Free resources about the Missouri St. Louis Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- 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: Missouri Independence Mission.
*Learn about what life is like in Missouri.
Missouri St. Louis Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Missouri St. Louis Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Missouri St. Louis Mission
1850 Craigshire Rd Ste 205
St Louis, MO 63146
Phone Number: 1-314-205-8510
Mission President: President Michael J. Bateman
Missouri St. Louis Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Missouri St. Louis Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the St. Louis Mission:
Videos with St. Louis RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Missouri St. Louis Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Missouri
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Missouri. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Missouri, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
St. Louis Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Missouri St. Louis Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Missouri St. Louis Mission Groups
Here are Missouri St. Louis Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the St. Louis Mission.
- St. Louis, MO Mission Facebook Group (486 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission Facebook Group (70 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission Facebook Group (46 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission 1997-99 Group (25 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission (Hartshorn) Group (17 members)
- St. Louis Mission McGrath and Preece Group (14 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission Facebook Group (9 members)
- St. Louis Mission…President Rydalch Group (6 members)
- Missouri St. Louis Mission 1977-1979 Group (4 members)
- St. Louis Mission (President Frame) Group (3 members)
Missouri St. Louis Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Missouri St. Louis Mission!
Shirt designs include St. Louis 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: St. Louis missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse St. Louis Mission gifts
Missouri St. Louis Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the St. Louis Mission.
- 2016-2019, Michael J. Bateman
- 2013-2016, Thomas W. Morgan
- 2010-2013, Stephen D. Clark
- 2010-2010, Kay Briggs
- 2004-2007, Gary Gessel
- 2001-2004, James Richards
- 1998-2001, Rand Packer
- 1995-1998, Steward Preece
- 1992-1995, Wayne McGrath
- 1989-1992, John Frame
- 1986-1989, Don Rydalch
- 1983-1986, Charles D. Tate
- 1980-1983, Leon Hartshorn
- 1977-1980, Norman Olsen
Missouri LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 69,451
- Missions: 2
- Temples: 2
- Congregations: 152
- Family History Centers: 46
Helpful Articles about Missouri
Missouri St. Louis Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Missouri St. Louis RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- 2013-2015 (James)
- 2013-2014 (Chenoa)
- January 2013 – December 2014 (Preston)
- 2011-2013 (Kevin)
- 2011-2012 (Kimmu)
- 2006-2008 (Jon)
- 2001-2003 (Paul)
- 1977-1979 (Randy)
- 1 1/2 years (Kelly)
What areas did you serve in?
- Hazel Wood, East St. Louis, Dexter, Mahomet, Alton, Springfield Illinois, Lindell. (James)
- Arnold MO, Lake St. Louis MO, Champaign IL, Missouri River MO, Frontenac MO, Crystal City MO, Glen Carbon IL. (Kimmu)
- Ballwin, Mo, South St. Louis, Mo, Collinsville, IL, Farmington, MO, East St. Louis, IL, Jefferson City, MO. (Paul)
- Many. Peoria Ill was my favorite. (Randy)
- Fulton, St Louis, St Charles, Mohamet IL, Columbia, Hillsboro, Poplar Bluff. (Kelly)
What were some favorite foods?
- Horseshoe, kangaroo burgers, Lynn’s cooking. (James)
- Rabbit, pork, steak. (Chenoa)
- Toasted ravioli, tacos al pastor, pork steaks, BBQ. (Preston)
- Pizza, burgers, Mexican food, breakfast foods. (Kevin)
- BBQ! (Kimmu)
- Pork Steaks, caramelized onions, fried squirrel, buffalo fish sandwiches from Beezley’s. (Paul)
- All the foods there are very good, and the members fed us very well. (Randy)
- Toasted Ravioli, Gooey Butter Cake. (Kelly)
What was a funny experience?
- Getting stuck in the snow in Dexter, Missouri. (James)
- My companion and I were driving down the road when we saw a turtle. We stopped the car, I jumped out and ran down the road and picked it up and moved it out of the road. (Chenoa)
- Serving in the rough part of town. That’s where all the entertaining people are. (Preston)
- In Poplar Bluff, Missouri we walked into a guy named Jerry. He was a very religious man, but was a little off. Each time we would try to teach he’d interrupt us by trying (and failing) to fly his toy helicopter. He also broke into a song about Jesus singing “there ain’t no sunshine when He’s gone!” (Kevin)
- We were living with members in my 3rd area and they were out of town for a week to work at the temple. One night we heard someone come in, so we grabbed what we could to defend ourselves (a can of raid and a giant pixie stick) and slowly crept up the stairs. When we opened the doors, we realized it was the couple we lived with back early from the temple. We all laughed that we were going defend the house with candy and big spray. Another time, my companions skirt wrapped all the way around her bike ride and pinned her to the bike. There’s really an art to biking in a skirt. (Kimmu)
- My first investigator who got baptized started taking the discussions because a show called south park aired an episode where the only people who went to heaven were the Mormons. So he thought he should at least talk to the missionaries. (Jon)
- I was driving with my district from an activity in Jefferson City, MO when we saw a huge thing in the middle of the road. As we got closer, we could tell that it was a giant snapping turtle (about 2 ft diameter shell). We stopped and one of the missionaries tucked his toes back in his doc martens and stuck his foot out. The turtle bit the end of his shoe and we helped drag him off of the road, then got the turtle to let go of the shoe by tapping it on the head with a stick. (Paul)
- I played many practical jokes on fellow missionaries and on the Mission President. At a Zone Conference, I put a whistling smoke bomb on his car. Ha! Ha! Big Long whistle and Booooomb! (Randy)
- When I was so exhausted from tracting with my companion, I accidentally answered my own companion’s question of, “Hi how are you?” Instead of letting the man at the door speak. (Kelly)
What was a crazy/dangerous experience?
- Running from a pack of dogs in Dexter, Missouri. (James)
- My companion and I were walking home in the dark. This white car pulled right up next to us. I whispered to my companion “let’s keep walking.” They then sped down the road flipped the car around and were coming back. We realized we had to move fast we dashed through a snow bank and ran all the way home. (Chenoa)
- I had a guy jump out of a car and wave his shotgun at us at a stop sign. Let’s just say I ran the stop sign. (Preston)
- I had only been out for a few days in my first area when some little 8 year old children came up to us and asked us if they could look in our bags. They wanted to take our stuff. My trainer said “No! Go away! Go to school or something!” They eventually left us alone, but I just could not believe it was happening. (Kevin)
- In the beginning of my mission, my companion and I were teaching a homeless man who was also a (semi-recovering) alcoholic. He was doing well and coming to church, then relapsed and would call us drunk and tell my companion how beautiful she was. It wasn’t super dangerous, but it was really uncomfortable. It helped me realize that while everyone deserves a chance to hear the gospel, there are some situations you should stay away from as a missionary. (Kimmu)
- In my first area the cops would always try to stop us from teaching. Also, there was a bad flood towards the end of my mission and my mission President was instructed to send some missionaries to Quincy IL to help fill sand bags. We spent two days helping. We were closer to Nauvoo than we were from our mission boundaries. (Jon)
- On New Year’s Eve in East St. Louis, we were at the store and the manager of the store told us not to go outside at midnight. We told him that we had to be in our apartment by dark any way, but he wouldn’t tell us why we shouldn’t go outside. We stayed up until midnight. Just before midnight the city tornado sirens went off and the buses and police cars that were out pulled over and went into the closest buildings. Then at midnight gunfire started. I recorded half an hour of solid gun fire with my recorder. It sounded just like recordings from the Gulf War. The next day, the streets were covered in empty bullet casings of all different calipers. (Paul)
- I was the victim of a attempted armed robbery and lived to tell about it. We were protected because we were on the Lord’s errand. I later went into law enforcement and martial arts, we were protected!!!! (Randy)
- Being followed home at night with one of my companions. We made it home safely and luckily lost the individual from walking fast ahead and making sharp turns…walking/sprinting home. (Kelly)
What was a spiritual experience?
- Meeting Georgia in Springfield / her baptism. (James)
- My companion and I went on exchanges. I was going to an appointment with a less active member. I was beyond scared because that Less Active was very, very smart and sometimes would use his logic to try to start a fight about doctrine. So I went in relying totally on the spirit! While teaching the lesson I felt how much Heavenly Father loved this child of God! The amount of love I felt was so strong. I told this member God loved him. I didn’t just say it, but I felt it. Which then brought me great joy! After the lesson I was exhausted because of the love I felt for this brother. (Chenoa)
- I got to know so many amazing members. Some people have given up so much to embrace the Gospel. (Preston)
- In my second area, we were teaching an engaged couple. The man was less active and the woman was interested in the church. We list contact and about a year later I got transferred to the area they were living. I called them, but no luck. The next transfer, I was having a bad day, but felt prompted to call them again, but I was driving so I made my greenie do it and pretend to be me. She answered and told me they had just gone through the Kansas City Temple open house and she had been wanting to start the lessons again! Also they lived in our same apartment complex! She was one of the most prepared people I taught and she would listen so intently. She was baptized and they have been active ever since! (Kimmu)
- There were several, I had one a least once a day. Being able to watch an investigator for the first realize that the church is true, was a powerful spiritual experience. Working with members and having them bear their testimonies is very spiritual. (Jon)
- In my first area. we had an investigator who said she wanted to learn about our church but had no interest in becoming a member or a fanatic. We were able to teach her, and after the fifth visit she committed to being baptized. The best part was being able to go to the temple with her a year later. She was a widow in her seventies and being in the temple with her was a great experience. I talked with her just a month or so ago (15 years later) and she is still active and loves studying her scriptures. What an amazing woman, and I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of her conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Paul)
- The many people I was able to teach and some came into the church. I learned my Bible very well and learned not to bash, rather to enlighten. The learning I did in the mission field prepared me for the rest of my life. Good thing I learned much because I have needed it. (Randy)
- Every person we taught there seemed to be a spiritual experience. It was most spiritual to me when we actually began noticing the investigator’s countenances changing because they were keeping their commitments ie reading scriptures, praying, etc. That’s when you knew they were allowing the Holy Ghost to finally work through them and converse with their own individual spirits. (Kelly)
What are some interesting facts about the St. Louis Mission?
- Cold in the wintertime hot in the summertime. (James)
- The Lewis and Clark trail goes through my mission. The Arch is there. The Baptist headquarters is there. (Chenoa)
- We only had one Spanish area, so we swapped in and out of it. (Preston)
- The St. Louis Arch is the tallest monument in the USA. President Spencer W. Kimball walked through Sullivan, MO as a missionary. St. Louis was a place of refuge for a lot of the saints that were kicked out of Nauvoo. Where they would work and save up money for the trek west. (Kevin)
- There is very little
- church history there, which I was surprised by. There are tons of free things to do in St. Louis…it made for really fun preparation days when I served near the city. (Kimmu)
- Missouri is the show me state. When you say Illinois do not pronounce the “s” at the end. You will get yelled at. Also everyone thinks Missouri is God’s country. (Jon)
- The Mississippi River goes through it, bald eagles winter in Grafton, Illinois, it is really close to a lot of church history, but has only one real church history site which is a plaque on a building in St. Louis where the first LDS meeting house stood. Chester, Illinois is the birthplace of Popeye. They are the gateway to the west, and the arch is awesome. Governor Boggs lived in the mission. (Paul)
- Bible Belt so you learn your Bible very well. The movie” Star Wars” has Yoda saying “Try Not, Do or Do Not, There Is No Try.” must have come from my mission. The saying “Sink or Swim” applies to this mission. (Randy)
- There are many things invented from St Louis that I did not know. There are a lot of tornado drills/warnings. People are a lot more friendly there to start a conversation than in most States. (Kelly)
What was the weather like?
- Wonderful to see all the seasons. (James)
- That we could turn work into fun times
- Hot and humid in the summer. Bone-chilling cold in the winter. (Chenoa)
- Humid and hot in the summer, bone chilling cold in the winter. (Preston)
- The summers were very hot and humid. In the winter time the humidity made it very cold and icy. However the Spring and Fall weathers are perfect!!! (Kevin)
- Hot and cold and wet. Winters are very cold because of the humidity. Summers are hot and sticky and the weather changes rapidly. One minute you could be out tracting in the sun on a clear day, then you see a cloud and decide to head back to the car, but it’s too late and you’ll be soaked from the sudden downpour before you get to the car. And by the time you get in the car, the rain has likely stopped. Moral of the story…invest in a rain coat. (Kimmu)
- Hot and humid in the summer, cold and humid in the winter (Jon)
- The weather was exciting. In the summer, we had some amazing storms. Some days you would be walking in the sun, then ten minutes later you are soaked from a storm, and ten minutes after that you are in the sun again. Cold winters, hot and humid summers, perfect springs and falls. (Paul)
- Very Humid!!!!! (Randy)
- Humid. So just put that into summer and winter and guess what it feels like. (Kelly)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- That we could turn work into fun times. (James)
- I loved where I served because of the people and the culture. They were all very different, but each person was seeking for truth in some way or another. I loved serving them and helping them grow. (Chenoa)
- The ward members were very loving and willing to serve the missionaries. The people there are very religious. Those in the inner city of St. Louis call the missionaries “Jesus boys”. (Kevin)
- Most people are super friendly, even when they want nothing to do with the church. And Missouri is beautiful! (Kimmu)
- The fall was beautiful. During my exit interview President Turley asked which area was my favorite. I thought I knew that answer. But then I had a quick thought. I told him that all the areas I served in where my favorite. I learned something in every area that has affected me for good. The wards were really great. (Jon)
- The Lord loves all of the people, and every where you serve makes that evident. I loved the inner city people when they called us the “Jesus People.” I loved the country people who fed us strange animals, but were very friendly even if they didn’t want to hear the gospel. I loved the suburban dwellers who would give us water, but then kick us off the porch. (Paul)
- The members of the church at that time were wonderful!!! They were very kind to all us missionaries. I gained 35 pounds in the field. (Randy)
- That people are genuinely friendly even if they didn’t accept our invitation. (Kelly)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Go simple. (James)
- I am a sister, so thermal garments and wool stockings for winter. Light colors for winter. (Chenoa)
- Don’t buy the Mr. Mac overcoat. It is long, heavy, not warm, and you’ll find closets full of them in missionary apartments. (Preston)
- Bring lots of short sleeved shirts for the summer days. Polyester ties are best because moisture doesn’t ruin them. Bring warm clothes for winter. Thermal wear would be excellent. Ecco shoes or brands that are good for long walking distances. A CamelBak backpack would help out a lot too. (Kevin)
- Fleece tights for winter, I didn’t have them, but I wear them all the time now and I wish I had them then. Rain coat!!! And warm winter coat. Pockets in everything! You need something to keep those pass along cards in! Also don’t pack too many clothes, I got transferred a ton and it was a pain to pack all the clothes I had. (Kimmu)
- Yes bring fitted sheets. (Jon)
- Layers for the winter, short sleeve shirts for the summer. Bring a good light rain coat that fits in your bag for those unexpected rain storms. (Paul)
- The members of the church at that time were wonderful!!! They were very kind to all us missionaries. I gained 35 pounds in the field. (Randy)
- Dress warm for the Winter. (Kelly)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I gained my testimony and knowledge that The Book of Mormon is true. Also, the knowledge that I am a Daughter of God and my divine purpose. (Chenoa)
- Spiritual growth and strength for my family. (Preston)
- In all honesty my wife was a huge blessing from my mission. My testimony has been solidified. I’m able to see situations from other people’s perspective as well as my own. And many other blessings that I can’t describe. (Kevin)
- I learned to love people more. (Kimmu)
- Until now for the first time in my life I truly know what if feels like to feel alive. (Jon)
- I gained a lifetime of experience that has allowed me to be sealed in the temple, have children, and teach them the gospel. I have had opportunities to lead and follow because of the experiences I gained on my mission. I also gained some lifelong friends, both in and out of the church. (Paul)
- I learned to really work long and hard. I learned to think and believe positive living. I became more converted myself. I learned the scriptures very well and I learned not to argue. Arguing chases away the Spirit, we are the to bring the Spirit with us through loving the people and ourselves.
- I gained a better testimony of the Gospel in a more meaningful perspective for my own personal life from those I taught and allowed to serve me as well. (Kelly)
What are some skills you gained?
- Cooking rice and bacon. (Chenoa)
- Patience, planning, and love. (Preston)
- Leadership skills. Study skills. Better planning and goal-setting skills. I’m more open and honest with my communication, but still able to say it in a loving way. (Kevin)
- I had no knowledge for bikes before my mission except how to ride a bike. I learned very quickly how to fix bikes. I learned effective teaching skills. (Jon)
- Leadership, talking to people, eating food that is not very good, eating food that is really good. Caring for others, sharing a room, and making good barbecue. (Paul)
- Hard Work. Determination. Success. Positive Mental Attitude!!! Being Realistic. (Randy)
- Goal setting/planning. Being timely. Teaching. Communication. (Kelly)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- I wish I had known that the MTC made it harder then it had to be, and had focused on the third chapter of Preach My Gospel. (Chenoa)
- I wish I would have been not as scared to open my mouth at the beginning. (Kevin)
- I wish I realized that it wasn’t just going to be teaching and baptizing every day. There’s a lot of time where you are working super hard and not seeing any immediate results. It is so frustrating! But the longer I served, the easier it was to tell myself that I was planting seeds and that it was still worth it. (Kimmu)
- I wish I had known the Bible more extensively. (Jon)
- Nothing. I feel like the Lord gave me the opportunities I needed for growth when I needed them. (Paul)
- To relax about goals and numbers and just have the Spirit with you. (Randy)
- That the mission goes by a lot faster then you think. (Kelly)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to St. Louis?
- This mission that your going on is going to change your life. It’s going to change you if you stay focused and happy. This mission will do as much for you as it will for the people you serve. (Chenoa)
- Learn the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon! (Preston)
- It’s a wonderful mission. I loved it. Get as much into the mission study schedule as you can before the MTC. Get to know Preach My Gospel too, because you’ll use it a lot in your mission. (Kevin)
- Love the people and trust the Lord. There are lots of churches in St. Louis and most people have a church that they love and attend regularly. If they aren’t ready to accept the gospel, just keep loving them, and start looking for more people to teach! (Kimmu)
- When you are trying to teach a lesson and sound children are present and are very distracting and you feel they are taking from the lesson. Please do not get upset or frustrated. Please remember whether or not those those investigators or less active come to church and progress in the gospel have nothing to do with their distracting children. Read “The Fellowship of the Unashamed” by Henry B. Eyring. (Jon)
- Sometimes people can be cruel, but the Lord will allow you to feel deep love for them as you pray for it, and work to serve. Sometimes doors are opened through physical service, and sometimes doors are opened by listening, so do both. (Paul)
- Share your love for the people and the Lord in the Lord’s way. Believe in yourself. You are going to the Very Best Mission in all the World!!! Feel free to e-mail me for any other advice you may want. Don’t take yourself or anything else to seriously. Life is to be enjoyed. (Randy)
- Soak up every minute. Even in the moments you may be upset and want to go home. Because you will never have an experience like the one you will have serving a mission again not one even close. Love those you teach, serve, live with, sustain, and love even yourself. Go get to work! (Kelly)
What was a funny language mistake?
- We only had English elders in our mission until my last transfer, but serving in the inner city can sometimes seem like people are speaking a different language. My first night in East St. Louis, a woman called our apartment and I didn’t think she was speaking English, so I gave to phone to my companion who had a conversation and hung up the phone. I asked him what she was speaking and he said English. It turns out that Ebonics is real, and sometimes very hard to understand. You get used to it after a couple of days. (Paul)
- I did learn some sign language which I have used since then. (Randy)