Here are free resources about the Arizona Gilbert Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Arizona LDS Missions.
*Learn about living in Arizona.
Arizona Gilbert Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Gilbert Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the mission address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Arizona Gilbert Mission
1001 North Burk Street
GILBERT, ARIZONA 85234
UNITED STATES
Phone Number: 1-480-584-6315
Mission President: President Richard W. Wheeler
Arizona Gilbert Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Gilbert Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the Mission
Arizona Gilbert Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Gilbert Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their mission blog was updated.
Arizona Gilbert Mission Groups
Here are Gilbert Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Gilbert Mission. Coming soon..
Arizona Gilbert Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Arizona Gilbert Mission!
Shirt designs include Arizona Gilbert Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Arizona Gilbert missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Gilbert Mission gifts
Arizona Gilbert Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Gilbert LDS Mission.
- 2016-2019, Richard W. Wheeler
- 2013-2016, Kevin Brett Nattress
Arizona LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 416,192
- Missions: 6
- Temples: 5
- Congregations: 844
- Family History Centers: 66
Helpful Articles about Arizona
Coming soon..
Arizona Gilbert Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Arizona Gilbert RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- 2016-2017 (Emily)
- 2014-2016. (Jacob)
- 2015-2016 (MiKayla)
What areas did you serve in?
- Desert Ridge, Bella Vista, Highland, Queen Creek, Temple View. (Emily)
- Different parts of Gilbert, then in East Mesa. (Jacob)
- Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley. (MiKayla)
What were some favorite foods?
- Authentic Mexican Food–especially Rudy’s and the Burrito Shack. (Emily)
- The food was pretty much the same as what I would normally eat. We did get lots of Mexican food though. And the members would feed us every night. Sometimes even for lunch or breakfast too! They love missionaries in Gilbert. (MiKayla)
What was a funny experience?
- One time there was a really bad dust storm, so my companion and I took refuge in our bishop’s house. We thought we would be productive and talk about the work in the area. He had a different plan. He said we would play board games and wouldn’t let us leave–he had to keep the sisters safe from the dust storm. (Emily)
- We helped catch someone’s dog once. Long story, but it ended with us handing a tiny fluffy dog to a guy through our car window. We laughed about it for a long time. (MiKayla)
What was a crazy experience?
- We were contacting a referral from a member. They had said that he was very familiar with the LDS faith and had even been to church before. We were so excited. We finally caught him at home, and he was less pleased to see us than we had hoped. Before we closed the door, we asked his first name to make sure we had contacted the right person. Now he was concerned how we knew that. We tried to lighten the mood by telling him that “his neighbors set us on him”. He laughed, but his mood quickly worsened. He insisted that we were soliciting and trespassing. My companion, who was still learning English, didn’t quite catch what was happening and was trying to continue to teach. Now he was mad. He demanded to know who was in charge, what our names were, and told us that he was going to call the police. Thankfully, the police never came and we continued working. (Emily)
- I’ve taught lessons in some…interesting places. From drug houses to the side of busy roads. Our mission wasn’t particularly dangerous, but we had our fair share of crazy situations. I don’t know if I could choose one specifically, because all these experiences are to me sacred in their own right. It made me feel like I was really a representative of Jesus Christ– I was willing to go anywhere He would and talk to anyone He would. (Jacob)
- Gilbert is a pretty safe place.. we didn’t have too many dangerous experiences. There were a few times when I know the Spirit was warning us not to go certain places, but I don’t know why. (MiKayla)
What was a spiritual experience?
- We had Elder Niel L. Anderson come to our mission. Most of the plans fell through, but he was still able to come. Instead of training us on what he had been planning on, the missionaries were able to spend two hours being taught by Elder Anderson on whatever he wanted. He talked about having faith in Jesus Christ and counseled us to determine what we believed about Jesus Christ and to memorize scriptures that we truly believe about Him. He asked people to share some scriptures that they believe. As missionaries stood in the presence of an Apostle of the Lord and testified of the Savior, the Spirit was incredible. That was a moment when my faith in Jesus Christ really grew. (Emily)
- Teaching your investigators is always very spiritual. It’s amazing when you know exactly what to say even though you hardly know the people you teach. And the love you feel for them is overwhelming. I still feel so close to them even now that I’m home. (MiKayla)
What are some interesting facts about the Gilbert Mission?
- It was a trial mission for small missions. For several years, it was the smallest proselyting mission in the church. It is approximately 20×40 square miles. It also was a trial mission for the church to test out smart phones in missionary work. (Emily)
- It is one of the smallest in The Church (by geography) and one can drive from end to end in about an hour or so). Weather can be interesting at times; Frequent dust storms in monsoon season followed closely by sudden downpours for 6-8 minutes then back to sunny skies. And of course, very hot in the summers. It got up to 122 one July. (Jacob)
- It’s small. And there’s tons of members. One of the apostles visited there a while ago and in a stake conference said it was a gathering place for the saints. No one knew why but now it’s growing so much and the wards split all the time! (MiKayla)
What was the weather like?
- The summer is HOT–you can bake cookies in your car during the long hours of church each Sunday. It can reach past 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the winter, it can cool down to be in the 70s. By that point, though, you’re usually acclimated to the heat and it feels cold. (Emily)
- Hot. Very hot. (Jacob)
- Hot. It’s very very hot in the summer. But then you acclimate so the winters feel really cold! So despite what you may think, you will want a warm jacket, hat and gloves for winter. Especially when riding a bike. (MiKayla)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- There are so many wonderful members that are eager to help. There will always be someone that you can count on to help you hasten the work. The members LOVE the missionaries. Arizona also has a subtle beauty with it’s cacti and sunsets. (Emily)
- If you want to get an idea of how a Missionary feels towards the people they met and served on their mission, read Alma 27:4. That’s honestly the only way I know of to describe how I feel about the wonderful people I have come to love from my mission. (Jacob)
- Oh man. I loved so much of it. The members are SO nice and helpful. All the people we taught were so sincere and I learned a lot from them and their stories. Also the Gilbert temple is amazing and is probably my favorite place in the whole world. We got to go there a lot and I’m so grateful for the time we spent there. (MiKayla)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Pack light for the summer. Granted, it does get hot enough that it doesn’t always matter what you wear because it will still be hot, but packing lighter will also leave space in your suitcase so you can take warm things for the winter–if you have been through a summer, you WILL be cold in the winter. (Emily)
- Pack light– it makes transfers a lot easier. (Jacob)
- Don’t pack your favorite cute clothes. You are gonna sweat a lot. Also, sisters, practice biking in a skirt (: for elders.. all I’ve heard is don’t wear khaki pants in the summer. (MiKayla)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- Because I served a mission, I received a greater testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helped me see why it’s so important in our every day lives. I also gained an ability to be more patient and to work through trials relying on the Atonement. (Emily)
- So many blessings.. the main one is my testimony and my relationship to Christ. And of course the amazing friendships with the people I met. Since being home I’ve had miracles happen that I feel are a result of my mission. Things like help with paying for school and getting married in the temple and so many other happy things (: (MiKayla)
What are some skills you gained?
- I learned how to work with members to do missionary work and how to teach relying on the Spirit, rather than on my own abilities. I learned how to work with companions with very different personalities and how to love them all the same. (Emily)
- The most important one to me was learning how to follow the spirit and receive answers. I also learned how to really study the scriptures. Learning how to work hard and push through hard times and wanting to give up was a big thing for me too. (MiKayla)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- I knew that I wanted to be a missionary that loved the people, but I didn’t realize that the way that you did that was by encouraging them and testifying of the Savior. When you testify and encourage, you show them the Christlike love that you feel for them. I wish I had had more fun learning and focused on sharing my simple testimony. (Emily)
- I wish I would have been more grateful to be there at the beginning. I spent a few weeks thinking I was in the wrong place and being pretty negative. I figured out pretty quick that I was in the perfect place for me. (MiKayla)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Gilbert?
- Missions are AMAZING–especially in the Arizona Gilbert Mission. You will not always like your companion or your area or the weather, but you can learn to love them through the Grace of Jesus Christ. Your mission will change you forever if you let it. Where you go and who you serve with are inspired–and sometimes it’s because you need to learn a lesson in humility. It will be hard, but as Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught, “you will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the best life that ever lived”. The day you get off the plane to come home will be the hardest day of your life, so don’t let a moment pass you by. (Emily)
- Honestly the best advice I can give anyone preparing to serve a mission is this: have a powerful and impactful experience with the Atonement. I know of no other way to serve a mission and testify of the Savior with the conviction we need to other than by getting to know the Savior. And there is no better way to get to know Him than by using the miraculous gift we’ve been given. (Jacob)
- I know we are called to where the Lord needs us, but also where we need to be. I learned more from my mission than I could have imagined. Your mission isn’t about you but in a way it is for you. When you forget yourself and follow the spirit you are actually finding yourself. You are coming closer to Christ and growing spiritually. It’s all true. And it’s all worth it. I hope you have a great mission!!! (MiKayla)
What was a funny language mistake?
- I took a new Elder out on exchanges once and we came across a Spanish-speaking family while Tracting. While we talked, we saw a sign on the wall inside that said ‘happy birthday’. We asked whose birthday it was and a little boy, maybe six years old, came forward. My comp wanted to wish him a happy birthday but instead of saying ‘Feliz cumpliaños’, he said ‘Feliz Navidad’. This was in July, and the little boy was thoroughly confused why a gringo was on his porch wishing him a merry Christmas in July on his birthday. As we left the house, I asked my comp if he realized what he said. All at once, he realized what he said and was pretty embarrassed, but it all worked out since we were in my area, so he never saw them again. (Jacob)
Chad (Arizona Gilbert Mission)
–Paraphrased from Chad’s mission interview–
The Church in Gilbert
The first thing you’ll notice about the Gilbert mission is that it’s very small. On a map of Arizona, it’s about the size of your thumb nail. The Gilbert mission includes two stakes in Mesa, most of the stakes in Gilbert, some stakes down in Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and then Florence. I spent most of my mission in the northern area, or Gilbert. I did spend a little time down south in San Tan Valley. When you look at the mission, its split into two- the North and the south parts. They’re very different when you compare them. In the Northern part, there’s a lot of wealthier people, while down south the circumstances are more humble.
I served in a lot of areas throughout my mission, including some of the wealthiest areas. Most people would say that the well off areas were more challenging. but something unique about the Gilbert mission is that the members were willing to help. When the members cared about their friends, they wanted to share the gospel and we had success no matter where we were.
Food and Travel in the Gilbert Mission
Most of my mission I had a car. All of the missionaries had bikes, but there were enough cars that each missionary would get to use a car at least once. However, just because we had a car doesn’t mean we could drive anywhere. We had limits on the number of miles we could drive, and if we reached those limits, we would have to walk or bike. Riding a bike in Arizona is a very interesting experience. I would describe it like biking in an oven with a hair drier blowing in your face. If you went fast enough, the air would cool you down, but as soon as you stopped to talk to someone the heat would hit you.
Arizona has a lot of Mexican and spicy food. The mission had both English and Spanish speaking missionaries. I really loved when the members would make enchiladas. But, there was also a lot of variety. I ate a lot of authentic Hispanic food. The members are so giving, and they would always ask what we wanted for dinner. They wanted to help us feel at home.
Arizona Weather
People like to say that Gilbert has two seasons, summer and inferno. In summer it gets really hot… the hottest I ever saw was 117. Throughout the rest of year it does cool down a little bit, to the point where if you’re riding a bike in the winter you’ll get chilled. In the summer, there’s also a lot of storms. While I was in San Tan valley, there was a big lightning storm every day, and they were absolutely gorgeous. The only downside was that it would rain a lot.