The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have approved updates to the handbook used by full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Changes to “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ” include clarifications and additions, ranging from using time more wisely to communicating appropriately with friends, and from a new reference on prejudice to instruction on interactions with children and members of the opposite sex.

“Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ” is the current handbook for full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First published in 2019, the handbook had updates made Aug. 21, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Missionary standards help missionaries to focus on being disciples of Christ and staying true to their sacred calling to invite and help others come unto the Savior,” said Elder Marcus B. Nash, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Missionary Department. “These updates provide helpful guidance to missionaries on how they can most effectively teach the gospel and represent the Lord and His Church, wherever in the world they may be serving.”

The updates to “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ” — first published and implemented in 2019 — were announced Monday, Aug. 21, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.  

The changes are available online in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, with other languages to follow. Printed handbooks with the updates are expected later this year.

List of handbook’s latest updates

Following is a list of the updates to the missionary handbook:

All chapters

The handbook now features new artwork for each chapter.

Chapter 2 — “Missionary Organization and Activities”

Section 2.4.2 — “Sample Daily Schedule” adds time for missionaries to study English, if needed.

Chapter 3 — “Missionary Conduct”

Section 3.1 — “Christlike Behavior” — adds a reference to the Church’s “General Handbook section 38.6.14, a section added in December 2020 on prejudice. Latter-day Saints, the handbook states, “strive to be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting prejudice of any kind. This includes prejudice based on race, ethnicity, nationality, tribe, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, religious belief or nonbelief, and sexual orientation.”

Sections 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 — “General Standards for Interacting With Adults” and “General Standards for Interaction With Children,” respectively — has an addition and a clarification. The addition is that physical contact with the opposite gender and children should be limited to a handshake. The update clarifies that missionaries are to have an adult of their own gender present when meeting with a single person of the opposite gender.

Section 3.6.3 — “Media” — is updated with additional guidelines related to appropriate music.

Section 3.9 — “Communication With Family, Mission Leaders and Friends” — clarifies that communication with those who are not immediate family should be limited to preparation day and that communications with friends should be done only by email or letter, not by phone or video chat.

Sister Alice Tshinemu and Sister Ingrid Bergman do missionary work in London, England, on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Chapter 4 — “Physical Well-Being”

Sections 4.8 and 4.8.1 — titled “Money” and “Missionary Funds,” respectively — have modified wording to clarify the use of missionary support funds.

Section 4.9.1 — “General Standards for Dress and Appearance” — now aligns with previously approved and published guidelines, including the December 2018 updates for sister missionaries and the June 2020 missionary attire exceptions for elders.

Chapter 7 — Appendix

Chapter 7 is found in a companion publication called “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ: Supplemental Information.”

Section 7.1 — “Young Missionary Leadership Responsibilities” — now clarifies that one missionary is designated as the senior companion in all companionship, including sister training leaders and zone leaders.

 Section 7.5.1 — “Following General Technology Standards” — explains that Wi-Fi may be used when readily available and approved by mission leaders.

Read the updated versions of “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ” and “Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ: Supplemental Information.”