Ryan and Jason are both 21 years old, while Humberto is the youngest, at 20. These three men are assigned to the Nashville mission, which has 32 missionaries who are transferred every six weeks.

Ryan said at least two other Mormons have served in the mission field in White County within the past few years, with one staying at least four months and the other remaining approximately three months.

Jason said they study the scriptures in the morning and spend several hours in prayer throughout the day.

“We go out to try to serve and teach and to really learn how to be Christ-like, - to try to stay productive,” said Jason. “Sometimes we go out and try to knock on doors, be involved in church activities and basically try to bring people to Christ.”

Jason said he feels they have been accepted well in the community and have received a positive response from those with whom they have spoken. However, there have been some negative reactions.

The missionaries fund living expenses individually. Jason said it costs $10,000 for two years for each missionary.

“You sacrifice school and dating and family,” said Jason. “We only talk to our families twice a year.”

However, correspondence via mail is allowed and helps keep them inspired.

“It’s not something we have to do – it’s because we really want to serve the Lord,” said Jason. “The ancient missionaries – Peter, James, John – they all went their own ways, and sometimes they had a tough time. They just taught the simple message that Jesus is the Christ.”

Ryan has been a missionary 23 months; Jason, 21 months; and Humberto, one month. All three men are from different states, but have one common goal in their faith – to teach the world about Christ. Osmond is from Utah, but said he may be moving to England for a brief time. Humberto is from Texas, and Ryan is from Arizona.

Family support has been a key factor for each of the three men. Although none of them are married, they did indicate they had plans to marry one day and have children.

“People here are very familiar with the Bible,” said Jason. “And we love the Bible. The Book of John, in fact, is my favorite. The Book of Mormon is a record of the people of Ancient America who believed in Jesus Christ thousands and thousands of years ago. “

The men were asked about the difference in the Book of Mormon and the King James Version of the Bible and why mainstream Christians sometimes question the contents of the Book of Mormon.

“I think their whole life they have been taught that this is the Bible and this is all God will ever say to us,” said Jason. “We believe there are more records to come, like the Dead Sea Scrolls. We believe God [still] speaks – he didn’t just speak [for a specific period of time] and that was it. There’s more. The world’s a big place.”

“We believe in endurance to the end – always keeping the commandments,” said Ryan. “We can’t just say we accept Jesus Christ and now we can go and do something against the commandments of God.”

Although they don’t get to see their families, Jason had a special opportunity to see his dad in March, when his dad performed a musical show for the missionaries. Jason is a member of the well-known Osmond family, of Utah, who entertained Americans for many years on T.V. His father is Jay Osmond.

When the three men complete their missionary work, they will go back home and resume their normal lives.

“We do this simply to serve,” said Jason. “It’s not to gain anything other than to really help others. The goal is to prepare the people for the second coming of Jesus Christ.”

The three young men were asked to explain why the Mormons once practiced polygamy, which is a topic they all agreed had been approached by numerous people with whom they have shared their message.

“The church, at one time, did practice polygamy, just as they did in the Bible in ancient times,” said Ryan. “God has a purpose for all things. And whatever that purpose is, he reveals it to his prophet. And the prophet spreads that amongst the followers of Christ. There was a time when the [Mormon] church practiced it [polygamy]. But when the time came that God’s purpose didn’t need it any more, he told the prophet at that time that it should be done away with.”

Jason was asked if the Osmond name had opened doors for him during his mission work. He replied that the name has helped, but he does not want it to overshadow the true purpose of his work. However, he did elaborate on his family’s Mormon faith.

“The thing I’ve come to learn is that it’s this church, and through Jesus Christ – only Jesus Christ, because it’s his church - that has protected my family in a world that is the most wicked business,” said Jason. “It’s kept them together and kept them righteous. Everyone makes mistakes, but they still love each other. You see families in this business that are torn apart. It’s their faith in Jesus Christ and them really trying to express that [that] has really held them tight.”

Ryan, Humberto and Jason will remain in Sparta and White County until they are transferred to another destination.

Jason returned from his mission April 21, 2010.