Many students at Eagle High are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A mission for this church is an opportunity for young adults to serve. It is a commitment to share their gospel of Jesus Christ and provide humanitarian assistance as well as community service. It is typically two-year period for men and a one-and-a-half-year period for women. When they get called to their missions, some serve within the states while others serve foreign missions.
A mission call is given to soon-to-be-missionaries to announce their purpose and the location of where they will be serving. Some members choose to read their mission call by themselves or with close friends and family.
Senior Scott Heaton recently received his mission call to Samoa, Apia. He leaves to go to the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center on July 15 and is beyond thrilled. He chose to read his mission call alone.
“When I opened it, I was in the in the temple parking lot… I started screaming and punched the roof of my car and the center console because I was just so excited,” Heaton said.
Each call is very individual and personal to these future missionaries. Heaton went on a humanitarian service trip called HXP in Samoa during the summer of 2025, and had an unforgettable experience there. He is eager to serve the people of Samoa again.
Many young members of the church struggle to decide whether they want to go on a mission. When Heaton made his decision, it was final.
“All of my family had done it in the past, and I knew it was the right thing to do for my own self-growth and spiritual growth,” Heaton said.
Heaton is hoping to grow and become a stronger and better person while on his mission.
“A missionary is someone who leaves their own life and priorities behind in order to help someone else become a better person and closer to their savior,” Heaton said. His description of a missionary shows the dedication that young men and women to take to help other grow spiritually.
Senior Phoebe Hansen shares a similar passion for her mission.
“I decided I wanted to serve a mission ever since I could remember. When I learned that serving a mission was even possible, I knew that I needed to go,” Hansen said.
Hansen was called to the Florida, Fort Lauderdale mission and is confident that this is the calling for her.
“My call was personal to me because I made sure to pray to God in calling me to the right place to where he needs me. Even though this may seem silly, I prayed to serve somewhere warm and humid because I’ve always lived in a dry place like Idaho,” Hansen said.
These young adults have a lot to adjust to and have many mixed emotions about leaving their life behind for 18-24 months.
“My biggest fears and concerns about my mission is being far away from my twin sister,” Hansen said.
She has a unique bond with her sister that going on a mission could stress. She has never been apart for a long period of time. While Hansen is nervous, she is also optimistic.
“What I’m most excited about for when I serve my mission is being able to teach people about my beliefs that have brough me so much happiness in my life,” Hansen said.
These young missionaries are a glimpse of representation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and success at Eagle High.
