Prospective Missionaries :: Community and Resources

Congratulations on your desire to serve the Lord on a full-time mission! Many young people wonder whether or not their attractions will influence their suitability to serve a mission. Well, rest assured, Church leaders have stated that they do not consider same-gender attraction, in and of itself, to be an issue of worthiness. Behavior that is out of harmony with gospel teachings may affect eligibility, but that's the same for anybody who wants to serve the Lord as a missionary. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated,

"[A] person with these inclinations, where they're kept under control, ...is eligible to do anything in the Church… Every teaching position, every missionary position... We welcome to that kind of service people who are struggling with any kind of temptation when the struggle is a good struggle and they are living so as to be appropriate teachers, or missionaries, or whatever the calling may be" (Public Affiars Interview).

To help get you started in preparing for service, we've compiled some resources we hope will be of benefit to you. You'll first find links where you can join discussion groups to talk with other committed Latter-day Saints who likewise experience same-gender attraction and who are preparing to serve a mission, or who have already served. Following this and other North Star resources, we've gathered some Church resources and additional media that other North Star members have found helpful in learning the history and doctrine of the Church, strengthening testimony and faith, and conversing more effectively with those of other faith traditions.

Resources on this page are organized as follows:

North Star Resources

Upcoming Events

Church Resources

Gospel- and Missionary-themed Books, Video, Audio

North Star Resources

Join North Star Prospective Missionaries discussion group (ages 18-25)

Community Voices

Live the Questions
By Phillip Brown

Questions and Answers

If you have questions about serving a mission as it relates to issues related to same-gender attraction, please email us at Questions@NorthStarLDS.org

Northern Lights Blog Discussions

Check back for articles here!

Upcoming Events

There are no events specific to prospective missionaries currently scheduled at this time.

Church Resources

LDS.org Articles

Missionary Health Preparation
Physical and mental preparation should begin at least two years before a full-time mission.
By Donald B. Doty, M.D.
Chairman, Missionary Department Health Services
Ensign, March 2007

Now Is the Time to Serve a Mission!
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, May 2006

Becoming a Missionary
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, November 2005

The Greatest Generation of Missionaries
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, November 2002

Missionary Work and the Atonement
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, March 2001

What I Want My Son to Know before He Leaves on His Mission
President James E. Faust
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Ensign, May 1996

Preparing for Missionary Service
Elder Daryl H. Garn of the Seventy
Ensign, May 2003

Let us know of articles by Church leaders or in Church publications that have been helpful to you as prospective full-time missionary, by emailing us.

LDS.org Gospel Library Selected Topics

Atonement of Christ | Chastity | Conversion | Faith | Hope | Love | Missionary Work | Repentance | Repentance | Revelation | Reverence | Sacrifice | Service | Teaching the Gospel | Testimony

Mission-themed Books, Video, Audio

Church Distribution

Our Search for Happiness | LDS Distribution Services
M. Russell Ballard

Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service | LDS Distribution Services

Missionary Preparation Student Manual | LDS Distribution Services

Called to Serve (VHS) | LDS Distribution Services

Ensign to the Nations (VHS)

Church History and Doctrine

The Holy Temple
Boyd K. Packer

The Infinite Atonement
Tad R. Callister

Grace Works | Book on CD
Robert L. Millet

Book of Mormon Reference Companion
Dennis Largey (Editor)

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling
Richard L. Bushman

Joseph Smith, The Prophet | Book on CD
Truman G. Madsen

Joseph Smith: The Man and the Seer | Book on CD
Hyrum L. Andrus

By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion
Terryl L. Givens

Journey of Faith (DVD)
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies

Turning from Truth: A New Look at the Great Apostasy
Alexander B. Morrison

Early Christians In Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy
Noel B. Reynolds (Editor)

Interfaith Discussion

Sustaining and Defending the Faith
Robert L. Millet, Joseph Fielding McConkie

The Mormon Faith: A New Look at Christianity
Robert L. Millet

Getting at the Truth: Responding to Difficult Questions about LDS Beliefs
Robert L. Millet

Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View
Spencer J. Palmer (Editor)

How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and Evangelical in Conversation
Stephen E. Robinson (BYU) and Craig L. Blomberg (Denver Theological Seminary)

A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter-day Saints
Robert L. Millet

Bridging the Divide: The Continuing Conversation Between a Mormon and an Evangelical
Craig L. Blomberg (Foreword), Robert L. Millet, Gregory C. V. Johnson
Coming November 2007

Claiming Christ: A Mormon-evangelical Debate
Gerald McDermott, Robert L. Millet
Coming November 2007

Missionary Preparation

Teach Ye Diligently
Boyd K. Packer

How to Be an Extraordinary Missionary
John Bytheway

Preparation Precedes Power: How Successful Missionaries Prepare to Serve
Randy L. Bott

Prepare with Honor: Helps for Future Missionaries
Randy L. Bott

Serve with Honor: Helps for Missionaries
Randy L. Bott

Tools for Missionaries: Harvesting the Lord's Way
Grant Von Harrison

Called to Serve Him
Ed J. Pinegar

Missionary Essentials (Talk on CD)
Ed J. Pinegar

Preparing for Your Mission
Ed J. Pinegar

Preparing for a Mission (Talk on Cassette)
Ed J. Pinegar

Raising the Bar | Talk on CD
Ed J. Pinegar

Other

"How to Deal with Anti-Mormons"
Robert L. Millet