Tue, Feb 09 2010
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Published May 21, 2007 10:38 am - Two area members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are following a calling to chat with area residents about their faith. Mobile missionaries By EDDIE GLENN Tahlequah Daily Press Doug Foxford and Justin Jensen may look like a couple of rolling contradictions as they cruise the streets of Tahlequah on high tech mountain bikes, wearing dress shoes, slacks, white shirts and neck ties.
But when you’re on a mission for God, projecting a cool image isn’t necessarily a high priority. “You’ve got to remember to tuck in your pants,” said Jensen, as he stuffed the cuffs of his pants into his socks to keep his bike chain from chewing them up. “I’ve destroyed a couple pairs of pants that way.” Foxford, 19, and Jensen, who’ll turn 21 next week, are two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also know as the Mormons – stationed in the Tahlequah. They can be seen riding and walking all over town, wearing their dress clothes, their name tags, and – when they’re on their bikes – their helmets, spreading the gospel. “Our church encourages worthy young men to serve a mission,” said Foxford. “It’s not required; you’re not going to be looked down upon if you don’t, but it’s encouraged.” Mormon men between the ages of 19 and 25, and women between the ages of 21 and 25 can apply for mission work – sometimes in the U.S., sometimes overseas – and will spend two years ( a year and a half for the women) in different communities, telling just about everyone they meet about their church. “We try to tell everyone we see [about the Mormon faith], because we believe our message is so important,” said Foxford. “We also occasionally hold what are called ‘firesides,’ where people can come in and see movies and get more information, and just learn more about Christ.” Tahlequah is Jensen’s sixth mission location, Foxford’s first. Mormon missionaries spend anywhere from six weeks to six months in a particular location, always in an area away from home (Jensen’s from Virden, N.M., Foxford’s from Clermont, Fla.), and always in pairs. “We believe that Christ himself said to go forth, two by two, to spread the gospel,” said Foxford. “At times, it can be a difficult task, but when there’s two of us we’re able to help each other out.” 
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