The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is planning to start requiring missionaries serving outside of their native countries to get the COVID vaccine before they are allowed to serve, effective August 1, 2021 (more info here).

We believe this policy to be blatantly contrary to the doctrine of individual agency set forth by the church. We also believe this to be a violation of human rights, and the freedom of medical choice.

The COVID vaccine has not been officially approved for use by the FDA, and has not gone through the ordinary process required to properly verify it's safety and efficacy. In effect, everyone getting this vaccine is part of a global vaccine test trial.

Likewise, most missionaries are in the age range of 18-30, a population that is more at risk from adverse vaccine reactions, than from the virus itself.

This vaccine (and issues surrounding COVID in general) is also a matter of significant controversy, both within the church, and the broader world at large. Such controversy will most likely cause existing rifts in the church to worsen, and work against the church's spiritual unity.

We are not anti-vaccination. We believe that tested, proven vaccines are beneficial to people, and help protect human health. However, this COVID vaccine does not meet those requirements.

We respectfully request the following:

1. That the church immediately rescind this policy.

2. That the church replace this policy with a general vaccine "recommendation" for service in foreign countries (consistent with existing requirements for service within home countries), rather than a strict requirement.

3. That the church only require a missionary to get this vaccine when the country the missionary will be serving in likewise requires it for entry into the country's borders.

Serving as a missionary in a foreign country is a life-changing and culturally enriching experience. To limit this service only to those who are willing to participate in what is effectively a worldwide medical trial, is an assault on human rights.