I need some advice before I go on my LDS mission. Help?

Question

I'll be blunt. I'm a mama's boy, am pretty nerdy, and lazy. What are some good ways for me to prepare for my mission? Scripture study and Prayer are obvious, I'm talking more about how I can get 2 years without my family. I love my family a lot, and I can't picture 2 years without them, so what are some good ways to get by without seeing them? Preferred answers from those with loved ones on missions, returned missionaries, and other similar situations. Please, no mormon bashers here.

Answer 1

You are totally ready for your mission and do not let any ignorant person tell you Joseph Smith is satanic. They are just to ignorant to really find out about our church. Please do not let anyone change your opinion about our church. The girl is right you should probably tell your mom to pack you up some pictures of your family members and other important people in your life. Though you really are going to be busy doing a lot of missionary work, just pray for your family and that you may keep in touch with them and not miss them so much so that you may be able to concentrate on your mission and may change people's lives. The way I see it If I ever got the oppurtunity to spend at least a year teaching missionary work I would, you do not know how many blessings you get from that and what a change you are making in the world. You are sort of paying a little bit back to Jesus, for the sacrifice that he made for us on the cross.
I really wish you the best and hope that you may always be blessed. I think that you are making the right decision on going to your mission. All I say is to pray for your future wife (mom says). Always remember that God is with you and you never know how many lives you will change and . I remember that everytime the missionaries came to our house I really felt the spirit strong and I knew that we were always in the right church. You are doing something great and again many blessings will come to you, just wait.
Even though I do not know you I really do wish you the best. You are going to be a GREAT MISSIONARY. Just pray and read the scriptures, I also recommend you to take lots of pictures and take a diary with you, good luck.


I am really sorry about the screename, I am using my friends unmodified screename, really I am truly sorry about that and hope that you will like what I wrote.

Answer 2

Returned missionary here -

How much time have you got before you go? Is there enough time for you to move out of the house for a little while? It doesn't have to be far, just far enough for you to have to do your own grocery shopping, to get used to the idea. I personally already had 4 years of college/living in a different state from my parents, and was pretty used to the idea by the time I went into the MTC - I think that helped me a lot.

Also, remember no matter where you go, there are going to be people who will love you, and will treat you like family, don't spend your time thinking about how they don't measure up to your own family, just enjoy what love they give you.

You're service is a great gift for your family, they will be blessed for your efforts, and love reading all the great stories you'll have to share with them.

good luck.

Answer 3

First of all...good luck! My brother will be leaving on his soon as well.

I can only give you advice from what happened when I left home and went to a university hundreds of miles away, since I am not LDS and never did a mission. This is really the only thing I can tell you....just do it, and don't think about it too much. You might feel lonely now and then, but not very often as you will be surrounded by other nice people. Plus, from what my cousin says about her mission...you are going to be REALLY busy. And you will get tons of mail, email, and packages from people who care about you. You will get so much, that you will have a hard time responding (because you are so busy with the mission work.) And just remember, it's only 2 years. It will go by fairly quickly...you'll be back home in no time. (My husband is deployed right now. While some days it seems like time drags...most of the time goes by very quickly.)
-Take plenty of pictures of family members with you.
-Make your mom promise to send boxes of homemade cookies, etc.
-Give everyone your address as soon as you get it, so they are sure to write.

Well...I wrote you a novel, sorry for that. I just understand where you are at, since the same thing is going on with my brother. Best of luck!

Answer 4

I don't know a way to prepare for how much your going to miss your family. But I know how you can deal with it once on your mission.

My husband and brother are both RMs and they both gave the same advice. Immerse yourself in the work. Concentrate on where you are and why. If you truly immerse yourself in the work with absolute faith and trust Heavenly Father to take care of the rest, he will. Follow ALL your mission rules, don't pick and choose. The Elders that are faithful and obedient recieve abundant blessings from our Heavenly Father to deal with every trial they face while on their mission.

Make sure all of your family knows you want them to write, too. So that you'll be getting plenty of encouraging mail from home.

I don't know how much time you have left before you go, but if you have time and haven't already, try to earn enough money to pay for your mission yourself. It makes a huge difference in the kind of attitude you go into your mission with, because you've already begun making faithful sacrifices for the Lord.

Good luck!! Remember, a mission is a beautiful thing. You'll not only recieve blessings for yourself from Heavenly Father, but you'll be a blessing to so many people's lives while you're out in the field and your family will recieve many blessings through your faithful service.

Answer 5

My uncle is on a mission and one thing that really helps is the letter writing; not only from him but from all of us to him. he tells us on christmas and mother's day that he enjoys getting our letters. have your family write and pray for you, though i'm sure they would do so anyways. remember your family while on your mission, but work hard for the Lord. put your trust in him, write letters, don't worry too much, and you'll see them after two years. i know missionaries always miss their families, but don't let that stop you from bonding with your companions or the members in your ward. i know that my uncle's calling in nursery helped his patience and laziness before he left- try doing things that help you grow. good luck and i hope you have a wonderful time on your mission. and just so you know, i'm proud of all you young men who go on missions, all us young women are. ^_^

oh, and don;t listen to those who put you down. my uncle says he gets a lot of doors slammed in his face. you can't let that get you down. use your family as motivation, think of those you love and how the gospel has blessed their lives- someone out there might be waiting for you to make your life the life of one of their future grandsons.

Answer 6

I'm here for ya... I have many family members who have done their missions. It is not easy to be out in the world without those you love, know and trust.

You are at least 18... it is time... time for you to discover your own strengths, and vulnerabilites. Time for you to test your own faith. Go for it... with a spirit of adventure, do what good you can in the world... and go home a better person.

But most of all... listen to what people say to you. They sometimes have valid questions. This is also the time that you finally decide for yourself...

My best to you... I know where your at.

Answer 7

Be prepared to write a lot of letters. Can you take a computer on a mission? Or a cell phone? (I really don't know, I used to be LDS, and my brother went on his mission in the '80's)

I'm sure your mom will send a lot of care packages. =0)

Answer 8

Do you have some friends living on thei own that you could move in with for a short time?

Sometimes, the best thing is cold turkey, for anything.

Answer 9

Somehow your avatar makes it hard to see you as an LDS missionary.

My advice:

1. Wear a red tie. I get sick of seeing black - and maybe projecting the image that all LDS guys are 'clones' is not good marketing.

Actually, the whole black shoes, tie & slacks and white shirt thing makes me think of Men in Black.

2. Take a girl along - show some diversity.

Answer 10

don't worry too much about what's going on back home, just do the work you are there to do.

gw