Helps for setting apart and releasing full-time missionaries

12 March 2021

President,

There is no set procedure for setting apart or releasing a full-time missionary. Please review the Handbook on the subject.

Attached will give you an idea on how I handled it. Most setting aparts and release interviews lasted about 45 min.

Again, you do not have to do what I did, but maybe this will be helpful since you may not have seen these since your own missionary setting apart! :)

Crismon

Setting Apart or Releasing a Full-Time Missionary

This is another one of those very special moments for a stake president. Helping a full-time missionary depart for a mission or return home is always a memorable occasion. Here some thoughts on both events that may be helpful:

Missionary Setting apart

• ●  While the family is being seated in the High Council room, I invite the missionary into the stake president’s office for one more brief interview: Are you packed? Are you still worthy? Do you have any questions about a setting apart?

• ●  There is no opening or closing prayer because it’s not an official Church meeting, simply a setting apart.

• ●  After getting acquainted, I conduct a brief discussion with the family around D&C 35:13-14 and ask them what does it mean to be weak, unlearned and despised and why are they the Lord’s qualifications for full-time missionaries?

• ●  I usually invite the family members, or at a minimum the immediate family members, to share why this is a special moment for them to have this missionary serve?

• ●  I invite the missionary to stand and bear his / her testimony one more time to his / her family.

• ●  I invite the father, if worthy (temple recommend holder), to join with me in the setting apart.

• ●  We set apart the missionary on behalf of the President of the Church and set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....”assigned to serve” in the designated mission; do not set them apart to their mission because the destination may change.

• ●  Remind the missionary that even though he/she may not have a name tag yet, they are a full-time missionary in every way and are expected to keep mission rules and standards from that moment on.

  Missionary Release Interview

• Typically this is done with the missionary while the family waits in the foyer.

• ●  Open and close with kneeling prayer.

• ●  Questions usually ask:

  • ○  Are you glad you served?

  • ○  What was a highlight for you?

  • ○  What areas in your mission did you serve and for how long?

• ○  Was there a favorite place you served and why?

• ○  Was there a special experience or two you can share with me?

• ○  Was there a favorite part of the gospel that you came to appreciate?

• ○  Did you enjoy teaching and testifying?

• ○  What did you come to appreciate most about our Heavenly Father?

• ○  What did you come to appreciate most about our Savior, Jesus Christ?

• ○  What did you learn about Elder / Sister (his or her name)?

• ○  Did you grow close to your mission president and his wife?

• ○  Did you enjoy working with your companions?

• ○  Did you have a favorite companion and why?

• ○  Did you keep the mission rules?

• ○  Were there any worthiness issues while on your mission?

• ○  Did you come home with a current temple recommend?

• ○  Were you able to attend a temple while on your mission?

• ○  Did you complete a My Plan so we can help you with your future plans?

• ○  What are your future hopes and plans?

• ●  Remind the missionary the date and time he / she will report to the Stake High Council

• ●  Has the missionary been scheduled to speak in the family ward sacrament meeting?

• ●  Please share with me your testimony one more time as Elder / Sister (name)

• ●  I then follow with my testimony and expression of gratitude for their service

• ●  You may now remove your name tag...thank you for your valiant service

• ●  Kneeling closing prayer