1. Missionary Online Recommendation System
Priesthood Leadership Meeting
Breakout Session - Bishops
Sunday, May 7th, 2006

2. Recommend Submission Process
Bishop
Bishop
Candidate
Stake
President
Bishop Reviews all online submissions; corrects and edits as necessary
Bishop reviews all Dr. and Dent. papers
1. May have to send candidate back if problems.
Bishop Conducts Final Interview w/ Candidate
Bishop Completes Priesthood Ldr. Comments
Bishop Submits online recommend to Stake President
Bishop delivers Dental and Medical forms to Stk. Pr.
Stk. Pr. conducts a searching, thorough interview w/ candidate
Stk. Pr. reviews all online submissions; corrects and edits as necessary
Stk. Pr. enters All Dental and Medical Information into online forms.
Stk. Pr. completes Priesthood Ldr. Comments
Stk. Pr. submits to Missionary Dept.
Bishop Initiates New Recommend
Bishop Interviews Candidate
1. Provides record number and instructs on how to fill out forms
2. Conduct a searching , thorough interview…
3. Instruct candidate on entire process
Candidate Completes Recommend Forms Online
Visit Doctor and have all work done
1. Take stamped envelope addressed to Bishop.
2. May need to get immunization records for doctor
3 Request that doctor complete all questions and mail to Bishop
Visit Dentist and have all work done
1. Request that dentist complete all questions and mail to Bishop
Dentist
Doctor
Bold Online work or documents
Italic In Person visit or Paper documents

3. Bishop’s Preparation Obtain internet access and e-mail address
Candidate should also have
Data not stored on hard drive – can be submitted on a home teacher’s, leader’s, etc.
Create a login for Online Recommend Site
Obtain record number and confirmation date from MLS
- follow instructions see next slide
Review the following Materials
Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1: Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics
First Presidency letters of 12 December 2000 and 11 December 2002 for information on qualifications, terms of service, requirements for special clearance, and other instructions on calling missionaries

5. Bishop Bishop Initiates New Recommend Bishop Interviews Candidate
Can be done before interview (see next slide)
Missionary cannot start until bishop initiates the recommend process
Bishop Interviews Candidate
Provides record number and instructs on how to fill out forms
Conduct a thorough, searching interview with the candidate to determine worthiness, qualifications, and the individual's physical and emotional capability to serve. Confirm that the candidate has an understanding and testimony of the Savior and His Atonement, the Restoration and Joseph Smith' role in it, the Book of Mormon (having read it), and the singular privilege of serving the Savior as a missionary.
The missionary recommendation packet for young missionaries should be submitted to the Missionary Department not more than 90 days before the candidate's availability date. Couples' packets may be submitted up to five months in advance. The date given in the “Date available to serve” field should not be earlier than the birthday when the missionary reaches the minimum age for service. Normally about two to four months are allowed between the issuing of the call and the beginning of the mission.
If the candidate has been living away from home, the home bishop or branch president and the away-from-home bishop or branch president must confer regarding worthiness and the procedures for submitting the recommendation forms (see the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1).
Instruct candidate on entire process
Stress importance of filling out every field on paper forms
Set expectation that candidate will be responsible to return to Dr. or Dentist to reconcile problems.

7. Candidate Candidate Completes Recommend Forms Online
Create a login. Will need record # and confirmation date
Follow guidelines for submitting photo.
Proper dress, grooming, size, and format.
Forms will be different depending on answers.
Visit Doctor and have all work done
Take stamped envelope addressed to Bishop.
May need to get immunization records for doctor
Request that doctor complete all questions and mail to Bishop
Visit Dentist and have all work done
Request that dentist complete all questions and mail to Bishop

8. Doctor / Dentist Forms
Missionary will download medical forms from the website
Missionary will visit Doctor and Dentist and have them complete the forms
Any necessary medical or dental procedures should be completed before forms completed
Any additional forms should be returned with the medical forms to the Bishop
Example : results of therapy, extra tests, etc.
Bishop can attach to online recommend
Doctor and Dentist return forms, via mail to the Bishop.
Should not hand the forms back to the candidate.
Next slide shows some commonly missed fields by the doctor
Immunization – doctor’s often don’t have the info
Tuberculosis – both the size of the test and the diagnosis

9. Doctor / Dentist Forms

10. Bishop Receives all Dental / Medical paperwork
Reviews for completeness, sends missionary back to resolve any issues
Compiles, delivers to Stk. President
Reviews all other online submissions
Review these forms after the candidate completes them. Ensure that any serious concerns are resolved, including completion of recommended tests or treatment, before the forms are submitted. Give special attention to emotional, behavioral, and learning problems. If the candidate is on medication for a chronic condition, encourage him or her to continue the medication throughout the mission
Can edit online as necessary
Conduct a final interview with the candidate before submitting the forms.
Discuss with the candidate important information requested on the forms, such as visa or citizenship documentation and information about special medical problems, diets, or medications.
Ensure that after the contribution from the missionary and family, the ward or branch missionary fund can meet the financial obligation for the missionary.
All donations to the Church's missionary funds become the property of the Church to be used at the Church's sole discretion in its missionary programs. Contributions are not refundable, including any advance contributions, if the missionary is unable to complete the full term of his or her mission.
Determine breakdown of payment so Bishop can enter on forms (for example: Missionary - $100, Family $200, Ward $100)
Ensure missionary is willing to serve wherever and however called. Set expectations.
Completes Priesthood Leader Comments
Don’t put anything in Confidential Comments unless they are needed, otherwise call will be delayed.
(e.g. “None”, “N/A”, “He’s a great kid”, overflow from other comments, etc.)
Submits to Stake President

11. Stake President Interviews candidate Enters online data
Required to enter all Dental and Medical forms online
Reviews all submitted forms
Completes his own comments
Again, don’t put anything unnecessary in conf. comments
Submits to Missionary Dept. at Church Headquarters

12. Conclusion
When we have increased the missionaries from the organized areas of the Church to a number close to their potential, that is, every able and worthy boy in the Church on a mission; … when we have used the satellite and related discoveries to their greatest potential and all of the media—the papers, magazines, television, radio—all in their greatest power; when we have organized numerous other stakes which will be springboards; when we have recovered from inactivity the numerous young men who are now unordained and unmissioned and unmarried; then, and not until then, shall we approach the insistence of our Lord and Master to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
--President Spencer W. Kimball, April 4, 1974