned early over anxiety issues, so this should help immensely.

Also, I hope if any are being sexually or physically abused or sick etc. this will give them instant access hopefully to get help. I didn't know my son had been physically abused until he got home from his 2 year mission.

I am not sure once a week like this would help with anxiety.

When I was physically assaulted (kid on something, not sure what) I ended up with a cut lip and bruising. My companion ran away. After I fought him off and got away I took pictures and sent a letter home about it and scared my mom. I was a dumb teenager and a bad son that day.  

[Storm Rider]

I suspect that this is six of one and half a dozen of another. Where some young people strongly benefit from talking to their family, I suspect there are others that really benefit from not having as much contact with family.  

One of the main reasons for the Word of Wisdom is so that even the weakest among us might not fall - maybe this is a little like that. 

[HappyJackWagon]

This is great news. Keeping the line of communication between missionaries and their families open will allow for greater support. This is such a simple but meaningful change. Well done, Pres. Nelson!

[hope_for_things]

58 minutes ago, cinepro said:

The First Presidency has just announced a change to the missionary communication policy:

Normally I wouldn't care very much, but my daughter is on a mission, so this will obviously make a big difference to our family for the next few months!

Great news!  Also, another example common sense change that many of us have been talking about for years.  Or maybe we should call this revelation from the prophet?  

[ALarson]

16 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

This is great news. Keeping the line of communication between missionaries and their families open will allow for greater support. This is such a simple but meaningful change. Well done, Pres. Nelson!

I agree!

My first thoughts on this are that they have got to try some new things to stop the stream of missionaries coming home early.  In our area, it seems like more and more are coming home (or choosing not to go out at all).  If this helps a missionary who is struggling hold on and stay out (with more emotional support and contact from their families), that's great.  I do think it'll help.  

Edited February 15, 2019 by ALarson

[HappyJackWagon]

3 minutes ago, ALarson said:

I agree!

My first thoughts on this are that they have got to try some new things to stop the stream of missionaries coming home early.  In our area, it seems like more and more are coming home (or choosing not to go out at all).  If this helps a missionary who is struggling hold on and stay out (with more emotional support and contact from their families), that's great.  I do think it'll help.  

Yes.

AND frankly...prohibiting a young missionary from speaking with family really just isn't reasonable in this day and age of fast, inexpensive communication. I don't expect that every family will communicate with their missionaries every Pday but just having the freedom to do so will help missionaries feel less isolated and connected to those who love them most.

[bluebell]

This is a cool change.  It is sad that there will no longer be a written record of communication between missionaries and their families like the has been in previous years, but times change.  

[hope_for_things]

1 hour ago, cinepro said:

The First Presidency has just announced a change to the missionary communication policy:

Normally I wouldn't care very much, but my daughter is on a mission, so this will obviously make a big difference to our family for the next few months!

The next step that I expect to happen in the near future will be much more flexibility on missionary service times.  2 years or 18 months will become a thing of the past.  Why not have a 3 month or 6 month or 4 1/2 month missions?  Service only missions for everyone without any stigma attached that these are of lesser import.   

Missionaries will begin to realize that the time they are giving in the form of service isn't a rigid set time that God somehow divinely mandated that everyone must devote.  Rather, is is a sacrifice of your time and efforts to a cause, and any sacrifice however large or small is of value and is respected and honored.  This is the next step in a healthy development of the idea of missionary work.  

[RevTestament]

48 minutes ago, pogi said:

No way!  Congrats!  When is the due date?

We have our second due in April.  And we were told that we couldn't have any after 10 years of failed attempts because of endometriosis, so this is our little miracle #2.

Congratulations pogi and Blue Dreams! Maybe you can post baby pics when the day comes! Wonderful to hear.

[RevTestament]

Currently, I think the change is awesome, and see very little downside to it with lots of possible upside. I think it will help my wife more than my son though.......

Pres Nelson has made a couple of changes I have applauded, and this is another. Sending out young men and women is a huge change in their lives, and being able to communicate more freely, I think will help many make the adjustment.

Edited February 15, 2019 by RevTestament

[Calm]

1 hour ago, JAHS said:

I think this is a good option for some missionaries and heir families. However, I think once per week may be more than needed for some. They might not really have much new to talk about after only one week.
How many people who are not on missions actually call their parents once per week? 

It says families...does this mean grandparents as well?  I know missionaries that do a weekly letter that goes out to 50 plus friends, so quite possibly the writing might not change much...those who write will continue to do so, those who don't now can call and keep the family bond going.

It makes sense given the access to Facebook and other ways to instantly see what family is doing with not only the written word, but photos and texts to give permission as missionaries aren't really isolated that much anymore from what I have seen, so the distraction is already there for those that will get distracted.  And costs wouldn't cut into missionaries' budgets like they would have in the past or cause resentment because some could afford it and others not.  Might as well therefore make use of the positive contribution of more direct support from family, imo.

[The Nehor]

44 minutes ago, hope_for_things said:

The next step that I expect to happen in the near future will be much more flexibility on missionary service times.  2 years or 18 months will become a thing of the past.  Why not have a 3 month or 6 month or 4 1/2 month missions?  Service only missions for everyone without any stigma attached that these are of lesser import.   

Missionaries will begin to realize that the time they are giving in the form of service isn't a rigid set time that God somehow divinely mandated that everyone must devote.  Rather, is is a sacrifice of your time and efforts to a cause, and any sacrifice however large or small is of value and is respected and honored.  This is the next step in a healthy development of the idea of missionary work.  

Yuck, I hope not.

[MorningStar]

My husband wrote home twice his entire mission.