Schedule and Planning

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Additional scriptures: Psalm 89:47; Doctrine and Covenants 60:13; 75:3; 88:124

Together with your parents or guardians and stake president, make a general written schedule, including your time on assignment and your off-assignment hours. Review and follow your plan each day.

Your daily schedule and activities should be adjusted to fit your individual circumstances, abilities, and assignments.

A sample daily schedule is provided in this handbook. Working with your parents or guardians and your priesthood leader, fill out the blank schedule.

Personal Study

Invest an hour every day in gospel study. Focus your study on the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Personal study will increase your knowledge of the restored gospel and strengthen your testimony of the Savior and His Atonement.

Use the format that best meets your circumstances. This could include print, audio, or video formats. Report on your progress in your regular interviews.

“Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38).

“Treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:85).

Additional scriptures: John 5:39; 2 Nephi 32:3; Mosiah 1:6–7; Doctrine and Covenants 1:37; 26:1; 88:77, 118; 90:11; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37

Leader Communication

Email your stake president, bishop, operation supervisors, and parents or guardians an update of your mission experience each month. Include items such as recent successes and challenges, gospel study progress, personal development, and commitment and feelings about serving the Lord. If this type of reporting is not possible, use an alternate method, such as a simple checklist. Your stake president or another priesthood leader he designates can make adjustments as needed.

Keeping a Journal

Keep a journal of your life during your mission. You can decide whether to maintain your journal in print, digital or another format. Record your feelings and special experiences from your mission so you can refer to them and remember them in the future.

“See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27).

Off-Assignment Time

When not serving in your mission assignment, take care of your personal needs, such as washing and ironing clothes and getting a haircut. Clean your living space daily as needed (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:41–42; 90:18). Use this time to prepare so you can give full attention to your service during your assigned work hours.

Schedule time to provide service to your family, ward, stake, or community during your off-assignment hours. Other appropriate activities could include doing family history research or indexing and attending the temple.

Your local priesthood leaders may give you a ward or stake calling if it does not interfere with your mission assignment. You may also serve as a ministering brother or sister.

“And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:9).

Sunday Meetings

Attend regular Sunday meetings (sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and priesthood meeting or Relief Society) and stake conference. Participate in broadcasts of general conference.

Fasting

Generally, you should fast once each month. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but do not fast for more than 24 hours at a time. When limited by health conditions, fast only as appropriate for your circumstances.

Temple Attendance

When a temple is accessible, attend often and perform proxy ordinances. Unendowed missionaries are encouraged to perform baptisms for the dead. Endowed missionaries may perform initiatory ordinances, endowments, and sealings as a child or witness. Include regular temple attendance when planning your schedule.