Andrea Johnson/MDN Noah Smith, from Queen Creek, Ariz., and Atticus Rexroat, of Mesa, Ariz., are LDS missionaries stationed in Minot.

Some people may have questions when they see two young men in suits and ties walking down the street, side by side.

Elders Noah Smith, of Queen Creek, Ariz., and Atticus Rexroat, of Mesa, Ariz., say they and other missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are here to serve.

That might mean picking up a trash can on the side of the road that they see has been blown over by a recent wind storm, helping at a food pantry or chatting with people on Facebook about their faith. Some missionaries in the area also went to the Peace Garden to clean buildings as part of their service. They said they are also available to speak to private groups about their mission. Missionaries have helped with other projects like landscaping. They are not allowed to give people rides or use heavy machinery, but can do many other things.

Smith and Rexroat, both 19, are in Minot as part of a two-year mission with their church. Young men usually spent two years on a mission when they are between the ages of 18 and 26 and young women spend 18 months doing mission work. Married couples, often retired, can also be called to do mission work.

They said missionaries spend about six weeks in one location. The area they cover includes North Dakota South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, and part of Nebraska. Along the way they have met some pretty interesting people. Rexroat said he spent some time in Dickinson and had a chance to talk with people who worked in the oil field. Smith, who speaks Spanish, had originally been scheduled to go on a mission to Peru but ended up going to North Dakota first.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that missionaries do mission work since knocking on doors and speaking to people in person was not possible for some time. But they have gotten innovative and found that mission work via social media is also a means of reaching out to people.

Missionaries They can be reached on Facebook or by calling the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Minot.