Effective immediately, full-time missionaries may communicate with their families on their weekly preparation day via text messages, online messaging, phone calls, and video chat in addition to letters and emails.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced this update to guidelines regarding communication between full-time missionaries and their families. See the official notice to Church leaders.

In the video below, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, chairman of the Missionary Executive Council, explains why the Church encourages missionaries to communicate with their families each week. It is not expected that missionaries will call or video chat with their parents every week.

One of the major purposes of this adjustment is to encourage families to be more involved in their missionary’s efforts and experiences.

Learn more:

• “Latter-day Saint Missionaries Can Now Call, Text Home Weekly, First Presidency Announces,” Church News
• “Missionaries Now Have More Options to Communicate With Families,” Church Newsroom.