[April 4, 2016]
When a young person feels they are ready to serve a mission for the Church, they meet and counsel with their bishop, fill out some basic information online, get medical and dental clearances, meet with the stake president and then push "SUBMIT".
In a period of about 2-3 weeks, an envelope will arrive with their "call". It is a leap of faith. The first of many. With few exception, young adult missionaries do not choose their areas of labor or language. Church leaders consider the needs of each missionary and mission and make assignments based on spiritual revelation.
For a great explanation of the process, see HERE.
Will received his call on April 4th, 2016. The packet came to our home in Washington so we arranged to meet him that evening at school in Cedar City. His brother Tyler and sister in law Meghan also drove down from Provo to be with us. Numerous other friends and family members joined us in person and through phone and FaceTime. It was pretty much a 10 minute party.
This is what the letter said:
March 29, 2016
Dear Elder Peacock:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.
You should report to the Guatemala Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.
You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.
The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.
You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president...
Sincerely,
Thomas S. Monson
President
As a mom, it is also a leap of faith. I am so grateful for the confirmation of the Spirit which whispers, "Yes. This is exactly where he needs to go. All will be well." We can do hard things.
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