Senior service
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The number of senior couple missionaries has increased over the past several years, partly because more couples are serving first-time missions, but mostly because former couples are serving their second, third, fourth, fifth and, in some cases, their sixth, seventh and eighth missions.
And a few like Clair and Ruby Andrus — who are sitting on their bags eagerly awaiting their visas to Spain — will soon serve their 10th mission.
"We're not doing anything more than many others," said Sister Andrus from her home in the Oak Hills 1st Ward, Provo Utah Oak Hills Stake.
They are not serving for numbers or notoriety, but because service is in their hearts. During the past few weeks while waiting for their visas, they've attended the temple daily. "We might as well be serving someone," she said.
Of their time as a young married couple, she said, "We went into the military for the opportunities it presented in sharing the gospel." Once, after taking a particular vacation, they felt that such a trip was "selfish." For them, travel had lost its "fizz." They vowed from then on to "travel with a purpose."
With their next mission to Malaga, Spain, they will have served four Spanish-speaking missions to equal the four French-speaking missions they have served.
It's better to go and make a difference than sit around waiting for the kids to call, said Sister Andrus. "You get to the point where you understand the opposition (to righteousness). Our family has really been blessed, probably more than if we'd stayed home."
"Not a day goes by that a mission president somewhere around the world doesn't beg for more couple missionaries, because couples render such great service in helping small branches grow and in assisting struggling wards," said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve and chairman of the Missionary Executive Council.
"We have only a portion of the couples needed. Because of limited numbers, we can't meet all the requests," he said. "There is no skill so useless or so obscure that it cannot be used. Everyone has something to contribute. You can't live 60 years without developing valuable skills."
"Bishops and branch presidents, pray about which couples can be encouraged to submit papers for a call to full-time missionary service. There is an urgent need for them," said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve in the April 2006 general conference.
"There are two unique times in our lives when we can truly live the law of consecration and devote ourselves in full-time service to the Lord," said Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve in an April 2001 general conference address.
"One is as a young man or woman serving a full-time mission. The other is the unique time you are given after having fulfilled the requirements of earning a living. The latter could be called the 'patriarchal years,' when you can draw upon the rich experiences of a lifetime, go out as a couple, and consecrate yourselves fully as servants of the Lord.
"The blessings of serving with your eternal companion are priceless and can only be understood by those who have experienced it. My wife and I have had that privilege in the mission field. Each day is a special day with daily rewards that cause personal growth and development in the Lord's time and in the Lord's way. The fulfillment that comes from this kind of service will bless you, your marriage and your family for eternity."
Elder Hales added, "If the blessings for missionary couples and their families are so plentiful, why are only a few thousand serving instead of the tens of thousands that are so desperately needed?"
Elder Hales said he believed the four F's often stand in the way of service, namely: fear, family concerns, finances and finding the right mission opportunity.
First, fear. "Fear of the unknown or fear that we don't have the scriptural skills or language required can cause reluctance to serve. But the Lord has said, 'If ye are prepared ye shall not fear' (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).
"Your life is your preparation. You have valuable experience. You have raised a family and served in the Church. Just go and be yourselves. . . . You are the testimony, and you will touch the lives of those with whom you come in contact. Couples normally do not tract and are not expected to memorize discussions or maintain the same schedule as young elders and sisters. Simply be yourself. Serve to the best of your ability, and the Lord will bless you."
Second, family concerns. "The Lord will send special blessings to your family as you serve," continued Elder Hales. " 'I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families' (Doctrine and Covenants 118:3). Couples are sometimes concerned that in their absence they will miss weddings, births, family reunions and other family events. We have learned that the impact on families while grandparents are on missions is worth a thousand sermons. Families are greatly strengthened as they pray for their parents and grandparents and read letters sent home which share their testimonies and the contribution they are making in the mission field."
Third, finances. "Some couples who would willingly serve are not able to do so because of age, health, finances, or family circumstances. Perhaps those who are not able to serve could assist another couple to go on a mission," Elder Hales said.
Fourth, finding the right mission opportunity. "The ways in which couples can serve are virtually limitless. From mission office support and leadership training to family history, temple work, and humanitarian service — there is an opportunity to use almost any skill or talent with which the Lord has blessed you," he said.
Elder Hales advised couples to sit down together, make an inventory of their health, financial resources, and unique gifts and talents. Then, if all is in order, go to their bishop and say, "We're ready." He said that couples might feel it is improper to approach their bishop or branch president about their desires to serve a mission. "But it is proper for a mature sister or couple to let their priesthood leaders know that they are willing and able to serve a mission. I urge you to do so," he said.
During the past year, serving as a senior missionary coordinator in the Missionary Department, said Elder Richard Kenney, "I have received tens of dozens of worried calls from seniors who didn't think they could serve a proselyting mission."
Typically, seniors will use their time and talents according to their discretion to assist in some combination of five activities: strengthening leadership, member reactivation, referral follow-up, community service and guiding new converts in documenting their family history so that they can do baptisms for their ancestors.
"When senior couples understand what they will be doing, they often say, 'I can do that.' "
One day recently, after presenting a workshop during a zone conference in their Toronto Canada East Mission and then attending a baptism of a young man from China, Sister and Elder Sandy and Allan Dietlein shared why they chose to serve a second mission after serving a public affairs mission in Frankfurt, Germany, several years ago.
"We first thought that serving one mission would be enough," said Sister Dietlein. "Then we got home and thought, 'Are our activities really counting for anything?' Pretty soon, we were filling out papers again."
Like other grandparents with growing grandchildren, she said, "We wouldn't miss these special events of births and marriages if we weren't involved in something equally as great.
"There are obstacles to leaving home. We thought we'd never find anyone to stay on our ranch, take care of the horses, the dog and cats, irrigate the fields and lawns, but somehow the Lord and your good neighbors take care of that.
"In the MTC, people kept thanking us for our sacrifice. What sacrifice? This is a privilege. What could be more rewarding than the two of us spending all our time together in the Lord's work?"
"Sometimes," added Elder Dietlein, "we have to pinch ourselves because we are so blessed to be on a mission. We wake up each day with our plates full of things to do. We never get bored. Rather than sitting home rusting out, we want to wear out doing something useful."
"Your Heavenly Father needs you," said Elder Hales in his April 2005 general conference address. "His work, under the direction of our Savior Jesus Christ, needs what you are uniquely prepared to give."
Leaving grandchildren in the inexperienced hands of their parents is not easy to do, acknowledges David Wade of the Missionary Department. Yet, he said, senior couple missionaries have a great impact on the work. "Such service gets them out of their comfort zones. They return more confident and capable.
"It's like the sign that hangs on the wall of the senior missionary couples," continued Brother Wade: " 'Serving a senior couple mission sure beats staying home watching your birth certificate expire.' "
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