What if the missionaries miss an appointment?

When missionaries don’t show up for a scheduled visit, many people immediately wonder what they did wrong. Usually, the answer is nothing.

Missionaries are often young and still learning how to manage their schedules. Sometimes they forget, or something comes up, and they neglect to cancel. If they don’t show, simply call them or send a quick text. (This is a good reason to get their number at the first visit.) Most of the time, they’ll be apologetic and eager to reschedule.

Occasionally, a missed appointment means they’ve decided not to return—especially if they’ve concluded that you’re not planning to join the LDS Church. If you suspect that’s the case, it’s okay to express your disappointment kindly:

“That’s a little disappointing—I’ve genuinely appreciated our conversations.  Although I’m not planning to join the LDS Church, I’ve really valued learning about your beliefs and having the chance to share mine. I hope we can keep talking, even just from time to time.”

That response shows respect, keeps the door open, and reminds them that you’re a safe person to talk to about spiritual things—even if you disagree.