"THE RETURNED MISSIONARY HANDBOOK: Helping Missionaries and Parents Through the Post-Mission Transition," by Marianna Richardson and Steve Richardson, Cedar Fort, $13.99, 169 pages (nf)
It’s no secret there is a transition period for missionaries returning from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People and places that were for so long familiar somehow suddenly seem different after two years away in indiscernible ways — and the missionaries themselves have grown and changed, too.
“The Returned Missionary Handbook: Helping Missionaries and Parents Through the Post-Mission Transition” by Marianna and Steve Richardson offers guidance that is both wholesome and instructive. It's a cheering section, if you will, for Mormon missionaries returning home to take on their next challenges and opportunities of life.
The authors relate well to helping 20- and 21-year-olds as they face the hurdles of life and cover topics such as finding a job, dating, coping with new social scenes, working through family challenges, courting, marriage and continuing to use "Preach My Gospel," the church’s guide for missionaries.
“The Returned Missionary Handbook" also highlights the importance of parents in this transition period for their returning missionaries. The Richardsons share practical ways parents can help, such as establishing goals and prioritizing activities that will help their children integrate back into society.
The handbook also provides quotes and insights from experienced parents and is well footnoted with scriptures and uplifting references that help in the transition process.
This is a fine read for those looking to help their newly returned missionaries dive back into society while maintaining all the maturity, spiritual insight and growth they have obtained over 18 months or two years.
This book does not contain official positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is offered as a helpful guide and reference tool for returning missionaries.
The Richardsons served in the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission from 2008 to 2011 and have taught a weekly institute class for returned missionaries.
Brandon Schembri is a graduate from the University of Utah and lives in Salt Lake City. His email is b.schembri1@gmail.com.