Missionary phones and technology
How missionaries use phones safely, in plain words from the Church’s Safeguards for Using Technology.
Short answer
Missionaries use phones for the work, with filters, time limits and a companion who keeps the phone in sight.
These safeguards help you stay focused on the people you serve.
At a glance
- Purpose: phones are for missionary work.
- Companions: keep each other’s screens in sight, except private family calls.
- Protections: filters, time limits and Church device enrollment.
- Lessons: Safeguards lessons come through the mission’s learning app.
- Buying a phone: follow your call packet and the portal.
Details differ by mission. Your call packet and the Missionary Portal are the final word.
Staying accountable
- Review messages and posts together before sending, except to family or leaders.
- Keep your phone in your companion’s sight, except private talks with family or your mission leader.
- Companions review each other’s devices, often in weekly planning.
- Private emails, journals and notes are not part of a review.
- Some missions share one phone per companionship.
Built-in protections
- Time limits with Digital Well-Being or Screen Time.
- Device filters.
- Enrollment in Church protections. The lock screen says the device is managed by your organization.
- A personal action plan made in the Safeguards lessons.
Getting a phone
Phone steps are in your call packet and the Missionary Portal. Requirements can differ by mission, so confirm in your call packet.
The Missionary Portal overview is the official place to start.
Questions
Do LDS missionaries have smartphones?
Many missionaries use smartphones for missionary work, with safeguards. In some missions, companions share one phone.
Can missionaries use their phone alone?
No. They keep the phone within a companion’s sight, except during private calls with family or mission leaders.
What phone should a missionary buy?
Follow the phone steps your call packet points to in the Missionary Portal. Requirements can differ by mission.
Are missionary phones filtered?
Yes. Safeguards include filters, Digital Well-Being or Screen Time limits, and enrolling the phone in Church protections.
How do missionaries learn the phone rules?
Through Safeguards for Using Technology lessons in the mission’s learning app, and in Preach My Gospel chapter 2.
Sources
- Safeguards for Using Technology: Device accountability
- Safeguards for Using Technology
- Missionary Portal online tool
. Rules change, so official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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