Thursday, July 17, 1997 | 11:01 a.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has opened a second mission in Nevada and has called Grant E. Starley to serve as mission president.
Due to the growth in population in Las Vegas and surrounding areas, the Nevada Las Vegas West mission was created on July 1 and will cover the western half of Nevada, including the area of Las Vegas west of I-15.
Starley and his wife Sharon will relocate from Twin Falls, Idaho, to Las Vegas with two of their five children and will preside over the newly created mission for a period of three years. Starley is the 10th mission president called to serve within a Nevada mission.
"We are excited about having the opportunity to serve in Nevada, getting to know the people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ," said Starley.
Missionary service is an unpaid, volunteer activity. Missionaries are usually young men and women between 19 and 21 years of age and older couples who serve throughout the United States and the world for a period of time determined by the church. Mission presidents are generally called to serve for a period of three years.
Duties of a mission president include overseeing the activities of all the full-time missionaries within the mission as well as coordinating efforts with ward and stake (similar to parishes and dioceses) missionary programs located within the mission.
Robert McKee will continue to serve as the president of the original Nevada Las Vegas Mission. Currently there are 270 missionaries between the two missions that cover the state. The number is expected to increase to 360 missionaries within the state by the end of the year.
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