New York Utica Mission

Free resources about the New York Utica Mission:

*Other Mission Pages: New York LDS Missions.



New York Utica Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the New York Utica 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.

New York Utica Mission
P.O. Box 149
Whitesboro, NY 13492-0149

Phone Number: 1-315-736-2308
Mission President: President Jeffrey G. Rogers

New York Utica Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the New York Utica Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the Utica Mission:

  1. Log into your LDS account here.
  2. Click here.

Videos with New York Utica RMs

Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Utica Mission.  We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.

mission interview  mission interview  mission interview

Videos about New York

Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about New York. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about New York, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.

LDS Church  places  food  nature  time lapses

New York Utica Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the NY Utica Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.

*Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Foster Harvey mymission.com/elderfosterabinadiharvey 2017
Sister Alyssa Horne alyssamission.blogspot.com 2017
Sister Katelyn Elgaaen katelynelgaaen.blogspot.com 2017
Sister Ta’Lee Rose sistertaleerose.blogspot.com 2016
Sister Maraiha Loveland sisterlovelandnewyorkutica.blogspot.com 2016
Sister Bailey Devries sisterdevries.blogspot.com 2016
Elder Auston Hutchings elderaustonhutchings.blogspot.com 2016
Elder & Sister Knight knight-mission.blogspot.com 2016
Elder Joshua Carlile elderjoshuacarlile.blogspot.com 2016
Elder John Gailey elderjbgailey.blogspot.com 2016
Elder Brandon Cahoon elderbrandoncahoon.weebly.com 2016
Sister Karissa White sisterkarissawhite.blogspot.com 2016
Sister Brynn Hallsted sisterbrynnhallsted.blogspot.com 2016
Sister Alexandra Pange sisterpange.wordpress.com 2016
Sister Kaylee Trapane kayleeinwonderland.trapane.com 2015
Sister Mariah Hamilton sisterhamiltoninnewyork.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Seth McCausland eldermccausland.wordpress.com 2015
Elder Hunter Neus elderneus.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Jared Empey elderjaredempey.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Hunter May elderhuntermay.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Tyler Richins elderrichins.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Chad Done mymission.com/elderchaddone 2014
Elder & Sister Cutler herbandsharon.blogspot.com 2014
Elder James Kunzler elderjameskunzler.blogspot.com 2014
Sister Kaitlyn Langford langford-esque.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Jacob Jepsen manonamissiontony.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Mitchell Hussey mitchhussey.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Jacob Rebman missionsite.net/elderjacobrebman 2014
Elder Nathan Olson missionsite.net/eldernathanolson 2013
Elder Jonathan Bricker missionsite.net/elderbricker 2012
Elder Nathan Bradford missionsite.net/eldernathanbradford 2012
Elder Tyler Williams missionsite.net/eldertylerwilliams 2012
Elder Matthew Shurtz eldermattshurtz.blogspot.com 2012
Elder Michael Christensen eldermichaelchristensen.blogspot.com 2012
Elder & Sister Karlinsey karlinseysuticamission.blogspot.com 2012
Sister Jennifer Stacey jennifermstacey.blogspot.com 2012
Sister Christina Zwick sisterchristinazwick.blogspot.com 2011
Elder Kyle Warr elderwarr.blogspot.com 2010

New York Utica Mission Groups

Here are New York Utica Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Utica Mission.

  1. New York Utica Mission Facebook Group (296 members)
  2. New York Utica Mission (Eckersley, 2006-09) Group (262 members)
  3. New York Utica Mission 2009-2012 Group (75 members)
  4. Utica Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (28 members)

New York Utica Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the New York Utica Mission!

Shirt designs include New York Utica 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: New York Utica missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Utica Mission gifts



New York Utica Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Utica Mission.

  1. 2015-2018, Jeffrey G. Rogers
  2. 2012-2015, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Jr.
  3. 2009-2012, Kevin M. Bulloch
  4. 2006-2009, Jay W. Eckersley
  5. 2003-2006, Thomas E. Mullen
  6. 2000-2003, Thomas Roy Valletta
  7. 1997-2000, Robert Evans
  8. 1994-1997, R. Noel Hatch
  9. 1993-1996, M. Dale Ensign
  10. 1993-1995, Marlin K. Jensen

New York LDS Statistics (2015)

  • Church Membership: 81,128
  • Missions: 4
  • Temples: 2
  • Congregations: 150
  • Family History Centers: 53

Helpful Articles about New York

Coming soon..

*Are you interested in becoming a lawyer in New York? Learn about the New York bar exam

New York Utica Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from New York Utica 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 (Amy)
  • 2013-2015 (Hannah)
  • 2013-2014 (Emily)
  • 2013-2014 (Morgan)
  • 2012-2014 (Jason)
  • 2011-2013 (Derek)
  • 2006-2008 (Shannon)
  • 2004-2006 (Dallin)
  • 2004-2005 (Spencer)
  • 1997-1998 (Ashley)
  • 2014-2016 (Kael)
  • 1994-1996 (Jim)
  • 1994-1996 (Cassie)
  • 2011-2013 (Gasetoto)

What areas did you serve in?

  • Watertown. (Amy)
  • Carthage, Bennington (VT), Norwood, Oswego. (Hannah)
  • Utica, Watertown, Saratoga Springs, Glenville. (Emily)
  • Gloversville, Oneida, Greenwich, Greenville. (Spencer)
  • Herkimer, Hudson, Glenville, Johnston City, Auburn, a few others. (Ashley)
  • Watertown (twice), Ogdensburg/Gouverneur, Canton/Potsdam, Whitesboro. (Shannon)
  • Binghamton, Corning, Herkimer, Potsdam, Latham/Albany, Saratoga Springs. (Dallin)
  • Ogdensburg, Norwich, Lowville, Greene, and Albany. (Derek)
  • Trumansburg, Hudson, Carthage, Delhi, Amsterdam, and Fayetteville. (Jason)
  • Cortland (twice), Oswego, Saratoga Springs, and Syracuse. (Morgan)
  • Fayetteville, Massena. Green, Scotia, Norwich, Greenwich, Gouverneur, Ogdensburg. (Kael)
  • Fayetteville, Binghamton, Schenectady, Owego, Bennington, North Syracuse, Albany. (Jim)
  • Ithaca, Cobleskill, Greenwich, Glens Falls, Tully. (Cassie)
  • Albany, Delhi, Scotia. (Gasetoto)

What were some favorite foods?

  • Pizza, Chicken Riggies, Stewart’s. (Amy)
  • Enchiladas, chicken, tacos, pizza… (Hannah)
  • Chicken riggies, spinach riggies. (Emily)
  • Pizza, wings. (Spencer)
  • Wings at Theos (closed now) and Speedies at Lupos in Binghamton as well as any good NY Pizzeria. (Ashley)
  • Salt potatoes, north country mac and cheese. (Shannon)
  • Italian, Traditional American, Friendlys was great, as was Stewart’s ice cream. (Dallin)
  • Always good pizza. (Dallin)
  • A lot of good Italian food but you gotta love New York pizza. (Jason)
  • Pizza and Wings, Chicken Riggie, Speedies, Smoked Ribs, Homegrown Salads, basically anything the members made for us – especially when they made breakfast foods for dinner 🙂 (Morgan)
  • Pizza and Stewarts. (Kael)
  • All the fresh veggies members gave us and fed us from their gardens, pizza place in Ithaca commons, Purity ice cream. (Cassie)
  • Pizza and rabbit. (Gasetoto)

What was a funny experience?

  • A cat gave birth on my lap during a lesson. (Hannah)
  • A few college girls flashed us. (Spencer)
  • Dressing up as Santa for a branch party in Herkimer. (Ashley)
  • Talking to an old guy on the street who was popping his teeth in and out as we talked. (Shannon)
  • One time my companion and I visited a member family for dinner, they fed us each week. One time they had started digging to pour foundation for a new shed, right next to where we always parked the car. When we left an hour later, the sun had gone down. I was so used to always flipping a u-turn so my companion didn’t have to back me up, but this time the car suddenly tipped sideways, I drove right into the hole. The car was fine, and luckily at that moment another family drove past who had a tow rope and pulled us out. (Dallin)
  • Every day you can find a funny experience when you absolutely love your mission. Just have fun. (Jason)
  • There are so many funny experiences! Just tracting in and of itself has so many funny responses. I kept a record of the things people would say to us and it’s quite hysterical. For example, this one man whose ear was missing was trying so hard to find an excuse to not talk to us. He finally said, “I can’t talk” and as he showed us his missing ear he said, “I lost an ear!” (Morgan)
  • I always got lost with the crazy roads in New York. It was funny when other Elders had to direct me where to drive. I even got lost in a parking lot with a GPS. That was pretty funny. (Kael)
  • When my companion and I were told by a man that Joseph Smith was visited by aliens. Living across the street from a beautiful Catholic church in Greenwich & listening to Ave Maria piped through mechanical bells every Sunday morning. Getting stuck in a snow drift when my companion was driving for the first time in that much snow! Then being thankful we listened to a member who advised us to keep a snow shovel in our trunk. (Cassie)

What was a crazy experience?

  • I almost died in the car several times, but never got in an accident. Got threatened while tracting from a shirtless guy with a dog. (Hannah)
  • My companion got depressed and I thought it was because of disobedience so I worked him even harder and he got suicidal. He was disobedient but he only got depressed because of a problem with his medication. (Spencer)
  • The ice, sliding and slipping on it when tracting. (Ashley)
  • We walked outside our apartment door, and immediately noticed several cops down the road with their guns pointed right at us. We noticed that they were actually pointing the guns at a car they had stopped right in front of our apartment. They started screaming at us telling us to go back inside. We did, quickly. (Dallin)
  • In my second area my companion and I were walking at about 8:30 at night and a guy pulled a knife on us. (Jason)
  • Almost getting run over by a hay wagon…I could seriously be dead right now if it smashed me into the tractor!
    Accidentally driving off the road and almost hitting a tree because it was so foggy outside and you could barely see 5 feet in front of you! (Morgan)
  • Watching drug busts in Massena was pretty crazy. We were very glad that they were not houses that we were tracting. (Kael)
  • When a member drove us home after a dinner appointment in a whiteout. Being stuck at a dinner appointment because of freezing rain. Personally, I had my appendix taken out @ the Saratoga Springs hospital while serving in the Greenwich Branch. (Cassie)

What was a spiritual experience?

  • Being able to see my first investigator be baptized the day I left. (Amy)
  • A new member bore his testimony at his wife’s baptism and it was incredible. (Hannah)
  • Walking down a country road in complete silence without a single thought in my head just looking at the Catskill mountains. (Spencer)
  • Teaching my friends the Gospel. (Ashley)
  • Although I have been a member all my life, I had never really felt a confirmation that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I mentally knew it was true and knew that living the gospel made me happy and I felt the spirit at various times. In the MTC when practicing how to testify of Joseph Smith I questioned my testimony of him because I didn’t “feel the burn” when talking about him. The first time I testified of Joseph Smith in the field I felt the Spirit so strongly and the gal we were teaching could clearly feel it too. I don’t remember feeling that again about Joseph Smith specifically.
    I learned a few things from that experience.
    1. Testify whether you “feel the burn” or not. You can have a testimony without crying or being overcome with the Spirit. Testify testify testify. The Spirit will do the converting.
    2. I have had to go back to that experience, that I can’t deny happened, when I start wondering if I “feel” the gospel is true.
    D&C 6
    22 “If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?”
    3. When we are obedient the Lord can give us the experiences we desire. It was being obedient on my mission that led me to gain a witness of 3 points of a triangle (that when one is true, all must be true). Joseph Smith is a prophet of God (1st time I testified to an investigator). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ’s true church on earth (when I was in branch council and saw the inspiration of the Spirit). The Book of Mormon is true and testifies of Christ (when I was reading in personal study in the morning. Wasn’t reading anything specific. Just reading). Be obedient. (Shannon)
  • Seeing others change their everything about their life and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Dallin)
  • There were so many times just talking to everyone we saw on the street that we found people who were looking for the gospel. Once we were walking to see a potential investigator, and stopped to talk to a man working on his car. He stood up and said “oh, hello Elders”. He was a less active member who had moved and fallen off the radar. He was being prepared to return to activity, and introduced us to his children, and allowed us to stay coming over. This man had such a great testimony, and had amazing experiences on his mission that we often talked about, which reignited good desire to serve the Lord. (Derek)
  • Whenever you see someone get dressed up in white and you hear the water filling up in the font or you watch someone come out of the water can be a spiritual experience. (Derek)
  • The first three days of the mission field I was shell shocked. I was in a tiny little town and there were more cows than people. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into and I was seriously considering going home. But that first Sunday as we sang the closing song, I just started balling. Heavenly Father let me feel His love for the people in that area and I knew that I was needed there. I was overwhelmed with His love for these people and I just wanted them to feel it too. It changed my outlook on the way I approached missionary work from spreading the gospel and getting people baptized to helping them come closer to Heavenly Father and feel of His love. (Morgan)
  • It was very spiritual when we asked an investigator to kneel and pray with us. She said such a sincere prayer for the first time that we really felt the Spirit really strong. (Kael)
  • My most spiritual experience actually happened just before I left for the MTC. I received an amazing confirmation from my Heavenly Father through pure personal revelation regarding my already existent testimony of the reality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and living prophets. Then I came to New York and that knowledge was challenged daily as I served my mission. I was even challenged by a nurse while in the hospital recovering from my appendectomy!! That revelation my Heavenly Father gave to me was needed in the NYUM. I already had a testimony of the truthfulness of the prophet Joseph Smith, but I was given knowledge that has never faltered that was forged into that knowledge through the constant challenge of that testimony daily while serving my mission. (Cassie)

What are some interesting facts about the Utica Mission?

  • Lots of Church History, got to visit the grave of Joseph Smith’s Grandfather who prophesied that his grandson would restore the truth. (Hannah)
  • Boxing hall of fame was in my area. The last remaining American silverware factory was in that area too. (Spencer)
  • The NY Utica mission is where Parley P Pratt lived and taught the Gospel. (Ashley)
  • The Christmas tree air fresheners were invented and currently manufactured in Watertown, NY.
    The Lifesaver candy was first manufactured in Gouverneur, New York.
    Asael Smith, grandfather of Joseph Smith, is buried in Stockholm Township, St. Lawrence County, New York. (Shannon)
  • Patent for The Book of Mormon issued in Utica, Brigham Young lived in the mission before joining the church. (Dallin)
  • Lots of church history! Asahel Smith, Joseph Smith’s grandfather, is buried in the northern part of the mission, and if you don’t know his story, look it up. The Coleville Branch (first branch of the church) is located in the southern end of the mission, across the street from where Emma Smith was baptized. A list of the members of the branch is on location, and is only a couple miles from the Josiah Stowell home, who Joseph worked for when he met Emma, and is the home where Joseph proposed to Emma.
    In Norwich is a historic court house, where Joseph was held for charges of being “disorderly”. (Derek)
  • Upstate New York is very different from the city. Spending 2 years there it really grew on me. It is very rural and a lot of church history is close by. For example Parley P. Pratt was in Utica when he learned of the death of Joseph Smith. (Jason)
  • It’s sooooo close to the birthplace of the Restoration (yet so far)! There are several areas with church history tied in. It’s NOT the city! And it’s NOT Niagara Falls! But it is the best place! It’s beautiful and it will become home to you. It has one of the highest percentages of cars per missionary out there (but honestly, walking areas are so much better than car areas because you are in contact with more people)! (Morgan)
  • Absolutely beautiful and unlike how NYC is perceived, upstate people were friendly & polite. The mission opened July 1994 and I and the group that came out with me were the very first to receive their calls to the mission. (Cassie)

What was the weather like?

  • Cold, rainy, humid. (Amy)
  • Depending on the season, spring was beautiful, summer was hot, autumn was so so beautiful, winter was bitter cold and snowy. (Hannah)
  • All 4 seasons. Winter: COLD. I was in one area from October to April and it snowed more than 20 feet total just when I was there. Summer: Humid and hot, but not as hot as some places! When it rained, it POURED! (Emily)
  • Very cold in the winter. Very snowy. Very rainy in spring. Surprisingly hot in the summer. (Spencer)
  • Cold. (Ashley)
  • It’s beautiful. So green. Fall is phenomenal and stunning. A joy to be out in. Spring is also gorgeous. Hot, cold & humid. Summers are very hot. In the North Country there is minimal air conditioning in people’s homes. Winters are very cold with lots of snow (North Country). Humidity makes it so the cold is bone chilling. Tricky to be out walking in wearing thermals when you then have to go inside and teach a lesson – still wearing thermals :). (Shannon)
  • Hot and humid in the summer, super super cold and a lot of snow in the winter. (Dallin)
  • Summers warm and humid, winters with lots of snow. Each season is very distinct, and the autumn is beautiful. (Derek)
  • If you don’t like the weather in upstate New York wait five minutes and it will change. Heavy snow and heavy rain. (Jason)
  • Bitter, bone-chilling cold during winter! Humid. Bearable (if you know how to schedule your days according to the weather). (Morgan)
  • Most of the time, grey and cloudy. Hot and humid in the summer and bitter cold in the winter. (Kael)
  • Hot & humid in the summer but green. Cool & crisp and AMAZING colors in the Fall. Cold, cold, cold in the winter with lots & lots of snow. Spring is cool. (Cassie)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

  • They are talkative, and will carry on a conversation. They are the best people, and I love them with all my heart! (Amy)
  • The people were wonderful, but honestly, a bit frustrating at times. (Hannah)
  • Pretty much 90% of the people are grumpy, ornery, curmudgeons. I love it. They are so real. Not like the south where everybody is nice and nobody means it. Just remember that if someone is a dick to you it doesn’t mean they don’t like you. And just because people can be mean doesn’t mean they aren’t good people. (Spencer)
  • The people were awesome. (Ashley)
  • Almost every one was really kind and courteous. Of course you have your outliers. Many people of faith. (Shannon)
  • Those you serve, you love. I think everyone loves those that they serve. (Dallin)
  • People are very easy to talk to. Very open and willing to share their feelings. The members are so willing to help and have an amazing love for the gospel. (Derek)
  • The people there are humble and very loving. (Jason)
  • The people taught me so much about service, about how to be a good member, about how to raise a good family and about how to love everyone. (Morgan)
  • That’s a difficult question to answer since everyone is so unique. I really enjoyed the feeling of charity when I was around people. I felt in every area I got. (Kael)
  • Everything! (Cassie)

Any packing/clothing advice?

  • Warm clothes for the winter, ie wool socks, snow boots. Rain boots! (Amy)
  • Pack warm and summer clothes. Waterproof snow boots are a must (my companion got frostbite on her foot from bad boots). (Hannah)
  • No. (Spencer)
  • Pack warm! (Ashley)
  • Layers. You’ll want to strip them in the summer and then pile them on in the winter. 🙂 For sisters, look cute. Wear stuff you like. Wear make up (if you like to). There isn’t a ton of time to get ready, and you’ll often be tired, so bring easy to put on stuff, but give yourself time to feel pretty. It’s worth it. You will feel better. (Shannon)
  • Bring a lot of layers, and a lot of warm clothes. You will freeze otherwise. (Dallin)
  • Get a good coat. Thermal underwear. But then also get good warm weather clothing too. (Derek)
  • Winter gear and thermal garments. Boots especially. You will freeze if you don’t. (Jason)
  • Sisters, you’ll buy more clothes on your mission so don’t take too much…thrift stores are the place to find them! Especially skirts that are long enough! It’s okay to not bring any of your clothes home from your mission. You will probably be so sick of them by then that you won’t want to wear it anymore. (Morgan)
  • Depending on when a missionary enters the mission field, winter coats & boots are really the only extra clothing needed. Can be purchased their. Rain coat, boots & umbrella possibly. Bug repellant for summer! NY has black flies. (Cassie)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

  • Too many to even count… The biggest being a stronger relationship with our Heavenly Father and lifelong friends. (Amy)
  • A greater understanding of the Gospel and knowledge of the scripture, especially a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Greater teaching skills and confidence. (Hannah)
  • A wonderful wife and family and a great career and life. I am also able to share and teach the Gospel to others without being nervous. (Ashley)
  • I gained a stronger testimony of the gospel. I learned how the Lord speaks to me (so key to making life decisions like marriage, school etc). I learned how to listen to the Lord even if something didn’t make sense (also key for life decisions). I will be able to better teach my children how to gain their own testimonies of Jesus Christ so as things gets harder at an earlier age, they can be better prepared. (Shannon)
  • Professional skills, communications skills, work ethic, learned to recognize the spirit, became a man. (Dallin)
  • I had the opportunity to really see how much the gospel can solve any problem. The peace of the knowledge of the gospel is so amazing. My mission made me a stronger, more caring person. (Derek)
  • I can’t even describe how many blessings I received. I saw miracles every day and it totally bolstered my faith. (Jason)
  • I was blessed with physical and emotional health to get me through. I also was blessed with the ability to see the Lord’s hand everyday. I saw the miracles that come as you are exactly obedient. I was blessed with areas I needed, and companions that were obedient. The Lord really knows what you need and He will give it to you – even if that means a trial. It’s for your own good! (Morgan)
  • Too many to list here. I changed a lot, my family changed a lot. We received multiple physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and financial blessings. (Kael)
  • The blessings are endless! I was more prepared for marriage & parenthood. My knowledge of the scriptures increased exponentially!! My testimony evolved from a blueprint to a solid foundation. Temple blessings that are eternal. (Cassie)

What are some skills you gained?

  • I learned how to cook more meals, to use watercolor pencils, how to treat several diseases, exercise tips, etc. (Hannah)
  • Relationship skills. (Ashley)
  • I learned how to work one on one with people I didn’t always agree with. Learned compromise. Talking to people I didn’t know. I never got used to or liked tracting or stopping people on the street, I still don’t. But I know how to do it and has been invaluable when 1. I have been prompted by the Spirit to talk to someone 2. I’m feeling a little more open and so willing to sit by someone I don’t know at an activity or make small talk with someone on the bus. (Shannon)
  • Greater teaching skills. Ability to understand people at a deeper level. Made me more caring, more aware of others. (Derek)
  • The ability to talk to anyone and share my love of the gospel. (Jason)
  • Communicating with everyone! Using ALL of the time contained in a day! Learning how to love people of all different backgrounds and seeing them as our Heavenly Father does. (Morgan)
  • Cleanliness, time management skills. (Kael)
  • How to share the Gospel without fear or discomfort. How to pack more efficiently!☺ How to really listen to and be in tune to the Holy Ghost. How to bear testimony even when my beliefs are being challenged. (Cassie)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

  • Don’t take naps. Take exercising and daily planning seriously. You don’t need a big bag for all your stuff. (Hannah)
  • I wish I were easier on myself and companions. Maybe relaxed a bit. (Spencer)
  • Missionaries are not perfect 🙂 (Ashley)
  • I wish I hadn’t gone in thinking there is a certain way to be a missionary. That although the Lord’s standards are high, sometimes we make them higher for ourselves which can lead to disappointment and in some cases depression or anxiety. We are all different and go at different speeds. It’s ok to be scared or to never get used to something that is hard. Maybe something hard will never become natural, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t trying and improving. The Lord sees our improvement way better than we do. (Shannon)
  • Just to have fun, and not take myself too seriously. (Dallin)
  • I wish I had been more bold both in talking to everyone on the street, and in being more open and loving to those I taught. (Derek)
  • I wish I became more familiar with Preach My Gospel. It will be a very important tool on your mission. (Jason)
  • I wish I knew how to have fun while still working effectively, that if you’re not happy, you’re doing something wrong. I wish I knew the blessings of exercising in the mornings and how it truly gives you the energy and strength to make it through the day. I wish I knew how to ask members for help (rides, to come to lessons, to friendship people, to ask for referrals, etc). I wish I had planned my studies out the night before. When I did that, my studies were so much more focused and fruitful because I didn’t waste time trying to figure out what to study. (Morgan)
  • I wish I had more experience talking to people I don’t know. That always was a struggle, figuring out how to talk to someone I don’t know. (Kael)
  • Had a better knowledge of the Bible. Better luggage. 😁 Don’t scrimp on luggage. (Cassie)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Utica?

  • The Lord qualifies whom He calls. Put the Lord and His work and the people who you will be serving above yourself. This is His work, and He will always help as you allow Him to do so. (Amy)
  • The mission is so so so worth it. There are so many amazing experiences you wouldn’t experience anywhere else. Being able to help people and watch them grow is one of the greatest blessings of serving a mission, and gives you a glimpse of what parenthood is like. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve and can’t wait to do it again in my later years. (Hannah)
  • Everything is just as it should be. (Spencer)
  • Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover. (Ashley)
  • The Lord will speak through you when you are obedient and when you have even a tiny desire. There were many days I didn’t want to go out. My desire was minuscule but most days I got up just to be obedient, not because I felt like it. And in some cases my companion and I took some extra time to make sure we were individually ok and ok as a companionship before tackling the day.
    You will be the instrument the Lord needs YOU to be because He needs YOUR combination of personality, skill and experience. You will touch people that no one else can. And there will be people your companion will touch that you struggle to connect with. That’s why we’re in this together. Be obedient so the Lord can bless you and everyone you talk to, even smile to. (Shannon)
  • Go with a purpose, and don’t waste time. If you are wasting time or doubt why you are there, make a change. (Dallin)
  • The New York Utica Mission is such a special place. Obedience is a blessing, and as you are obedient, the mission will change your life in amazing ways. (Derek)
  • Enjoy and treasure every moment. Don’t let a moment or person pass you by. Your mission will not only change your life but the lives of others. (Jason)
  • Be prepared. Have a testimony. Study your scriptures. Pray for the Lord to help you know what you should be doing to prepare. And mostly, be prepared for your mission to change your life. If you have the right attitude, it will leave you speechless when people ask you what you loved most because everything was so wonderful. I know that the Lord qualifies those whom He calls. He will help you in the work because it is His work and you can’t do it without His work. Strive to be exactly obedient and you will see miracles everyday. Maybe not huge miracles, but miracles in the little things. (Morgan)
  • Be the change you want see. That might sound weird, but if you want change to happen, you have to change, It doesn’t come without any effort on your part. (Kael)
  • Be obedient. Love the people. Serve people. Even if they are not interested in hearing about the restored gospel, serve them. Discouragement will happen, but never give up! It will be the most amazing and most difficult yet most rewarding experience of your life! (Cassie)

What was a funny language mistake?

  • No language barrier. (Hannah)
  • I almost stepped on a members cat and said bad words in front of the young children.  (Spencer)
  • Thinking upstate NY people spoke like NY City people. (Ashley)
  • Not really a different language in the North Country, but especially by the border of Canada there is a different dialect. 🙂 Are yous guys going to church this week? Good times. (Shannon)