Passport Protection Control?

[_Malcolm]

During my early years in the church, I was puzzled to learn that Mission Presidents, took missionaries passports from them and held them for safe-keeping.
Why did it go on?
Does it still go on?
What is the reason for this?
Presumably the most obvious answer is to stop them going back home, or nipping off for a vacation.
In today's world where you can have terrorist attacks etc., would it not make more sense to carry it on your person as ID?

This brings to mind, the Elder Kirk Anderson/Joyce McKinney farago in the late 1970's, when Mission President Eyre had to give the Police a photograph of Anderson, in order that they might track down the supposedly kidnapped Elder. He had not skipped the country, so much as had been whisked away to a cottage in the West Country, and confined to bed!!
This caused quite a lot of red faces around the Mission Home and possibly in the COB as well. Anyone remember the famous McKinney quote?

[_harmony]

DH's cousin was called to Spain (or maybe it was Portugal). Host country would not allow her in as a missionary. So she got a visitor's visa and had to leave the country every 2 weeks, spend the night, and then she could go back for 2 more weeks on her visa.

It's hard to understand how this kind of deception could take place in a church that values honesty so highly. I mean, how could she or her mission president answer the "honest with your fellow men" question for a TR, while participating in this kind of deception?

[_Malcolm]

DH's cousin was called to Spain (or maybe it was Portugal). Host country would not allow her in as a missionary. So she got a visitor's visa and had to leave the country every 2 weeks, spend the night, and then she could go back for 2 more weeks on her visa.

It's hard to understand how this kind of deception could take place in a church that values honesty so highly. I mean, how could she or her mission president answer the "honest with your fellow men" question for a TR, while participating in this kind of deception?

Hi Harmony,
How come she was sent to a country that messed her about so much?
That is so bizarre.

[_harmony]

Hi Harmony,
How come she was sent to a country that messed her about so much?
That is so bizarre.

Good question. It's not like she had it bad though. She had to wear slacks and shorts, flip flops and sandals... no dresses or nametag for her: she was a tourist, not a missionary. The government watched her constantly.

[_zzyzx]

Sounds like they are as honest as those in Saudi Arabia who promise no missionary or proselyting efforts and then actively do so.

Lying comes natural to so many when they feel it is convenient.

[_bcspace]

Anyone remember the famous McKinney quote?

About skiing naked down Mt. Everest with a carnation up her nose?

[_Malcolm]

Anyone remember the famous McKinney quote?

About skiing naked down Mt. Everest with a carnation up her nose?

Hi BC,
Only a true believer would remember that one.! LOL!

[_Inconceivable]

During my early years in the church, I was puzzled to learn that Mission Presidents, took missionaries passports from them and held them for safe-keeping.
Why did it go on?
Does it still go on?
What is the reason for this?
Presumably the most obvious answer is to stop them going back home, or nipping off for a vacation.

In the Melbourne mission there was an elder that begged the MP to go home (In other words's he wanted his passport returned to him). The MP refused believing the elder would eventually adjust to cultish life. One day the missionary's companion woke to find a note on the bed. The unhappy missionary's father had sent him a new passport and a ticket home. He was gone before the MP knew what had happened.

Australia is a relatively safe place. Other countries are certainly not. Elders ought to have their passport in their posession always - more important than the white handbook in my opinion.

I don't know if the vaulting of the passports in the mission home is still done either.