The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a prominent member of the Santa Clarita Valley though many of the details of their customs are lesser known, including their continued effort of missionary work.

Missionary work is work that serves the church, either abroad or locally. For some members of the church, it involves leaving their homes, friends and families for about two years to go to another locale to serve God and proselyte, or attempt to convert others to the religion, according to the church’s website.

This work is part of their Bible’s passage: “proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city… bear testimony in every place, unto every people” (Doctrine and Covenants 66:5,7).

The church prepares missioners for what to expect in the area they are sent to. If missioners are sent to another country, the church gives them language lessons to help them interact with the local population easier, according to the church’s website.

Photo Courtesy of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Three Santa Clarita residents, who are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, have, or will, participate in missionary work across the world.

One of these missioners is Sharanne Green, who spent 18 months in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a missionary.

Green is a 2013 graduate of West Ranch High School who moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University, a Mormon university, before leaving on her mission.

“Sharanne put her university education on hold and with family support paid her own way to serve the people in the communities in and around Philadelphia where she lived,” said Green’s Bishop, Dan Bryant. “Sharanne learned to put the interests of others ahead of her own and by so doing served God. Through her service, Sharanne developed a special love for the youth and an interest in seeing that they are happy and successful.”

Green plans to return to BYU-Provo to pursue a degree in either engineering or pre-law.

Photo Courtesy of Andrea Higham

Not all missionaries go across the United States to a place similar to their own, some go overseas, including places such as Panama and Taiwan.

Andrea Higham, another West Ranch graduate, recently returned from her mission, spending 18 months in Taichung, Taiwan.

“Going on a mission was not what I expected at all,” Higham said.  “I figured I’d put on a black and white name tag for 18 months, go knock on some doors to tell people about my church, and try to help out as many people as I could. But what I ended up doing was finding hope. Not the kind of hope that fades after a few hours, but the kind of hope that gives you a sense of light and purpose. And I found that the reason I stayed on a mission was because I was slowly able to give this hope to others.”

Photo Courtesy of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Cyndi King is another young woman from Santa Clarita who will be leaving her home to travel to Panama City, Panama and will be leaving for the training center on Jan. 6, 2016.

“King has chosen to leave the comforts of home in California to serve the people of Panama for the next 18 months,” Bryant said. “Cyndi will be putting her university education on hold during this time and will be supporting herself with the help of her family.  Over the years I have watched Cyndi grow into a successful young woman.  She has much to offer the people of Panama.  I greatly appreciate Cyndi’s desire to serve God and to bring happiness into the lives of the people of Panama.  I wish Cyndi success, health and happiness as she embarks on her service in Panama.”

King will be giving a farewell speech at Church of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center in Valencia on Dec. 27 at 9 a.m.