The County Line
We’ve probably all seen them: The young Mormon missionaries. They come in pairs, young men wearing white shirts and ties, walking or riding bicycles through the local neighborhoods spreading “the Word” and offering assistance to groups or individuals. They may be found mowing an elderly resident’s lawn or working in community service with the parks department or at the recent Carmel Marathon.
They are here representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquartered in Salt Lake City. They are officially called elders. I met this week with two of them who are working in the Carmel area. Elders Michael Shaw, 20, and Joshua Fuller, 19, are on two-year missions.
The personable pair is from Mesa, Ariz. Both plan to be students at Brigham Young University upon completion of their missions. Shaw and Fuller were assigned to Indiana. Within the state, the Mission President then assigns the elders where needed. The Mission President, like the elders, serves without pay.
The young elders receive a six- to nine-week training course before going on their mission. During their tour in the field they do not return home. They have video messaging contact with family at Christmas and Mother’s Day.
There are nine teams of two currently serving in Hamilton County. A few of the teams are made up of women. The missionaries live in apartments provided by the church. Fuller and Shaw serve in what is called the Keystone Ward that includes the east half of Carmel and a section of northeast Indianapolis. Other wards in the county include west Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville.
Besides the usual shirt and tie “uniform” Fuller and Shaw carry backpacks, the contents of which are simply supplies for their mission including copies of the Book of Mormon, other church materials and note pads; no lunch and no mystery to it.
They experience what sounds like a rather Spartan lifestyle while here. They don’t go to the movies, they don’t date and they certainly don’t smoke or drink.
The Mormon missionary program is among the world’s most intensive and extensive religious outreach efforts. There are thousands of these young folks working not only in the U.S., but in most countries of the world. Their church now claims more than 16 million members and growing. Mormons opened their first temple in Indiana about two years ago at 116th Street and Spring Mill Road although there were already numerous congregations in the state.
Elder Shaw completes his two-year mission July. Another missionary will join Fuller who is only several months into his assignment. So, regardless of your religious affiliation, you’ve got to admire the work and total dedication of these guys.