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

Mission Presidents

Missionary Moms: What were Brother & Sister Taufa like for your missionary? How much longer do they have?

1. Brother and Sister Taufa were so good to him. I believe they had just passed their year mark a few months before my son joined them. So probably have been serving for 2 years. So maybe a year left? [My missionary] loved them. He had a medical emergency while in Farmington and we couldn’t see it then but his delay to [his assigned mission] was the biggest blessing not just because he was able to be treated but because the Taufa’s spiritually prepared him for what was to come.
2. My son came in a transfer after he did. And in the two years he was there. He only really met with him maybe five times for a few minutes. He only really talks to his own leaders, but once someone is his own leader, he leaves them in for the rest of their mission and sometimes they aren’t very good.

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

1. I spent a little time with the current mission presidents, the Taufas. They will end their service in June of 2027. They have a huge emphasis on love, which is great. They love to involve their Tongan culture with the mission.

Packing + MTC

RMs: 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 feel that I expected it to be hot everywhere but since it covered 4 states the climates varied. I think I should have packed more cold/winter clothing and work boots + service clothing
2. From what I remember, it was pretty accurate for what I would need. Yes, summers there are warm, but winters are also cold.

Farmington Details

RMs: What are your favorite things about Farmington?

1. the people (it has the Navajo nation entirely in it and the people and culture is amazing). Friendships among missionaries
2. I loved the people. SO many cool people to meet with endless unique backgrounds. There is also just so much to learn which I loved. You have to learn about many different cultures, all the diverse geographic areas, how to teach people with unique religous beliefs, and how to navigate it all together. I also loved the landscape. Some areas are mountain ski towns, some farming comminities, red rock desert, the reservations, and some places are just super green, you get everything here.

RMs: what do you wish you would have known about Farmington, specifically, before you left?

1. I would have liked to know the ratio of elders to sisters (only 13 sisters in the entire mission) & how spread out each area and companionship really is (hours to travel). My husband says he wishes he would have known more about the Navajo culture and history in the church/christians
2. I wish I would’ve understood more about the culture of the many different Native American groups in the area.

RMs: What is missionary work like there?

1. It was centered around members and service of the area. Every person that came into Christ was through members basically
2. Missionary work is so diverse throughout the mission, you cannot catagorize it as a whole. Each area can be completely different in strengths and challenges. BUT there was ALWAYS work to be done no matter where you were.

RM: Anything else you’d like to share?

1. This mission is truly the most unique you can get. It was so much fun to experience that area. I heard over and over that missionaries were disappointed when they got called to this mission, but you always end up just loving it so much and it becomes a part of you. The members are SOLID thorughout the whole mission! It’s awesome to work with them and involve them!