Parents Traveling to California

President and Sister Taggart support church policy concerning parents picking up their missionaries.  They recommend the missionary return home and be released by their Stake President.  Coming back to California after being released  is less disruptive to the Mission and allows the missionary more flexibility to sight-see and visit converts and members.

The following information comes directly from the Church Handbook 1:

4.10 (page 35)
Release of Missionaries

Missionaries should complete the full term of service for which they are called. Under normal circumstances, neither they nor their parents should request early releases or extensions of service.  Missionaries should travel directly home from their missions. Any other travel is permitted only when the missionary is accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.

The church discourages parents from picking up missionaries. However, if parents request this privilege, they should understand that:

1. Their plans must be based on the release date established by the mission president.
2. They should not request a change in the release date to accommodate other travel plans or commitments.
3. They should inform the mission president or the church Travel Office at least three months in advance if they plan to travel with their missionary.
4. They are expected to make their own travel arrangements, including lodging and meals.

Missionaries must dress and conduct themselves according to missionary standards during travel from their missions because they are not released until they report to their stake presidents. They should not impose on members, mission presidents, missionaries, or other missions as they travel home.