Washington Yakima Mission
Mission leaders
Mark and Heather Sheffield
Began service ~July 2024 (three-year terms, “on or about July 1”) · estimated release 2027-07-01 estimate · source: Church Newsroom 2024 · as of October 8, 2026
Mission office
- Office address
- 1006 S 16th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
- Phone
- Not yet verified
- Not yet verified
- Source
- Unofficial third-party directory (latterdaymissions.com) — may be out of date unofficial — confirm before mailing as of October 8, 2026
Letters & packages
Domestic USPS/UPS/FedEx shipping usually works well; many missions prefer packages to the mission office, but ask whether to send to the missionary's apartment instead.
- Your missionary can email weekly on P-day; letters and packages are optional extras.
- Confirm the current mailing address with the mission office or the call packet before sending — offices move.
- Small, padded envelopes usually travel faster and cheaper than boxes; declare contents honestly and avoid restricted items.
- Mail-by dates for holidays and a calendar reminder are in the interactive guide.
Weather & climate
Profile: cold-winter · about 819 mm of rain a year · wettest months: Nov, Dec.
Monthly averages
| Avg high | Avg low | Rain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°F / -3°C | 15°F / -10°C | 131 mm |
| Feb | 27°F / -3°C | 14°F / -10°C | 108 mm |
| Mar | 33°F / 0°C | 18°F / -8°C | 77 mm |
| Apr | 40°F / 4°C | 23°F / -5°C | 49 mm |
| May | 52°F / 11°C | 31°F / -1°C | 45 mm |
| Jun | 59°F / 15°C | 37°F / 3°C | 33 mm |
| Jul | 69°F / 20°C | 44°F / 6°C | 9 mm |
| Aug | 70°F / 21°C | 45°F / 7°C | 14 mm |
| Sep | 61°F / 16°C | 39°F / 4°C | 32 mm |
| Oct | 46°F / 8°C | 29°F / -2°C | 78 mm |
| Nov | 33°F / 1°C | 21°F / -6°C | 114 mm |
| Dec | 26°F / -3°C | 15°F / -10°C | 149 mm |
Monthly averages computed from Open-Meteo historical weather data (2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis) for a ~1° grid cell near the mission city. Approximate; local altitude and coast effects vary.
Language
English, Spanish
English uses the Latin alphabet; spelling is irregular, so listen a lot. Accents vary widely by region (US South, Caribbean, Scottish, Australian, Nigerian, etc.).
Assignments can include other languages; your call letter states your language.
Nearby temples
- Moses Lake Washington Temple — Operating (17 September 2023) · ~110 km
- Tacoma Washington Temple — Site announced (2 October 2022) · ~164 km
- Seattle Washington Temple — Operating (November 17, 1980) · ~178 km
- Vancouver Washington Temple — Under construction (23 August 2025) · ~198 km
The Church in Washington
- Church Membership
- 278,576
- Stakes
- 62
- Congregations
- 473
- FamilySearch Centers
- 97
- Temples
- 4
- Missions
- 7
Practical
- Time zone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Currency
- USD
- Country code
- +1
- Organized
- 1 July 2015
Culture & food
- Greet with a handshake and a smile; first names are common.
- Be on time and keep appointments short and friendly.
- Respect "no soliciting" signs and private property.
- Regional cultures differ a lot: rural South, big cities, Mountain West, etc.
Foods: BBQ and regional comfort food, Tex-Mex / Mexican food, Casseroles at ward dinners, Fast food on a budget
Next steps
Official: Missionary Portal · Missionary resources