The Mormons Are Coming (w/t)

They’re young, attractive, love Heavenly Father and believe the Book of Mormon is true.

Every year around 53,000 young people set out to serve as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. The largest full time missionary force of any church, most are aged 18-25, and are away from home for up to two years.

The missionaries put normal lives on pause to spend six days a week spreading the Gospel and finding potential converts to be baptised. They are coached in marketing techniques such as using reels and DMs to reach young recruits whilst forsaking most aspects of contemporary life for the strict social restraints of the church. The goal is to grow their unique brand of Christianity, with a membership of 16.8 million worldwide, and achieve salvation and eternal life with God.

This revealing film follows three young missionaries as they arrive at the training centre in Chorley, Lancashire. The only one of its kind in Europe, it prepares missionaries from America, Europe and as far afield as Australia for their work in the UK.

The first time the Mormon Church has allowed access to this training centre, we see the toughest first three months of training and work in the field, which can make or break a missionary. As the realities of missionary life dawns on the new recruits, and with limited contact with their families, the pressure to achieve a baptism mounts.

The church believes the skills they acquire on mission set them up for success later in life as the focus shifts towards the next important milestone of marriage and starting a family. But it’s not the life for everyone - will all of them make it?

The Mormons are Coming w/t (1x60) was commissioned by Daisy Scalchi for BBC One and is being produced by Peggy Pictures.