We gathered info from 2 returned missionaries and a future missionary to gather info on Birmingham’s mission presidents, packing lists, MTC, overall state of missionary work, and insider tips.

Mission Presidents

RM: What was your mission president like? How much longer does he have?

1. President and Sister West were amazing and shared a lot of love in the mission, but they returned home. Now, there is President and Sister Parker and they are phenomenal!! President Parker had a vision and knows the potential of the mission and he pushed everyone to be the best missionary they can be!! He is also very loving and truly cares for the missionaries!! Sister Parker is like a real Disney Princess and she is pure sunshine in a person!! They will push you to reach your potential but they also love every bit of you and will support you with everything!! President and Sister Parker arrived in about June / July of 2025 and therefore will conclude around June / July of 2028!!
2. I was lucky to have 2 mission presidents. The first one was super kind and just a light to everyone. The second one was brilliant and helped our mission overcome difficulties. He was also super sweet. And is currently serving for the next 2 years.

Packing + MTC

RM: do you feel like your missionary portal/packet prepared you adequately on what to pack? do you wish you had or hadn’t packed anything else?

1. I think my missionary portal helped me know what to pack BUT with that being said, I wish I had packed good rain boots and many pairs of trousers. I just wish ultimately I had been okay with spending more money on high-quality clothes that would last all the weather in England!!
2. my missionary portal prepared me very well on what to pack. You will end up leaving stuff in apartments. Or taking stuff from apartments. It just happens. We used to call them flat finds.

Birmingham Details

RM: What are your favorite things about Birmingham?

1. That’s hard to know what my favorite thing about the England Birmingham Mission is, but I LOVED the diversity amongst missionaries and also amongst those we met and taught!! One of my favorite things was having the opportunity to talk to so many different people and hear their backgrounds and apply the gospel to their lives!!
2. I loved my mission. I loved the people and places. I loved driving and knocking doors. I loved days where it was hard and my companion would suggest ice cream. I just loved every bit of it. My mission presidents were incredible. One of them told us that we shouldn’t put limits on the lord. He has power to perform miracles we can’t imagine.

RM: what do you wish you would have known about Birmingham, specifically, before you left?

1. Some things I wish I knew specifically before I arrived to the England Birmingham Mission is to not listen to what people were saying. Many stated how no one will be baptised and how no one will accept the Savior. That was completely FALSE because the Lord’s work is hastening!! I also wish I knew how diverse England is and all the different cultures you experience and meet!!
2. what I wish I knew before serving my mission was just that God takes care of you. All the advice I was given before my mission never did me any good. The advice I was given on my mission was what helped me the most.

RM: What is missionary work like there?

1. Missionary work in the England Birmingham Mission is a lot of teaching and seeing so many prepared individuals wanting to be baptised!! You also do a lot of street contacting due to you living in a city!! Working with members can be difficult because they are used to more slow-paced work, but they are picking it up!! You can make so many new friends and you work hard to get your friends to church every single week!!
2. missionary work in England is mostly finding while traveling and teaching referrals. These are people who put in a request to meet with the missionaries.