The Setting Apart

The before & after of being  a missionary...
As a missionary you have received your call from the prophet but you need to be set apart for that calling.  For John this happened today.

According to LDS.org Setting Apart is defined as:
"To be selected and consecrated for holy purposes. This appointment is to a specific service within the Church organization by the laying on of hands by someone who has the proper authority. " 


John currently lives in the boundaries of the Federal Way stake of the church of Jesus Christ of LDS and their fore the one who has the proper authority is President Randal Nichols.  John and a few family members were invited to attend his setting apart as a missionary. 

As so as the setting apart takes place John was known as Elder Gailey and asked to live as a missionary.  He leaves for the Mission Training Center (MTC) in the wee hours of the morning.  Here are some of the rules that missionaries are asked to keep.  They apply to both young men and young women.

As an ambassador of the Lord, you are to wear professional, conservative clothing that is consistent with your sacred calling and that will clearly identify you as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Your appearance is often the first message others receive, and it should support what you say. Always strive to present a professional, dignified, clean, and well-groomed appearance. 

This is why you see missionaries in shirts, slacks and ties even on hot,cold, rainy or snowy days.

Missionares are asked to stay obey the laws of chastity, not to listen to music - except for spiritual kinds and only at certain times of the day, the study the scriptures daily, pray, serve those in need - many missionaries are called upon in times of disaster to help.  They meet with people, talk about the Lord Jesus Christ and share their message.  They get up at 6:30 am and are in bed 10:30, Sunday through Saturday.  They use email once a week to communicate with family and avoid movies and TV.  Their full-time job is to share the gospel and they sacrifice "worldly pursuits" for spiritual growth and for their love of the Lord.

Missions are hard, exhausting and very structured and yet by serving for two years they have grown into hard working productive men.  They have learned what it takes to lose themselves in the service of the Lord.  

Matthew 28:19    

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"

This is exactly what John will be doing for two years.  God Bless

What ever your religious background is our what ever you believe you have to give these young LDS men and women credit for giving up two years of their lives for two years to serve someone other then themselves.