Pandemic forces missionaries to do their work at home

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints typically serve across the globe, but COVID -19 has thrown up obstacles and forced relocations of missionaries.

Since the pandemic began, missionaries who were serving in different countries were forced to return to their home country. In total, the church had more than 75,000 missionaries across 407 missions.

Once COVID-19 caused relocations, missionaries were given the opportunity to opt out, end their missionary work and wait a year. In total, there were about 25,000 missionaries that took the opportunity, according to North Dakota Bismarck Mission President Scott Howell.

During missionary assignments, the elders and sisters both work in communities. The brothers serve for two years, while the sisters serve for 18 months, the Aberdeen American News reported.

"It's been a unique time for these young people, they are all volunteers. They put aside their education, their girlfriends or boyfriends, everything for two years." Lori Howell, Scott's wife said. "I just thought it was wonderful to see so many who want to come back out and serve."

In the North Dakota Bismarck Mission, which serves North Dakota, South Dakota and parts of Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska, there are currently 122 missionaries on 80 different missions.

Of those in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission, 43 missionaries are from different countries and 23 languages are spoken among the group.

In a typical year, Aberdeen usually has one or two missionaries, according to Elder Zachary Matthews, the North Dakota Bismarck Mission Communication Specialist.

Community service projects have been a big part of the Aberdeen missionaries.

"We've volunteered at thrift stores, both Salvation Army and Kids Against Hunger," Sister Baldwin, a missionary in Aberdeen said. "We have also had the opportunity to work with the local Girl Scouts group and other miscellaneous service projects such as painting and yard work."

Since COVID-19, missionaries are unable to go door-to-door to spread their word, so they had to get creative.

"We've been spending a lot of our time doing service in the communities, working with the food banks, doing services for individuals and even making masks," Matthews said.

Missionaries have also been active in the Dickinson, North Dakota area – where they help ranchers and farmers and even guide pheasant hunters.

There has also been an increase in social media use by getting their word out through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and even Twitter.

"We're learning there's a lot more effective means (social media) of finding those who are ready to hear this message," Matthews said. "Here in North Dakota or South Dakota, we're able to find the people we need to find through social media."

While COVID-19 has changed how the Church of Latter-Day Saints operates, it doesn't mean they are doing less work – in fact, they are busier.

"We're actually starting to be busier than we were before COVID-19, as we're learning new ways to do missionary work," Matthews said.