The Mission Call

When a young man or woman decides to go on a mission, he or she must first be found spiritually, physically, and mentally worthy to do so.   

The Savior taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  Church members consider it a privilege to show their love for other people and the Lord by sharing the gospel.

Missionaries generally begin serving when they are from 18 to 21 years old. Many retired seniors, men, women, and married couples also serve missions. Missionaries serve from 18 months to 2 years. Missions are voluntary, and missionaries are not paid for their service.  Missionaries come from around the world, and they serve wherever the Church calls them. While serving full-time, missionaries are official representatives of the Church.

As is done with every single perspective missionary, Elder Porter first had to fill out his paperwork stating his desire to serve with recommendations from his ecclesiastical leaders of his worthiness in order to serve a mission.  This paperwork was then sent to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The perspective missionary then waits for the special e-mail to come with the particulars of his or her "calling."  This calling and the place where the missionary will serve is done by revelation through the Lord's servants, the prophets. A member of the Quorum of the Twelve assigns prospective missionaries to one of nearly 400 missions of the Church throughout the world.

Elder Porter received his call on March 1, 2022. The email came at 10am, and he spread the word for family and friends to join him at his house that evening at 8:45pm to read his assignment. After a long day at school and work, teaching swim lessons, a huge group of friends gathered in person while family members and his seminary class joined via zoom. 

Elder Porter was called for a period of 24 months to the Oregon Eugen Mission, preaching the gospel in the Spanish language. He was to report to in-home Missionary Training on June 27, 2022 and transfer to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center after 2.5 weeks. 

He was so lucky to be surrounded and supported by so many people near and far who love him. 

The gang has been together since elementary school. 

Everyone guessed where he would be assigned. Sadie was the closest with Sacramento, CA.

Mom was so proud she didn't cry, but more proud of her future missionary and all his hard work to prepare.