(KUTV) — The Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now allowing its missionaries to have more communication with family members, according to a press release.
Missionaries will be able to talk with family via text message, phone call and video chat on their weekly preparation day.
The change is effective immediately.
“My heart about burst and tears about came down my cheeks," said Kaly Dushku, whose son Carson Dushku has been in the Pittsburgh, Penn. mission for six months.“I think there is a lot of anxiety a lot of depression there’s a lot of mental health issues happening with our young teenagers and i think this is way that we can support them and what better way then a family member.”“I think there is a lot of anxiety a lot of depression there’s a lot of mental health issues happening with our young teenagers and i think this is way that we can support them and what better way then a family member.”
Missionaries will also be able to send emails and letters, like they have done before.
Previously, that was the only form of communication young elders and sisters had with their families.
“So excited how perfect that is, that we can support them even more on there missions by being able to talk to them," said Michelle Olsen, mother of Davin Olsen who has been on his Baton Rouge, La. mission for four months.
In addition, missionaries can continue to contact family members on special occasions such as Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, parent's birthdays and other significant holidays.
In a press release, The Church cautioned young sisters and elders to use their judgement in determining the length of phone calls and video chats.
The Church is also asking family members to not contact their sons or daughters in the mission field, but to wait for their missionary to contact them.
We encourage missionaries to communicate with their families each week using whatever approved method missionaries decide, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Missionary Executive Council, said in a press release. This may vary based on their circumstances, locations and schedules for that week. It is not expected that all missionaries will call or video chat with their parents every week. The precise manner of communication is left up to the missionary as he or she decides what will best meet their needs.Missionaries or families who don't have access to technology are encouraged to continue using their current form of communication.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwuMOsZJygpaewqXnTqGSapJykxG65yKyqoqeelr%2BqsdJmq6hlk6S6rsHNopqarJVixKrAx2admqWZobamv4yopWavlZq4rcWMm5isoaM%3D