I was asked to do a 9x13 cake for a meeting of over 200 Mormon missionaries on Tuesday. There are 4 other women making 9x13's, but I"m the only one who knows how to decorate a cake. So, I really want mine to stand out.
I have no idea what to do on the cake. The majority of the missionaries are going to be between the ages of 19-21 and they will be male. They do not participate in anything secular and no one knew if there would be a theme to the talks given the church leaders at the event.
I thought about just doing some roses on vines, but I'm nervous cuz the majority will be a bunch of guys. Than I thought I'd replicate the black tag that each missionary wears. Than I considered doing the entire cake like a Book of Mormon cover.
Any ideas?
Rachel
Rachel
If you take a look at Groom's Cakes, you will see that most of them are iced with chocolate icing. There's a start. Apparently, someone thinks that brown icing is more masculine, and I must admit, I am in agreement.
How about a nice border, the tag you mentioned, and a simple message that says, "Welcome, Missionaries" on it. Perhaps some scrollwork around the sides and along the edges, next to the top border.
Since Autumn is coming, perhaps some fallen leaves in earthtones to brighten it up.
Theresa 
here's a link to a great cake. could do similar...and put the "called to serve" as the message.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=search&search=bible&cat=0&pos=8&search=bible
One thing that stood out right away to me was only 5 9X13 cakes for 200 people. Even if you get 20 very small peices out of each, it will only fed half of them.
Consider doing a 2 layer, that would make yours taller and thus definately make it stand out. I agree chocolate works great. Maybe whipped chocolate ganache with dark choc ganache poured over the top. Noone can resist that!
In line with the one Doug suggested, Here is a link to a search under Galleries for Bible - there are a lot of good ideas there. I know Gibson did a beautiful one with a Bible on top.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=thumbnails&meta=search&type=full&search=bible
I think that doing the cover of the scriptures would be cool.... but then again, we are talking 200 19 to 21 year olds, so maybe a cake depicting the mode of transportation..... a couple of elders on their bikes, elders walking? But then again, I like the ide of the name tag as well.
Although not a Mormon myself, I do know a little about the faith. I would keep the cake SIMPLE. The missionary lifestyle is rather strict and simple, they must adhere to a very basic dress code- usually dark pants and plain white button down shirt, and they do wear NAME TAGS. They are CALLED TO SERVE and the missions are based on this passage:"GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS..."- Matt 28:19-20. They often TRAVEL to a another state or country to serve their mission. If you use the idea of a Bible- it should say nothing or "The Book of Mormon". I wouldn't do anything comical- like with the bikes. Even if done in good taste SOME people may be offended, as this is an important spiritual time in the life of a Mormon. Best advice- basic white with a nice scroll or design in black, and a simple message to convey well wishes on their journey.Even if they aren't traveling far- this is a 'JOURNEY' into adulthood.
Good luck!
If you wanted to do something other than black and white, you could do the sacred grove or maybe one of the temples. Either way, I would agree with one of the other posts about doing two layers. One thing I do know about missionaries is that they love to eat! 
Good luck!
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