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    31 March 2020 - Salt Lake City
    Letter

    Church Offers New Options for Missionary Service

    Reassigning missionaries has become more limited by changing conditions

    The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent the following letter on March 31, 2020, to all Latter-day Saints. See the latest updates on how COVID-19 is impacting Saints worldwide.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has required many adjustments to missionary service, including the need for large numbers of missionaries to return to the United States and Canada from around the world. The ability to reassign these missionaries—even on a temporary basis—has now become more limited by changing conditions. This has created a measure of uncertainty for many missionaries and their families.

    We have prayerfully considered these circumstances and are making available two opportunities for missionary service for those who have returned and are awaiting reassignment or may yet be required to return to the U.S. and Canada. Each opportunity requires a temporary release prior to reassignment. These options, as well as opportunities for prospective missionaries and missionaries beginning their service, are described in the tables below.

    We are confident that missionaries and prospective missionaries will seek the counsel of parents, priesthood leaders and the Lord as they consider their future missionary service.

    Please know of our deep love for missionaries and their families as we all continue to participate in this great work together.

    Sincerely,

    The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

    Adjustments to Missionary Service: United States and Canada

    March 31, 2020

    Missionaries returning to the U.S. and Canada from international assignments

    Missionaries from the U.S. and Canada currently participating in online MTC training

    Temporarily released and choose by April 30, 2020 to be:

    1. Reinstated either to original or temporary assignment* as soon as conditions allow (with original end date); OR
    2. Returned to service within 12–18 months (with new end date)

    Choose by April 30, 2020 to be:

    1. Released after online MTC training and reinstated to either original or temporary assignment* as soon as conditions allow (with original end date); OR
    2. Released and return to service within 12–18 months (with new end date)

    Currently under call but have not begun online MTC training

    Prospective missionaries

    Choose by April 30, 2020 to:

    1. Begin online MTC training as scheduled and begin service in either original or temporary assignment* as soon as conditions allow (with original end date); OR
    2. Delay mission and begin service within 12–18 months (with new end date)

    Choose to:

    1. Submit application, receive mission call, begin service in either original or temporary assignment* as soon as conditions allow (with original end date); OR
    2. Delay and submit missionary application at a later date

    *Specific mission assignments will be determined by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

    Additional communication will be provided to stake presidents, including information about senior missionaries.

    Adjustments to Missionary Service: Countries Outside the U.S. and Canada

    March 31, 2020

    Missionaries returning to their home countries

    Missionaries currently in online MTC training or under call

    Will be reassigned* to a mission in their home country and return to service as soon as conditions allow

    Will complete online MTC training and begin service in a mission in their home country as soon as conditions allow

    Prospective missionaries

    For all missionaries from countries outside the U. S. and Canada:

    Choose to:

    1. Submit missionary application, receive mission call, complete online MTC training, and begin service in a mission in their home country as soon as conditions allow; OR
    2. Delay and submit missionary application at a later date
    • The missionary’s original end date would remain unchanged
    • Until conditions change, all prospective missionaries will be assigned to their home countries

    *Specific mission assignments will be determined by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

    Additional communication will be provided to stake presidents, including information about senior missionaries.

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