missionary department

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is changing the world one chicken at a time with their Light the World Giving Machines.

Editor's note: Thousands of missionaries across the world are returning home before completing their missions at the direction of top Church leaders. Upon arrival, they must quarantine themselves for 14 days to prevent any spread of COVID-19. Church leaders have directed that those with a significant time left to serve be temporarily released as missionaries while they await reassignment. Each must choose by April 30, 2020, whether to opt for immediate reassignment once the Church announces it is ready to send them out again, or to wait between 12 and 18 months before returning to the field. The Daily Universe is looking at the impact of the pandemic on missionary service in a series of stories.

By Erika Magaoay, Karina Andrew and Spencer McWilliams

Billy Elliott, 17, poses with his parents as he holds his iPad, which displays his mission call to the Peru Chiclayo Mission. Elliott was one of the potential missionaries chosen to pilot a new program to view mission calls online. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints anticipates the initiative to expand to the rest of the world with reliable internet by the end of 2018. (mormonnewsroom.org)

Mike Smith holds up his own personalized Mormon.org pass-along card. Social media and online tools are new ways to do missionary work. (Photo by Elliott Miller)