The Call

Welcome to Latter-day Missionary, a weekly podcast that gives you a raw, unscripted look at what it's really like to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every week, Sister Cheney will jump on a call with her dad, Edgar, to share stories about the people she's meeting, the lessons she's learning, and the everyday reality of missionary life. Whether you're preparing to serve, have already served, or are simply curious about the 84,000+ missionaries serving around the world, we are so glad you are here.In this episode, Hannah and Edgar walk through one of the most anticipated moments in any missionary's journey — receiving a mission call. From lots of paperwork to the email that changes everything, this conversation is candid, emotional, and full of unexpected turns.In this episode, we dive into:The Application Process: From meeting with the bishop to doctor's appointments, language tests, and lengthy paperwork, Hannah breaks down just how thorough and meaningful the process of applying for a mission really is.How Missions Are Assigned: Edgar and Hannah share a fascinating clip from a Church leader describing what it's actually like to sit in the room where an Apostle prayerfully assigns each missionary to their field of labor, one by one, by revelation.The Moment of Truth: Hannah opens and reads her actual mission call letter live on the podcast and shares what was going through her mind as she read it.The Crushing Disappointment: In a refreshingly honest moment, Hannah admits she was heartbroken by her assignment to the Texas Houston East Mission. The Turning Point: How Hannah's perspective slowly shifted over the months that followed through small but undeniable signs that her Heavenly Father had been orchestrating this all along, including a remarkable coincidence involving a close friend.The episode closes with a scripture from Alma 26:3–8, the story of Ammon rejoicing over the souls he helped bring to the gospel, which serves as a reminder that the work missionaries do has the power to protect and strengthen people through every storm life brings.If you've ever opened a mission call, watched someone open one, or simply wondered what that moment really feels like, this episode is for you. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode, where Hannah and Edgar share tips and advice heading into the mission field!