Prospective Missionary Devotional

Prospective Missionary Devotional Jordan Willows Stake January 23, 2014

Agenda • Temporal and Spiritual Preparation: • Requirements to serve a mission • Spiritual prep and testimony • Worthiness • Physical prep and finances • Mental and emotional prep • Greatest generation of missionaries • The Mission Call Process: • The lower age and knowing when you are ready • Starting the paperwork • The forms, medical and dental • Interviews with priesthood leaders • Receiving the call letter • Called by God through living prophets • Getting Ready to Go: • Patriarchal blessing • Priesthood Advancement • Temple endowment • Speaking in sacrament • Setting Apart • The MTC • Missionary rules • Adjusting to missionary life

Scriptural Qualificationsfor Missionary Work D&C Section 4 • Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. • Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. • Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; • For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; • And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. • Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. • Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

Requirements to Serve a Mission • Spiritual Requirements • Have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ • Be worthy • Receive the Temple Endowment (and Melchizedek Priesthood ordination for young men) • Temporal Requirements • Age requirements: 18 for YM. 19 for YW. • Be physically prepared • Be financially prepared • Be mentally and emotionally prepared

Basic Doctrines of the Restored Gospel • Three of the first things you will teach investigators: • The Godhead • Joseph Smith and Living Prophets • The Book of Mormon • It is vital that you study these doctrines and gain your own testimony of their truthfulness in order to be effective

The Godhead: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost • “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” • First Article of Faith • Joseph Smith taught that in order to exercise faith in God one must have “a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.” • See Lectures on Faith • God the Father • Father of our spirits. Perfect. Merciful. Kind. • Jesus Christ • Savior. Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Sinless life. Performed the infinite Atonement. • The Holy Ghost • Comforter. Testifies of truth. Bears witness of God.

Joseph Smith and Living Prophets • 1820. Joseph Smith’s First Vision • God the Father and Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph in response to his prayer (see Joseph Smith-History 1:15-20) • 1827. Joseph received the gold plates and began translating the Book of Mormon • 1829. Aaronic Priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist • Melchizedek Priesthood was also restored when they were given it by the Apostles Peter, James, and John • 1830. The Church was organized • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30) • The President of the Church is our living prophet • The members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are also prophets, seers, and revelators (see D&C 1:38)

The Book of Mormon • Is powerful evidence of the divinity of Jesus Christ • Is proof that Joseph Smith was a true prophet • Is an essential part of the conversion process • Is a missionary’s main source for teaching the gospel • President Ezra Taft Benson said, “If the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was his prophet, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and it is being led today by a prophet receiving revelation” (A Witness and a Warning, 4–5).

What it Means to be Worthy to Serve a Mission • Believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost • Have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ • Have a testimony of the restored gospel • Sustain the President of the Church and the Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators • Be honest in all you say and do • Attend Church meetings • Live the teachings of our Savior and His Church • Live the law of chastity • Be a full-tithe payer • Keep the Word of Wisdom • Not support or affiliate with anti-Mormon groups • Resolved serious sins with priesthood authorities

The Law of Chastity:Keeping ourselves sexually pure “Satan has led many people to believe that sexual intimacy outside of marriage is acceptable. But in God’s sight, it is a serious sin…The prophet Alma taught that sexual sins are more serious than any other sins except murder and denying the Holy Ghost (Alma 39:3–5)…Heavenly Father has given us the law of chastity for our protection. Obedience to this law is essential to personal peace and strength of character and to happiness in the home. As you keep yourself sexually pure, you will avoid the spiritual and emotional damage that always come from sharing physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage.” (True to the Faith, p. 29)

The Repentance Process • Faith in God and Christ • Sorrow for committing the sin • Confession • Abandonment of Sin • Restitution • Righteous Living • See True to the Faith p. 132 • “Attempts to create a list of specific steps of repentance may be helpful to some, but it may also lead to a mechanical, check-off-the-boxes approach with no real feeling or change. True repentance is not superficial.” • The Divine Gift of Repentance, Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Being Physically Prepared • Missionaries are expected to be physically capable of working all day • This could mean walking or riding a bike several miles a day for six days a week • If you have a physical disability, injury, or illness that might limit your ability to do this work, discuss it with your bishop • In most cases there will still be ways for you to serve a full-time mission • Though where and how you serve may be restricted

Financially Prepared:Mission Cost • Missionaries pay their own expenses • $400 a month • That’s $9,600 for YM and $7,200 for YW • Monthly allowance according to needs • Covered: food, housing, transportation, etc. • Not Covered: souvenirs and other extras • Mission paperwork section • Sources of funds: Self, Family, Ward, etc. • All are blessed for making sacrifices to pay for a mission • Finances should not stop a worthy individual from serving a mission

Emotional Demands of Missionary Service • Speaking to future missionaries, Elder L. Tom Perry explained: • “Missionary service is emotionally demanding. Your support system is going to be withdrawn from you as you leave home and go out into the world. … There will be days of rejection and disappointment. Learn now about your emotional limits, and learn how to control your emotions under the circumstances you will face as a missionary.” • Raising the Bar, Ensign, Nov. 2007

Dealing with Discouragement and Stress • Ammon and his brothers, some of the greatest missionaries in the scriptures, got discouraged. • “Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.” Alma 26: 27

How Can Future Missionaries Prepare Themselves Emotionally? • Work part-time or full-time before the mission call • Live away from home for a period of time before leaving for the mission field • Practice meeting and talking to others • Resolve emotional concerns before submitting mission papers • Practice living a balanced life, live by a schedule, and keep appointments • Find appropriate outlets for stress (adequate rest, exercise) • Learn to view personal weaknesses with proper perspective • Learn to put trials in the proper perspective • See Preparing Emotionally for Missionary Service by Robert K. Wagstaff, Ensign, March 2011

The Greatest Generation of Missionaries “We look to you, my young brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood. We need you. ... We need you to be meticulously obedient and faithful, just as they were. What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries.” -M. Russell Ballard, The Greatest Generation of Missionaries

Young Men:Oh, how the Lord needs you! “We need you. Oh, how the Lord needs you! … My plea to you this morning for leadership has never been more critical in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than it is today. I now understand abundantly why the prophets have said that the Lord reserved for this last day some of his very choice spiritual sons and daughters. I understand why you have been reserved to come forth now: because he needs you. He needs you desperately in the building of his kingdom.” -M. Russell Ballard, You—the Leaders in 1988

President Kimball’s Landmark Address on Missionary Work “The question has been often asked, Is the mission program one of compulsion? And the answer, of course, is no. Everyone is given his free agency. The question is asked: Should every young man fill a mission? And the answer of the Church is yes, and the answer of the Lord is yes. Enlarging this answer we say: Certainly every male member of the Church should fill a mission, like he should pay his tithing, like he should attend his meetings, like he should keep his life clean and free from the ugliness of the world and plan a celestial marriage in the temple of the Lord.” -Spencer W. Kimball, Planning for a Full and Abundant Life

Every Prophet Since Then Has Repeated the Call

Lower Age and Knowing When You Are Ready • “I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances, as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available.” • Welcome to Conference, President Thomas S. Monson, October 2012

Mission Application Timeline Please Note: These times are approximate.

Mission Application Timeline • Please Note: Timing is approximate as, in reality, times will vary • First, determine your availability date. • This is the day you would like to start your mission • No sooner than the day you turn 18 (YM) or 19 (YW) • 5 months prior: Start the process • Meet with your bishop. Get the paperwork or login for website • 4 months prior: Submit the paperwork • The stake will send it to Church Headquarters • 3 months prior: Receive your call letter • It will have further preparation instructions specific to your mission • 2 months prior: Priesthood and Temple • Young men should be ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and office of an Elder • Go to the temple to receive your endowment

The Application Process Meet with Stake President Submit Paper Work Call Issued by Prophecy

Mission Application Form…The Paperwork • The Form: Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation • Online at lds.org/mss (get login from bishop) • Eight major sections: • Missionary Recommendation: Info about you • Priesthood Leaders’ Comments and Suggestions • Education and Service of Missionary Candidate • Unit Information for Missionary Candidate: Info about your ward/stake • Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate • Physician’s Health Evaluation • Dental Evaluation for Missionary Candidate • Personal Insurance Information of Missionary Candidate

The Divine Call of a MissionaryElder Ronald A. Rasband

Missionaries Are Called by God • Elder Ronald A. Rasband explains how missionaries are called by God through our prophets • "First, we knelt together in prayer." • Next "a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. " • Then they "study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary." • Next, they view "another screen which displayed areas and missions across the world.” • “Finally, as he was prompted by the Spirit, he would assign the missionary to his or her field of labor." • “It is by the great love of the Savior that His servants know where these wonderful … missionaries are to serve. I had a further witness that morning that every missionary called in this Church, and assigned or reassigned to a particular mission, is called by revelation from the Lord God Almighty.” • The Divine Call of a Missionary, April 2010

Day of the Week Mission Calls are Issued and Mailed Out • Many missionaries want to know the exact day they will receive their call in the mail • Sorry, but exactly predicting this is not possible • Day of the week the apostles meet • In most weeks, it is on Friday, but it can vary • Thursdays are the second most common day • Day the mission call letter gets mailed • Usually the call packets leave the Church mail room on Tuesday • Variation is due to individual missionary or mission circumstances, holiday schedules, etc. • Those living in or near Utah usually receive the call packet on Wednesday

What’s in the Mission Call Packet? • The Call Letter from the Prophet • Including the mission you’re assigned to and date to report to the MTC • A Letter from your Mission President • A Letter from the MTC President • General Instructions Checklist, including a list of clothing and other items to bring

I Will Go Where You Want Me to Go When you submit mission papers, you commit to going wherever the Lord sends you It may not be on the mountain height Or over the stormy sea, It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me. But if, by a still, small voice he calls To paths that I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: I’ll go where you want me to go. I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea; I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I’ll be what you want me to be. • Hymns, no. 270

“The Lord knows where He wants each missionary to serve.” • Story of Elder Misiego, from Madrid, Spain: • “We have a Father in Heaven, who knows us—our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and potential. He knows which mission president and companions and which members and investigators we need in order to become the missionary, the husband and father, and the priesthood holder we are capable of becoming. Prophets, seers, and revelators assign missionaries under the direction and influence of the Holy Ghost. Inspired mission presidents direct transfers every six weeks and quickly learn that the Lord knows exactly where He wants each missionary to serve.” • The Opportunity of a Lifetime, W. Christopher Waddell

Frequent Interviews with Priesthood Leaders • Bishops and Stake Presidents are encouraged to have frequent interviews with the prospective missionary throughout this process.

Patriarchal Blessings • Many receive a patriarchal blessing long before your mission • If not, make arrangements to get it when you begin your paperwork • Missionaries are required to receive a patriarchal blessing before they start their service • Patriarchal Blessings • Will help motivate many young men to serve • Will help many young women decide whether or not to serve

Patriarchal Blessings:“A Star to Follow” “Patriarchal blessings should be read humbly, prayerfully, and frequently. …It is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord; however, a person should not expect the blessing to detail all that will happen to him or her or to answer all questions. The fact that one’s patriarchal blessing may not mention an important event in life, such as a mission or marriage, does not mean that it will not happen. In order to receive the fulfillment of our patriarchal blessings, we should treasure in our hearts the precious words they contain, ponder them, and so live that we will obtain the blessings.” • From Priesthood Blessings by James E. Faust

Melchizedek Priesthood Advancement • Before young men go on their missions, they must be ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood • Young men who are graduated from high school can be ordained an Elder • Young men are given the Melchizedek Priesthoodbefore going to the temple • Both (temple and priesthood) must happen before arriving at the MTC

What to do to Prepare to Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood • Gain a testimony of the restoration of the priesthood • Study D&C 84, “a revelation on priesthood” • Particularly the oath and covenant (v33–44) • “For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies… And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.” • Learn the duties of an elder • D&C 20:38–45, 42:44, 46:2, 107:11–12 • Learn how to perform priesthood ordinances and blessings • See Church Handbook 2 or the Family Guidebook

Preparing to Go to the Temple • Before young men and women go on a mission, they receive the temple endowment • Usually, this happens after your call is received • President Howard W. Hunter taught, “Let us prepare every missionary to go to the temple worthily and to make that experience an even greater highlight than receiving the mission call” (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 88). • How can you prepare? • Live worthily • Take the Church Temple Preparation class from your ward or stake called Endowed from on High • Read the Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple Church booklet

Missionaries go to the Temple to be Endowed with Power from on High • “Going to the temple for your own endowment… [is] an integral part of your mission preparation …You cannot do this work alone. We have to have heaven’s help, we have to have the ‘gifts’ of God… This work is so serious and the adversary’s opposition to it so great that we need every divine power to enhance our effort and move the Church steadily forward” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apr. 25, 1997). • “Missionaries …are not fully qualified to go forth, preach the gospel, and build up the kingdom, unless they have the gift of the Holy Ghost and also are endowed with power from on high…[that is] given only in the Lord’s Temple… [The Lord] said this was so that they could go out with greater power from on high and with greater protection” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary)

Speaking in Sacrament Meeting • All departing missionaries are asked to speak in sacrament meeting prior to entering the mission field. • In 2002, President Hinckley announced that the tradition of turning sacrament meeting over to the family of the departing missionary needed to stop. • “The departing missionary will be given opportunity to speak in a sacrament meeting for 15 or 20 minutes. But parents and siblings will not be invited to do so. There might be two or more departing missionaries who speak in the same service. The meeting will be entirely in the hands of the bishop and will not be arranged by the family.” • To Men of the Priesthood, Oct 2002

Writing and Delivering a Talk • Impromptu sacrament meeting talks are a common request of missionaries • Knowing how to write and deliver a talk is an essential skill • Four elements a sacrament meeting talk should have: • Purpose: “Once a person has the purpose, the rest of the talk is easy.” An example purpose statement might be: “The purpose of my talk is to teach people how to recognize the power of faith in their own lives.” • Main Ideas: You will need two or three main ideas that support this purpose. One might be “Faith is the very motivating power that enables us to act.” Another main idea might be “I can increase faith by recognizing it in my life.” • Expansion: You can expand or validate the main ideas with stories, scriptures, or examples of faith (or whatever the topic is) in your life. • Testimony: Always end your talk by bearing testimony. “I would honestly evaluate how strongly I feel about the principle I am teaching and then testify about that principle.” • See article in BYU Magazine by Randy Bott calledHow to Write a Church Talk • And don’t forget to stay within the time given you

Being Set Apart as a Missionary • The stake president sets apart all missionaries • A missionary is set apart as close as possible to his or her departure date (usually a day or two prior to entering the MTC) • Before a missionary is set apart, the stake president conducts an interview to confirm the missionary’s worthiness • The setting apart should be a special occasion where family members and close friends may attend. • After being set apart, he or she is a missionary and should live by missionary standards

Mission Rules:The Missionary Handbook • Obeying these rules will keep you safe and will help you be more successful • It is a resource youth, parents, and priesthood leaders should use in preparing youth for the mission field • It outlines the rules on language, dress and grooming, music and media, finances, communicating with family and friends, and other expectations of missionaries

Mission Rules: Missionary Conduct • Language: Use refined, dignified language that identifies you as a servant of the Lord. • Dress and Grooming: Wear conservative clothing that is consistent with their sacred calling and message. • Schedule: Follow the Missionary Schedule (up at 6:30, daily scripture study, proselytizing, bed at 10:30, etc.) • Preparation Day: You have one day a week to take care of personal needs: washing clothes, a haircut, shopping, etc. • Communicating with Family: You can write home weekly and call home twice a year: Christmas and Mother’s Day. • Entertainment: No worldly entertainment, television, or movies, and only musicthat is spiritual and uplifting. • Your Companion: Stay with your companion at all times. • Relations with Opposite Sex: Never be alone with or associate in any inappropriate way with someone of the opposite sex.

“To Obey is Better than Sacrifice” • King Saul is commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have, yet he saves some animals to offer as sacrifices. • “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

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 • Weekly service (“celestial service”) cleaning toilets, mopping, etc.

Traveling to and Being Dropped Off at the MTC • Reporting to an MTC out of the county • Many go directly to MTCs in other countries like Mexico or Brazil • If so, the Church will make travel arrangements • You’ll say your goodbye’s at the airport • Reporting to the Provo MTC • Several hundred new missionaries arrive each Wednesday • One vehicle per family is allowed to enter the MTC grounds • Say goodbye’s to family and friends prior to arrival at the MTC • You will only have a few brief moments for a quick farewell • There is no opportunity for picture taking at this moment

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 binding • 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.

Adjusting to Missionary Life • We have a copy of this booklet for each prospective missionary

Prospective Missionary Devotional

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