The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) is known for its strong missionary program. Young single adults form the bulk of the full-time missionary force, but older Latter-day Saints who have reached retirement are encouraged to go on missions as well.
LDS Senior Missionary Rules
Mormon senior missionary rules are slightly different than the rules for young LDS missionaries. Senior missionaries have more influence on where they serve their missions, as well as more leeway on rules like communicating with family and more flexibility in daily schedule.
Unless specifically requested, senior missionaries do not serve proselyting missions that include long hours of knocking on doors like young single adult missionaries.
Eligibility for an LDS Senior Missionary
Any Latter-day Saint who is at least 40-years-old and has no dependents living at home may be eligible for senior missionary service.
There is no formal maximum age, as health and mobility vary widely from person to person. Most serve with their spouse as LDS senior missionary couples, and many serve multiple missions throughout their retired years.
Who Should Go on a Mormon Senior Mission?
According to a talk by Gordon B. Hinckley called “Inspirational Thoughts” in the Ensign magazine, there were 5,300 senior elders and sisters serving missions worldwide in 2006. But church leaders continue to reiterate that many more are still needed. All older couples whose health and finances allow are encouraged to consider a mission.
Church apostle M. Russell Ballard said, "To all married couples that can serve: now is the time... the sacrifice of leaving home, family, and comforts truly turns out to be a sacrifice of something good for something better." It's believed that a mission not only serves others, but quells feelings of old-age helplessness and brings missionary couples closer to each other and to their religion.
LDS Senior Missions Cost and Length
Most full-time senior missions and Mormon couple missions are 12, 18, or 23 months in duration. They may be domestic or international. Some missions are only six months in length.
Couples who volunteer their time as Mormon missionaries pay their own living expenses out-of-pocket. The living cost for an LDS senior missionary couple varies by area of the world, but the average LDS senior mission will cost approximately $1,800 per month.
Senior Missionary Service Assignments
Most LDS senior missions are humanitarian or church service missions utilizing a person's existing language, leadership, and trade skills. Some examples of senior service missions are:
- Training leaders and supporting members in a new branch or ward;
- Coordinating humanitarian and welfare efforts in underdeveloped countries;
- Supplying technical or trade skills to developing countries;
- Serving as temple workers across the world;
- Researching family history and genealogy;
- Administering to missionary's medical needs;
- Staffing, teaching, and conducting church history tours at LDS visitors centers, and;
- Doing office and administrative church work.
In addition to serving a traditional full-time Mormon senior mission, there are also live-at-home full-time and part-time opportunities for senior missionary volunteer service.
Purpose of LDS Service Missions
Some people question the value of serving a mission that is not strictly spiritual in nature. Many senior missionaries use secular trade skills to teach and help those in poor countries. Others handle the administrative aspects of humanitarian drives so that no humanitarian funds must be used to pay employees. Though it may be done indirectly in some cases, Mormon senior missionaries believe they are serving the Lord and their fellow men.
Retired Mormon couples have all sorts of opportunities to serve in the LDS church, including going on a senior mission. For anywhere from six to 23 months, they volunteer their time and abilities to fulfill a variety of assignments drawing on their personal skills and talents.
Sources:
- Robert D. Hales, “Couple Missionaries: Blessings from Sacrifice and Service.” Ensign, May 2005, 39.
- "Mission and Service Opportunities for Senior Adults." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.
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