If you have a son or daughter who is getting their mission call soon, you need this simple Called to Serve LDS missionary banner. It’s perfect for any mission call opening party, farewell or homecoming. Just print, cut, assemble and hang. Check it out!

Missionaries are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who leave their homes for 18 months–2 years to serve others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. It’s a big deal in the LDS culture. So this cute LDS missionary banner is a great way to recognize your missionary and celebrate their volunteer service. Check it out!

Print your LDS missionary banner

I designed this cute banner in two different colors: brown and black. This simple and bold design makes it easy to read. The PDF download of this banner includes seven PDF pages for the black banner and seven PDF pages for the brown banner.

To purchase and download your banner, click on the link at the end of this blog post. You can print this banner at home or send it to your local copy store. I recommend printing it on cardstock so it is nice and sturdy.

Cut and assemble your banner

It only took me about 15 minutes to cut and assemble this entire banner. With some scissors cut out each individual letter pennant. Then, punch two holes on the top two corners of each pennant with a hole puncher. Finally, thread some ribbon or string through the holes of each of the pennant so that the letters align in the correct order.

You can also tape the string to the back of each pennant so the letters don’t shift and move around when you’re trying to hang it.

Hang and enjoy your banner

Once your banner is cut and assembled, it’s time to hang it up. I hung mine up on our mantle in front of the fireplace, but you can also hang it up on any wall or railing in a high-traffic area of your home.

I hope you love this LDS missionary banner as much as we do. It’s so exciting so have your son or daughter head out on a mission. This is just a small way to show your support and make this a memorable time in their lives.

Click the link below to purchase and download your banner:

Called to Serve Banner PDF

Let me know how you liked your banner in the comments below and congrats on your new missionary!!

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In the Mormon culture, opening your mission call is one of the most exciting times in your life. At only 18 years old (19 for girls), you could be called to serve as a missionary anywhere in the world for 18-24 months! Why not make this a memorable event that you can share with your friends and family? Here’s 16 LDS mission call opening ideas to make opening your mission call a moment you will never forget:

When I opened my mission call 15 years ago, it was a scaled back event that I shared with just a few of my friends and immediate family. Fortunately, my brother was smart enough to get it on video.

Times have change a bit now and opening your mission call has become, in some cases, a huge event. Here’s my nephew opening his call:

So, whether you are looking for a more personal event with just a few friends and family or share it with everyone, here’s some ideas that will make it memorable.

#1: Decide who you want to be there

Many might argue that inviting tons of people to watch you open your call takes away from the significance of the event. In that case, try opening it by yourself. If you do want others to be there, it’s your mission call. You get to decide who you want to be there.

#2: Consider the location

Most people open their mission calls at home, however, if you have a lot of people coming, you could do it at a park or outside somewhere. Or you may have somewhere in mind with sentimental significance. For example, where were you when you decided that you wanted to go on a mission?

#3: Send invites

Most of the time, when you get your mission call, you don’t really want to wait very long to open it.  However, if you have the patience, you can email or even mail invitations to those you would like to attend.

#4: Tell everyone to come early

If you’re going to have a crowd, make sure you tell everyone to arrive at least 30 minutes early.  That way, you’re not waiting for 30 EXTRA minutes for those stragglers to arrive.

#5: Decorate your front door

This would work for a missionary farewell and/or homecoming too but you could decorate your front door to look like a missionary’s suit. Cute idea.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/421227371369635450/

#6: Start with a prayer

Regardless if you are opening your call with a huge group, just immediate family members or even by yourself, I would recommend saying a prayer before you open it. It will bring the spirit into your heart and prepare you mentally.

#7: Have a guessing contest

Grab a large map of the world and let everyone place their guess with a post-it note. Whoever gets the closest, wins a prize. Tip: Take a picture of all the guesses before you open the call in case people try to move their guess once they find out where you’re going.

#8: Make a globe guestbook

If you want to remember everyone who came to watch you open your call, instead of a guestbook, grab a globe and have everyone sign it! Tip: Have them sign it after you open your call so you can circle where you’re going.

If you don’t want to do a globe, just have everyone sign or put their guesses on the mission call envelope.

#9: Make a mission advice jar

As your guests arrive, have an advice jar set out for them to give some tips to being a successful missionary. Basically put a ribbon on a mason jar and put some blank advice cards next to it.

#10: Capture some mission call photos

Get a photographer to capture some images of your loved ones guesses and when you open the call.

#11: Feed the masses

More than 100 people came to watch my nephew open his mission call.  Although it’s definitely not expected to feed all of those people, if you feel so inclined, make it easy. My sister-in-law did a cute dessert buffet so we had something to snack on while we were waiting for my nephew to open his call.

#12: Pull out your inner Martha Stewart

If you’re up for the challenge, there are some way cute treats you can make for your mission call opening audience.

Here’s some other ideas:

Sister Missionary Cake

Missionary cookies

#13: Let your family open your call first

Here’s a different approach that one missionary took when opening his call. Instead of opening his call, he let his family open it and then he asked questions to guess where he was going.

#14: Consider using a video calling app

If you don’t have a big house or aren’t fond of crowds, you use a video calling app such as FaceTime, Marco Polo or Google Duo. Everyone can enjoy the moment with you, just not in person.

#15: Open multiple calls at once

My brother got his mission call at the same time as his best friend.  So both of our families got together and we watched both of them open their calls.  It was double the excitement and double the fun!

#16: Dress for the occasion

My nephew wore his suit when he opened his call. He happened to go to the temple earlier that day and decided to keep his suit on. It added a surprisingly nice touch to the event and helped everyone envision him as the missionary he was about to become.

Who are LDS missionaries?

More than 70,000 full-time missionaries are serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most missionaries are young people under the age of 25, serving in more than 400 missions throughout the world. If you would like to know more about the Mormon church and our beliefs, contact a missionary near you by visiting mormon.org.

What ideas do you have for opening your mission call?  Leave your comments below.

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