I've been called as a ward missionary

[Diversity]

I was meeting with some sister missionaries tonight and one of them declined to give me her first name. I was just wondering, is this standard practice or part of the mission rules? For those who have served missions, have you ever heard of it?

[pam]

What would be the need to know her first name?

[john doe]

Her first name is Sister. Over-familiarity with a missionary can be a distraction from the work. You don't need to know any more about her personal life or background than what she willingly wants to share.

[Guest]

We know our sister missionaries' first names but only because they have it on their Facebook accounts.

[Jamie123]

Her first name is Sister. Over-familiarity with a missionary can be a distraction from the work. You don't need to know any more about her personal life or background than what she willingly wants to share.

I don't think you need to know more about anyone's life or background than they willingly want to share.

This doesn't stop the tabloid journalists though!

[Smudge]

Over the years I have known some missionaries first names - but that was either because they let it slip accidentally or they were showing us their driving licence and how aweful the photo was etc.

Other than that it has been when they moved on if they gave us a home address to write to them when they got home.

The only missionaries whose have willingly told me there first names was one of the 2 we currently have and her former companion because they wanted us to add them on facebook so they can accept us when they get home.

Even as a ward missionary myself I don't feel the need to be knowing the other Sisters name - not knowing it doesn't affect my ability to work with her.

[Jamie123]

I don't think you need to know more about anyone's life or background than they willingly want to share.

This doesn't stop the tabloid journalists though!

Having thought about this for a few minutes, I can think of some exceptions. For example, if someone is looking after my children I would like to know if they have ever been convicted of pedophilia. I think these are the exceptions though, not the rule.

[applepansy]

Ward Missionary was my favorite calling.

Yes we have run into a sister missionary who was reluctant to share her first name. We didn't ask for it. An investigator asked. But no big deal. She handled it nicely and there we no further questions.

I think its a personal preference and I understand why a sister missionary might not want their full name known. They are living away from home (often for the first time). Familiarity and safety are concerns for all missionaries but especially the sisters.

[Roseslipper]

It is weird when they hear their first name! Keep that in mind, they havent heard it in a while.....I think its great to be a ward missionary. I love it when we have sister missionarys, we sisters can go out with them and help out it's a great experience.....

[Guest]

It is weird when they hear their first name! Keep that in mind, they havent heard it in a while.....I think its great to be a ward missionary. I love it when we have sister missionarys, we sisters can go out with them and help out it's a great experience.....

I'm a ward missionary now. Our ward mission leader taught us that we are not there to help out the full-time missionaries. Instead, they're there to help us.

[pam]

Having thought about this for a few minutes, I can think of some exceptions. For example, if someone is looking after my children I would like to know if they have ever been convicted of pedophilia. I think these are the exceptions though, not the rule.

That's a given. But we're talking about sister missionaries here.