Transfers

Every six weeks, a mission experiences what we call transfers. On this six-week cycle, missionaries who have completed their service return home, new missionaries arrive, and many missionaries end up changing locations or changing companions.

On the Friday of transfer week, people are coming and going from the Knoxville Stake Center in Farragut to drop off missionaries and pick up new companions. These moments remind me of the reunion that happened with Alma and the Sons of Mosiah as they were serving their missions:

And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Alma 17:1-3

There is a lot of joy as these missionaries have the opportunity to briefly reunite. Their shared experiences are very powerful. It’s a unique combination of being together 24/7, supporting each other through struggles and adversity, overcoming challenges, celebrating success, and most of all, many, many experiences where they have felt the Spirit together.

There is something that happens when we feel the Spirit with someone else…especially as missionary companions. The connection and unity it creates is different than anything else they’ve experienced so far in their life. It is very unique…and very special. It is so powerful that they will now be life-long friends. You see that as they reunite in moments like transfers. It’s a special bond and we are very grateful to get to share that with them.