Getting Ready

How can I prepare to become the best missionary I can be?

Here’s advice from current missionaries and from other readers:

• Pray daily. Ask Heavenly Father to help you prepare.

• The Lord needs worthy missionaries. Live the commandments every day.

• Attend and pay attention in seminary and institute.

• Read the scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon. Apply Moroni’s promise in Moroni 10:3–5.

• Learn responsibility by magnifying any calling or assignment you receive (see D&C 88:80). Home teaching, for example, is an excellent way to learn to build relationships of trust with others.

• Go to the temple as often as you can.

• Spend as much time as possible with your family—you will miss them while you are away. Participate in family prayer, home evenings, and other family activities.

• During family home evening, practice teaching your family, using the scriptures and the missionary discussions.

• Attend church each Sunday, and partake of the spirit there.

• Receive your patriarchal blessing. If you already have it, review it often.

• Practice getting to know people and being friendly.

• A mission is rigorous, so work to be in good physical shape.

• Start saving now. Set aside mission funds whenever you can.

• Work with full-time missionaries and ward or branch mission leaders.

• Team teach with the full-time missionaries and watch them teach the discussions.

• Practice teaching the discussions to friends.

• Attend baptismal services in your ward or branch.

• Share your testimony every chance you get.

• Invite nonmember friends to church and to activities.

• Attend a missionary preparation class.

• Memorize the Articles of Faith.

Photo illustration by Welden C. Andersen