LET'S HAVE SQUIRREL FOR DINNER!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consciously makes a strong effort to provide medical support and consultation services for elders and sisters who are serving full time missions. Elder and Sister Mikesell are senior missionaries assigned to provide such support and service for twelve Church missions including the Maryland Baltimore Mission. Elder Mikesell is a retired physician who is on call twenty-four hours a day to handle medical issues as needed.

During a recent missionary conference in Annapolis, Maryland, Elder and Sister Mikesell presented some wise suggestions regarding the things that missionaries need to do in order to protect their health. They pointed out that one big problem for the elders and sisters is gastrointestinal disorders, which are frequently caused by contaminated food and water.

During the question and answer period, the mission president's wife expressed her concern to Dr. Mikesell about whether it was safe for the missionaries to eat cooked squirrel? It has been reported to her that some Church members, especially in West Virginia and far western Maryland have been feeding the missionaries squirrels when they come to their homes for dinner appointments. Since the Mikesell's had addressed the common problem of stomach disorders among missionaries, she was looking for his support in banning squirrel meat from meals where elders and sisters were invited to eat.

Flying Squirrel . . . gourmet delight?

"Ground squirrels taste terrible," the doctor responded with a smile; "but tree squirrels are wonderful to eat. Just make certain that the meat is cooked!" That certainly wasn't the answer that the mission president's wife had expected as evidenced by the shocked look on her face.

Sister Lindsay and I have been invited to a number of member homes for meal appointments since we started our mission in Maryland; but to date, no one has served us squirrel!