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This story is sponsored by Deseret First Credit Union. Learn more about Deseret First Credit Union.

Before November of 1990, the cost of an LDS mission for two years could range anywhere from $2,000 to 10 times that amount. Thankfully, for almost the past 25 years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been able to enjoy the church's mission equalization plan for standardizing mission costs for every missionary who chooses to serve. Today, that cost stands at $400 a month, which adds up to just about $10,000 over two years.

However, despite this standardization, missions can still be a hefty added monthly expense. Here are some ideas from Deseret First Credit Union to help prospective missionaries and their families save for that momentous day when the black name tag is put on and the child sent off to become a man or woman in the service of their fellow men.

Have the missionary do whatever they can to save on their own

Having the prospective missionary put money away from a young age for his or her mission accomplishes more than just a pile of money in the bank for when they turn 18 or 19; it helps create and instill a true feeling of ownership over one the most formative experiences in their lives. Opening a savings account that has higher saving rates, such as the Deseret First Credit Union "Mission Savings Fund," would further encourage future missionaries to put money into savings. Missionaries would earn great interest even with a smaller deposit.

The missionary that learns the principle of hard work before their mission will no doubt feel a greater responsibility once they are out in the field to make the most of the time they have there. When a young man or woman is putting some (or all) of their own money toward an experience, they will be much more likely to truly want to milk the experience for all it's worth and not slip into the mindset of being on an 18- or 24-month vacation. There simply won't be a moment to waste.

Listen to counsel from prophets

LDS leaders have spoken about this very principle as well. President Boyd K. Packer once said, “You need to prepare financially...I speak to that young man (or woman) who doesn’t have any idea how he can finance a mission. I do not know either. But I do know this: If you have faith and determine that you will go, there will be a way. Opportunities will come to you as manna from heaven. Do not let that deter you from your duty.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard also counseled on this as well, saying, “Prospective missionaries...ought to have a job and save money for their missions. Every mission president would concur with me that the missionary who has worked and saved and helped pay for part or all of his or her mission is a better-prepared missionary.”

But what if the missionary needs a little extra help?

If your young missionary-to-be needs some extra help getting to his or her financial mission goals, that's OK. Many that are preparing to serve are often highly involved with academic responsibilities and, as such, simply may be limited by how much they are able to work before entering the mission field. While every little bit helps, saving by the prospective missionary and their family is most effective when done in the right way.

The right tools to get there

In considering ways to save, Deseret First Credit Union has created a wonderful tool to help the missionary start saving early. As mentioned earlier, it's called the "Mission Savings Fund."

This fund is designed for future missionaries in that it has a higher savings rate than a regular savings account (1.65 percent, which is significantly higher than the standard .10 percent for savings accounts), can accept unlimited deposits (perfect for grandparents, parents or other family members to contribute), and there is no minimum deposit.

With those benefits, accounts with the Deseret First Credit Union Mission Savings Fund make a lot of sense for a prospective missionary that is a few years away from leaving.

Be proactive and get started!

Serving a mission deserves to be the life-changing, impactful and tenderly beautiful experience you've always dreamed about. Having the prospective missionary assist in paying their way can make his or her experiences even more meaningful while out in the field.

By being resourceful and proactive in looking for ways to earn money, then putting that money away in a secure, growing account are two ways that will immediately help the missionary have the kind of experience they (and the people they're serving) deserve.

Visit a Deseret First Credit Union near you today.