Music & Movies
Communication with Family
Medical Information
Dress and Grooming : Elders
Dress and Grooming : Sisters
Preparation Day, Service, and Other Activities
Bicycle
If you are assigned to an area in the mission where bicycles are used, you will be expected to purchase both a bicycle and a helmet. Use of a helmet is mandatory. You and your family will need to provide the money to purchase a bicycle and a helmet when needed. There are usually missionaries that are leaving to go home that are interested in selling their bicycles to other missionaries. You can call the mission office and talk to the vehicle coordinator to inquire about used bikes.
Music & Movies
Do not bring musical instruments to the MTC or to the mission field. Do not watch television, go to movies, listen to the radio, or use the Internet (except to communicate with your family in weekly letters or your mission president). Music that is appropriate is music that could be used at a baptismal service. Watch only videos or DVDs that have been authorized by the Church or your mission president.
Communication with Family
Missionaries should write a letter or e-mail their immediate family once a week. Parents, it is also important that your missionary receives a letter from home once a week. Missionaries have only 40-45 minutes to e-mail on preparation day. Because of the limited computer time it is encouraged that others, besides immediate family, send letters through the postal services.
Missionaries, use only MyLDSMail.net, the filtered service established by the Church. Do not use any other e-mail service or Internet service or site that has not been authorized.
Medical
Your health and safety are of great importance. Maintain your health so that you can serve with all you heart, might, mind, and strength. Exercise daily, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep by being in bed by 10:30 p.m. and up out of bed by 6:30 a.m.
Each missionary will be given a Missionary Medical card. Carry it with you at all times. If you have your own family insurance plan, that insurance will be the primary insurance; Missionary Medical the secondary.
Missionary Medical does not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions which are conditions that have been diagnosed, treated or had treatment recommended within two years prior to entering the MTC. The church will not pay for treatment of these pre-mission conditions or for prescriptions resulting from these conditions. The missionary and/or the family are responsible for expenses of pre-mission conditions.
- The Church does not pay for routine dental or eye care, immunizations, elective procedures, or for pre-mission conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. The family will always be notified if anything serious is taking place with a missionary. If a missionary is on daily medication please arrange for him/her to receive these medications through mail or network drugstores, and decide beforehand how he or she is going to pay for them.
If you become aware of any issues with your missionary through e-mails or letters, please contact Sister Ahlander at 1-702-289-6303 and let her know so she can work with the missionary.
Dress and Grooming Guidelines for Elders
Appropriate dress and grooming will help you earn respect and trust. Your appearance is the first message others receive and it should support what you say. Therefore, wear conservative, professional clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling. Be neat and clean. Bathe daily and use deodorant. Keep your clothes clean, mended, and wrinkle-free. Never allow your appearance or your behavior to draw attention away from your message or your calling.
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Suits
Suits should be of a traditional business style in dark, conservative colors. Always wear a white shirt with a tie that is conservative in color, pattern, width, and length. Shirts may have either long or short sleeves. However, if wearing long sleeves they are not to be rolled up but worn as long sleeve shirts. During the hot summer months you will not be required to wear a suit jacket while out working. However, a jacket is necessary at all Sunday meetings, baptisms, zone conferences, interviews and when working with local leaders.
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Shoes
Shoes should be black, dark brown, or cordovan. They should be made of material that can be polished. Keep them clean and polished. Socks should be a solid, dark color that matches the slacks.
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Hair
Keep your hair relatively short (not clipped too close) and evenly tapered. Extreme or faddish styles--including spiked, permed, or bleached hair or a shaved head--are not appropriate. Sideburns should reach no lower than the middle of the ear.
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Jewelry
Earrings, necklaces, or any kind of bracelet (except those with a medical purpose) are not to be worn. Stay away from big flashy watches, big belt buckles, and colored sunglasses.
Dress and Grooming Guidelines for Sisters
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Personal Grooming
It is important for you to always look your best. You are always representing the Church. It is important to wear Sunday best at Zone Conferences, Sunday meetings, and when working with local leaders. Be neat and clean. Bathe daily and use deodorant. Wash your hair frequently. The style, color, and length of your hair should be attractive, easy to manage, and should not call attention to itself. Makeup, hair adornments, and nail polish should also be conservative. Keep your clothes clean, mended, and pressed. Don't wear clothes that are tight fitting.
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Modesty
Maintain a high standard of modesty. Wear clothing that:
- Is neither too tight nor too loose.
- Is not transparent or revealing in any way, such as sheer, tight, or stretch fabrics.
- Does not draw attention to any part of the body.
- Is not casual, wrinkled, sloppy, or faddish. You should present a professional, dignified, clean, well-groomed appearance, and be feminine and professional in style.
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Outfits
Your appearance is often the first message others receive and it should support what you say. Therefore, wear modest, professional clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling. If leaving your shirt un-tucked, ensure that the bottom of the shirt presents a tailored, professional appearance. Do not wear T-shirts, sweatshirts, golf-style shirts, casual shirts, or shirts with low necklines. Sleeves should fully cover the shoulder and the upper portion of the arm, including the underarm.
Skirts should cover the top and front of the knee when you are standing or sitting. Slits should not be above the knee when sitting. If you serve in a mission where bicycles are used, choose skirts with sufficient fullness and length for comfort and modesty while biking. Do not wear pants, pantsuits, or floor-length skirts. - Underclothing
Make sure that you have slips that coordinate with the color and length of your skirts. If riding a bicycle, you may wear spandex shorts under your skirts for modesty. You are not required to wear nylons. However, you may want to wear wear nylons or tights, especially in colder weather. If you wear knee-highs, make sure the tops do not show, even when sitting. Do not wear patterned nylons. - Shoes
Shoes should be practical, comfortable, and attractive. For safety purposes, wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes. Flat-soled shoes or shoes with low heels are preferred. You should wear a dressy pair of shoes for Sunday meetings. - Accessories
For safety and security reasons, jewelry and other accessories should be simple and professional. Do not wear large earrings and do not have more than one earring in each ear.
Preparation Day, Service, and Other Activities
Generally, on preparation day you should wear regular missionary clothing in public. However, if this clothing is not appropriate for a specific activity, make sure that you maintain a clean, modest appearance. You may bring one pair of jeans, a few modest T-shirts, modest exercise clothing, a pair of gym shoes, and pajamas.
