Policies and Announcements

The following instructions have been sent to general and local priesthood leaders and stake and ward Primary presidents in English-speaking areas:

Missionaries Speaking in Sacrament Meeting before Their Missions

Leaders and members are reminded of the following statement from the General Handbook of Instructions, page 7-2:

“Bishoprics may honor newly called full-time missionaries by asking them to speak in a sacrament meeting before their departure. The bishopric plans and conducts such meetings and invites those who will participate. Family members of the missionary may offer prayers, present special music, or speak. Talks and music should be worshipful, faith promoting, and gospel oriented. The regular time of the sacrament meeting should not be extended.

“Members and local leaders should avoid practices that may detract from the sacred nature of a mission call or create unnecessary expense, such as holding open houses for missionaries (except for family gatherings), sending [or publishing] formal printed announcements or invitations, printing special programs, or forming reception lines at the meetinghouse after the sacrament meeting.”

Leaders should review these instructions with members in priesthood, Relief Society, and sacrament meetings. Bishops should specifically discuss them with newly called missionaries and their families well before the missionary’s departure date.