Mission Prep Class: Lesson 6: Preparing for Life as a Missionary

Missionary Preparation Class
Lesson 6
Preparing for Life as a
Missionary
www.LatterDaySaintMissionPrep.com
Welcome to Our
Lesson 6: Preparing for Life as a
Missionary

Lesson 6
Missionary
About the Class Instructor
• My name is Jimmy Smith
• Founder of Latter-day Saint Mission Prep website
• I live in Texas in the United States
• I served my mission to Argentina, 1995-1997

Lesson 6
Missionary
About this Mission Prep Class
• Following the Church’s
Missionary Preparation
Teacher Manual
• Teaching my two teenage
children and record the
lessons for others to enjoy
• This video, my website, and
other content I create is
NOT a publication of The
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints

Lesson 6
Missionary
Before We Begin: Make Sure You
Have a Way to Take Notes

Lesson 6
Missionary
Review of Previous Lessons
The Missionary Purpose—to Invite
Others to Come Unto Christ
Lesson 1:
Our Need for the Atonement of Jesus
Christ
Lesson 2:
Learning by the Spirit of God
.
Lesson 3:
Teaching by the Spirit of God
.
Lesson 4:
The Role of the Book of Mormon in
Missionary Work
Lesson 5:

Lesson 6
Missionary
Introduction to Today’s Lesson
• In what ways do you expect your lifestyle to change
when you begin your service as a missionary?
Rigorous daily
schedule
Less
communication
with family and
friends
Daily scripture
study
Living in far off
place
No worldly
movies/music
Social media for
missionary work
only
Weekly service
projects
Rules for
conservative dress
and grooming
• Ponder: What can you begin doing now to prepare
for those lifestyle changes? More on this at the end.

Lesson 6
Missionary
“What can I do to prepare most effectively
to serve as a full-time missionary?”
• “The single most important thing you can do to prepare
for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before
you go on a mission. …We often speak of going ...on a
mission. Let me be so bold as to suggest that our rather
routine emphasis on going misses the mark. …The issue is
not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a
missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all
of our heart, might, mind, and strength. It is possible for
a young man to go on a mission and not become a
missionary, and this is not what the Lord requires or what
the Church needs.”
Elder David A. Bednar,
“Becoming a Missionary,”
Ensign, Nov. 2005

Lesson 6
Missionary
“What can I do to prepare most effectively
to serve as a full-time missionary?”
• “My earnest hope …is that you will not simply go on a
mission—but that you will become missionaries long
before you submit your mission papers. …Obviously, the
process of becoming a missionary does not require a
young man to wear a white shirt and tie to school every
day or to follow the missionary guidelines for going to
bed and getting up. …But you can increase in your desire
to serve God, and you can begin to think as missionaries
think, to read what missionaries read, to pray as
missionaries pray, and to feel what missionaries feel.
…Here a little and there a little, you can gradually
become the missionary you hope to be and the
missionary the Savior expects.”
Elder David A. Bednar,
“Becoming a Missionary,”
Ensign, Nov. 2005

Lesson 6
Missionary
My MTC Transition Experience and
Being “Spiritually Minded”
• Some fellow missionaries
struggled in the MTC
• I thoroughly and honestly
enjoyed it very much
• “to be spiritually minded is
life and peace” Rom 8:6
• “to be spiritually-minded is
life eternal” 2 Ne. 9:39

Lesson 6
Missionary
The Sons of Mosiah - Mission to
the Lamanites
• As we read these description of the sons of Mosiah in
Alma 17: 2-3, make note of what they did to prepare.
• “They had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth;
for they were men of a sound understanding and they
had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might
know the word of God.”
• “But this is not all; they had given themselves to much
prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of
prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they
taught, they taught with power and authority of God.”
Image used by permission
from the Gospel Media library
on churchofjesuschrist.org

Lesson 6
Missionary
the Lamanites
• As we read these description of the sons of Mosiah in Alma
17:9, make note of what they did to prepare.
• “And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the
wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the
Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with
them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument
in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their
brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the
knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers,
which were not correct.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
the Lamanites
• As we read these description of the sons of Mosiah in
Alma 17:11, make note of what they did to prepare.
• “And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the
Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye
shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye
may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I
will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the
salvation of many souls.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
Discuss / Ponder
• How can prospective missionaries follow the example
of the sons of Mosiah as they prepare to become
missionaries now?

Lesson 6
Missionary
What are Missionaries Expected to
Devote and What to Leave Behind
• “As you devote your time
and attention to serving
the Lord, leaving behind
all other personal affairs,
the Lord will bless you
with increased
knowledge and
testimony of the
Restoration and of the
truths of the gospel of
Jesus Christ.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
Discuss / Ponder
• Missionaries are expected to leave behind all
personal affairs in order to devote their full time and
attention to serving the Lord.
• What are examples of personal affairs that
missionaries are asked to leave behind?
Job School
Boyfriend /
Girlfriend
Family
Friends Entertainment Hobbies
Sports /
Athletics

Lesson 6
Missionary
Discuss Sacrifices and Blessings
of Mission Service
• Missionaries give up a lot in order to spread the
gospel message and blessing come from that sacrifice
to serve God.
• What are some blessings missionaries receive?
Joy
Testimony
Growth
Learn
Leadership
Humility
Gain New
Friends
Forgiveness
of Sins
Increased
Faith
Be Closer to
God
Gospel
Knowledge
Peace of
Conscience

Lesson 6
Missionary
Preparing to Be a Missionary: God’s
Servants to Must Be Clean
• D&C 88: 74 “And I give unto you, who are the first
laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that
you assemble yourselves together, and organize
yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify
yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your
hands and your feet before me, that I may make you
clean;”

Lesson 6
Missionary
The Standard of Worthiness
• “I call upon you to begin right now—tonight—to be fully
and completely worthy. Resolve and commit to
yourselves and to God that from this moment forward
you will strive diligently to keep your hearts, hands, and
minds pure and unsullied from any kind of moral
transgression. Resolve to avoid pornography as you
would avoid the most insidious disease, for that is
precisely what it is. Resolve to completely abstain from
tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Resolve to be honest.
Resolve to be good citizens and to abide by the laws of
the land in which you live. Resolve that from this night
forward you will never defile your body or use language
that is vulgar and unbecoming.”
Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The
Greatest Generation of
Missionaries,” Ensign, Nov. 2002

Lesson 6
Missionary
Discuss / Ponder
• The Lord counsel His laborers to sanctify themselves,
purify their hearts, and cleanse their hands.
• What do these verbs mean in this context: Sanctify?
Purify? Cleanse?
• Elder Ballard counseled future missionaries to stay
“unsullied from any kind of moral transgression.”
• What common worthiness issues did he then
mention?

Lesson 6
Missionary
If you have any concerns about
worthiness, seek guidance from God in
prayer and discuss it with your bishop

Lesson 6
Missionary
The demands of missionary work
fall into several categories:
Evenings and weekends that used to be relaxing are now
your busiest times.
Schedule
You may be on your feet 11–12 hours a day, walking,
biking, climbing stairs, and standing.
Physical
You may get homesick or become discouraged in the face
rejection. You may worry about family and friends when
you are not there to help them.
Emotional
You may not like your companion. You are expected to
talk to strangers, interact with Church members, and
learn to love investigators.
Social
You may be learning a new language. You will need to
master lessons and scriptures, acquire teaching skills, and
resolve concerns that arise.
Intellectual
You will stretch to strengthen your testimony, resist
temptation, and learn to feel and recognize the Spirit.
Spiritual

Lesson 6
Missionary
Physical and Emotional Preparation
• “Bishops and stake
presidents have the
serious responsibility to
identify worthy, qualified
members who are
spiritually, physically, and
emotionally prepared for
this sacred service and
who can be
recommended without
reservation” (First
Presidency letter, Dec. 11,
2002).

Lesson 6
Missionary
Regular / Daily Exercise and
Healthy Eating Habits
• “A missionary who is out of shape will be fatigued by
missionary work, and a tired missionary is more open to
discouragement and health concerns. …Prepare for the rigors
of missionary life by establishing a regular pattern of aerobic
exercise.”
• Also “Young people should learn to enjoy meals consisting of
protein and fiber, such as lean meat, yogurt, vegetables, and
fruit.”
• Donald B. Doty, “Missionary Health Preparation,” Ensign, Mar. 2007

Lesson 6
Missionary
Ponder
• If a missionary is not physically fit, it can effect the
progress of the work, the missionary’s companion,
and the missionary’s own well-being.
• How would you describe your current physical
preparation to serve a mission?
• What are some things you can do now to prepare to
meet the demands of a full-time mission?

Lesson 6
Missionary
• Daily exercise with Elder Wasden
• Tracking how physical endurance improved each day
• Miracle of Human body

Lesson 6
Missionary
Mental and emotional challenges
are a normal part of missionary life
• All missionaries experience some degree of feeling stress,
homesickness, inadequacy, sorrow, or other emotions
that may weigh them down
• Jeremiah 1:4–9. Jeremiah was afraid that the people
would not listen to him because he was too young
• Alma 17:5; 26:27. Ammon and his fellow missionaries
felt depressed and were ready to quit
• Moses 6:31–32. Enoch worried no one would listen to
him because he was slow of speech
• Gordon B. Hinckley, as a new missionary, was
discouraged and wondered if he was wasting his time

Lesson 6
Missionary
Learning to Deal with Discouragement
Is Common Among Missionaries
• “Almost all missionaries experience emotional or
physical challenges. Therefore, missionaries should
learn how to deal with stress in a healthy and
mission-appropriate way. Often, healthy ways to deal
with stress that are effective outside of the mission
field, such as spending time alone, listening to music,
or playing sports, are not feasible for missionaries on
a regular basis. Missionaries must learn to deal with
stress in ways that comply with mission rules.”
• From Missionary Preparation Teacher Manual
• How might knowing that all missionaries face
challenges affect how you prepare to serve?

Lesson 6
Missionary
You may feel eager for the challenge. You may feel an
increased sense of purpose and allegiance to Heavenly
Father.
You may begin to miss home, family, and friends and
even question your decision to serve. You may notice
physical manifestations of stress, such as disturbed
sleep, appetite changes, or irritability. Please know
that these feelings are normal and will pass in time.
Your teaching and language skills begin to improve.
You learn to willingly comply with mission rules. You
display patience with yourself as you learn and your
physical symptoms of stress begin to diminish.
You feel comfortable navigating the daily routine. You
recognize your personal strengths and progress.
In New Situations, People Often Go
through 4 Stages of Adjustment
1.1.
Anticipation
1.2.
Unexpected
Discoveries
1.3. “I Can
Do This”
1.4.
Emotional
Self-
Reliance

Lesson 6
Missionary
Look to the Lord for Help with
Challenges
• Nephi faced feelings of
inadequacy and
discouragement and wrote
about what he did to
overcome those feelings.
• As we read, pay attention the
words or phrases Nephi used
to describe his weaknesses.
• Then look for the things that
helped Nephi overcome his
discouragement.

Lesson 6
Missionary
Nephi Describes His Short Comings
• 2 Nephi 4: 17-19
• “O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth
because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of
mine iniquities.”
• “I am encompassed about, because of the
temptations and the sins which do so easily beset
me.”
• “And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth
because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I
have trusted.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
Things that Helped Nephi
Overcome His Discouragement
• 2 Nephi 4: 20-24
• “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through
mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved
me upon the waters of the great deep.”
• “He hath filled me with his love, even unto the
consuming of my flesh.”
• “He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of
them to quake before me.”
• “Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given
me knowledge by visions in the night-time.”
• “And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before
him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels
came down and ministered unto me.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
Discuss / Ponder
• What some of the things Nephi did to overcome his
deep negative feelings?
• How has remembering the Lord and His goodness
helped you during times of discouragement or
stress?

Lesson 6
Missionary
God will Help You Manage the
Demands of Missionary Life
• “I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy,
nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that
continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to
require some effort, something from the depths of
our soul. If He could come forward in the night, kneel
down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and
cry, ‘Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it
pass,’ then little wonder that salvation is not a
whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there
isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are
not the first one to ask that.”
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Missionary
Work and the Atonement,”
Ensign, Mar. 2001

Lesson 6
Missionary
God will Help You Manage the
Demands of Missionary Life
• “The Atonement will carry the missionaries. …When
you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are
spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a
byword, you are standing with the best life this world
has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever
lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful
that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about
your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to
salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary.
The only way to eternity is through Him—the Way,
the Truth, and the Life”
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Missionary
Work and the Atonement,”
Ensign, Mar. 2001

Lesson 6
Missionary
When We Labor to Bring Others unto
Christ, the Lord Blesses Us with Joy
• Alma 29: 10 “And behold, when I
see many of my brethren truly
penitent, and coming to the Lord
their God, then is my soul filled
with joy; then do I remember
what the Lord has done for me,
yea, even that he hath heard my
prayer; yea, then do I remember
his merciful arm which he
extended towards me.”

Lesson 6
Missionary
When We Labor to Bring Others unto
Christ, the Lord Blesses Us with Joy
• D&C 18: 15-16 “And if it so be that you should labor
all your days in crying repentance unto this people,
and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great
shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my
Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one
soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom
of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should
bring many souls unto me!”
Image used by permission from the Gospel Media library on churchofjesuschrist.org

Lesson 6
Missionary
What to Do if Your Companion Has
Emotional or Mental Health Issues
Listen
• Listen and show love and support to the companion
Will Power is Not Enough
• Never suggest that if a struggling missionary just tried harder or
had more faith the challenges would go away
Talk to Your Priesthood Leader
• Suggest they discuss their situations with the mission president
Get Help from Medical Professionals
• Some challenges require help from mental health professionals,
which is available to all missionaries

Lesson 6
Missionary
Showing Love and Support for Your
Companion

Lesson 6
Missionary
What Can You Do Now to Start
Preparing for Life as a Missionary?
Study the Book of Mormon and pray every day
Have away-from-home experiences of independence
Attend all church meetings
Exercise daily and eat healthy
Cut back on use of electronic devices
Strive to be clean and obedient to the commandments
Go to bed before 10:30 p.m. and get up by 6:30 a.m.

Lesson 6
Missionary
Conclusion and Homework
• Make a plan for how to prepare yourself with the
spiritual, physical, and emotional stamina needed to
be a successful missionary.
• Write your plan in your journal or elsewhere
• Church Talks and Videos
• “Becoming a Missionary,” by Elder David A. Bednar,
Ensign, November 2005
• Video “Stay within the Lines” on Church Youth website
• Video “Preparation of Gordon B. Hinckley: Forget Yourself
and Go to Work” on churchofjesuschrist.org

Lesson 6
Missionary
Thank You for Watching or Listening
• I have a testimony that these things are true
• Visit the Latter-day Saint Mission Prep Website at
• www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Mission Prep Class: Lesson 6: Preparing for Life as a Missionary

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Mission Prep Class: Lesson 6: Preparing for Life as a Missionary