Neatly attired in their creased black slacks, crisp white shirts, ties and shiny black shoes, the two young men march up the sidewalk to their first stop that afternoon, a modest ranch house in a nice Morningside neighborhood.

"Hello, how are you doing today?" Elder Bullock asks. "Do you know who we are? We're Mormon missionaries. We're the ones that live just around here. You've probably seen us walking around."

During a brief tour of the neighborhood, with most residents away from home (or hiding), only four homes yielded results, none of them favorable to the young men from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called Mormons. Their missionary work as a rite of passage takes them through many doors.

One woman had no time and discouraged the missionaries' offer to return at a better time. "No thanks," was all one man said before shutting his door. Then they had a pleasant 5-minute chat with an elderly gentleman who was talkative and friendly but, as a longtime member of the Morningside Assembly of God Church, not agreeable to conversion talk ... unless he does the converting. He also wished them well, declining an offer of a free Book of Mormon. "Have a good day. Work hard and earn your keep," he said.

"My first experience -- I had a door slammed in my face," Moyer said. "It kind of scared me. But over time, you kind of get used to it. You've just got to keep going."

And they cherish their successes, Bullock added. "It's interesting and it's scary, definitely scary, to go up and knock on somebody's door; but we do it because we want to," he said. "It does get easier over time."

"They have a right to do that. It's no problem," Meyers said. "They have a right to present their religion, and we have a right to be interested in it or not."

It's a common reaction from area residents. For decades, pairs of LDS missionaries have been easily recognizable on city streets, whether clean-cut young men, young women or senior couples, often riding bicycles. Occasionally, they are mistaken for Jehovah's Witnesses. In such cases, they can simply point to their black LDS name tags.

Meyers's reaction was typical. And Bullock said he sometimes prefers it when people not interested in their message interrupt their presentation and pleasantly bid them adieu. "Sometimes we talk to people and they say 'Oh yeah, come back,' and we come back and there's nobody there at the scheduled time," he said. "So sometimes it's good just to get the rejection."

Unfailingly polite, they say they walk away when someone becomes overtly hostile. It is tough, they say, when people erroneously accuse them of cultism or polygamy. The LDS officially ended polygamy in 1890.

Elders Bullock from Idaho and Moyer from Southern California share a Morningside apartment with two other LDS missionaries. There are 10 missionaries in the metro area at this time, so assigned by the Iowa Des Moines Mission, a part of the church's rigid hierarchy.

Moyer is about halfway through his two-year commitment. Bullock has been at it about eight months, the last four and a half months in Sioux City.

Their apartment is nice but Spartan, the furniture motel-basic, with religious pictures, maps and a dorm-style mini-basketball hoop providing the only wall adornment. A weight set sits in the living room corner where most folks might have their television. They are denied access to non-religious TV, movies, music, magazines or newspapers during their two-year missions.

And no dating. At all. Ever. Even their contact with possible female converts is severely limited. And before they begin their missionary work, they are encouraged to end any romantic relationships. With no contact possible for two years, such relationships aren't likely to succeed. And "Dear John" letters can be avoided.

"We get up at 6:30 and we go to bed at 10:30," Bullock said. "It's hard. It's definitely hard. We only get to talk to our parents or families twice a year, at Mother's Day and Christmas. It's hard, but I think we appreciate our families even more when we come out here and kind of let go of them and grow up and learn."

Regular contact with their families would just make them more homesick, Elder Mark Danneman, 21, of New Jersey said. Outside of the two yearly phone calls, their only communication with their families is through letters and e-mails.

"That's our time to do our laundry, wash the car, do our shopping, write letters home, take care of all that stuff so we don't have to worry about that the rest of the week. We can just focus on our missionary work," Danneman said.

On Sundays, they attend service at the LDS chapel at 1201 W. Clifton St. Moyer said the average attendance is about 300 active members every Sunday. The church claims an Iowa membership of 21,453 in 66 congregations.

"Do you think people would take us seriously if we showed up at the door (saying), 'Hey, we're missionaries,' and we're all grungy and wearing jeans and a T-shirt and got a little 'fro going," he said. "You want people to realize how serious you are about this work, how serious you are about going out and sharing this message with them. We do that any way we can."

Missionaries have to pay for the privilege of serving, often with the assistance of family and friends. And while it's not mandatory, most young Mormons, out of a sense of personal and/or family responsibility, gladly volunteer for this work. Their brothers did it. Their fathers did it. Their grandfathers did it.

Elder Mathew Owens of Georgia said he had to work hard and save to afford his time in the field. Missionaries pay about $400 a month which over 24 months amounts to $10,600. They are assigned companions and dispatched all over the world. Though Utah-based, it is a worldwide religion. They are given monthly allotments for groceries and other necessities. They are assigned church-leased apartments and, in many cases, cars to use along with the proverbial bikes. In Sioux City, as in most of Iowa, cars are necessary.

Most opt to sign up right after high school when they're 19. Women, called sisters, not elders, are called to serve at 21, generally for 18 months. There are more than 50,000 missionaries serving worldwide.

After serving, many then go home to continue their educational pursuits. Bullock will go to school while working in construction. "I like to build houses," he said. Moyer, who comes from a long line of firemen, plans to go back to school and become either a firefighter or police officer.

"I think I've grown up more these past two years than my entire life combined," he said. "In the experience of serving others, I've ended up doing more for myself than for other people. I feel like I've gotten a lot more out of it than the people I've helped."

Erika, Lakeland, FL wrote on September 07, 2006 10:02 PM:"This is a wonderful article.Many times the missionaries volunteer wherever they are needed and specially when disasters happen. They serve all people, not just members. The Church respects all the good people have and just wants to give them more. It is free and nobody asks for anything in return. I hope people hear the missionaries out."

Janine wrote on September 07, 2006 8:48 PM:"Thank you for your well-researched and accurate article. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ames. Our daughters have served missions in Taiwan and Los Angeles, and our son served in southern Argentina. All of our lives have been blessed immeasurably by their selfless service in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Iowa is filled with wonderful people...those who listen to the message of these missionaries will be greatly blessed!"

Kathy Wharton wrote on September 07, 2006 8:29 PM:"Thank you for a wonderful article about LDS Missionaries. My son arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay yesterday to spend 22 months spreading the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will miss him very much, but know he is serving the Lord and being of service to our brothers and sisters in the beautiful land of Paraguay. What a miracle it is to see so many young men, young women and senior couples giving of themselves to try to make the world a better place."

stong wrote on September 07, 2006 6:57 PM:"Thank you for a very fair and accurately written article. It is heartening to find open-minded, objective reporting, particularly these days! Great work!"

Ken wrote on September 07, 2006 5:55 PM:"I served a mission 20 years ago. Only after I returned home did I realize that I had been serving the church instead of our Savior. I met some wonderful people and have lifelong friendships but I believe that I could have done more to help my fellow man by serving in the Peace Corps or some other group rather than spending my time peddling religion."

Richard & Sallie Eddy wrote on September 07, 2006 1:54 PM:"We recently served a Mission in Sioux City. It was a wonderful experience. We found the people to be awesome. We enjoyed teaching the Gospel Of Jesus Christ. Thanks so much for your wonderful article."

co146 wrote on September 07, 2006 12:36 PM:"The day my oldest son came home from his mission, he said it was the saddest day of his life. Never again would he get to serve so unceasingly. When he left on his mission he was just a boy; when he got back he was a man of great principle. I am from Dows, Iowa and joined the LDS church in 1972. What a wonderful life- changing decision I made. I can't wait for my grandsons to go on missions. Thanks for a great article."

Elder1990 wrote on September 06, 2006 6:01 PM:"Well done article. Sixteen years ago I was an LDS missionary in Sioux City and have many fond memories of the area and especially the people. The article made me remember how grateful I am for the time I spent there. Good Job"

ahinchliffe wrote on September 06, 2006 5:16 PM:"As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints reading your newspaper article via our official website (www.lds.org) and living in England, I was also really pleased to see such a positive and realistic picture of missionary work. My son is serving in the Oklahoma Tulsa (Spanish speaking) Mission and I can tell you that the only reason I would want to see him leave us for 2 years is because I know the message he is teaching can bring hope to this world of ours. Thank you to all who have made him welcome in your land (even if you do have problems understanding his Yorkshire/English accent)! He is absolutely loving serving in the U.S.A."

Paul wrote on September 06, 2006 12:51 PM:"Very well done interesting article. I appreciate and article where someone has done their homework. "

Jim LaForce wrote on September 06, 2006 12:50 PM:"My son is leaving for the Texas Dallas Mission soon. I can't think of a better way to spend 2 years. Thank you for a very staight-forward and accurate article on these young men"

jodabum wrote on September 06, 2006 11:16 AM:"This is the best article of misssionary work I've ever heard; twenty four years ago, myself served like a missionarie in Mexico, but the important is open our hearts to listen this wonderful message. congratulations"

LouiseB wrote on September 06, 2006 10:19 AM:"Wonderful story. So proud this is my grandson Tim in the story doing his best to spread the gospel"

Mark wrote on September 06, 2006 9:30 AM:"This is one of the most accurate newspaper articles I've ever read about the life of young LDS missionaries and what their work is all about. Just wish other papers had the edititorial integrity that you displayed in this piece."

ed clinch wrote on September 06, 2006 9:12 AM:"Nicely done. I think it would be nice as Americans to be more open to religious conversations since we are afforded this freedom. Chile is pretty free, too, and I served two years there. I have gone back for almost a year and I believe that young missionaries (as well as old ones) have a lot to offer the world through dedication, generosity, service and charity. My mother and step-dad are finishing their second LDS mission in Indonesia now. Only four more months to see their new grandchild (my first born son).Thanks for the article, very accurately reported."

GVogelsong wrote on September 06, 2006 7:28 AM:"Some twenty years ago I gave of my time to be a LDS missionary and this is the first time that I have seen an article that I feel gave justice to those who served with me. Great job!Thank you for looking past all the preconceived notions about those tying to do the Lord's work! "

EighteenPakMom wrote on September 06, 2006 5:45 AM:"My husband & I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My husband was born a Roman Catholic but raised Mormon. I was raised a Roman Catholic & became a Mormon shortly after we were married (by our branch president at the time). This is a wonderful article. It gives a clear view of what the missionaries in our church encounter from day to day. I wish that more people would open their hearts to listen to the heart-felt message by these young people and allow them to play the DVD about Joseph Smith in their home as the missionaries who taught me did. All of these young men & women have to be commended for their efforts. God bless them all."

JULIE wrote on September 06, 2006 2:01 AM:"I agree with others that this article was well written and very informative on what the missionaries do and why. It was written as if you knew exactly what to say and how to say it. Are you LDS?"

Mike M wrote on September 06, 2006 12:50 AM:"A good accurate description of LDS missionary work. Missionaries not only spread the Gospel of jesus Christ, but are often active in humanitarian work in the community and frequently volunteer to help others in a wide variety of ways."

Barbara Ellsworth wrote on September 06, 2006 12:37 AM:"This was a great article. It showed much of the service these missionaries render, and at their own expense. Not only that, but the entire church is an unpaid ministry--my Bishop is a dentist and my Stake President is an attorney. When you take the time to listen to find out what the missionaries are teaching, you will be able to answer the question: "Why is the LDS Church one of the fastest growing churches.""

Louise Bullock wrote on September 05, 2006 10:34 PM:"How wondeful to read the story of my grandson Tim and the work he is doing. Thank you so much for sharing this message."

mockingbird wrote on September 05, 2006 7:56 PM:"This is the most accurately written article on the LDS missionary program that I have ever read! Amazing job!"

Francis Lawlor wrote on September 05, 2006 7:12 PM:"My admiration of these missionaries is unbounded. But they miss the Real Point ! Most people ARE interested in Jesus. They have a MESSAGE from Him to deliver: He has spoken in this day and they know how each contact can also KNOW that He has ! He has restored His Church asa it was in New Testament era. That is the message they shou ls emphasize ! Not MORMON, nor LDS, but Jesus here and now !"

fredc wrote on September 05, 2006 7:09 PM:"I am from Hawaii and thank you for your thoughtful article of these wonderful LDS missionaries. It was through the sacrifice of two young elders some 40 years ago, not unlike those you interviewed, that I learned of and embraced their teaching."

Mleknu wrote on September 05, 2006 6:11 PM:"I have friends on missions in Norway, Guatamala, Philipines, as well as in the USA and others. This is such a great article on what missionaries do, and it always amazes me to hear stories from all over the world of similar expieriences. Thank you for this one."

aanderson wrote on September 05, 2006 5:53 PM:"It appears that one reporter took some time to get some reliable facts on what the LDS Church is doing and what thier missionaries do. Thank You for responsible information gathering and reporting."

Suzanne wrote on September 05, 2006 4:04 PM:"Thank you for the wonderful article even though I am not from souix falls I am from Iowa and I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The missionaries all over the world do a wonderful job. I am very grateful for all of their time that they sacrifice in order to teach other about Jesus Christ. "

Bjwilliams wrote on September 05, 2006 3:59 PM:"Wow, I don't think that I have read a better story of what Missionaries are really doing. My hat is off to you John Quinlan for writing a story that describes what these young men and women are doing. Most of all, I think that you understood how most of these young people feel towards the people of your city. They are grateful for the opportunity to serve, not just Latter-Day Saints, but all people."

This is cache, read story here