Mormon Mission Prep Webinar:

Gearing Up to ServeOne of a series of webinars on Missionary Preparation by Jimmy Smith

of MormonMissionPrep.com. Other Webinars:

-Gaining the Desire to Serve-Preparing to Serve

-Receiving the Call to Serve

View recordings at www.MormonMissionPrep.com/webinar

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Before We Begin

• This webinar is being recorded• Q&A Etiquette

– Ask a question at any time during the presentation– Please mute your line if you aren’t asking a question

• You can click on the links within the slide presentation– For example, click here to go to MormonMissionPrep.com

• What this webinar is not– It is not an official presentation of the LDS Church– It is not the Church Mission Prep class offered by wards,

stakes, and LDS Institute programs

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Introduction to Jimmy

• Working for the LDS Church since 2008– Currently website product

manager for Seminary and Institute

• In 2009 started MormonMissionPrep.com

• Graduate of BYU and ASU

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Served mission in Rosario, Argentina from 1995 to 1997

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Theodoroy Family. Rosario, Argentina. May 1997

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Baptism of Maria Ines Theodoroy. Rosario, Argentina. May 1997

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AgendaGearing Up to Serve

• Gearing Up Physically– What to bring on your mission?

• Luggage, Clothing, Reading Material, Etc.

– Skills to bring: Cooking and Laundry• Gearing Up Spiritually– Your purpose as a missionary– The MTC– Open Your Mouth– The Gift of Tongues– Teaching by the Spirit

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What to Bring on Your Mission

• For two years you’ll fit all your belongings into three pieces of luggage– Two large suitcases (that you could check at the airport) – One smaller bag (a carry-on)

• You’ll have to keep it to the essentials such as:– Clothes and Shoes– Toiletries– Rain and cold weather gear– Sheets and Books– Watch/ Alarm clock– First aid kit

• Variations exist between missions• Mission call letter will provide more details

– See my article on LDS Missionary Clothing List and Other Items to Bring on Your Mission

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Mission Clothing List: Elders• 10 – 12 White shirts (some short sleeve

and some long sleeve)• 2 Suits (dark colored and conservative)• 5 – 6 Pair of dress slacks• 5 – 6 Conservative ties• 8 – 10 Socks (solid, dark colors)• 2 Pairs of shoes (thick-soled,

comfortable, conservative)• 8 – 10 Pairs of temple garments• Pajamas, robe, and slippers, as needed• Winter boots, waterproof, as needed• Overcoat, dark colored, with liner, as

needed• Raincoat, dark colored, lightweight• Cold-weather gear (gloves, scarf, ear-

muffs, winter hat, thermals) as needed

• Sweater(s), solid dark color, as needed

• Umbrella• Pair of flip-flops/shower shoes• Shaving equipment• Deodorant and other toiletries• Work clothes and gym clothes (jeans,

t-shirt, shorts, athletic shoes, etc.)• Small first-aid kit, and sewing kit• Alarm clock (wind-up or battery)• 2 Towels, washcloths• Twin-size bed sheets with pillowcase• Backpack• Sunscreen and lip balm, as needed

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Mission Clothing List: Sisters• 4 – 5 Outfits of modest design: blouses,

skirts, dresses, jackets, vests, jumpers, suits. Mid-calf length. Nothing tight-fitting, or baggy; no wrap-around skirts, t-shirts, polo-shirts, denims, or leathers.

• 12 Pairs of nylons or knee-highs• 2 – 3 Pairs of shoes that are conservative

and comfortable• 1 Pair of dress shoes• 1 Pair of winter boots• 8 – 10 Pairs of temple garments• Personal toiletries• Underclothing, modest and durable.• Pajamas, robe, and slippers, as needed• Dark winter coat

• Raincoat, dark colored, lightweight • Cold-weather gear (gloves, scarf, ear-

muffs, winter hat, thermals) as needed• Sweater(s), as needed• Umbrella• Pair of flip-flops/shower shoes• Work clothes and gym clothes (jeans, t-

shirt, shorts, athletic shoes, etc.)• Small first-aid kit, and sewing kit• Alarm clock (wind-up or battery)• 2 Towels, washcloths• Twin-size bed sheets with pillowcase• Backpack• Sunscreen and lip balm, as needed

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Approved Missionary Reading List• The Scriptures and Church study aids• The Preach My Gospel Manual• Official Church magazines (The Ensign, Liahona, etc.)• Other lesson manuals and official Church materials• The Church News• The Missionary Reference Library

– Jesus the Christ, by James E. Talmage– Our Heritage: A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints– Our Search for Happiness, By M. Russell Ballard– True to the Faith

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Skills to Bring with You: Cooking

• In some places, missionaries get fed dinner everyday

• In other places, you may never be fed a meal• In my mission, it was a mix• My advice: Know how to cook

– Pancakes and French toast• Breakfast cereal may not be available in your

mission (it was rare in Argentina)

– Pasta, hamburgers, pizza, cookies, salad, soup, sandwiches, etc.

• In the picture I am cooking some crepes, a family tradition passed down from my dad who went to France

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“Teach your son how to cook”

• “An anxious mother of a prospective missionary once asked me what I would recommend her son learn before the arrival of his missionary call. I am certain she anticipated a profound response which would contain the more familiar requirements for service of which we are all aware. However, I said, ‘Teach your son how to cook, but more particularly, teach him how to get along with others. He will be happier and more productive if he learns these two vital skills.’”– Thomas S. Monson,

Who Honors God, God Honors

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Skills to Bring with You: Laundry• Prior to my mission, I thought I knew how to do laundry

– I could separate lights from darks, load the washing machine, put in soap, turn it on, and then switch the clothes to the dryer

• No apartment in my mission had a washing machine or dryer– In some of my areas, we paid someone to wash our clothes– In half of my areas, we washed our own clothes, by hand

• My first companion taught me the wash board method of laundry

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AgendaGearing Up to Serve

• Gearing Up Physically– What to bring on your mission?

• Luggage, Clothing, Reading Material, Etc.

– Skills to bring: Cooking and Laundry• Gearing Up Spiritually– Your purpose as a missionary– The MTC– Open Your Mouth– The Gift of Tongues– Teaching by the Spirit

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Your Purpose as a Missionary

The top of page 1 of the missionary guide book, Preach My Gospel, states your purpose:• Invite others to come unto

Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

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Preach the Gospel to Every Creature• Jesus Christ commanded his Apostles: “Go ye into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)• Joseph Smith said, “After all that has been said, the greatest

and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”• The Lord’s commandment to missionaries in our day:

– “The sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (D&C 58:64)

– “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature that cometh under the sound of your voice.” (D&C 80:1)

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Why Do We Do Missionary Work?“We do not preach and teach in order to “bring people into the Church” or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. …We are concerned with a higher destination. The purpose of our missionary work is to help the children of God fulfill a condition prescribed by our Savior and Redeemer. We preach and teach in order to baptize the children of God so that they can be saved in the celestial kingdom instead of being limited to a lesser kingdom. We do missionary work in order to baptize and confirm.”

– Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Why Do We Do Missionary Work?

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The Missionary Training Center (MTC)• You’ll go to one of 17 MTCs across the world to learn:

– Gospel doctrines– How to teach by the Spirit– Communication skills (a foreign language for some)– The mission rules

• Every day you will have a rigorous schedule– Classes, Exercise, Meal Time, Scripture Study, etc.

• Once a week you’ll go to the temple• Once a week you have a devotional by a General Authority• You’ll have weekly service (“celestial service”) cleaning toilets, mopping, etc.

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MTC Services• Cafeteria: Three healthy meals a day are served• Laundry: Washers and dryers are available. You must purchase you own detergent• Dry cleaning: Rates are reasonable. Suit alterations are available for a fee.• Bookstore: Learning materials, book bags, toiletries, white shirts, treats, etc.• Barbershop: Elders are entitled to one free haircut. A beautician is available for paid

appointments for Sister missionaries.• Copy center: Photocopies, laminating, and bounding• Mail: Missionaries can receive letters and packages through the mail, but MTC will

not accept hand deliveries.• Banking services: Cash checks and buy travelers’ checks• Medical services: Immunizations are available. Health needs can be treated. Doctors

are on call for emergencies.

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Three Ways to Open Your Mouth

• Once you leave the MTC, your charge is to open your mouth at all times and te

• Door Knocking– Probably the most common, but also

among the least effective• Bus Contacting– Depending on your mission circumstances

• Street Contacting– Talking to people in everyday situations,

wherever you are

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Open Your Mouth:A Commandment to Missionaries

• D&C 24:12, to Oliver Cowdery the Lord says, “At all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night.”

• D&C 28:16, to Oliver Cowdery the Lord says, “And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing.”

• D&C 30:11, to John Whitmer the Lord says, “Yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you.”

• D&C 60:2, to the elders of the Church the Lord says, “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man.”

• D&C 71:1, to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon the Lord says, “it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel.”

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Opened Your Mouthand It Shall be Filled

• “Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.” (D&C 100: 5-6)

• Almost everyone baptism was from simply opening my mouth

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Everyone Shall Hear the Gospel in Their Own Tongue

• In a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1833, the Lord said:• “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear

the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power.” (D&C 90:11)

• If you have been called to learn a foreign language, the Lord will bless you with this power

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Receiving the Gift of Tongues• Gift of tongues is one of the many gifts of the

Spirit (see 1Cor 12: 7-10)• President Joseph F. Smith received the gift of

tongues when, as a young man, he went on a mission to the Hawaiian Islands

• “I was in a foreign land, sent to preach the gospel to a people whose language I could not understand. Then I sought earnestly for the gift of tongues, and by this gift and by study, in a hundred days after landing upon those islands I could talk to the people in their language as I now talk to you in my native tongue.” – Gospel Doctrine, Deseret Book Co., 1939, p. 201

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Tips (for current and future missionaries) on learning a language

• Steven R. Wright, one time director of language training at the MTC, said, “be sure to do these three things: study the language regularly and faithfully, use the language whenever possible, and seek divine assistance.”

• Here are his additional suggestions:– Take a language class (at school, or online, etc.) This will help you

learn how to learn a foreign language.– Speak the language. Practice with friends who also speak the

language. Find native speakers to help you where possible. – Learn about the people and culture. Visit with someone who is from

the country or who has been there. – Study vocabulary. Buy a dictionary, label objects in your home, and

practice until the words become yours.

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My Experience Learning a New Language

• My first 3 months in Argentina, I got up an hour early every day to study the language and the discussions

• Throughout mission, always kept a note pad with me to write down new words

• Speaking Spanish 24/7 with several native Argentine companions helped

• Towards the end of my mission, it sometimes took people a couple of minutes to realize I wasn’t a “porteño” (someone from Buenos Aires, Argentina)

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The Language of the Spirit

• President Thomas S. Monson taught:• “There is one language . . . that is common to

each missionary—the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization. The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart.”– The Spirit Giveth Life, Ensign, June 1997

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Teaching by the Spirit

• President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Spirit is the most important single element in this work. With the Spirit magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field. Without the Spirit, you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability.”– See Preach My Gospel, 176

• We must not put our trust in our own intelligence, teaching expertise, or personality

• Rather, we should trust in the Lord and strive for the influence of the Holy Ghost– See 2 Nephi 4:34

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Teaching by the Spirit is Vital for Effective Missionary Work

• The Preach My Gospel manual points out five reasons why missionaries should teach by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit will…1. Teach you new truths and bring the doctrines you have studied to

your remembrance (see John 14:26).2. Give you words to speak in the very moment you need them (see

D&C 84:85).3. Carry your message to the hearts of the people you teach (see 2

Nephi 33:1).4. Testify of the truthfulness of your message and confirm your

words (see D&C 100:5–8).5. Help you discern the needs of the people you are teaching (see

Alma 12:7).

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Tips for being preparedto teach by the Spirit

• Daily personal and companion study strengthens your faith and your ability to teach by the Spirit.

• Pray for the Spirit (see D&C 42:14)• Purify your heart (see D&C 112:28)• Keep the commandments (see D&C 20:77, 79)• Diligently treasure up God’s word (see D&C 11:21; 84:85)• Teach in ways that others understand your message and are edified (see

D&C 50:13–22)• Exercise faith (see Moroni 10:7)

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Juan Carlos Lopez and his mother. Rosario, Argentina. Jan 1997

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Baptism of Juan Carlos Lopez. Rosario, Argentina. Feb 1997

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Any Questions?

• Video recordings of all Mormon Mission Prep webinars are available at MormonMissionPrep.com/Webinar– Gaining the Desire to Serve– Preparing to Serve– Receiving the Call to Serve– Gearing Up to Serve