For years, Mormon bishops received only general guidelines about how to interview members who want to become full-time missionaries — so those discussions could vary greatly. Now, all will follow the same new list of 16 standardized questions.
The church released them Friday, while emphasizing it is not changing requirements nor “raising the bar” for its 70,000-volunteer missionary force. It says that is part of efforts to ensure each missionary is appropriately prepared, worthy and healthy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also announced that along with Mormon scriptures, smartphones soon will become standard proselytizing tools for missionaries to help them find people interested in religion through online chats and other high-tech means.