March 2013 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Young Church-Service Missionaries Find Joy in Service
By Carolyn Carter
Church News and Events
Elder Ernesto Sarabia wore a black
missionary badge each day of his
mission. But his mission assignment
was unique from many others’—Elder
Sarabia served as a young Churchservice
missionary (YCSM) in the
Mexico Hermosillo Mission office.
“We recognize that it may not
be wise for some of our young men
and young women to face the rigors
and challenges of a full-time mission,”
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles has said. But
this, he said, does
not mean
they can’t
participate in
the blessings
of missionary
service (“One
More,” Ensign,
May 2005, 69).
Elder Russell M.
Nelson of the
Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles
said, “A mission
is a voluntary
act of service
to God and
humankind”
(“Ask the Missionaries! They Can
Help You!” Liahona, Nov. 2012, 18),
and there are many ways of offering
that service.
For those who are honorably
excused from serving full-time proselyting
missions, or for those who must
return home early for various reasons,
the YCSM program can provide meaningful
mission experiences.
Requirements to Serve
YCSMs must be physically,
mentally, spiritually, and emotionally
able to perform the duties of their
calling, to which they are carefully
matched.
YCSM assignments vary from
6 to 24 months and can range from
serving a couple of days a week to
working full time. There are opportunities
to serve in the community as
well as from home. Potential YCSM
assignments include family history
research, information technology,
mission office assistants, bishops’
storehouses, and more.
Family and Priesthood Support
Parents, priesthood leaders,
and Church members can help
potential YCSMs prepare to serve
missions.
Sister Eliza Joy Young’s family
has been a strong support for her,
driving her to and from the Church
offices in Sydney, Australia.
Elder Michael Hillam, who works
in the Hong Kong Distribution Center,
said, “My early morning seminary
teachers and Young Men leaders
helped me prepare.”
Sacrifice Brings Blessings
Sister Young sacrificed her days
off from her part-time job to serve
a Church-service mission. She said,
“I feel closer to my Heavenly Father
knowing I am helping Him.”
In addition to spiritual blessings,
serving a Church-service mission
gives young missionaries valuable
social and professional opportunities.
“My mission has shown me that I
am able to work in open employment,”
Sister Young said. (She had
previously worked only in assisted
employment.)
Though not all young adults
who would like to serve may be
able to, great effort is made to accommodate
every worthy young adult.
Young men and women who would
like to serve in this way can talk to
their bishop or branch president,
who can find appropriate opportunities
for them.
Read more at news .lds .org by
searching “young church-service
missionaries.” ◼
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