The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have approved several updates to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ handbook for missionaries.
“Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ” was first published in 2019. Updates to the text, published today, August 21, 2023, address commonly asked questions from missionaries and mission leaders and provide clarifications on existing standards.
In chapter 3, Church leaders clarify several points to help missionaries use time more wisely as they lead people to Jesus Christ. For example, communication with those who are not immediate family should happen only on preparation day (a missionary’s day of rest). And when missionaries communicate with friends, they should do so only via email or letter and not phone or video chat.
The same chapter adds a reference to the “General Handbook” entry on prejudice. Latter-day Saints, the handbook teaches, “strive to be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting prejudice of any kind. This includes prejudice based on race, ethnicity, nationality, tribe, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, religious belief or nonbelief, and sexual orientation.”
Chapter 3 also clarifies that missionary companionships should always have an adult of their own gender present when meeting with a single person of the opposite gender. Also, physical contact with the opposite gender and children should be limited to a handshake.
You can read the full news release on Church Newsroom.