They’ve been spotted.
Young men in sharp suits, name tags pinned neatly over their chests, striding intentionally across campus. These missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), often called Mormons, are a familiar presence at Colorado College.
To offer deeper insight into who they are and their mission, Elder Peterson and Elder Jensen spoke about their faith and work in Colorado Springs. The logistics of the conversation mirrored the framework of their faith. The elders said that they could not enter a home without an adult male present, a guideline they rigorously follow.
Colorado Springs hosts a robust religious scene, with numerous evangelical groups, while the college, by contrast, is secular.
“There are a lot of people who don’t agree with what we have to share,” Peterson said. “Atheists, Satan worshippers and whatnot.”
Their assignment in Colorado Springs came straight from the top, under the direction of the church’s president and prophet, Dallin H. Oaks.
“He’s just like any Old Testament prophet,” Jensen said. “Called by God.”
Committing to two years of service, they have no say in their location, no regular breaks and minimal contact with family.
Yet their message remains: Christ’s original church was lost and restored through a modern prophet, a tenet grounded in the Book of Mormon, which recounts the experiences of ancient peoples and prophets in the Americas.
Despite misconceptions, particularly regarding polygamy, (which they assure is no longer practiced) and sensational portrayals of their faith in popular media, the missionaries say they have found success on campus, with two recent baptisms to their credit.
Missionary life is demanding. Their days span from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
“Jesus is in the details,” Peterson said. “If I were doing this for any other reason, I wouldn’t be able to.”