From the Mission Field
Mission Misconceptions: A Q&A About Missionary Life
Worried about serving a mission? We had our YA Weekly service missionary interview a teaching missionary about mission misconceptions to help offer you peace of mind about some of the more worrisome aspects of missionary life.
Elder Crenshaw: Let’s start off with a broad question: What were some general misconceptions that you had about what a mission would be like?
Elder Gibbons: Missionary life is really different depending on the country you’re serving in. I grew up in Utah, seeing missionaries driving cars. I thought it’d be like that here too. Maybe I’d have to ride a bike, or the walking wouldn’t be too bad, but when I got to Brazil, I was shocked at how hard it was. There weren’t any cars at all!
Elder Crenshaw: Interesting. So you were expecting most missions to be similar?
Elder Gibbons: For sure. But I was surprised at how much fun you still have as a representative of Jesus Christ. The missionary standards are elevated, but we still have lots of fun!
Culture Shock
Elder Crenshaw: Were there any cultural adjustments?
Elder Gibbons: I’d say the first culture shock that I had in Brazil was the traffic. When I got out of the airport, the traffic was nothing like I’d ever seen at home before. The only experience I had with another country’s culture was my Portuguese culture class in school, and that was just from me learning the language. So I knew a bit about it, but it still took me some time to adjust.
Difficulty
Elder Crenshaw: What did you think it would be like to serve?
Elder Gibbons: I’d say I always knew it was going to be tough, but I think it’s quite a bit easier depending on your attitude. Your attitude is the biggest thing. If you have the attitude that it’s going to be horrible, it’s going to be horrible. If your attitude is that it’s going to be great, it will be! So I think that’s a key factor.
Companions
Elder Crenshaw: All right, what about companionships? When I thought I was going on a teaching mission, I always dreaded having to live with a companion. How has that been for you?
Elder Gibbons: Ha. Yeah, it can be rough.
But I will say, you’ll find those really good moments where you get along. I think it’s tough because you often don’t know how to talk to your companion. It’s less of a language barrier thing and more that communicating with a stranger is definitely a skill that takes a while to learn.
Elder Crenshaw: And your companions?
Elder Gibbons: I’ve had really good companions. But even then, it isn’t easy. It takes effort.
Elder Crenshaw: Is it tougher than you were expecting?
Elder Gibbons: I think it’s a little bit tougher, in my opinion. But that can be a good thing. It really depends. You learn to respect each other’s differences. But living with a companion is absolutely preparing you for living with roommates in college or eventually with your eternal companion.
Spiritual Experiences
Elder Crenshaw: Did you expect to have spiritual experiences all the time?
Elder Gibbons: Yeah. I expected to have this mind-blowing, testimony-building experience every lesson. I think it was like that at the beginning because everything was new, but now I don’t have as many of those experiences.
So I did expect that. But I think in the beginning it was about my own conversion experience, and now it’s about helping others find their own. I’ve realized that the Lord does work miracles, but you need to work and exercise faith in Him.
Disappointment
Elder Crenshaw: How have you handled disappointment?
Elder Gibbons: I honestly just laugh it off! There are some people on the other side of the door you’re knocking on that really don’t want to talk to you. And I’ve just said, “All right,” look at my companion, and just go.
There are some days that are really tough, but I think finding something to laugh about and moving on really helps.
Advice for Past Self
Elder Crenshaw: Last thing. If you could go back to when you were in the missionary training center and tell yourself one thing, what would you say?
Elder Gibbons: Oh man, I was so much younger, and I’m saying this only seven months later, but I feel like I’ve just grown so much.
I’d tell myself that I’m going to change a lot. Physically, spiritually, and even mentally.
I’d also tell myself, “Take advantage of it.” If you really think about it, we’re dedicating two, maybe three percent of our lives to the Lord. That is such a small amount of time for you to make a difference in somebody else’s eternity. So don’t waste the days on your mission, because every day is precious.
Knowing Enough About the Gospel
Elder Crenshaw: What would you say to someone who wants to serve a mission but doesn’t think they know enough to teach the gospel?
Elder Gibbons: I exactly know how you are feeling because I felt the same way before the mission. At the beginning of every missionary’s time in the field, they will feel nervous teaching people at some point. But remember that every professional started out as a rookie.
We have the opportunity to serve in the time where we have access to Preach My Gospel. My invitation would be study chapter 3 of Preach my Gospel before your mission. This chapter will help you understand the doctrine that you will teach to people. It will also help you learn scriptural references to these topics.
And if you still feel nervous about your knowledge of the gospel, you can share your own experiences. Your testimony is your biggest tool because the friends of the Church will feel the Spirit when you testify that something is true!