Church News - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Parents, four children on missions

Published: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

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When Stephen H. Tyler begins service as president of the Peru Lima Central Mission this summer, he and his wife, Donna, will join four of their six children as full-time missionaries. Son Stephen served a mission in the Brazil Campinas Mission and he, his wife, Pollyanna, and their baby son, Joshua, will stay in his parents' home while they serve their mission. Sixteen-year-old daughter Melissa will go to Peru with her parents.

Rebekah is serving a Spanish-speaking mission in the Arizona Mesa Mission. She will finish her mission in August. Edward is serving in the Uruguay Monte Video West Mission until October. Twins Andrew and Matthew enter the Missionary Training Center in late May before going to the Brazil Joao Bessoa Mission and the Brazil Salvador Mission, respectively.

Photo courtesy of the Stephen H. Tyler family
Sister Rebekah Tyler gathers with a family at their baptism in the Arizona Mesa Mission. Sister Tyler is serving a Spanish-speaking mission.

Photo courtesy of the Stephen H. Tyler family
Pollyana and Stephen J. Tyler, with baby son Joshua will be house sitting while Stephen's parents serve in the Peru Lima Central Mission. His father will be the mission president.

Brother Tyler, an administrative law judge, said, as is the case with most families, each of the Tyler children is different and required different motivation. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth it," he said.

Sister Tyler said of her children, "We just try to motivate them and get them excited, they make their own decisions."

Photo courtesy of the Stephen H. Tyler family
The Tyler family gathers at the wedding of oldest son Stephen J. Tyler and his wife, Pollyana. From left, Edward, Matthew, Melissa, Stephen J., Pollyana, Donna, Stephen H., Rebekah and Andrew.

Brother and Sister Tyler are already acquainted with their mission area. He served his mission in the Peru Arequipa Mission and he and his wife have traveled there twice.

Sister Tyler said during a recent weeklong session in the Provo Missionary Training Center to learn Spanish, Melissa was able to join her in classes and she expects her younger daughter to be a good member-missionary in Peru.