riteway travel

• Overnight Trips
• Ski Day Trips
• Overnight Ski Trips
• Casino Day Trips
• Overnight Casino Trips
• Sports Day Packages
• Overnight Sports Packages
• Specialty Trips
• GIFT CERTIFICATES

'+n.contentRating+"

"+n+" "+t.config.saAria.shownText+"

"+e.config.saAria.closedText+"

Yahoo Local Web Search

Search results.

Whether you want to travel internationally or within the continental U.S., you can find the exact package you are...

Website: ritewaytravelagency.com

Phone: (978) 682-3245

211 Merrimack St Methuen, MA 01844 4992.63 mi

Is this your business? Verify your listing

• Find Nearby: ATMs ,  Hotels ,  Night Clubs ,  Parkings ,  Movie Theaters

Yelp Reviews

2.5 6 reviews

I have done repeated trips with Rite Way travel and perfect service every time. They give great advice on hotels and accommodations. Love this place! More

used them for a couple day trips- should really just be marketed as a transportation service. nothing more than that. you're really on your own. so if you are expecting an actual tour or something... More

On Saturday, Sept 21 2019 took a bus trip to NY, Liberty Island and Ellis Island. I was vey disappointed in the tour guide. He got us to the gate and then disappeared. We had to figure it out on... More

I booked with them to travel bin June to jamacia, the worst experience I've had ever. Needless to say my holiday never happened due to Covid the resort is closed and flight cancelled. I am forced... More

OMG My first trip of my retirement and I can only hope I can get courage to travel again someday. Trip to Miami to see the pats play. Poor itinerary, guides, tickets, lack of... More

Write a review

More reviews on Yelp.com

You may also like

• Suggestions
• Privacy Dashboard
• About this page

• © Roadtrippers
• © Mapbox
• © OpenStreetMap
• Improve this map

• Massachusetts

Rite Way Travel

211 Merrimack St, Haverhill , Massachusetts 01844-5615 USA

• Independent

Be the first to add a review to the Rite Way Travel.

• Sun, Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
• Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know .

Has RV parking changed? Let us know .

• Unavailable Parking
• Unknown Pets Allowed
• Unknown Restrooms
• Unknown Wifi
• Unknown Wheelchair Accessible
• Unknown Credit Cards Accepted

Nearby Hotels

Click to discover a great deal!

Related Trip Guides

Visit the spooky real-life locations from 'hocus pocus', salem, massachusetts, embraces its sordid past as witch city, the great northern is a 3,600 mile, cross-country odyssey, the top things to do on an i-95 road trip, keep exploring with the roadtrippers mobile apps..

Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road!

Connect with us and hit up #roadtrippers

Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful.

• Roadpass Digital
• Mobile Apps

Business Tools

• Partnerships

Get Inspired

• Road trip ideas by state
• National parks
• Famous routes
• Voices from the Road

Fresh Guides

• The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Badlands National Park
• Route 66 Leg 2: St. Louis to Tulsa
• Route 66 Leg 1: Chicago to St. Louis
• Route 66 Leg 3: Tulsa to Amarillo
• Top 10 things to do in Ohio
• Offbeat Road Trip Guides
• Road Trip USA
• Scenic Routes America
• National Park Road Trips
• Terms and Conditions

Ride Services

Go anywhere the roads will take you, with options from single passenger trips to cross-country group excursions.

GO Riteway Transportation for All Occasions

Team & school trips.

Group Tours

Airport Transportation

Leisure & Group Outings

Private Car Service

Meetings & Events

Employee & campus shuttle contracted services, why ride with go riteway.

Rest assured that you’re in good hands with our highly-trained, background-checked drivers.

Our uniformed drivers tailor your ride for your comfort, providing a premium, high-value experience.

Think of us as the friend that you can always trust to give you a ride–and get you there on time.

At GO Riteway Transportation Group, we stand behind our actions, service, and work.

Our well-maintained fleet can handle any group size for any type of trip you might take.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ride Services

Your safety is our top priority. We take every precaution to ensure you reach your destination safely. This includes owning a fleet of late model vehicles, proactively maintaining our fleet, undergoing regular safety inspections, performing background checks on all of our drivers, ample driver training, securing a higher level of insurance than required, requiring car seats for children, employing monitoring technology on our vehicles, and much more.

Our fleets are headquartered in the Midwest. From there, we can take you anywhere in the country.

All of the drivers we employ undergo a background check, drug test, and medical screening before they are hired. Then, they enter an extensive performance-based training program, which requires that the new driver must demonstrate skills and proficiency prior to graduating to solo operation. After this initial training, drivers are required to participate in ongoing safety and operations training. Remedial training is required if a driver falls below our expected standard.

We pride ourselves on offering exceptional transportation services for our corporate customers. We can provide employee shuttles , private car service , event transportation , or any other type of ride you or your business might need.

We can provide transportation for groups of any size, from 1-1,000+ passengers.

For groups of 1-10 passengers, you can easily book your ride with our online booking tool . For larger groups, you can request a quote online and our team will generate a response, usually on the same day.

Gratuity is included for your convenience as well as other costs like fares, tolls, airport fees, and tax.

Yes. While we prefer advance reservations, speak with a live agent at 1-800-236-5450 for same-day availability options.

Absolutely! We proudly offer service to General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, as well as O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago. Learn more about our airport transportation services .  Actually, we offer service to all area airports.

For Sedans, SUVs, and Executive Van: The driver will be holding a sign with your name at the baggage claim carousel associated with your flight.

For Inside Meet (Sedans & SUVs Only): For domestic flights, driver will be holding a sign with your name at the baggage carousel associated with your flight. For International flights, driver will be holding a sign with your name at the information desk between Customs exits A & B.

Curbside Pick-up: You will receive a text message that includes your driver’s name and cell phone number.*

Please contact your driver when you’ve collected your luggage (and have cleared customs if flying international) and are ready to be picked up.

*Assumes passenger cell phone number is provided (Domestic numbers only)

Yes, we offer premium private car services that provide an exceptional luxury experience for any passenger. Learn more about our private car services .

We own, operate, and service our entire fleet.  This way, we are able to manage and maintain a high level of reliability. 

For service in sedans, SUVs, and vans, our minimums start at 2 hours.  For minicoach and motorcoach service, the minimum is 4 hours.  There is no maximum, as we provide on-going, multi-day service for many passengers.  

Our vehicles are outfitted with passenger comfort in mind. Details about the amenities of each vehicle type are available on that vehicle’s page. See our fleet .

Right after you make your travel, flight, or hotel arrangements!  We provide rides arranged in advance, the more lead time the better.  Speak with a live agent at 1-800-236-5450 for late-notice options. 

For groups of 1-10 passengers, you can easily book your ride with our online booking tool . If you have a larger group or more particular needs, please request a custom quote online or call our reservation agents directly at 800-236-5450.

A deposit is required to confirm all minicoach and motorcoach reservations.  Full payment is then due 21 days before the trip.  Private transportation in sedans, SUVs, and vans are paid in full at the time of reservation.  

Sedans, SUVs, & Vans:  Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the trip are at no charge. A 25% fee is applied to cancellations made 8-24 hours before pickup time. There are no refunds for cancellations made within 8 hours of pickup time.

Minicoaches & Motorcoaches:  Cancellations made more than 21 days before pickup time are no charge.  A 25% fee is applied to cancellations made 14-21 days prior to departure date.  A 50% fee is applied to cancellations made 7-13 days prior to departure date.  There are no refunds for cancellations made within 6 days of departure date.

Yes, all of our vehicles are insured in excess of required coverage.

GO Riteway offers unparalleled reliability, transparency, and safety. You will always know in advance who is picking you up and when. And if your plans change, we’re happy to accommodate you. Our drivers are our employees and trained to provide an exceptional experience and our well-maintained fleet is insured, designed for passenger transportation, and much more pleasant to ride in than a stranger’s car!

Transportation Solutions of All Kinds

6970 S. 6th Street

Milwaukee, WI 53154

414-570-5200 / 800-236-5450

[email protected]

Team & School Trips

Meetings & Events

Employee & Campus Shuttles

Leisure & Group Outings

School District Directory

School Bus Contracting

Join Our Team

Job Openings

Service Area & Locations

The GO Riteway Story

Meet Our Team

Cardinal Buses

• © 2024 GO Riteway Transportation Group.
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Website Design & Development by

Donation Form

" * " indicates required fields

Update May 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Russia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 5, 2023, russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the  unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for  harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the  arbitrary enforcement of local law ,  limited flights into and out of Russia , the  Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of  terrorism .  U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately.  Exercise increased caution due to  the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them. 

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity. 

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. 

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on  what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, russian federation map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

The Rings Of Power: What Is The Rite of Sigin-Targ?

Quick links, sigin-targ is a dwarven endurance test, where does sigin-targ come from, why does elrond invoke this rite.

In The Rings of Power , dwarves are an important part of the story. Unlike in The Lord of the Rings , more dwarven history and customs are explored, giving viewers a more in-depth look at the dwarves. The show explores Khazad-dûm, gives a first view of Dwarven women, and much more.

Not only does the TV series show what Khazad-dûm ( the Mines of Moria ) looked like during its glory days, but it shows the dwarves partaking in time-honored traditions. One of those traditions is Sigin-Tarȃg, which is shown early on in the series when Elrond is visiting the dwarves for the very first time.

LOTR: The Doors of Durin, Explained

The riddle of the doors of Moria is one of the most mystical moments in The Lord of the Rings. What is the story behind their creation?

While Sigin-Tarȃg exists in the written work of The Lord of the Rings , it’s an entirely different concept that isn’t given much detail. Whereas, The Rings of Power took that concept and developed it into a fun tradition for the dwarves of Khazad-dûm, specifically those dwarves that come from the line of Durin .

Simply put, the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg is a dwarven endurance test. Two competitors use huge hammers to break apart large rocks. If a hammer is broken, it’s replaced and the endurance test continues. This endurance test doesn’t end until one of the competitors can’t keep breaking apart rocks. This means it could go on for hours and possibly days given the competitors are up to the challenge.

In The Rings of Power , Prince Durin lays out a set of rules before the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg begins. The rules are short and simple: if Elrond forfeits, he’s exiled from Dwarven lands, but if Durin loses, he has to grant Elrond an audience .

This makes it seem like the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg isn’t as simple as the loser being exiled. Instead, Sigin-Tarȃg appears as a sort of test where certain conditions can be set before the trial begins. Depending on what is trying to be settled will likely determine what happens to the loser of Sigin-Tarȃg.

Translated literally, Sigin-Tarȃg means “long-beards” in Khuzdul, a dwarven language. Tolkien notes that this was one of the first names used to refer to Durin’s folk , and it’s quite suiting given their appearances. Although originally just a name, Sigin-Tarȃg developed into a tradition honored by the dwarves. But its history is deeper than just a name.

It wasn’t the dwarves who created the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg. Instead, it was the Ainu, otherwise known as the Valar, who fashioned this endurance test for the dwarves. Specifically Aulë, creator of dwarves themselves , who created the rite. Otherwise, not much else is known about the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg and why it was created in the first place.

In The Rings of Power , Elrond specifically invokes the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg when the dwarves won’t allow him inside Khazad-dûm . If banishment from dwarven lands was truly the result of losing this endurance test, why would Elrond risk this? Especially since it’s not as if he didn’t know the consequences of losing. He was fully aware of what the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg was, yet still insisted on it.

While Elrond truly does care deeply for his friend Prince Durin, he did travel to Khazad-dûm with other intentions on his mind. Elrond was working with Celebrimbor to build at tower in Eregion. But, unfortunately for them, Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor Elves, wouldn’t grant Celebrimbor the manpower he needed to complete the tower on time.

Instead, Celebrimbor and Elrond traveled to Khazad-dûm to propose a partnership with the dwarves where the dwarves would help them complete the tower on time. Elrond specifically came up with idea because of his long friendship with Prince Durin of Khazad-dûm and was positive they would be granted an audience to propose the partnership.

Unfortunately for Elrond, when they arrived the dwarves wouldn’t allow them an audience with Prince Durin. No matter what he tried, they couldn’t get inside Khazad-dûm.

Luckily for Elrond, since he had been longtime friends with Prince Durin, he was familiar with dwarven customs. He knew if he invoked the Rite of Sigin-Tarȃg, the dwarves would not be able to refuse, allowing him inside. And it worked exactly how he expected. Once he invoked the rite, he was allowed inside.

Of course, Elrond knew he would never be able to match the strength of a dwarf in their own endurance test. After all, in The Lord of the Rings , dwarves are extremely strong and resilient . The only reason he chose to resort to this is because it was his only way to speak with Prince Durin. Once Elrond forfeited the test, he was able to speak to Durin privately on the way out, where they were able to reconcile with each other and Elrond’s banishment was seemingly lifted.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time.There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.

• Destinations
• For Agencies

Our goal is to provide the highest quality services to make your clients fall in love with Russia.

Whether you are looking to get the most out of a tight budget or prefer premium luxury when discovering Russia, Olta Travel will be your perfect partner.

Let us make your tour to Russia a memorable experience, so you can enjoy a worry-free journey!

• FROM BIG GROUPS TO INDIVIDUALS: we craft a tailored offer for almost any budget, thanks to our distributed network of trusted partners, direct connections with service providers and our own profound knowledge of destinations in Russia. 
• TOP SERVICE GUARANTEE:  We take care of everything to secure travelers’ satisfaction and are prepared to deal with unexpected issues should they arise.
• COMFORTABLE PRICING:  Olta Travel keeps the cost of discovering Russia at a fair, reasonable level because we love our country and seek to share this love with you.
• NATION-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS : based on our experience working with tourists from all parts of the world, we know how to surprise and amaze your compatriots with Russia.

PRIVACY POLICY ON THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

This Policy of personal data processing (hereinafter - the Policy) applies to all data that "OLTA Travel" Co. Ltd (hereinafter – Olta Travel) receives from the visitors of website http://www.oltatravel.com (hereinafter "the Website") and explains how it is processing, stored and how the confidentiality is ensured.

1. Processing and use of personal data.

1.1. In this Policy, personal information means any information left by users on the Website of Olta Travel, including Name, Surname, company, email address and other contact information, left in the message.

1.2. The person who left personal data on the Website of Olta Travel, consents to their use, namely:

1.2.1. The inclusion of the email address, name, surname, company name or any other contact information left in the message in the contact database of Olta Travel. The database is hosted in a secure cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as on a secure service for newsletters – Unisender.

1.2.2. Receiving email newsletters with news, promotions, special offers and other useful materials, but no more than twice a week. The visitor of the Website at any time has the right to unsubscribe from the mailing list of Olta Travel, by clicking on the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each letter.

1.2.3. Direct communication with the manager of Olta travel on the treatment of the user.

1.2.4. The use of contact information to show relevant advertisements to users in social networks and the Internet.

1.2.5. For other purposes performed with the individual consent of the user.

2. The collection, storage and protection of personal data.

2.1. All personal data collected on the Website is processed, stored and secured in strict accordance with the provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation (Federal law of the Russian Federation of 27 July 2006 № 152-FL "On personal data") and the European Union (The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679).

2.2. Olta Travel is taking the necessary legal, organizational and technical measures to protect personal information from unlawful or accidental access, copying, distribution of personal information, as well as other unlawful actions in relation to personal data of users, which include:

•     secure transfer and storage of personal data on secure servers;

•     automated processing of personal data;

•     identification of possible threats to the security of personal data;

•     limiting the number of persons having access to personal data;

•     application of measures of internal regulation of the procedure of working with personal data (internal regulations for employees of Olta Travel);

•     improving methods of collection, storage and processing of data.

2.3. All data received on the Website of Olta Travel are transmitted via a secure https Protocol and stored on servers in secure, cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as in safe service for creating email newsletters Unisender.

3. User rights and obligations of Olta Travel.

3.1. Upon the request from the user Olta Travel should:

•        confirm the fact and methods of storage and processing of personal data of users;

•        inform about the method of obtaining personal data of the user;

•        explain the legal bases, objectives and timing of the processing of personal data;

•        in case of personal data leakage, inform the user about it;

•        make changes or delete users ' personal data from the database to stop storing and processing it;

•        warn about the expected cross-border transfer of personal data.

3.2. The user has the right to request the deletion of his personal data by sending an e-mail to [email protected] as well as the exclusion from the email-mailing by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" button located in the body of each letter.

4. Conditions of termination of processing and storage of personal data:

•       company liquidation;

•       a written request for withdrawal of consent or exclusion from the database;

•       at the request of the user, if the data were obtained illegally.

5. Olta Travel is not responsible for information posted by a visitor on the third party websites, links to which can be posted on the Website of Olta Travel.

6. More information about the collection, storage and processing of personal data by Olta Travel, the user may get by sending an email to [email protected] .

• Share full article

For Mormon Missionaries, Some ‘Big, Big Changes’

The church has loosened its strict rules for those evangelizing. And many members of Gen-Z are loving it.

Andres Gonzalez stands in front of a statue of Jesus Christ in Los Angeles as another missionary, Alec Crawley, films him for a video for social media. Credit... Isadora Kosofsky for The New York Times

Supported by

By Lauren Jackson

Lauren attended church in London, Los Angeles and Paris and spoke with current and former missionaries to report this story.

• May 10, 2024

Andres Gonzalez, 19, stands on the balcony of his Los Angeles apartment, his hands in his suit pockets. It is his first week as a missionary, but today, instead of approaching people on the street, he is shooting a video that he will later post to social media.

After about a dozen takes, he is successful. “Hello! If you would like to learn more about Jesus Christ,” he says to the camera in Spanish, “contact me.”

Mr. Gonzalez is the image of the modern missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has changed many of its practices — from how missionaries preach to how they dress.

The faith, long known for sending tens of thousands of neatly and formally dressed young people across the globe each year to preach door to door, is encouraging new missionaries to spread the gospel on social media and, for some, with acts of community service closer to home.

As a church leader, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, put it, missionaries should feel comfortable sharing their faith in “ normal and natural ways .”

In the last few years, the church has also changed some rules for missionaries themselves — loosening restrictions on dress codes ( women can wear pants ) and how often they can call family members back home ( once a week , not just on Christmas and Mother’s Day).

To outsiders, the adjustments may seem small. But to missionaries who adhere to strict rules while on assignment, the shifts are dramatic.

“We’ve seen a lot of big, big changes,” Jensen Diederich, 23, said. He served his mission in Peru and said it was “monumental” when the church allowed him to call home weekly, instead of just twice a year.

The church believes missionary work is essential for the world’s salvation — that people must be baptized in the faith to get to the highest level of heaven after they die. Missionary work also helps increase the church’s membership, and it deepens many young members’ faith. Many missionaries begin their assignments just after they leave home. Instead of partying on a college campus, they commit themselves to the religion and develop habits that can last a lifetime.

One of those members was Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who was a missionary in France in the 1960s. He has said the isolation of his mission allowed him to examine his faith without distraction . When asked about the changes, he said, “For young people of my generation, I think the separation from family and friends served us well.”

But he understands times have changed. “With today’s youth in near constant contact with one another, maintaining greater connection during a mission fits their life experience,” he added.

Many young church members say the new rules have made missionary service more attractive and realistic.

Kate Kennington, a 19-year-old with a mission assignment to London, said finding people online and messaging them is a more successful way of approaching potential converts. “It’s how I would want to be contacted,” she said.

“Knocking on doors and approaching people on the street are no longer seen as useful as they once were because of shifts in American culture,” said Matthew Bowman, a professor of religion and history at Claremont Graduate University who holds the chair of Mormon studies. He is also a church member.

For decades, missionaries’ clean-cut suits were signs of prosperity, Mr. Bowman said, and an effective way of appealing to converts. But they now feel “outdated.”

Many of the changes, especially the push to evangelize on social media, were fueled by the pandemic, which shut down in-person church gatherings and forced Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses to find alternatives to door-to-door preaching.

The missionaries use their phones to film videos of themselves promoting the church or sharing messages of faith. In one video , a missionary raps about his faith. In another , two missionaries throw a football and a Frisbee through an obstacle course in a church gym — an object lesson meant to visualize how Jesus Christ can help people overcome challenges.

So far, the changes appear to be working: In the last three years, as pandemic restrictions lifted and young members responded to an appeal from the church’s top leader for them to serve, the number of full-time proselytizing missionaries has risen by around 25 percent , according to church data. At the end of last year, the church had about 72,000 full-time missionaries serving around the world.

The church has just under 17.3 million members globally but has seen growth slow. From 1988 to 1989, during a surge in growth when the church expanded into West Africa , the church grew by about 9 percent . Last year, the church grew by about 1.5 percent .

A tradition of travel

Missionary work is a rite of passage for Latter-day Saints — and has been since the church’s founding in 1830.

The church’s missionaries have traveled the world, growing their faith from a fledgling start-up in upstate New York to a global religion that brings in billions of dollars in revenue .

Church leaders say it is men’s responsibility to become missionaries for two years starting at age 18. Missionary work is optional for women, who serve for 18 months. The church has historically encouraged women to focus on marriage and motherhood. But since 2012, when the church lowered the age women could become missionaries to 19 from 21, more women have been going .

Missionaries leave their families and friends, learn new languages and spend the first years of their adulthood spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While on a mission, they cannot date and must follow the religion’s ban on premarital sex, drinking, smoking, coffee and caffeinated tea. Communication with friends and family back home is restricted. They commit to stay focused on their work, and their proximity to their missionary partner creates a sense of accountability that keeps most from breaking the rules.

Until recently, the experience of young missionaries was similar to that of their parents. They first attended a missionary training center — a religious boot camp of sorts — before then traveling to their missions.

Most missionaries now start their training online at home , where the transition is less jarring. They can adapt to a mission schedule with their family’s support. Being home is also an opportunity for new missionaries to evangelize in their community.

“I’ve had friends who aren’t members of the church,” Tanner Bird, a 19-year-old missionary in Brazil who did part of his training at home in Houston. “And I just get super, super excited and talk to them about the gospel.”

Once deployed, men in some areas are allowed to wear blue shirts and go without ties , while women can wear wrinkle-resistant dress pants in “conservative colors.” Most missionaries now have smartphones and call their families weekly.

Some traditions remain: Young missionaries still do not get to pick their destinations. Many teenagers throw parties to open their assignments, reading their “call letter” aloud for the first time in front of family and friends. Others film elaborate announcement videos — including on ice skates . Some serve close to home (there are 10 missions in Utah). Others go as far as Tahiti or Tokyo.

Mr. Gonzalez, the missionary in Los Angeles, said he first imagined going on a mission when he was a child in Venezuela. His parents, who converted to the faith, often had young missionaries over for meals. After the church helped the family settle in Utah, he said serving as a missionary was part of his “American dream.”

Every morning, he wakes up at 6:30 a.m., the set time for many missionaries, with his “companion,” an assigned missionary partner. They are mandated to “never be alone,” with few exceptions, and each day follow a missionary schedule .

On Facebook, they contact people they have met, including those they have approached on the street in downtown Los Angeles. They also search groups for people who may be open to their message and post videos to generate interest in their faith. They keep track of potential converts’ progress, including lessons they teach. Every Monday, Mr. Gonzalez calls his parents.

Calls are also an opportunity for him to receive support. “It’s a little bit hard,” Mr. Gonzalez said of his mission work, describing people in downtown Los Angeles as “busy.” Still, he remains hopeful: “Some of them, they really are ready. They make time, even just like five minutes.”

The missionary experience is not for everyone. Some people feel isolated, find it difficult to adapt to a location, or struggle with the rules or the pressure to keep their commitment. Some people do leave early; the church does not comment on those who do.

Alex McAlpin, a 23-year-old who went on a mission to Denver, almost did not put in a missionary application. Before her mission, she attended Pepperdine University, where she wrestled with some aspects of church doctrine and history.

Then the church made its dress code change, allowing women to wear pants in 2018.

“That was the first day of my life that I thought maybe I would go” on a mission, Ms. McAlpin said. She saw the new dress code and the church’s other mission changes as a sign the church was evolving and listening to its younger members, many of whom hope their church will modernize in larger ways. “I wanted to be a part of the change.”

Lauren Jackson is an associate editor and writer for The Morning , The Times’s flagship daily newsletter. More about Lauren Jackson

Inside the World of Gen Z

The generation of people born between 1997 and 2012 is changing fashion, culture, politics, the workplace and more..

A younger generation of crossword constructors is using an old form to reflect their identities, language and world. Here’s how Gen Z made the puzzle their own .

For many Gen-Zers without much disposable income, Facebook isn’t a place to socialize online — it’s where they can get deals on items  they wouldn’t normally be able to afford.

Dating apps are struggling to live up to investors’ expectations . Blame the members of Generation Z, who are often not willing to shell out for paid subscriptions.

Young people tend to lean more liberal on issues pertaining to relationship norms. But when it comes to dating, the idea that men should pay in heterosexual courtships  still prevails among Gen Z-ers .

We asked Gen Z-ers to tell us about their living situations and the challenges of keeping a roof over their heads. Here’s what they said .

What is it like to be part of the group that has been called the most diverse generation in U.S. history? Here is what 900 Gen Z-ers had to say .

Advertisement