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In Shallow Graves, a debut novel by Kali Wallace, the main character—recently deceased Breezy Lim—is talking to a friend. The topic under discussion is Mr. Willow, the leader of a cult who claims he can "fix" undead people like Breezy. This exchange between Rain and Breezy occurs at the 30% mark in the e-ARC of Shallow Graves: "Is he as scary as they say? I'm picturing the mutant offspring of Charles Manson and Ted Bundy."
"He looks like a middle-aged Mormon missionary," I said, and Rain laughed. "I didn't realize he was famous."
- You'd be surprised at how many times book/movie characters are described as looking like Mormon missionaries. Why? Because that's probably the easiest, most visual way of conjuring an image of someone who has a clean-cut appearance. The connotation of the phrase goes beyond that, though, indicating that the person is also honest, honorable, even innocent. All of which Mormon missionaries should be. Not only do they abide by strict dress and grooming standards (read more here), but they also adhere to an exacting code of personal worthiness. If elders and sisters are doing their best to live by these standards, then they are, in fact, clean, virtuous, and worthy of serving as the Lord's ambassadors.
(Book image from Barnes & Noble; missionary image from nearingkolob.com)
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