A missionary's scriptures get more use in 18 months or two years than many sets get in a decade. They are opened during morning study, carried to every lesson, stuffed into bags on rainy days, and handed across the table to people reading them for the first time. That makes choosing LDS scriptures for a missionary a little different from choosing a set for the nightstand. This guide covers the decisions that matter most in the field: what to include, what size to carry, how to protect the pages, and how to make them personal. If you are shopping for a farewell, a good set of scriptures is also one of the most practical LDS missionary gifts you can give.
Want the big picture first? Our practical guide to choosing LDS scriptures compares every format for every age. This post narrows things down to what works for missionaries.
Quad or Triple and Bible?
Start with how the standard works are bound. A quadruple combination, or quad, holds the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price in one book. A triple combination holds the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, and is paired with a separate Bible. Both include the Church's 2013 edition text and study helps, so the choice really comes down to how your missionary likes to study and carry them.
Why many missionaries choose a quad
One book means one thing to grab on the way out the door and one thing to keep track of all day. Cross-references between the Bible and the Book of Mormon are a few page turns away instead of a second book away. You can browse every option in our quad scriptures collection.
Made for missionaries, this quad's standard design features the outline of the mission state or country and one line of text in the bottom right corner. You can personalize up to five different areas, move the design to the center, and add gold fill so it stands out.
Why some prefer a triple and Bible
Two books means each one is thinner. On a day full of Book of Mormon lessons, a missionary can carry just the triple and leave the Bible at the apartment. Some missionaries also like having the Bible and Book of Mormon open side by side when they teach how the two books support each other.
Each triple features the mission outline, a star marking the spot of your choice, and one line of text, with optional gold fill. Pair it with the matching Personalized Mission Bible, which carries the same mission outline, star, and line of text, for a coordinated set.
Pick a Size That Fits the Missionary's Day
Size affects how often scriptures actually leave the apartment. Think about how your missionary will get around and what bag they will carry.
- Regular: Standard quads, triples, and Bibles like the Simulated Leather Quad measure approximately 5 1/4" x 7 1/4". This is the most common choice and the size most scripture cases and slip covers are made for.
- Large: The Large Simulated Leather Quad measures approximately 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" and comes in black only. It is a bigger book to carry, so it suits missionaries who prefer a larger format and do not mind the extra room it takes in a bag.
- Pocket: The Pocket-Size Scripture Set includes all of the standard works in black softcover at 3 3/8" x 5 1/8". It makes a handy second set for a jacket pocket rather than a replacement for a main study set.
At 5" x 3.25", this blue edition of the Book of Mormon still includes footnotes, cross-references, and the Guide to the Scriptures. It is a small, easy extra for missionaries who want a copy on hand while they are out tracting.
Choose a Cover Built to Last
Missionary scriptures get handled every day, so the cover matters. A Genuine Leather Quad has a real leather cover, gilded page edges, and ribbon markers. Simulated leather covers are made from reconstituted leather fibers and are a durable, budget-friendly option for a book that will be carried everywhere.
For something with more personality, our hand-bound color scriptures come in genuine and simulated leather in a wide range of colors. The color scriptures guide explains the differences between the leathers, patterns, and sizes.
This dark blue quad is hand-bound at our local offices in buttery-soft simulated leather with stitching details and a modern imprinted spine. It includes thumb indexes, two ribbons in the color of your choice, and optional name embossing on the front, and the color works well for elders and sister missionaries alike.
Thumb Indexes and Scripture Tabs
When someone asks a question in a lesson, a missionary needs to find Alma 32 or 3 Nephi 11 quickly. Thumb indexes and tabs make that much easier. Some editions list thumb indexing in their descriptions, such as the Simulated Leather Triple and our hand-bound quads. If the set you choose does not mention it, adding scripture index tabs gives the same quick access.
These earth tone index tabs are sized for a quad and come with detailed instructions for adding them to your scriptures. They are also available in a floral design and for the Bible, Book of Mormon, and triple combination.
Personalized LDS Scriptures for Missionaries
Missionaries often study and teach alongside companions and district members who carry nearly identical books. A name on the cover keeps sets from getting mixed up and turns them into a keepsake after the mission. Here are the main ways to personalize:
- Mission designs: The Personalized Missionary Quad, Personalized Mission Triple, and Personalized Mission Bible feature the mission outline plus a line of text, such as the missionary's name.
- Name only: The Simulated Leather Quad offers name personalization, and hand-bound color scriptures offer name embossing.
- On a slip cover: Slip covers can be personalized with a name and message for an additional fee, which works even for scriptures the missionary already owns.
Before you order, double-check the spelling of the missionary's name and the exact mission name from the call letter.
Protect Them with a Scripture Case or Slip Cover
Rain, snow, bike rides, and crowded buses are hard on scriptures. A case or slip cover adds a layer of protection and keeps pens and pamphlets together. Browse all of our scripture cases to find the right size.
This polyester case fits standard size scriptures, either a regular quad or a Bible and triple combination set, so it works whichever format your missionary chooses. Organizational pouches inside hold study supplies, and it comes in seven colors.
A dark blue simulated leather cover that fits scriptures with a 7 1/2" x 5 1/4" cover, with name and message personalization available for an additional fee. Confirm your scriptures' measurements before ordering. Sister missionaries may like the Quad Button Snap Slip Cover - Purple, which adds a button snap closure and a pencil holder attachment.
Add a Few Study Aids
A missionary's daily study goes further with a few simple tools. Keep it light: a small set of markers, a pencil, and the core missionary guide are plenty. Gospel Study Scripture Stickers, a set of 630 transparent stickers sized for standard scriptures, are a fun add-on, and a Red & Blue Scripture Marking Pencil makes it easy to color code topics.
Six gel highlighters in pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple glide on smoothly and won't bleed through or tear thin scripture pages. They come in a sturdy box that fits easily in a scripture case.
This spiral-bound new edition is the standard curriculum for full-time missionaries, mission presidents, and ward missionaries. It describes the principles of effective missionary work and the doctrines missionaries study and teach, so it is a natural companion to their scriptures.
A Quick Missionary Scripture Checklist
- Decide between a quad or a triple and Bible based on how your missionary likes to study.
- Choose regular size for everyday carrying, and add a pocket Book of Mormon if they want a spare.
- Pick a cover that can handle daily use, then add a case or slip cover for extra protection.
- Make sure the set has thumb indexes or add scripture tabs.
- Personalize with the missionary's name or mission, and double-check the spelling.
- Finish with a few study aids, such as highlighters and a marking pencil.
Looking for more than scriptures? Our guide to missionary gifts before, during, and after the mission covers journals, oil vials, care packages, and homecoming gifts.
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Find the right set for your missionary in our full collection of LDS scriptures, then round out the farewell with journals, ties, and keepsakes from our LDS missionary gifts.