Issue 10.11
Part 2
When I was in training I was sure I wouldn’t like taking phone calls, I thought that would be too scary for me so I was going to stick with answering emails. But, I found I was good at taking the calls that can come in from anywhere in the world. I enjoy talking to the patrons and helping them solve their family history problems or teaching them how to use the FamilySearch programs. I had to get a headset for my phone and one for my computer that I used for training and talking on Skype. Missionaries need high speed Internet, a land line phone and a minimum of 15 hours of time each week that they can serve. We get to pick our own hours and we can change them each month if necessary.
These LDS Mission calls can be from 12 months to 30 months and they can be extended. They need more missionaries in all of the queues because FamilySearch is getting busier all the time as more people start using the new tools at www.familysearch.org and https://new.familysearch.org . Missions are not limited to couples. Single Sisters and Brothers can serve. There is no age limit. Many handicapped persons are serving.
There is a website with information about serving a FamilySearch mission: http://familysearch.org/mission/. If you want to know more call Elder Winston Allred 1-801-240-0850 or e-mail: mission@familysearch.org. Missionaries should have a good understanding of computers, along with good troubleshooting and communication skills. It is helpful if they have experience with family history products (including FamilySearch.org, IGI, PAF, new FamilySearch, and FamilySearch Indexing) and have had previous experience as a ward family history consultant, as a family history center director or staff member, or as an extraction program director or worker. Don’t let that list scare you though; many of the missionaries did not have those skills when they started this mission. Any needed skills will be taught in training. Skills on the list would be helpful, but if you are willing to learn, they need you.
Shanna Jones is a Worldwide Support Services missionary. For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435)628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.