4-missionaries
From left, Josh, Elizabeth, Alan and Jane Farrell pose for a family photo before departing for missions around the world in August 2024. Photo provided by Elizabeth Farrell, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Leah Bowers, Church News
Spanish | Portuguese | French
Deep, unwavering reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ has marked the first year of Alan and Elizabeth Farrell‘s experience as mission leaders in the Perú Huancayo Mission.
“One powerful testimony I have is that the Lord does take care of us — every single one of His children — if we just look unto Him in every thought. Doubt not, fear not,” President Alan Farrell said.
Their testimonies grow stronger as they serve while their two children, Jane and Joshua Farrell, also serve, in Spanish-speaking proselyting missions in the Chile Viña del Mar and Oklahoma City missions. Concurrently serving as missionaries and ambassadors for Christ in the Spanish language, President Farrell said, has only brought them blessings.
4-missionaries
Three flags hang at the Farrell home, symbolizing the missions family member were called to, on June 9, 2025, in Millcreek, Utah. Photo by Elizabeth Farrell, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Called to Serve
Back in March 2024, the Farrells’ son, Joshua, was called to a Spanish-speaking mission in Oklahoma and began his service the following August.
At the time, the three other family members felt impressions and desires to also serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jane Farrell was too young to serve a mission at the time, though she wished to serve as early as possible to avoid spending extended periods of time away from her brother. Alan Farrell was serving as bishop of the East Mill Creek 12th Ward, Salt Lake East Mill Creek North Stake, and anticipated he had two years left in the calling.
4-missionaries
Joshua Farrell points to the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission as he prepares to serve his full-time Spanish-speaking service there, while at the Provo Missionary Training Center, in Provo, Utah, September 16, 2024. Photo provided by Elizabeth Farrell, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.“We just thought this was all down the road,” President Farrell said, speaking of potentially serving a mission with his wife.
One month after their son started his missionary service, as Elizabeth Farrell was mowing the lawn, she received a call and was asked to be interviewed with her husband. She described the interview as “a little nerve-wracking. We looked at each other and we’re like, ‘We wonder what that was for?’ because we really had no idea,” she said.
A couple of weeks later, the couple received another call, from Elder Quentin L. Cook’s secretary, requesting another interview.
4-missionaries
Sister Elizabeth Farrell and President Alan Farrell point to the Perú Huancayo Mission on a map while at the Seminar for New Mission Leaders in Provo, Utah, on June 18, 2025. Photo provided by Elizabeth Farrell, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Following their conversation, Elder Cook set aside his paperwork and asked the couple to serve as mission president and companion. Their thoughts turned immediately to their daughter, who had one year of high school left and wished to serve a mission.
They shared their concerns with Elder Cook: “He right then just said, ‘You know what, she can serve a year early,’” Elizabeth Farrell recalls.
“Why wouldn’t you go?” she said. “Josh was just thrilled that [Jane] would be able to serve, and she just wept with joy that she would be able to serve a mission and serve the Lord and help people come to Christ.”
Jane Farrell began her home MTC experience June 16, 2025 — two days before her parents reported to Provo, Utah, for the annual Seminar for New Mission Leaders.
