Morrisville Ward Youth’s Missionary Month
Contributed By By Peggy Payne, Church News contributor
Back row left to right: Michael Payne, Joshua Bates, Sam Bogges, Kyle Pulsipher, Spencer Payne, Kristen Pulsipher, and Cheyanne Eliason.Middle row left to right: Daria Strange, Katelyn Whitehead, Madeline Pillar, Anna Okiishi, Yulia Strange, and Katerina Strange.Front row left to right: Caden Eliason, James Pillar, and Von Hanmon.
Article Highlights
- Thirty-eight youth were assigned companionships and were called to serve in the ward as Latter-day Saint Youth Ambassadors.
- The young men and young women posted Church news, LDS quotes, and invitations to activities.
- The ward’s March Missionary Month helps prepare youth for future missionary service.
“Every year that I have participated in Missionary Month I recognized that I don't have to wait to serve a mission. Every member needs to be a missionary now!” —Kyle Pulsipher, Morrisville Ward high school senior
The Morrisville Ward in Morrisville, North Carolina, started a tradition when the ward was organized five years ago. The tradition focuses on preparing youth for full-time missionary service. Every March, Young Men and Young Women leaders, under the direction of the bishop, focus on missionary work. This year, 38 youth were assigned companionships and were called to serve in the ward as Latter-day Saint Youth Ambassadors.
Like missionaries, the ambassadors immerse themselves in scripture study, Preach My Gospel, and inviting others to join in Church activities throughout the month of March.
The highlight of Missionary Month occurs when the companionships are assigned to teach a missionary discussion to a family in the ward.
In previous years, the youth ambassadors were asked to refrain from the use of social media throughout the month of their missions. However, recognizing the benefits today of using appropriate social media to inform and present the message of the gospel, the youth were challenged to utilize those media outlets they currently use.
The young men and young women posted Church news, LDS quotes, and invitations to activities. They found many opportunities to speak openly to friends about their beliefs. Kristen Pulsipher, a ninth grader, posted a quote by President Monson on Instagram and received 50 likes. Kristen said, “Missionary Month helped me plan to share the gospel with others. I also learned that I needed to adapt the lesson I taught to the specific family’s situation. My companion and I taught a family who had a small, active child. Our lesson needed to keep his attention too!”
Katelyn Whitehead, a high school senior, commented, “Missionary Month encouraged me to follow LDS accounts on Facebook and Instagram. I posted several gospel-related quotes, and they have gone over well.” “What I like best about using social media is that quotes aren’t confrontational. Posting them is an easy way to get your message across.”
Another high school senior, Kyle Pulsipher, added, “Every year that I have participated in Missionary Month I recognized that I don't have to wait to serve a mission. Every member needs to be a missionary now! I realized this year just how close I am to serving a mission, and I am really looking forward to serving.”
Katerina Strange, a high school senior as well, is getting ready to put her papers in to serve a mission, as she turns 19 this summer. Katerina said, “I just can't wait to go on my mission! Missionary Month has made me even more excited to serve. I love teaching the gospel to others.”
Currently, the Morrisville Ward has five full-time missionaries serving throughout the world. The ward's March Missionary Month has been a great tradition inspiring and preparing the ward youth for missionary service through the month-long dedicated missionary activities.
