Rico says he heard about 5 years ago that when a new missionary gets out into the field, he has to turn his money over to his Mission President and that’s who controls the missionary’s money… even if the missionary’s parents or family/friends send him money while he’s in the mission field.
I was still an active member 5 years ago and was attending a regular ward (as opposed to a singles ward) in Utah so we had lots of missionary farewells. I don’t remember hearing anything that slightly resembles what Rico is saying.
His oldest nephew is going to Argentina on his mission and his farewell is this coming Sunday. I say we should get D a card and put cash in it. Rico is saying no because of the above policy. Which one of us is correct?
Kathy
Several years ago the Church made a change in the way missions are funded. Instead of parents/relatives sending money directly to the missionary the money is contributed to the Church missionary fund, and all missionaries around the world pay the same amount (currently $450/month). The Church then pays rent and living expenses for the missionaries. This has two main advantages over the old system.
[ol]
[li]Under the old system missionaries sent to “rich” areas had to pay a lot more than missionaries sent to “poor” areas of the world. Now it’s evened out.[/li][li]There were problems with the IRS WRT claiming charitable contibutions if the money was given directly to the missionary instead of to the Church.[/li][/ol]
I don’t think that this prohibits sending a little extra spending money, but I’m not sure. I’ll try to find out and let you know.
I know about that change FatBaldGuy. Frankly, I thought it was a good change too. But I don’t see how it would apply to putting a $20.00 in a card and giving it to him Sunday.
His parents and grandparents are not hurting for money so I’m sure they’ve covered the big things. When I asked my SIL what D needed/wanted, she said to just get him a card. I feel silly just giving him a card without something in it.
If you want to give him a gift of cash, then give it to him. What he does with it later on has nothing to do with you. What if he decided not to take it with him on his mission at all, but to leave it in a jar at home? What if he decided to buy a hooker with it? What if it decided to donate it to a homeless person? You really would have nothing to say about that, and probably wouldn’t know anyway, so I would just give it to him and be happy that I knew I gave him a gift.
Even if it does give it to the mission, he’s still getting the use of the money - just indirectly, instead of directly from you to him.
Kathy,
I’m pretty sure that what Rico heard is not the case. I’ve had several nieces & nephews go on missions and my son will be going later this year, and I’ve never heard anything about turning over money to the mission prresident. I’m still trying to track down an authoritative source on this.
However, even if this were the case, I’m sure he would appreciate a little cash at his farewell. There are bound to be things he’ll need before he goes to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) that this would be very helpful towards.
Be sure to wish “D” a happy and successful mission for me.
FBG