Setting Apart as a Missionary - June 8, 2025

  Elder Barlow was officially set apart as a missionary by President Eric B. Gillis, Stake President of the Overland Park, Kansas Stake.  

This is the priesthood ordinance of giving authority to members called to labor in specific responsibilities.  It is done by those having the proper priesthood authority and by the laying on of hands.  He was given a beautiful blessing, and many promises were made if he would devote these next two years to the Lord and be obedient in all his responsibilities.  He was told there would be people waiting specifically for him to come to hear the word of the Lord.  He was then able to officially put on his name tag as a missionary for the next two years.  As a sidenote:  Elder Barlow is officially the first missionary to be set apart and serve from this brand-new stake, established on June 1, 2025. 

 

Attending the Temple for the First Time

 Elder Barlow attended the Utah Draper Temple on May 22, 2025.  It was a beautiful day for many members of his family and extended family.

 

For a better understanding of why temples are so important in the lives of every individual, please click on the link below: 

Why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Builds Temples

Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood

 In the Church today, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12–17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel.

Upon reaching the age of 18, the higher priesthood, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is conferred upon faithful male members of the Church.  The Melchizedek Priesthood holder may administer in higher ordinances such as bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost to newly baptized members, healing the sick, and naming and blessing children.

Elder Barlow's father, Jeff Barlow, conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained him to the office of Elder by the laying on of hands with other Melchizedek Priesthood holders on May 18, 2025.  This line of authority dates back to Jesus Christ.

Graduating from high school

Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and being ordained an Elder.

The Calling of a Missionary

 When a young man or woman decides to go on a mission, he/she must first be found spiritually, physically, and mentally worthy to do so.   

  The Savior taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  Church members consider it a privilege to show their love for other people and the Lord by sharing the gospel.

Missionaries generally begin serving when they are from 18 to 21 years old. Many retired seniors, men, women, and married couples also serve missions. Missionaries serve from 18 months to 2 years. Missions are voluntary, and missionaries are not paid for their service.  Missionaries come from around the world, and they serve wherever the Church calls them. While serving full-time, missionaries are official representatives of the Church.

As is done with every single perspective missionary, Elder Barlow first had to fill out his paperwork stating his desire to serve with recommendations from his ecclesiastical leaders of his worthiness in order to serve a mission.  This paperwork was then sent to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The perspective missionary then waits for the special e-mail to come with the particulars of his/her "calling."  This calling and the place where the missionary will serve is done by revelation through the Lord's servants, the prophets. A member of the Quorum of the Twelve assigns prospective missionaries to one of 449 missions of the Church throughout the world.

When Elder Barlow received his mission call on January 26, 2025, he was absolutely thrilled.  He would be serving in the Singapore-Malaysia Mission for a period of 24 months and would be preaching the gospel in Malay.   He was told that he would begin his mission on June 9, 2025, in Home MTC.  Then he would report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo on June 17, 2025.