An LDS Missionary is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who has chosen to serve the Lord and the Church for a period of time. Young men beginning at age 19 voluntarily apply to go and proselytize. If found worthy by his local clergy, his application is sent to the Church headquarters. The Prophet of the Church and his Twelve Apostles issue a calling, based on revelation, to the young man and he is sent wherever in the world that the Lord most needs him. This same process is used for young women age 21 and older who desire to serve, as well as for senior couples who choose to serve proselyting missions. Service missions are also available for members who volunteer and submit applications.

LDS Missionaries serve all over the world. An interesting point to note is that although the mission may be in a specific state or country, it often doesn't follow the boundaries of that state or country. For instance, the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission doesn't take up the whole state, but does include parts of Mississippi and Texas.

In the United States, you often find that a state either has several missions within it or that it overflows into other states. Likewise, in Brazil, you will find more than 25 missions within this one country. A mission map comes in the actual mission call from the First Presidency. This map delineates the boundaries of your specific mission.

Missionaries often have to learn a new language, depending on where they are sent on their missions. There are several Missionary Training Centers (MTCs) where missionaries are given basic training on how to preach the gospel and language training as necessary. The main MTC is in Provo, Utah and hosts hundreds of new missionaries each week

 The LDS Missionary gives selfless service for the two years (for elders) or eighteen months (for sisters) they are out on their religious mission.  Not only do they proselyte, but they help people in need all around them.  You might find them working at the local thrift store or soup kitchen.  Perhaps they are helping someone in need move in or out of a home or apartment.  They might be chopping and stacking wood for a widow to help her get through a cold winter.  Often, LDS missionaries are there when a natural disaster has occurred and people are in desperate need of a helping hand

LDS service missionaries serve in specific areas.  Some may be in underdeveloped countries teaching people how to farm more effectively.  Others provide medical services to those in need.  Some help at Church distribution locations or Deseret Industries Thrift Stores.  There are many opportunites to serve in the Church.  The Church's official website can connect you with many of these opportunities, or you can contact your local Bishop.

Support your local LDS missionaries in any way you can; the blessings will come back to you over and over again.

Gifts for the LDS missionary and his family can be hard to choose. Some prefer to give money to help the missionary pay for his mission. Others give luggage or clothing that the missionary will need while gone from home for an extended period of time. Journals and scripture markers are always appropriate.

It can be nice to give a gift to the parents or other family members to help keep the missionary at the forefront of their thoughts while he is gone. Clocks that count backwards are something that have been around for a while, and a large poster with a mountain of days to mark off are around also.

However, there is a gift that is both useful for the families of the missionary while he is gone and a wonderful keepsake for the missionary when he returns. It helps you keep track of where your missionary is and how long he has been out. It is called a Mission Tracker. This is a unique gift that keeps giving the whole two years the missionary is gone. Then it gives again for the missionary when he is home so he can easily show people the places he has been.