How to save your missionary’s emails and letters

Why save them now

Weekly emails are your missionary’s mission journal. They are easy to lose to a full inbox, a changed email address or an account that closes. Save them while they arrive, not years later.

Your copies live in your inbox, so you control them. Your missionary’s own mission account is managed by the Church. We could not find an official Church page that says how long it stays open after release, so we don’t quote a number. Your missionary should follow the instructions the Church gives them before release.

Step 1: label every email automatically (Gmail)

1. Open one email from your missionary.
2. Use Filter messages like these (or search from: their address).
3. Choose Apply the label and create one, e.g. “Mission emails”. Tick “Also apply filter to matching conversations”.
4. Star or label the replies you send too, so both sides are saved.

Source: Gmail Help: Create rules to filter your emails, Gmail Help: Refine searches

Step 2: download a copy (Google Takeout)

1. Go to Google Takeout and select only Mail.
2. Under “All Mail data included”, choose only your “Mission emails” label.
3. Pick a file type and size, then Create export. Google emails you a download link.
4. Keep the file in two places, such as your computer and a USB drive or cloud folder.

Repeat every few months, and once more after your missionary comes home.

Source: Google Account Help: How to download your Google data

Step 3: save the special ones as PDFs

Open an email, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Name files by date (e.g. 2026-07-14 week 3.pdf) so they sort in order. Save photos from the email at full size.

Paper letters and cards

• Keep them flat in a folder or box, in date order.
• Scan or photograph each page in good light.
• Upload the scans to FamilySearch Memories, which takes photos and PDF documents, so they are kept with your family tree.

Source: FamilySearch Help: Upload memories, FamilySearch Help: Upload PDF to Memories

Make a mission book

• Copy the emails into one document in date order, with a photo or two each week.
• Add the call letter date, the MTC and the areas served.
• Print it at home, or with any photo-book or print shop. Ask your missionary before sharing private details or other people’s photos.

Common questions

How do I save all of my missionary's weekly emails?

Make a Gmail filter that labels every email from your missionary's address. Then use Google Takeout to download that label as a file you keep on your computer or a drive. Google's help pages explain both steps.

How long does the Church keep a missionary's email account after the mission?

We could not find an official Church page that says. Don't wait: save the emails in your own inbox now, and have your missionary follow the instructions the Church gives them before release.

Can I put mission letters and emails in FamilySearch?

Yes. FamilySearch Memories accepts photos and documents, including PDFs, so you can upload scanned letters or emails saved as PDF.

What is the easiest way to make a book of mission emails?

Save each email as a PDF, or copy them into one document in date order with photos. Then print it at home or with any photo-book or print shop.