Miranda Johnson did a service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, keeping her at home
By Joanne Clarke
For the Santa Ynez Valley Star
Miranda Johnson has just honorably completed 18 months as a service missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the daughter of Steve and Angie Johnson, longtime Santa Ynez Valley residents.
Miranda grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley. She attended Ballard School and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
There are two kinds of missionary service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: a proselyting mission, where you will go to a location within the United States or somewhere within 150 countries worldwide and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and a service mission, where you stay in your home area, and perform varying kinds of service, emulating what Jesus Christ taught.
Like proselyting missionaries, service missionaries serve for up to 18 months (young women ages 19–29) or up to 24 months (young men ages 18–25). They live at home and serve locally. They serve as close to full-time as their circumstances allow. Each service missionary is provided a customized mission experience uniquely tailored to his or hertalents, skills, and gifts. During their missions, it is common for service missionaries to serve in multiple assignments, including approved community and charitable organizations.
Miranda had a desire to serve a mission, but because of her struggles with anxiety, she did not think she could work within the parameters a proselyting mission required. In a conversation with Lucy Liljenquist, a fellow member of the Solvang Ward, she found out that Lucy had served a service mission while living at home.
That conversation led to Miranda making the decision to also serve a local service mission.
During the past 18 months, Miranda has served in the following organizations and activities: Santa Ynez Therapeutic Riding Center, Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, Bethania Lutheran Church food distribution, Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
She has learned a great deal during her mission and enjoyed her many varied experiences.
Members of the Johnson family love the saying, “Proselyting missionaries are the Lord’s mouthpiece and service missionaries are His hands!”
