All Things Missions
Answers and Advice
Missions can be exciting and amazing—but also new and unknown. Here are answers from missionaries to some common questions youth have.
Illustrations by Mike Mullan
I served the first 11 months of my mission in Utah instead of where I had been assigned. This reassignment came because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spoke my native language, ate food I was comfortable with, and visited familiar faces and places. It was amazing!
When travel restrictions lifted, I spent the remaining seven months of my mission in the beautiful Dominican Republic (my original assignment). I walked hours along the bright and lively streets, spoke Spanish, ate a ton of plantains and mangos, and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to some of the most humble, fun, and faithful people I’ve ever met. This was also absolutely amazing!
No two missions look exactly alike. Just as we are all very different, our missions are different too! Do you have questions about missions? What they are like, how to prepare, and if you might serve one?
Mission Q&A
Curious youth (just like you!) sent us their questions about missions. We asked missionaries in the Arizona Gilbert Mission to answer them.
Q: What is the difference between a service mission and a teaching mission?
A: “Both service missionaries and teaching missionaries have a set of standards to follow to represent Jesus Christ. Service missionaries often live with their families and represent Jesus Christ by serving in their own communities. The Lord accepts the service of teaching missionaries and service missionaries the same. They have the same authority and are of the same worth to Him.”
Elder Joseph Duncan
Q: How do you get close and comfortable with your companion if you have little in common?
A: “Be willing to learn about them and from them. Talk about anything and everything. Create experiences together. Pray for them and their family by name.”
Sister Riley Johnson
Q: How do you deal with homesickness?
A: “I deal with homesickness by doing the work, loving the people, and looking at how far I’ve come and how much I’ve been blessed. I’ve never felt more fulfilled, felt more seen from God, and had more joy than on my mission.”
Sister Lucy Chapman
Q: How has your life changed since being on a mission?
A: “The mission has helped me change the focus of my life. Before my mission, I really only cared about what others thought of me. My mission has taught me that when I put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first, everything else falls into place.”
Elder Jakob Blad
Q: How should I prepare myself to go on a mission?
A: “When I was preparing for my mission, one of the greatest sources of strength for me was regular temple attendance and reading the Book of Mormon. Spending time in the Lord’s house will give you power from on high to go and serve valiantly!”
Elder Ammon Runger
Q: How do you deal with personal challenges?
A: “When I am faced with personal challenges, it helps me to look at them with an eternal perspective. President Nelson has said, ‘When the pressures of life crowd in upon you, think celestial!’ Thinking celestial helps me know that through Jesus Christ I can overcome any challenge because He knows exactly what I am going through and can give me strength.”
Elder Benjamin Baker
Q: What’s the hardest part of your mission?
A: “The adjustment of expectations. Missions don’t always look exactly like you expect them to, but they are always exactly what you need them to be. God is in the details.”
Sister Taylee Martinez
Q: What is the best part of being on a mission?
A: “The people. Because God cares about the relationships you have in your life, He sends you companions, other missionaries, mission leaders, ward members, and people on the street who will teach you lessons, help you grow, and become the relationships you will have for the rest of your life. God sends you the people that you need to touch, and the people that need to touch you.”
Sister Sarah Mueller
Q: How has the mission strengthened you?
A: “My mission has strengthened me through my relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. Before I served, I barely knew what Their love felt like. Since I’ve become a missionary, I see it every day through miracles, the love of others, and most importantly, Jesus Christ. I don’t think I would have come to know His love as much through any way other than serving Him.”
Elder Ethan Withers
Q: What do I do if I don’t feel worthy to go on a mission?
A: “It is difficult for many of us to feel truly worthy to represent Jesus Christ every moment of our lives. I find comfort in knowing that He has always qualified those who have felt this way as they take the steps necessary to show God that they are striving and changing! I’ve been able to feel worthy as I’ve experienced the healing power of the Savior’s Atonement in my life. I know that all of us will be made worthy as we put our trust in Him and live His gospel!”
Elder Matthew Hollingsworth
Q: How do you manage relationships back at home while on your mission?
A: “I use the relationships that I have back home to help me fulfill my missionary purpose because they are some of my greatest examples! I do my best to not let them distract me but instead use their love, joy, and support to do the best I can for my Savior, Jesus Christ!”
Sister Kimberly Pannell
Q&A Digital Extras
Q: How often do you get to meet/teach people?
A: “Every day you have the opportunity to meet new people and share the love Jesus Christ has for them, whether it’s a contact on the street or members in the ward. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to meet and learn from so many of God’s children.”
Sister Nicole Hatch
Q: How long are you in the missionary training center?
A: “The amount of time you spend in the MTC will depend on where you are from and where you are going. The minimum is about 2 weeks and the maximum is about 9 weeks. A longer stay indicates you will be learning a new language.”
Elder Samuel Martin
Q: How do you manage time in order to cook a meal?
A: “I plan my meals for the week on preparation day. I make good meals that are easy and fast to cook. I love learning to cook and trying new foods!”
Elder Tyson Burr
Q: Do you have time to exercise?
A: “As missionaries, we get time every day to work out. With that time, you can go for a run, or use whatever workout equipment you or other missionaries might have.”
Elder Ethan Gibson
Q: How long did it take you to adjust to being on a mission?
A: “For me it only took a few weeks because I let go of my own personal desires as soon as I put on the tag. I made the decision early to surrender my will to the Lord and allow Him to turn me into the person He wants me to become.”
Elder Nathan Meyers
Q: Did you feel ready to leave your family and friends before going on your mission?
A: “I’ve wanted to go on a mission for a long time, but I knew there were many things that I would miss. As I’ve put my faith in Jesus Christ, and held fast to my temple covenants, specifically the law of consecration, I’ve seen how much more the Lord has in store for me.”
Sister Elanor Eden Van Slyke
Q: How did you know you wanted to serve?
A: I decided during my time in primary that I would serve a mission! Throughout my youth years I had many spiritual experiences that confirmed that I needed to go tell others about this gospel!
Elder Carter Seeman
Q: Do you get any say in where you go?
A: Ultimately it is up to the Lord. You don’t have a say on where you go. Where you go is where the Lord needs you to be, and He needs your personality and who you are there in that mission.
Elder Denis McLaughlin