Directly from the church
Articles
Church Adds New Ministering Resources for Church Leaders on LDS.org
The Church has added four new topics to Ministering Resources (ministering.lds.org), a resource that provides information to support stake and ward leaders as they minister to members.
New topics are:
- Caregivers.
- Missionaries who return home early.
- Couples who struggle with marital conflict.
- Individuals who struggle with mental health issues.
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https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-05-012-elder-hollands-counsel-for-early-returned-missionaries?category=face-to-face&lang=eng
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His Grace: Being an Early-Returned Missionary
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https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/12/young-adults/returning-home-early-from-my-mission?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/12/young-adults/returning-home-early-from-my-mission?lang=eng
Missionary Mommas - loopehole
http://missionarymommas.blogspot.com/2015/06/loopehole.html
Honorably Released: When the best two years don’t turn out as expected.
http://universe.byu.edu/special-projects/the-work/
When a Missionary Returns Early
http://www.ldsliving.com/When-a-Missionary-Returns-Early/s/63954
What this Mission President would like every Early Returned Missionary to Know
http://ldsmag.com/what-this-mission-president-would-like-every-early-returned-missionary-to-know/
6 lies early returned missionaries tell themselves
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865628809/6-lies-early-returned-missionaries-tell-themselves.html?pg=all#7JSmHQxLFhgQMAHt.01
8 Powerful Reminders for Missionaries Who Come Home Early
http://ldsmissionaries.com/8-powerful-reminders-for-missionaries-who-come-home-early/
It’s None Of Your Business Why A Missionary Comes Home Early
http://www.millennialmormons.com/none-business-missionary-comes-home-early/
Patience as an Early-Returned Missionary
http://www.mormonchannel.org/listen/series/mormon-channel-daily-audio/patience-as-an-early-returned-missionary
Depression
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/02/depression?lang=eng
Like a Broken Vessel
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng
Catching the Vision: All Missions Bring Souls to Christ
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/08/young-adults/catching-the-vision-all-missions-bring-souls-to-christ?lang=eng
Dear Early Returned Missionary: What I Wish I Had Known When I Came Home From My Mission
http://earlyreturnedhonor.com/2015/02/15/dear-early-returned-missionary-what-i-wish-i-had-known-when-i-came-home-from-my-mission/
How To Assist Early Returned Missionaries
http://www.jackrchristianson.com/assist-early-returned-missionaries/?fb_ref=c773363ebe754382a6fc8790e9d2e527-Facebook
Returned LDS missionary talks about mental illness and early release
http://jasonfwright.com/column/returned-lds-missionary-talks-about-mental-illness-and-early-release.html
Mountains to Climb
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng
On-line Groups
Medical Released LDS Missionaries
https://www.facebook.com/groups/501230699968733/
The Early Returned Missionary Initiative
https://www.facebook.com/groups/205679529612455/
Early Returned Missionaries
https://www.facebook.com/groups/451062941762280/
ERM Missionary Mommas (this is a private group and you need a friend in the group to invite you - Comment below if you need/want an invite)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1392358654372002/
Dont Stop Sargeant
https://www.facebook.com/Dont-Stop-Sargeant-1505024869715896/?fref=ts
Moms of Missionaries with Medical Leave
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1866998843524601/
Early Returned Honor
https://www.facebook.com/earlyreturnedhonor/?tsid=0.0020657568238675594&source=typeahead&hc_location=ufi
Missionaries Home Early
https://www.facebook.com/missionarieshomeearly/
Mission Fortify (This is a facebook group that is creating a team of ERM mentors)
their web page: http://www.missionfortify.org/
Groups, meetings, firesides
From: Brother Ostergaard:
Hello Everyone! We are starting a new Early Returned Missionary (ERM) support group at the Student Health Center on the UVU campus. It will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 11:30-12:45. Kris Doty and Angela Jackson are co-leading it with the hope that ERMs can find acceptance, resolution, and social support. All are welcome! Please spread the word.
Hello Everyone! We are starting a new Early Returned Missionary (ERM) support group at the Student Health Center on the UVU campus. It will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 11:30-12:45. Kris Doty and Angela Jackson are co-leading it with the hope that ERMs can find acceptance, resolution, and social support. All are welcome! Please spread the word.
This is a facebook group that is creating a team of ERM mentors
https://www.facebook.com/missionfortify/?ref=page_internal
also, their web page: http://www.missionfortify.org/
EarlyRM
http://www.earlyrm.com/
Videos
click on this link for the Honorably Released:When the best two years don’t turn out as expected video =========> http://universe.byu.edu/special-projects/the-work/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MnS4uuxIZ4
The above video is is part of this group:
Don't Stop Sargeant
https://www.facebook.com/Dont-Stop-Sargeant-1505024869715896/?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICNIJzd8jeY&feature=youtu.be
BRAVE // A Message for Early Returning Missionaries
LDS Woman creates campaign to help early returned missionaries
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=36874967&nid=1284&fm=most_popular&s_cid=popular-1
Coming Home Early for Illness and Re-entering the Mission (God's Plan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmfwZ8ZX65w&feature=youtu.be&list=PLo6WmFbBTUexKdEFqJqBs5oPhSli3maFdWrong Roads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNQC-_srxH8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxK2E2OFJhQ
*** Resources For Early Returned Missionaries - 12 videos (click below) from Prepare to Serve
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo6WmFbBTUex7ehSWenfl7f_hJXK5nGQ8
BLOGS
https://typedlettershome.com/2016/10/06/a-letter-to-every-erm/
http://searchingfordaylight.blogspot.com/
http://jenevralo.blogspot.com/2015/09/mission-story_20.html
http://www.cominghomeearly-mystory.blogspot.com/
https://laraalexx.wordpress.com/2015/07/19/its-been-over-a-year/
http://idahogirlonamission.blogspot.com/2015/07/come-what-may-and-love-it.html
http://tasty-tabea.blogspot.de/2015/10/returning-early-and-with-honour.html
http://katiesavannah.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-i-wish-i-would-have-known-advice.html?m=1
http://likebrokenvessels.blogspot.com/2014/02/5-ways-to-help-missionaries-who-come.html?showComment=1392101482343#c2284344504701664248
http://oysmf.blogspot.com/2015/05/everything-i-never-told-you.html
http://sistervanessahall.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-every-every-returned-missionary.html?m=1
http://www.yellowinthegray.com/2016/02/what-we-want-you-to-know.html
https://sistermalfunction.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/life-goes-on/
http://oneshetwoshe.com/2016/02/dealing-with-depression.html
https://frizzyhairdwanderer.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/291/
http://sisternorris.blogspot.com/2016/08/what-i-wouldnt-do-to-be-back.html
Scriptures
2. Alma 37:35-37
3. Moroni 10:32-33
4. Ether 12:27
2nd Nephi 4 was really great for me, focusing mostly on 20 through 35. If you're looking for specifics, I really love 20, 21, 34, and 35. I love hearing about how Nephi is working through his worries and challenges. The reason I love Nephi isn't because he is an example without weakness, but because he is an example about how to overcome his own challenges with hope and faith and perseverance!
Also, a few other bonus scriptures. 1st Nephi 17:3, Alma 58:10-11, Helaman 3:35, and (a definite classic in all situations) Ether 12:27.
1 Peter 4:10-13
D&C 124:49, Helaman 5:12
Ether 12:27
Galations 5:22-23
D&C 10:5
D&C 50: 40-41!
Joshua 1:9
More info
Early Returned Honor
http://earlyreturnedhonor.com/
Missionaries Home Early *
http://www.missionarieshomeearly.com/
Returned Missionaries Missing in Action
http://rmmia.com/
http://quintrandle.wix.com/honorablyreleased (Documentary coming soon)
http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/lifestyle/57219005-80/mission-missionaries-early-says.html.csp
http://erminitiative.blogspot.com/
http://sickrms.com/
https://earlyreturnmissionary.wordpress.com/
http://earlyreturn.weebly.com/
http://earlyreturnedhonor.com/2015/06/21/my-mission-was-a-failure-a-success-story/
http://ldsmag.com/mission-possible-finding-solutions-for-missionaries-with-mental-illness/
http://blogs.uvu.edu/newsroom/2013/10/30/uvu-study-reports-on-the-reasons-for-and-reactions-to-early-returned-missionaries/
http://www.uvureview.com/2013/11/11/coming-home-early/
http://sistervanessahall.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-every-every-returned-missionary.html?m=1
from
Brother Jones
Here is a
resource for Elders and Sisters who have the desire to continue serving. Have
you thought about serving a Church Service Mission in Family History? The LDS
Church has recently started up a pilot program for Young Church Service
Missionaries to serve in many capacities. Visit the website for more
information or email me at joneswd@familysearch.org.
Additional ways to serve: Church Service Missionary
https://www.lds.org/callings/missionary/church-service-missionary/?lang=eng&_r=1
Advice from a Church Service Missionary
https://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/10/missionary-preparation/church-service-missions-real-service-real-sacrifice/advice-from-a-church-service-missionary?lang=eng&query=missionary+age+press+conference
Every returning missionary is entitled to six free counseling sessions through LDS Family Services.
LDS Family Services
https://providentliving.lds.org/lds-family-services?lang=eng
Counseling and Psychological Services at BYU
https://caps.byu.edu/
The Counseling Center (this was suggested by someone - we don't have much more info than the link)
http://thecounselingcenter.co/
Personal Advice
"My sweet Elder will be home in a few hours, returning early due to
medical problems. Because of some mutual connections, I was blessed to be able
to speak to a woman this morning who is on the Church's early returning
missionary committee. She had some fabulous insights. I posted this info on the
medical leave page, but it is good information and may help someone here:
A
member of the committee is assigned to talk with every Stake President when a
missionary from their stake returns early to walk them through the Church
procedures and resources for returning missionaries. A member of the committee
should also call your missionary after they have been home for a few weeks to
let them know what resources are available. Every returning missionary is
entitled to six free counseling sessions through LDS Family Services. And while
missionaries are often able to return to their assigned mission, new
assignments can be made to places like the Family History Library, or even
another proselyting mission. Getting those assignments made is largely the
responsibility of your Stake President. He might need to advocate for your
missionary to be reassigned, and if he is unaware of the options available he
might not pursue every avenue. Service missions are also a possibility. She
said the day is coming when missionaries will be able to choose between serving
a proselyting mission or a service mission and any type of mission will be
equal in the sight of the Lord and the Church. They feel that service missions
will eventually be just as responsible for baptisms as proselyting missions.
She also said there is a new push for training MP's on how to care for these
missionaries--how to really love them and focus less on numbers and more on
people. Church leaders are deeply concerned with the number of missionaries
returning home and are working to respond to the varying needs our missionaries
have. They feel a great responsibility to care for them. I came away with a lot
of hope for our "wounded warriors."
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
In
the last couple of days I've spoken with the sister I spoke to before as well
as a brother who is the mental health advisor for the early return committee. I
thought I'd pass along a couple more things for anyone else going through this
process:
Your
Stake President is your greatest ally and asset in this process. They receive a
letter from the Church detailing what is needed for your missionary to return
to service. They are the ones who will make the recommendation if your
missionary wants to return, just as they were the ones to submit the original
application. The missionary department does not have anything to do with it.
You can call the missionary department for general information, but they cannot
do much for a specific missionary. All Stake Presidents have access to
ministering resources for ERM's through the Church website. They assured me
that over the last year that the contacting of early returning missionaries and
their Stake Presidents has been excellent, but if you feel that your SP or
missionary doesn't know all of the resources available, all of that information
is available to the SP's online. You or your missionary should talk directly
with the SP. Of all the people in this equation, he is the most influential.
She encouraged me to be the momma bear and not be afraid to fight for my
missionary. If a missionary is recommended for reinstatement by the SP, a
General Authority will review the information and make the decision at that
point based on the information from the SP, and any other supporting documents,
such as a letter from a treating professional about a missionary's health.
Sometimes the process doesn't seem clear to us as moms, and we get left out of
the equation (mostly because our missionaries are adults, and there are privacy
issues). Our bishop also said something interesting: that sometime SP's don't
realize the power they have. So your SP is really the person you need to work
with. I hope that's helpful information!"
** PLEASE COMMENT BELOW IF YOU HAVE OTHER RESOURSES. TIA **
