Missionary homecoming: what to expect

Travel home

• The Church pays for young teaching missionaries to travel to and from the MTC and the mission.
• Young missionaries should travel directly home. Any other travel may be approved only if at least one parent or guardian is with them.
• They are still missionaries on the way home and follow missionary standards until released.

Source: General Handbook 24.6.1 and 24.6.3.1

Release by the stake president

Missionaries are not released until they report to their stake president. He releases teaching and service missionaries and holds a release interview. In districts, generally the mission president or an assigned counselor releases them.

The handbook suggests the interview:

• commends them for serving and invites them to share experiences
• encourages them to build on good habits from the mission and follow the Spirit daily
• helps them set goals for the future, including education and work, and reviews My Plan

Source: General Handbook 24.8.2, My Plan: A Guide for the Returned Missionary and Mentor

Homecoming talk and reports

• The bishopric schedules time for your missionary to speak in a sacrament meeting. It is a normal sacrament meeting, focused on the sacrament and the Savior.
• Family members and friends are not normally invited to speak, and the meeting is not extended.
• The stake president invites them to report on their service in a high council meeting. The bishop may invite them to report in ward council.
• Leaders promptly give them a calling and ministering assignment.

Source: General Handbook 24.5.2, 24.8.3 and 24.8.4

Adjusting to life at home

Coming home is a joyful reunion, and for many it is also a hard transition. A Church young-adult article suggests finding a “new normal”:

• keep praying and studying the scriptures daily
• love and serve others (ministering, temple and family history)
• talk openly with someone you trust
• choose supportive friends and set realistic goals, such as school and work

The Adjusting to Missionary Life booklet’s ideas for physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual demands can help again at home.

Source: Liahona, Feb 2021: Finding My New Normal after My Mission, Adjusting to Missionary Life

How families can help

• Give them time and a little space; routines change overnight.
• Ask about the people they served, not only the places.
• Help with practical first steps: phone, school or work applications, driving.
• If your missionary comes home early, the Church asks family, leaders and ward members to reach out in love and focus first on healing.

Source: Church counseling resources: Missionaries Who Return Home Early

Common questions

Who releases a missionary when they come home?

The stake president releases teaching and service missionaries and holds a release interview. Missionaries are not released until they report to their stake president, and they follow missionary standards until then (General Handbook 24.6.3 and 24.8.2).

Can we pick our missionary up and travel on the way home?

The handbook says young missionaries should travel directly home. Any other travel may be approved only if the missionary is with at least one parent or guardian (24.6.3.1).

Does a returned missionary speak in sacrament meeting?

Yes. The bishopric schedules time for recently released missionaries to speak in a normal sacrament meeting, focused on the sacrament and the Savior. Family members are not normally invited to speak (24.8.3 and 24.5.2).

Is it normal for a returned missionary to struggle after coming home?

Yes. Church magazines describe the transition as hard for many and suggest prayer, scripture study, service, goals and talking with someone you trust. Missionaries who return early get special support from bishops and stake presidents.