The Calling of a Missionary

 When a young man or woman decides to go on a mission, he/she must first be found spiritually, physically, and mentally worthy to do so.   

  The Savior taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  Church members consider it a privilege to show their love for other people and the Lord by sharing the gospel.

Missionaries generally begin serving when they are from 18 to 21 years old. Many retired seniors, men, women, and married couples also serve missions. Missionaries serve from 18 months to 2 years. Missions are voluntary, and missionaries are not paid for their service.  Missionaries come from around the world, and they serve wherever the Church calls them. While serving full-time, missionaries are official representatives of the Church.

As is done with every single perspective missionary, Elder Copeland first had to fill out his paperwork stating his desire to serve with recommendations from his ecclesiastical leaders of his worthiness in order to serve a mission.  This paperwork was then sent to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The perspective missionary then waits for the special e-mail to come with the particulars of his/her "calling."  This calling and the place where the missionary will serve is done by revelation through the Lord's servants, the prophets. A member of the Quorum of the Twelve assigns prospective missionaries to one of nearly 400 missions of the Church throughout the world.

When Elder Copeland received his mission call on February 9, 2022, he was absolutely thrilled.  He would be serving in the Brazil Porto Alegre North Mission for a period of 24 months, and would be preaching the gospel in Portuguese.  It made Elder Copeland so happy to be going to the same country his father had served a little over 25 years ago, with their missions bordering each other and actually includes his dad's first and last areas.  He was told that he would be reporting to in-home Missionary Training Center  on June 13, 2022.  After a week at home MTC, he will then fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for language and missionary training before going to Porto Alegre to begin his actual missionary work about the end of July.

Everyone had the opportunity to guess where Elder Copeland 

would be called.

Friends, coaches, and family members came to be a part 

of the special evening of the calling.

Gpa George (and Gma Laura) were staying with the Copelands 

because of Gma Laura's hip surgery.  They were so happy to be part 

of this most happy occasion.

Elder Copeland's youngest brother was pretty emotional thinking 

about his older brother being gone for two years . . .

But, he was assured by Elder Copeland's friends that they would 

watch out for him while his brother is away.

Such a wonderful evening to celebrate the "Call to Serve" of 

Elder Copeland.