You’re not the first missionary to come home and realize your emails, photos, or messages didn’t all get backed up. The good news? There’s a lot you can still recover.
Here’s what to do right now—and how to fill in the gaps if you’re outside the recovery window.
We’ve got the most up-to-date information from the Church, so we hope this helps!
Step 1: If You’re Within 120 Days of Release—Act Fast
As of May 2024, Missionary.org accounts (email, Drive, Photos) are inaccessible 90 days after release. Some accounts can still be retrieved up to 120 days after release.
How to extend access if you’re past 90 days:
- Go to mail.missionary.org in a web browser (not the Gmail app).
- Sign in with your Church Account credentials.
- Click Extend Access.
- Select Go to Individual Email.
Once you’re in, save everything right away:
- Emails: Use Google Takeout or forward/download as .eml.
- Attachments: Save images and PDFs to your computer, Drive, or iCloud.
- Drive files: Download or “Make a copy” into your personal Google account.
- Google Photos: Export originals in full resolution or share to another Google account and save.
Step 2: If You’re Past 120 Days—Don’t Panic
Most of your mission story still lives in other people’s inboxes, phones, and clouds.
Where to look:
- Friends & Family: Ask anyone who got your weekly emails (grandparents often save everything!).
- Companions: Many saved shared photos or summaries—especially those still serving.
- Members & Leaders: Ward mission leaders, YSAs, or families you taught often keep baptism and activity photos, plus your weekly emails.
Step 3: Check Your Own Devices
You probably have more than you think stored away.
- Messaging Apps: Export photos/videos from WhatsApp, iMessage, or mission group chats.
- Social Media: Use “Download Your Information” on Instagram and Facebook to save posts, stories, and captions.
What If I Truly Have Almost Nothing?
You will never remember more than you do right now.
It’s heartbreaking to lose things, but you can still make a meaningful record.
Ideas to get started:
- Testimony Chapters: Write before, during, and after mission reflections.
- Top 10 Lists: Miracles, scriptures, lessons learned, funniest moments, or people who impacted you.
- Map Spread: Mark each area on a map and write a paragraph for each.
- Interview Yourself: Record answers to prompts like “Describe [Companion],” “Hardest day,” or “A time you felt guided.”
Final Encouragement
Having every single email and photo is nice—but what truly matters is your testimony, the people you met, and the everyday moments that shaped you.
Start with what you have today, fill in the gaps with short recaps, and you’ll be amazed at how complete your story feels.
If you want help turning what you have into a beautiful printed keepsake—emails, photos, talks, and more—My Mission Moments can work with whatever you’ve got and make it shine.
You’ve got this!