First and foremost if you're here only to preach that God isn't real and that I'm wasting my time...fine, I won't let it bother me.
Second...I'm Mormon(well I will be on the 11th).
I, for reasons I do not wish to discuss in public, believe it is my right place to go on a mission. I know I have to wait a year(to get my melchizedek priesthood and my temple recommend and stuff like that)...
But if you've ever gone on a mission, or your brother or sister has, or a friend, do you have any advice for me? Like...should I study my scriptures a lot more(OBVIOUSLY), are there any books I should read(besides the scriptures) to get myself ready, should I start running on a tredmill to get my endurance built up...or the cycling machine?
Anything is welcome....thanks.
2007-09-30 13:56:50 · 19 answers · asked by Love Yahoo!!! is a prince 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
lol depressed...I'll be sure to ALWAYS keep bran muffins with me because of your insightful words....as far as guns go...............lol
2007-09-30 14:05:08 · update #1
Get out of Mormonism as quickly as you possibly can.
Serve the Jesus of the bible.....only.
2007-09-30 14:02:20 · answer #1 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 9⤋
Most areas have a missionary prep class, usually not part of the 3 hour block but with other young men. I went to one on sunday morning before church and it is a great help. They are often taught by RMs and they can have lots of good, practical advice and teachings. Ask your bishop or stake president about one or if they will start one for you.
Also, you will have companions you don't like. That's just how it goes. Learn to be easy going and to compromise. Identify personal habits that might drive someone up the wall and try working on that. I had a companion who hummed incessantly. Made me nuts!
The book "Gospel Principles" is a great one to read. If you are a new member, you should have been attending that class and heard a lot of it, but it is a wonderful, simple and well organized look at LDS faith and teachings.
The exercise thing wasn't a big deal for me. It really depends on your mission. Some have cars, some bikes, some just have to pound pavement. You'll get a physical before you leave so you should know about your overall physical condition. Walking and maybe cycling would be the best thing to do but most guys in my mission adapted to the amount of walking pretty quickly. I walked about 10 miles a day I figured. When I was transfered from the coast to the top of the Andes Mountains, it took a little getting used to though!
2007-10-04 09:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by MattH 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have some great answers. I will repeat bits from some of them.
1. Study "Preach My Gospel." I never had it on my mission, but I hear it is a wonderful resource.
2. At least become familiar with the "seminary" scripture mastery verses, and memorize as many as you can. This way, the Spirit will be able to "bring (them) to you remembrance." It is difficult to remember something you never knew.
3. Work on your people skills. Try to start conversations with people you don't know very well at church, then branch out to people outside church, then to strangers.
4. I would reccomend reading "Jesus the Christ" "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" "Our Search for Happiness" and "the Miracle of Forgiveness" These all were very helpful on my mission.
5. I wouldn't worry too much about being in shape. Exercise is good, and keep it up. But do not become obsessive. I knew a few Elders who spent more time working out than studying. Don't let that happen.
6. Remember to have fun. This goes without saying for most people. But there are quite a few missionaries out there that could not relax. You'll be around 19-25 year old guys for the next two years. Make life-long friends.
7. Learn to keep a journal. You'll want to have a record of your mission to look back on. It is very important to be in the habit. Learn to write not only what happened during the day, but what you learned, thoughts you had, etc.
8. Get a good camera. Digital cameras were just coming out when I served, so I had the film kind. Take lots and lots of pictures. You can always throw away bad ones, you can never bring back the ones you missed.
9. Learn to control your temper (I'm not saying that you have one) Bible-bashing will get you nowhere. It took me way too long to realize that without the Spirit, it doesn't matter if you win an argument. Do not be afraid to bear testimony, agree to disagree, and walk away. Being contentious will cause too many problems.
10. Obey, obey obey. Every blessing comes from obedience to a law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 120:21) I've come to the conclusion that the reason that missionaries have so many rules is because they need so many blessings. The more you obey, the greater you'll be blessed.
Anyway, those are my suggestions. Congrats again on the upcoming baptism. Good luck.
2007-10-01 17:57:16 · answer #3 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations and welcome. You've gotten some very good ideas.
First and foremost that I would tell you, remember that Faith is the first key to lots of things. You may not understand why you need to do something, but always have faith that He knows what he's doing.
Second - be obedient in all things, follow the rules to the best of your ability, they are there to protect you.
READ the Book of Mormon, more than once, and the bible.
There is a book out there that is called the Missionary Pal (it's a little black book) it's an excellent resource for scriptures on many topics.
True to the Faith - get a copy and read it.
Once again, Congratulations.
If you have any further need for advice or just want to talk about any topic - email me and I'll do what I can to answer.
2007-10-02 11:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by Storm Duck 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a fanny pack for your scriptures (especially for a hot climate). Otherwise your back gets soaking wet with a back pack.
Don't do too much shopping until after you've gotten your call.
Read up on where your going (like last 100 years of history, etc) so you can talk to all ages about different topics.
Buy Doc Martins
Learn how to cook a few things with basic, inexpensive ingredients (rice, potatoes, pasta).
I played the Guitar a bit, and wish that I would have known 3 or 4 songs well. I knew parts of about 30 songs.
Know that Satan will throw all kinds of stuff at you as you get ready. Expect it and be ready for it.
Spend time on your knees developing a better relationship with God.
Pray to help recognize the spirit. Look for it DAILY.
Keep a journal, and write in it as you read your scriptures.
Study the basics of the Gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism.
Get into some good institute classes if they're available where you're at.
Congratulations, and good luck as you continue to prepare.
2007-10-02 19:59:38 · answer #5 · answered by Ender 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I did not serve a full-time mission. But...
-Take the next year to get healthy. Don't obsess about being Mr. America or like that. Be healthy, physically fit, make good food choices, get some exercise, and like that.
-Take this next year to go to Institute and learn all that you can about the Gospel.
-Develop, work on and strengthen your testimony.
-Learn another language...if you can. Just pick one and start working on it. It's okay if you start Japanese and get sent to Peru...you have started stimulating a part of your brain which you would need to learn the language anyhow.
-There is an issue of The New Era which talks about preparing for a mission. It's so good! If you can score yourself a copy of that (maybe from your ward library?) then take the opportunity to read it.
-Go do baptisms for the dead, if you are able. That is a really wonderful opportunity for a new member to get to go to the temple and feel the Spirit in the House of the Lord.
-My husband has his mission books: Teach My Gospel, Jesus the Christ, Articles of Faith, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder (I LOVE that book!). Also, the Miracle of Forgiveness is a must-read. Pretty much anything authored by the Prophet or one of the Twelve is a good read. I love Pres Hinckley's book Standing For Something.
-Keep your journal.
Congratulations on your upcoming baptism! Keep your goal in sight and you will certainly acheive it.
2007-10-01 17:28:10 · answer #6 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on your decision. I admire that. As far as preparing for a mission, I recommend the following:
1. Gain a firm testimony of the Savior.
2. Gain a firm testimony of the restored church.
3. Learn the scripture mastery verses from seminary, and memorize them.
4. Study the Bible and the Book of Mormon (in their entirety, if time allows).
5. Stay worthy, and repent completely if necessary.
6. Begin sharing the gospel with others now.
7. Get an understanding of the most common concerns people have about Mormonism, and learn how to resolve these concerns (you're getting good practice at this already from Yahoo! Answers). Memorize scriptures, especially from the Bible, that help to resolve these concerns.
8. Recommended reading: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder (LeGrand Richards), The Great Apostasy (James Talmage), Preach My Gospel (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), What I Wish I'd Known Before My Mission (John Bytheway).
9. Learn how to sew with just a needle and thread, how to fix a flat bicycle tire, how to eat food you don't like.
10. Be prepared to work hard, to leave your comfort zone, to be yelled at or attacked, and to feel the Spirit like you've never felt it before!
2007-09-30 18:36:39 · answer #7 · answered by all star 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Hugest congratulations on your upcoming baptism, and how wonderful that you have already decided to serve a mission! You will have a fantastic time (they all do) but it will be lots of hard work and very discouraging at times.
You've had some great advice from other answerers already (apart from the usual stupid anti-Mormon brigade) so I'll only add that it really is worth asking your ward librarian for a copy of that New Era about serving a mission. I think it is also available from distribution. It came out about February this year.
2007-10-02 20:25:34 · answer #8 · answered by sunnyannie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congrats! As a former Missionary Training Center Instructor, I can tell you that the first thing you will want to do is study both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, alot. I can reccommend getting a list of "Scripture Mastery" materials from your bishop or seminary teacher and starting by learning those very well. I also reccommend making sure that you get a Home Teaching assignment, as that opportunity to teach each month will give you priceless experience. As an MTC teacher, it was always evident which missionaries had prepared themselves by fulfilling other assignments in the church.
I loved my mission, and the decision to go was one of the greatest in my life. It has impacted me in such a positive way that I have never once had any regrets about it. I am excited for you.
2007-09-30 14:09:24 · answer #9 · answered by alwaysa(ducky)bridesmaid 4 · 10⤊ 1⤋
The exercise part is good.
One book I would recommend is "The Book of Mormon; Key to Conversion" (or something like that) by Glen(n?) L. Pearson. I don't know if it's still in print, but it's a small book, easily read in a day or two, but it's invaluable for talking to those with anti-Mormon ideas, who sincerely want to debate (not argue).
What I would do, if you can afford it, is get GospeLink from Deseret books. EVERY book you would ever want to read to go on a mission is in there! Invaluable!!
2007-10-01 11:25:15 · answer #10 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
If you have not even been baptized yet it is a bit early to be talking about going on a mission. Cross each bridge as you get to it. You must drink milk before you can eat meat.
2007-10-03 03:51:50 · answer #11 · answered by sinned 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋