Switzerland Geneva Mission

Here are free resources about the Switzerland Geneva 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: Switzerland Zurich Mission.

Switzerland Geneva Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the Switzerland Geneva 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.

This mission does not currently exist.

Phone Number: N/A
Mission President: N/A

Switzerland Geneva Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the Switzerland Geneva Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Geneva Mission

Videos with Switzerland Geneva RMs

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

Videos about Switzerland

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

Switzerland Geneva Missionary Blogs

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

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

none found yet

Switzerland Geneva Mission Groups

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

Geneva Switzerland Mission Alumni Group (151 members)
Missionaries of Geneva and Lyon Missions Group (134 members)
Geneva Switzerland Mission Reunion – 1984 -1987, President Sperry Group (53 members)
Geneva Switzerland Mission 1989-1991 Presidents Hassell and Thatcher Group (39 members)
Switzerland Geneva Mission – The Sager Years Group (17 members)
Switzerland Geneva Mission 1976-1979, President Stevens Group (1 member)

Switzerland Geneva Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Switzerland Geneva Mission!

Shirt designs include Switzerland Geneva 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: Switzerland Geneva missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Geneva Mission gifts

Switzerland Geneva Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Switzerland Geneva LDS Mission.

2011, Mission closed.
2006-2009, Paul T. Peterson
2003-2006, Stephen Douglas Nadauld
2000-2003, Larry S. Kacher
1997-2000, Rex J. Allen
1994-1997, Glen Lund
1991-1994, James F. Cobb
1990-1991, Richard W. Thatcher
1987-1990, H. Jay Hassell
1984-1987, David J. Sperry
1982-1984, R. Bay Hutchings
1979-1982, David J. Bennion
1976-1979, Owen James Stevens
1973-1976, Sidney F. Sager
1974, Mission renamed Switzerland Geneva Mission from France-Switzerland Mission.

Switzerland LDS Statistics (2016)

Church Membership: 9,072
Missions:
Temples: 1
Congregations: 37
Family History Centers: 17

Helpful Articles about Switzerland

Coming soon..

Switzerland Geneva Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Switzerland Geneva 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?

1992-1994 (Hailey)
1991-1992 (Wayne)
1983-1985 (Barbara)
1983-1984 (Adrian)
1980-1981 (Ken)
1982-1984 (Doug)
1975-1977 (Keith)

What areas did you serve in?

Lyons, Besancon, Sion, Grenoble, Geneva. (Hailey)
Vevey, Switzerland; St. Etienne, France; Firminy, France. (Wayne)
Perpingnan, Grenoble, Lyon. (Barbara)
Toulouse, Nimes, Annecy, St. Raphael, Montpellier. (Adrian)
Charleroi, Bruxelles, Lille, Cannes, Avignon, Nimes, Vichy and Monthey. (Ken)
Nice, Nîmes, Toulouse, Avignon, Perpignan. (Doug)
St Raphael, Lyon, Antibes, Lausanne, Neufchâtel & Lyon again!! (Keith)

What were some favorite foods?

Pain au chocolate, all breads. (Hailey)
Raclette, chocolate and fresh flutes. Man I miss the fresh bread and the availability of it. The cheese was outstanding, best in the world. (Wayne)
Couscous. I only ate with members three or four times in the months. I was in France, but the North Africans would feed us when we tracted them out, and they often served couscous in a big bowl placed in the center of the room. They would put some in individual bowls for us, but they all ate from the same bowl using oiled hands. (Barbara)
Cassoulet, Cous Cous, Pizza, Steak Frites, Raclette. (Adrian)
Croissant aux amandes, Brie, merguez, saucissons sec. (Ken)
Nutella chocolate cheese couscous (with a variety of covers) oh and yogurt. Mille feuilles (spelling) no, I didn’t gain any weight…if compared to an elephant. (Doug)
Cous cous. Spaghetti Bolognaise – loved it so much, had it every day for a week when on a swop with Elder Fontaine of Quebec. (Keith)

What was a funny experience?

Making a mistake in saying a prayer in an investigators home. I spoke terrible French at the start and I offered a prayer wanting to say “Bless this house and all the children”. What I actually said was “Bless this house and kill all the children”. I tried to pluralize the word ‘all’ which of course is already plural. I should have said “Bénisse cette maison et tous les enfants”. Instead I said “bénisse cette maison et de tuer les enfants”. In my mind it made sense because I was kinding of feeling like by adding that ‘a’ sound at the end of a word it made it plural. Worst mistake ever. Took weeks for the family to speak to me again. (Wayne)
I had an ugly bike which had been in the mission for years. Although ugly, it was the most comfortable bike, and everyone who rode it loved it. This blessed bike was stolen AND RECOVERED three times! Once it was stolen from in front of the post office. About three weeks later, we found it parked (with the same lock) in front of the same post office. I unlocked it and rode it away. A second time, I was riding in a member’s car (the only time I was ever driven in a car during my entire time in France), and we saw a boy riding my bike next to me. We followed him to a park where he was sitting with friends. We approached the group, told them it was my bike, and I picked it up and rode it away. A third time, we were teaching someone in an apartment building. A man who lived one floor up saw some boys steal the bike just as we were leaving our lesson. With his help, we followed the boys who took it to a nearby neighborhood (he ran to keep up). Once in the neighborhood, the boys quickly hid it in an apartment. We saw about 30 bikes there — all freshly painted the same baby blue. We knew that if we didn’t immediately find my bike, it would be unrecognizable. By asking around, we determined which building it had been taken to, and we went door to door. Eventually, someone approached us and said that if we wouldn’t call the police, they would leave my bike behind one of the buildings, which they did. One of the many missionaries who had that bike before I bought it named it “Helen Hayes” because it kept the rider sitting upright and proper, just like the actress. Sometimes I wonder if Helen Hayes is still serving in the Switzerland, Geneva Mission! (Barbara)
Seeing the Sister Missionaries in the city center in Toulouse. They were on bikes so they stopped to talk to us and one of the bikes just fell apart in the street. Once my companion and I had stopped laughing we took the bikes to our apartment while the Sisters went to their teaching appointment, and we repaired the bike. (Adrian)
While in Toulouse in a three some, I attempted to lead a chivalrous charge assisting two young Dames carry a huge package. As we wheeled up beside them, I applied my brakes and the front forks failed so I hopped over my handle bars to dismount as I left my bike in a heap on the roadway in the midst of asking the if they needed help. They simply declined ..mildly put. (Doug)
Street contacting early on when my French was not too good and I told a man that the Sun came down on Joseph Smith in the grove!! (Keith)

What was a crazy experience?

One Preparation Day our district was exploring the Roman Ruins in Lyon, France, and my companion fell off a wall. (20m on one side with rolling grass, but she fell the off the shorter side: maybe 5m, onto hard cobblestone) The gash on her head was, thankfully, superficial, but was still over 15cm. At hospital they tried to shave her whole head to stitch it. She was alert again by that time, and complained loudly. They only put in six stitches, which left her with an interesting part line in her hair. We were blessed that was all the damage she sustained. (Hailey)
Riding a bike there always seemed like a terrible idea. (Wayne)
My companions and I had several biking accidents. Once my companion went full speed down a long, steep hill and crashed into and flipped over a stopped car at the bottom. Another companion was hit by a car. I also was hit by a car who turned right as I rode along the right side of the road. Bikes were destroyed, but each of us walked away with no serious injury. (Barbara)
I almost fell off of a 40 foot high wall when I was taking a photograph on a Preparation Day. I was standing on the wall in Albi to take a picture of a beautiful sunken garden. Another missionary accidentally knocked into my legs and started to fall. Luckily another Elder grabbed me and probably saved my life. I had only been on my mission for 10 days. (Adrian)
Riding my bike alone to Vevey for a swap when I did not have enough money for the train. (Ken)
My first preparation day was spent purchasing a bike. As we left the bike shop, I began grabbing gears. The front derailleur was improperly set causing the chain to jump tooooooo far. I was attempting to replace it when my (courteous ) companion chided me for making us late. I (un)calmly communicated that if he is so late, leave me I’d get there shortly he left and I repaired the bike, turned it upright and proceeded to launch it w/o looking left into traffic. My rear wheel folded and as I lurched over the handlebars to a stop, a BUS passed my face not Ten inches from me.. All seven hundred sixty-five feet.. IN SLOW MOTION! Took ten minutes to pass from in front of me at at least three hundred mph. I swear it to be true ! UNBELIEVABLE? Well the size, speed and time have been changed to protect my dignity. (Doug)
Watching Elder Eccles crash his bike going down hill in Lyon. He ended up being taken to hospital by the sapiers pompiers & being cared for by old nuns. (Keith)

What was a spiritual experience?

One of our newly baptized members, an elderly woman in Besancon, France, asked for a blessing from the branch president, who was a man from the United States whose French was very limited. The blessing was supposed to be one of comfort regarding her new faith and the impact on her family. She was blessed with that increase in faith when he blessed her heart and other ailing organs. She had told no one of her health issues, and was touched that the Lord knew her so well. It was a testimony booster for us as well to be reminded that our Heavenly Father knows each of us individually, and wants to bless us. (Hailey)
Meeting refugees from the Eastern Bloc who were brand new to religion. Some had no real knowledge of God and His plan. The joy these people felt when they learned of the plan of salvation was palpable. Being around such dedicated members of The Church was a joy. These people are in small numbers and dedicated to living the gospel. It was a privilege. (Wayne)
Listening to the first vocal prayer by an investigator and feeling the overwhelming influence of the Spirit strengthened my testimony. (Barbara)
Witnessing two baptisms in the Mediterranean Sea. It was a married couple and they were very happy. I always suggested that members perform the baptisms for anyone we taught, because that would give them a bond with a member that would last after the missionaries had been transferred. One day I woke up without a voice. I could only whisper- it was probably just a really bad cold, but we had a very important teaching appointment that day and my junior companion was not confident to teach it without my help. So we went to see a member and I received a Priesthood blessing. Afterwards I still had no voice, but we went to our appointment. As soon as they opened the door my voice returned and we had a great lesson. As soon as we left I could not speak again. There really is such a thing as the Gift of Tongues. (Adrian)
Having President Bennion approve my transfer from the Belgium Brussels Mission to Switzerland. Seeing the Cannes chapel in person 18 months after a vision of it while waiting for my call. (Ken)
My only greenie didn’t have an ounce of self confidence and suffered an unrealized testimony. The day I witnessed him overcome his fears and succeed at an enormously huge trial by committing to BECOME … Awesome, best day of my mission hands down! (Doug)
Feeling prompted to call in to see an investigator family when on the way to a DA! The father was trying to explain the gospel to a friend and we left him a Book of Mormon. Two days later a strange man told the other missionaries in Antibes that he had read the Book of Mormon and he knew it was true. Six weeks later the Bilon & Phillipon families were both baptized in Nice!!! (Keith)

What are some interesting facts about the Switzerland Geneva Mission?

We shared some zones with the missionaries from the Zurich mission which was always a fun day bumping into missionaries from another mission. They had different rules and spoke German, we of course, spoke French. I loved getting referrals that were in the middle of nowhere, we would often end up in the Alps somewhere. Loved how international the mission was, it felt so cosmopolitan. There were members from literally dozens of countries in our mission, it was brilliant to have so many people in our branches and wards from so many places. Such diversity. We also had a small set of islands off Africa called La Reunion in our mission, that was always what everyone wanted to do, serve there. (Wayne)
I was not sent to the MTC to learn the language! So it was a real challenge for me. I even had to book my own flight, and when I arrived in Geneva they did not even have a nametag for me. When the Mission opened in La Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, all of the non-American missionaries in the mission were sent there, except me. The French Government would not allow non-Europeans to go. I was not sent because I only had 6 months left to serve. (Adrian)
I served in 2 missions, 3 countries. I never served in a city with more than 4 missionaries after transferring to the Geneva Mission. I had 5 months with companions (3), who did not speak English either at all (2) or very well (1). I had a companion who was the Branch President because there was no Melchizedek Priesthood. (Ken)
More types of cheese exist there than there are days in the year. (Doug)
Went straight out to the mission field from Wales, so no LTM! (Keith)

What was the weather like?

Beautiful during the summer, freezing cold in the winter, like, seriously, freezing, put your warmest clothes on. I loved it. Not unbearably hot in the summer, but it was certainly really warm! (Wayne)
Summers were hot and humid. I had one winter at the southern end of the mission which was rainy and very windy. I was blown completely off of my bike as I was riding in one particularly strong wind. My second winter was at the northern end, and it was snowy and cold. (Barbara)
Very hot and dry in the summer, but cold in the winter, depending on where you go in the mission. The South is much warmer. Also it can be very windy in the south all year around. (Adrian)
It varied enormously from one region to another – the Mediterranean coast was wonderful, even in March – Avignon was cold and windy all year, Nimes was wonderful, as was Monthey. (Ken)
Four seasons. (Doug)
Served most of my time in St. Raphael & Antibes, so great weather. Cold at night, though especially in winter. (Keith)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

I served in both France and Switzerland which was a pleasure. The people were so different, the French was a little different too, nothing big, but just small details. The people there were generally pretty blunt, I liked that. They were very easy to fall in love with. I didn’t think they would be so easy to love, they really were genuinely easy to love. (Wayne)
Europe is old. The cobbled streets and old buildings have historical flavor. (Barbara)
I enjoyed meeting real French people in their homes and learning about their lives. I also enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to visit and live in some amazing places. I made some great friends among the people I taught. When I got married I took my wife to France and we visited several people who had been taught but did not join The Church. One of them insisted that we stay in her house and not book into an hotel and she moved out for 3 days. Once a French person is your friend, they will always be your friend. (Adrian)
Most places the people were very nice, particularly in Switzerland. (Ken)
Crunchy on the outside supple in the heart. (Doug)
Loved the people. The French on the Côte d’Azur are so laid back and the Swiss are so genuine. (Keith)

Any packing/clothing advice?

Get a seriously warm coat for winter, get short sleeves for the summer. Spend extra on a brilliant pair of shoes and whatever you do, dress well, the Swiss and French really don’t appreciate people without style. (Wayne)
You will need clothing for both hot and cold weather. I was able to find all toiletries except deodorant. Hopefully France has discovered deodorant by now. I’d take a few sticks, just in case. (Barbara)
Take only what you need. If you will arrive in Summer don’t bring a big winter coat, it is much cheaper to buy one in France. Get at least 3 pairs of comfortable shoes and make sure you have worn them in before you go, otherwise you may get some major blisters. (Adrian)
Layers and comfort- good shoes that are wide enough even at the end of the day. Plan on replacing most of your clothes half way through, they will be worn out by then. (Ken)
Be as ready for all four seasons as possible. (Doug)
You need good shoes, suits that are hard wearing with extra trousers/pants. (Keith)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

More than I can list here. It was the best preparation for running businesses I can imagine. It taught me more about people than anything I have learned anywhere else. I learned to serve, to love, to be attentive to other people’s needs. Learning a language has made a massive difference in my life, to my children, now we can speak French at home and whilst they study it in school I can help. (Wayne)
As I testified, my testimony was strengthened. The fact that I didn’t turn away when asked to serve set a pattern in my life of serving each time there is an opportunity. This service truly leads to a joyous life. My service gave and still gives me confidence to ask the Lord when I stand in need. (Barbara)
A deeper understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, an understanding and appreciation of French culture. Lifelong friends all over the world. (Adrian)
My first wife was French – When I remarried it was to an RM from the Belgian mission. French was a skill that has kept me employed for 15 out of the last 25 years. (Ken)
Knowledge, faith, temperance(not), but knowledge and more faith understanding and memories. (Doug)
Strengthened my testimony of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ & the Holy Ghost. I remember a special answer to a prayer offered in our bathroom, so I didn’t wake my companion when I couldn’t sleep one night. (Keith)

What are some skills you gained?

All the obvious ones like communication, patience, love, service etc. It also taught me the value of the lost soul, people who feel like they have no hope. It taught me to value every soul, every person. I learned to read between the lines and hear what people are actually saying rather than just hearing what they ‘say’. To really pay attention to everything. (Wayne)
I learned to use maps. My biking skills increased. I learned the French language. (Barbara)
Teaching, speaking French, leadership skills. All of these have blessed the rest of my life. (Adrian)
Exercising regularly. (Ken)
Teaching. And using the Spirit. (Doug)
Leadership, language, learning and listening. (Keith)

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

I wish I had learned French waaaay before I went. I spent six months trying to figure out what people were saying and it would have made life so much easier to speak it earlier on fluently. I wish I had studied the scriptures more before I left. Knowing answers to questions would have made it easier too. I wish I had tried harder to get on with my earlier companions, I was pretty prideful and once the pride was gone my mission was so much easier, so much more fun. I wish I had gone on more exchanges with missionaries before my mission, just to be that little more prepared. (Wayne)
I loved my first companion, but I didn’t realize that not all missionaries are as dedicated as she was. I wish I had been more appreciative of her. I wish I’d been more consistent in my journal keeping throughout my mission. This includes keeping an accurate list of everyone I taught. (Barbara)
I was very ready to serve except for not being able to speak the language. Go out with the missionaries at home and get yourself lots of teaching experience. Also, work out ways to cope if you do not get along with your companion. Most of your companions will be great and they will be your friends for life, but there is usually one who is a challenge. Just remember that for someone that challenge may be you!!! (Adrian)
That mission presidents are NOT perfect, or even fair all the time, and that I needed to look to the Lord for comfort and help. (Ken)
How to be compassionate, understanding, teachable. You know, the little things. (Doug)
That the Lord listens always and that you are guided by the Spirit even when you don’t realize it. Love the people and they will feel it and respond. (Keith)

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

It is going to set the tone for your life. Don’t ever give up. Learn early that faith is the key. You can literally do anything through faith. Anything. The Lord expects you to test the promises that He made you. Stay worthy before you go. Don’t push the boundaries. Stick with friends that will help you make the smart choices. (Wayne)
Most importantly, love your companion no matter what! It’s easy to focus on investigators and the community, but keep yourself strong first, and keep your companion strong second. Keep a sense of humor. Don’t take rejection personally. (Barbara)
Learn to work hard before you arrive. Learn to cook and to clean because you will really have to do everything for yourself once you are in the mission field. Also learn to shop on a very small budget. Before each of my sons went on their mission we took them out and gave them £15/$20 and had them go around the supermarket and buy enough food for a week. They then had to cook it and eat it for themselves. It was a great learning experience for each of them as they learned very quickly that you cannot just live on cakes and pasta!!! The Church is true in any language and the Holy Ghost speaks every one of them. (Adrian)
Study and write a study journal. (Ken)
Find yourself here. As much as is possible, learn of Christ now study the Atonement learn to become. (Doug)
Treasure every minute of your mission because it flies. Keep a journal. Be kind to everyone and love the people you serve. Love the members and serve everybody. (Keith)

What was a funny language mistake?

It is funny now, but shocking at the time, especially to the family. One of the American Elders told of a time he was praying with a family, and said, “Blesses cette famille de la mort.” (Essentially, hurt or injure this family with death.) Rather than “Benis cette famille de l’amour,” or bless this family with love. (Hailey)
See the above story… (Wayne)
We were invited to dinner at an investigator’s home. My green (blue) companion told me that morning that she didn’t want any help with the language, no matter what. They served plates piled with lots of food. When she’d eaten about 80%, they asked her if she wanted more. She thought that they were asking if she liked the food and answered with an enthusiastic, “yes!” They brought her more three more times, each time asking if she wanted more, and her enthusiastically answering “yes!” to the question she thought they were asking. She could barely walk when we left! (Barbara)
I tried to order Chop Suey in a Chinese restaurant on my birthday, but my pronunciation was so bad that I ordered. Bat!!! Also I once announced in Priesthood Meeting that all parents should kidnap their children with love! Instead of raise their children with love. (Adrian)
When said wrong “I am full”. Becomes I am pregnant. yup I did that too. (Doug)