The Telescope

Issue Date: 3/15/10

Mormon missionaries take on Palomar

By Christian Fortmueller

Media Credit: Melina Fickas

Most people have seen them; dressed in white, collared shirts, dress slacks ties and black name badges. They walk through neighborhoods, knocking on doors and ringing doorbells, offering their literature and a helping hand.

They are the elders, Mormon missionaries, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Two such missionaries currently serving in the Palomar area are Elder Christian Jones, 20, of Alpine, Utah, and Elder Joonmo Kang, 20, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

"I knew it was the right thing to do, and I felt the desire to share with others the joy of the gospel," Kang said of his service.
It wasn't such an easy decision for Kang's companion, Jones.

"I didn't always do the best things growing up, I didn't make the best choices," Jones said. "It kind of came to a point in time where I needed to find out spiritually where my loyalties lie. I did some research and had some spiritual experiences, and that prompted me to serve."

Palomar student Jonathan Behymer, 19, is leaving for his mission in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 26. Behymer admitted he is a bit apprehensive.

"This will be my first time away from home," he said. "Well, I've gone on trips with my family, but this will be my first time away from them."

According to mormon.org, missionaries teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and perform community service worldwide. Both men and women can serve as missionaries. They are called to serve for either 18 months or two years.

Serving is not a requirement of the church. In reality, potential missionaries are interviewed by a church leader to determine their worthiness to serve and then must submit an application. If chosen, missionaries report to a church training center for a three-week training (nine weeks if learning a foreign language).

Missionaries are volunteers and they pay to go on their mission. According to Jones, it costs $10,000, most of which is used for the missionaries' living expenses.

When asked to describe the daily life of a missionary, Jones smiled, and asked, "Have you ever seen the movie 'Groundhog Day?'"

According to Jones, the elders wake up everyday at 6 a.m. and exercise for about a half hour. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., they do what most people do in the morning; make their beds, shower, get dressed and eat breakfast.

Continued...

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