The Church starts to pay some missionaries

[I Have Questions]

In an article about the dissolution of the all-female Temple Square mission in SLC…

A little more than 30 years after it was formally established, the one and only Latter-day Saint mission made up solely of female proselytizers is being dissolved.

Starting in July, a Friday news release announced, the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission will shutter, replaced by the same model under which other visitor centers run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have long operated. That is, so-called sister missionaries from surrounding Utah missions will divide their time between the site, answering guests’ questions and providing tours, and engaging in traditional proselytizing in their assigned geographic region.

There will be a notable difference, however. Unlike other visitor centers, the popular landmark — which draws millions of visitors a year — will get a helping hand from former Temple Square missionaries “hired,” the release points out, as part-time guides to work alongside the volunteer evangelizers (those interested in applying are encouraged to reach out to their bishop, or lay leader of their congregation).

In every other part of the world, those part-time missionary-guides are volunteers. They are service missionaries who pay to serve. I wonder how they feel about the family and friends of people living in SLC getting paid for doing essentially the same thing?

[Everybody Wang Chung]

Just in case Fibber MG finally decides to serve a mission, here is the job listing:

Hourly Pay: $15 to $18 per hour based on similar Church hospitality roles in Salt Lake City.

Hiring Criteria & Expectations : The Church is not just looking for tour guides; they are looking for ambassadors. Key requirements include:

-- Returned Missionary Requirement: Preference is heavily weighted toward returned missionaries who served at Temple Square or in other high-visitor-traffic areas.

-- Standards: Applicants are expected to maintain the same grooming and dress standards as full-time missionaries (professional, modest, and approachable).

-- Availability: While the role is part-time, hires are expected to have flexible schedules to accommodate peak visitor periods like the Christmas season and General Conference.

-- Spiritual Alignment: You will likely be asked to share your testimony or philosophy of service during the interview process to ensure you can represent the Church's message accurately to millions of guests.

For direct inquiries regarding the status of these new positions or the transition timeline (slated for July 2026), you can contact:

The Temple Square Guest Experience Office: (801) 240-4872

General Church Employment Services: (888) 818-4484 or email EmploymentServices@ChurchofJesusChrist.org

[malkie]

Just in case Fibber MG finally decides to serve a mission, here is the job listing:

Hourly Pay: $15 to $18 per hour based on similar Church hospitality roles in Salt Lake City.

Hiring Criteria & Expectations : The Church is not just looking for tour guides; they are looking for ambassadors. Key requirements include:

-- Returned Missionary Requirement: Preference is heavily weighted toward returned missionaries who served at Temple Square or in other high-visitor-traffic areas.

-- Standards: Applicants are expected to maintain the same grooming and dress standards as full-time missionaries (professional, modest, and approachable).

-- Availability: While the role is part-time, hires are expected to have flexible schedules to accommodate peak visitor periods like the Christmas season and General Conference.

-- Spiritual Alignment: You will likely be asked to share your testimony or philosophy of service during the interview process to ensure you can represent the Church's message accurately to millions of guests.

For direct inquiries regarding the status of these new positions or the transition timeline (slated for July 2026), you can contact:

The Temple Square Guest Experience Office: (801) 240-4872

General Church Employment Services: (888) 818-4484 or email EmploymentServices@ChurchofJesusChrist.org

This, from the On Testimony, Confirmation Bias, and Belief topic suggests that some Spiritual Re-Alignment might be needed:

Back in the day, for my generation, it was Sunstone Magazine and Conferences, Dialogue Journal for Mormon Thought. Books such as Fawn Brodie's and Approaches to the Book of Mormon etc., etc.

All of these were available to those that sought them out. Nowadays it's more online sorts of materials, essays, podcasts, etc.
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