From the Mission Field
Ready for the Call: Advice from Missionaries on Preparing to Serve
We reached out to five missionaries to get their advice on how to start preparing for a mission.
Getting ready to serve a mission is such an exciting time! You’re focused on learning the doctrine of Jesus Christ, figuring out how the Spirit speaks to you, and mentally preparing to dedicate your time to building up God’s kingdom.
There are going to be a lot of new things to adjust to on your mission, and while you can’t prepare for every scenario, there are things you can do that will make the transition a little easier.
We asked some current missionaries and those preparing to serve what they would suggest when it comes to preparing for your mission. Here’s what they had to say:
Seek to Know the Savior
I wish I had really sought to know Christ before my mission. Obviously I knew about Him—I had grown up reading the standard works, alone and with my family. I knew the stories of Jesus and the doctrinal mastery passages. I’m grateful for that spiritual knowledge that I spent a lifetime acquiring. But if I could change one thing I did in the months leading up to my mission, I would go back and strive to know the Savior.
He Himself promised, “Seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7). As we seek Jesus Christ, we can find Him in the Book of Mormon, in the temple, in the sacrament, and in the myriad of small and simple ways He reaches out to us each and every day. I have seen more miracles on my mission than ever before in my life, and I think that’s chiefly because I am looking and thanking God for them significantly more than ever before.
Sister Julia Collings, Hamburg Germany Mission
Go to Mission Prep and Study the Scriptures
To prepare for my mission, I attended a mission preparation class in my ward. We read through Preach My Gospel and talked about how to apply its principles.
Additionally, I made sure to read from the Book of Mormon every day! I also took time each week to study the Bible, particularly Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I wanted to make sure that I had a testimony of the gospel truths I would teach and have the scriptural foundation to teach them.
Elder Rickard DeMille, Orem Utah Mission
Study the Book of Mormon and Learn to Love Others Through Service
The two most significant ways that I prepared for my mission were by study and service. I read the Book of Mormon every day, even more diligently than I had been, and tried to find things that applied to my life. The messages in those pages seemed directed straight at me, and it was there that I learned how much I need Jesus Christ’s Atonement and how willing He is to provide His power. Applying the scriptures takes practice and hard work, but it has been eternally rewarding for me.
Next, service. Every year, coastal cities in Florida, USA, are hit by hurricanes. Winds and floods cause a huge amount of property damage, and it’s often very difficult or expensive for the people in these areas to receive the quick aid they need. When I was 12, I didn’t understand why we were taking a weekend to haul tree branches around. What I learned as I did this each year was how much joy can be found in hard work in service of another. I’m still working on being more charitable, but I know that if I need to love someone more, all I need to do is serve them!
Elder Joseph Lowry, Orem Utah Mission
Study Preach My Gospel and Attend the Temple
There are a few easy ways to prepare for a mission. First, I would suggest that you read through and study chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel. If you already know what you will be teaching before you get out to the field, you can focus more on how to teach it with the Spirit.
I would also suggest you receive your own endowment and attend the temple as frequently as you can. The temple helps us to keep an eternal perspective and can help you focus on Jesus Christ.
The final way I would suggest preparing for a mission is to read and know the Book of Mormon. That will be the greatest tool to connect yourself and others to Jesus Christ on your mission and for the rest of your life!
Elder Rugby Taylor, Everett Washington Mission
Develop Better Social Skills
In order to prepare for a mission, it’s important to increase your knowledge of the gospel, but you will also need to prepare your people skills. I would suggest to start getting out of your comfort zone with social interactions. Make an effort to talk to people you wouldn’t usually.
I learned that teaching the gospel takes those people skills. The social skills you will develop and strengthen on your mission are ones that will help you in your future career, dating, school, and in your relationships with others!
Elder Emerson Taylor, Manchester New Hampshire Mission