Set Apart As a Missionary

[Breaking]

Well, i'm about to be set apart as a missionary tomorrow evening. I'm also planning on driving up to the MTC after the next morning. I do have 1 question, which may be dumb, but...:

I'm wanting to contact family members during the time after that I've been set apart.

Am i still able to call and text message during the few days I have before entering the MTC?

[skippy740]

Once you are set apart as a missionary, you have covenanted to follow mission rules.

However, until you are at the MTC, I would keep your telephone calls & text messaging to family members only.

Even then, they would know that you're on your way to the MTC and will wonder why they are hearing from you.

I've always felt that once set apart, you are 'on your mission' and are now under the "Do Not Contact" with friends and family except via letters/email.

Just my feelings.

[beefche]

What skippy says is true.....

But, I know I didn't follow ALL the mission rules after I was set apart and went into the MTC, so who am I to cast stones if you want to contact your family before entering the MTC? I say keep it to family members only and once you enter the MTC, all of that stops.

Good luck, Elder and thank you for your worthiness and willingness to serve.

[Guest gopecon]

I have to respectfully disagree with skippy on this one. When you are set apart you are a missionary and should behave - particularlly regarding contact with the opposite sex, but I don't think that you need to cut yourself off from the world until you actually enter the MTC. The communication rules that missionaries have are to help keep them from being too distracted from the work they were called to do. Until you enter the MTC and hit the field, that really doesn't apply to you.

[Dravin]

When I was set apart my Stake President counseled me on how I should behave. In my case I was told to follow the mission handbook as best I could given the circumstances. He even asked me Dad to act as my companion until such time as I was handed off to the MTC.

It may be too late, but I suggest you pose the question to your Stake President.

[maiku]

I like all the previous advice given.

When I was set apart, I also needed a companion. I asked my stake president after he set me apart if I could watch a movie and he said, "keep it clean".

I saw Life is Beautiful with Roberto Begnigni, cried for hours!

My point, avoid anything that wouldn't invite the Spirit. Talking to family and friends wouldn't necessarily be uninviting to the Spirit unless you take it there, does that make sense?

[Madriglace]

Now that you are set apart following mission rules becomes a protection to you. Satan is not happy with you ... follow the rules and make him really mad!