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The following comments have been edited to prevent internet crawlers from
harvesting names and email addresses and any other personal information that
could be used either to generate spam or aid in identity theft.
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Note 1: About Righteous Parents
| [the following was added at the end of a short email where the missionary's
Mom had asked what he wanted for his birthday]
Thank you so much for all you already do. You and Dad are awesome! Being
Elder [name withheld]'s companion makes me thankful every day, because his
parents aren't top notch. His dad died when he was [young], and his mom was
more interested in being married than who she married, so she divorced his
first step-dad, and then chose another less-than-top-notch step-dad.
I'm so thankful to you and Dad because I know I can go to you and get the
truth, and help, whenever I need it, because you are righteous people and
in tune with the Spirit. Also, thanks for always being strict with us. We
hated it, as the kids, but I'm thankful now. My companion was able to screw
up his life because his mom didn't seem to have standards or set strict rules
for him. I'm glad that I never had the opportunity to do what he did. He's
still not over it. And, even though he's 'worthy' to be here, he's half the
missionary he could be because of it.
Elder [name withheld] led a clean life his entire life, and he was a very
powerful missionary the day he entered the mission field. There is a huge
difference between him, and my current companion who has been out a lot
longer.
It goes to show that if we slip off the beaten path, we have to repent, and
if we get back on it, we are at the same spot, or not as far along it, and
we still have to travel the same distance as everyone else. So, we've set
ourselves behind and are now going slower than other people. Those who have
never left it are running up it, because living the gospel to them is already
part of their character. Because of that, making correct decisions is second
nature, and thus they continue up the path just that much faster.
For those of us who leave the path, it takes a good amount of time to make
correct decisions, and the extra time it takes often makes all the difference.
So, that. Thanks for being so good and more than that, expecting all of us
to be good, too! =D
Love, Elder Pearson
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Note 2: Cooking Advice
| Learn to cook a few things quite well. You never know who you will
be cooking for!!
Explanation:
...the next day was Zone Conference and the President and Elder Busche,
the first counsellor in the area Presidency, was coming too. Sleeping
that night was one of the most difficult things I have done in a long
while... I knew that the next morning I would be cooking breakfast for
my mission president, his wife, Elder Busche & his wife, The two assistants
to the president (AP's), My zone leader & his comp, and myself and my comp.
I was pretty dang nervous, and to make things worse they wanted everything
to be ready by 7:15 in the morning. Events such as these have helped me to
acquire two nicknames. Elder Belvedere and Elder Boy ar Dee (I have no idea
how either of those names is spelled) Everything came out pretty well, but
boy was I nervous when I saw President and a General Authority walk into
the kitchen to see what they would be having for breakfast.
...They wanted to be taken immedately from the station to a resturant for
breakfast, but since returaunts don't do the breakfast thing here in this
part of Russia (or anywhere in the country to be more specific) They
figured that Elder Fugal's pancakes would be good alternative. Is anyone
out there freaking out about this or do I just get nervous easily? Oh well,
everything went well, and I got three comments on my breakfast in Zone
Conference talks. (Elder Busche, his wife (she actually talked about them
in detail and didn't just say thanks to Elder Fugal for his Breakfast.)
And Sister Daetwayler.) Sister Busche even mentioned them again in the
evening at the fireside. So I guess it was all worth it.
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Note 3: Cooking Advice 2
| The elder's mother writes: "Our favorite item to bake is chocolate chip
cookies. Last summer [Elder Lindgren] spent several months on the other
island of Fiji, which is more remote. He lived in the bush where the
Fijian villages were, in a jungle-like setting. When he was about to
get transferred back to the main island and big city life again, he
decided he wanted to leave a cookie baking legacy for the village. As
that for background, here in his own words is his story:
Sister Nesi Loganimasi is my hero. She's 38 and the wife of the District
President (equivalent to a Stake President here in "Zion"). She is so fun
and happy dispite her poor living conditions. She's always joking and
talking about the Church. She gave me my last two haircuts. She has been
a member for 5 years. She's a temple worker now. Well this week, I wanted
teach her to make cookies. So using your favorite recipe you sent me last
year, Mom, we made great chocolate chip cookies. But we had to do a little
improvising. There was no vanilla extract, except for in the store that
was 20 miles away to walk to, so we left that out. We just had Fijian sugar
cane, and we cut up an Indonesian chocolate bar. We had no stove, as she
doesn't have electricity. So on a wood fire, she made an oven from a big
pot filled with sand, a round tin for a cookie sheet, and a lid. They
turned out pretty good. They said they will plan on making them more often,
so I've left my mark on the village's dietary habits, Mom. Aren't you proud
of me, bringing your cookies to the bush? Her husband is also Village Chief,
besides being District President.
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Note 4: Personal Safety
| We sent a small 35 mm camera with him. Because of the economy over there,
there is a high incidence of crime. His Booklet that came with his call
specifically said not to send an expensive camera. (I can't remember the
exact wording)
He felt safe, because he made wise choices. His advice, never send anything
with your missionary which will make them more of a target. (They already
are because they are white) At one point in his mission he quit carrying his
backpack and only carried his scriptures with him as they went out. His
feeling was if I carry it, people will assume that there is something
valuable in it and it will make me more of a target.
Debbie W (RM was in Africa)
(Note: It is a common misconception that crime is caused by outward
influences, I.e.: government, economic or social situations, etc. Crime
is caused by the criminals who have chosen to prey on others because
they are indolent, greedy and, simply put, evil. Do not be fooled into
thinking that good people choose evil as a lifestyle.)
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Note 5: Question 0 an Intro
| The rest of the information on this page is in response to a questionnaire
we prepared and sent to 150 missionaries serving in approximately
60 missions throughout the world.
Copyright 1999, Karl and Betty Pearson.
Copying of this information without prior approval from
Karl and Betty Pearson is prohibited. That includes reposting in electronic
format on other webpages or in emails. Use as a church lesson handout is
okay, as long as attribution is made to LDS Missionary Moms.
Use of this information for your Family Home Evening is encouraged.
Thanks for your adherance to this request.
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Note 6: Question 1
| 1. Spiritual Preparation
Daily scripture study
Went on splits with the missionaries
Wrote daily in a journal (get used to doing this, you do a lot of
writing on your mission!)
Attended Institute classes
Hearing other's testimonies
Bearing your own testimony frequently
I had not read the Book of Mormon until I received my mission call.
I had a lot of catching up to do!
Try to recognize the Spirit, because this work is lead by the Spirit,
and you need to help investigators recognize and feel the Spirit.
Before my mission I needed to listen to my parent before I say
something. I think I needed to learn to obey 100%, because if I listen
and do what my parent want me to do, it help a lot. When we start our
mission that is the first thing to do, and the biggest challenge, is to
try to listen as much as you can to your trainer and obey. You must
listen so you know how the work goes. One thing to learn to do at home
before your mission is when my parent told me to do something, and they
keep reminding me to do it. That's what we do in the mission, keep
reminding the people to keep the commitment. My parent taught me to
respect all people everywhere.
Read the Ensign and collect some good articles for missionary work!
Collect some pictures about the Book of Mormon or scriptures to give to
the kids in families that are investigating. Have articles to give to
families at dinner appointments with members and nonmembers.
Get a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, the church and
a great love for the Savior, Jesus Christ, because nobody can take away
your testimony. I wish I had more knowledge of the scriptures especially
of the Bible. You never know where you will be called, and if you go to
the "Bible belt", you need to be prepared so you can talk to people.
Talk with facts that you find in the Bible.
Become familiar with the Discussions.
Attend weekly activities in your ward, and listen carefully to the
returned missionaries!
I was a Stake Missionary before my mission, and this helped me
prepare.
Read the Book of Mormon with full intent, not just to get through it.
Everyday build a relationship with God. Share your testimony with
people, and read the missionary guide.
Learn to pray, and pray with frequency and intent. Learn to rely on
the Lord.
Develop a great desire to serve the Lord with all your heart, might,
mind and strength. The Lord will make up any difference!
Get a list of scriptures to memorize from the local missionaries and
start to memorize them. Try to go on splits a couple of times a week.
Take the missionary preparation class as often as possible!
I wish I would have spent more time memorizing the scriptures.
Read other spiritual books and talks.
Read missionary type books. Try to memorize the discussions before
you leave for your mission.
Develop your spirituality.
Try to study the Doctrine & Covenants and know it. Memorize Section
4. The most important thing I did was going on splits, and learn from
them! Invite your nonmember friends over to hear the missionaries teach
them, in your own house.
Read your Patriarchal Blessing often, and take it with you on your
mission!
Develop a desire and learn to serve people! Ask the Lord to give you
strength, courage and faith. Seek a support system from family and
friends, both members and nonmembers. Develop a good work ethic with the
ability to change and react to a variety of situations.
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Note 7: Question 2
| 2. Temporal Preparation
Almost all of the missionaries we surveyed told us they either didn't
bring a cookbook, or wish that they hadn't. If they did bring one, they
ended up mailing it back home. They did say learn to cook basic foods,
for once you are on a mission, you have no idea what kind of food you'll
be cooking with. Every area is different. Also, almost all of them
suggested bringing a few favorite recipes on cards. Learn to cook some
Chocolate Chip cookies. You can give them to investigators and teach them
how to cook them. One mission learned to cook bread, and they took it to
their investigators. Learn to cook cookies, or brownies, from scratch.
Most areas of the world do not have mixes, you cook from scratch. One
missionary ended up cooking pancakes for a visiting General Authority,
Mission President, Area President, and their wives. Learn to cook from
scratch!
Learn to sew (especially sewing on buttons and repairing rips in
clothes). Learn to wash your clothes, both by hand and in a machine.
I wish I would have saved more money for my mission. Also, if you
want to serve in a particular country, put it down on your mission papers
before you mail them in!
I wish I had known that I would need to buy a bike, and how to repair
a bike!
I wish I would have packed clothes that were a larger size, since I've
gained about 30 lbs.
I wish I had brought a CD player.
I wish I had not leased a brand new car 11 months before deciding to
serve a mission!
Learn to cook in small amounts. Be prepared to deal with whatever the
cooking supplies in each area are! Every apartment has different
equipment, and most are lacking in decent cookware. When I try to cook, I
cook three days worth. It is worth the time on P-day to cook a few things
to spread out over the week.
I wish I had packed a decent phone and answering machine.
I wish I had learned to like vegetables and different kinds of foods.
I should have learned to cook better!
Bring small, practical things with you such as a flashlight (it is
dark in hallways or by your apartment door, and a pen flashlight will
help), scissors, markers. If you sing, bring along some music!
Bring small inspirational quotes and stories to give to investigators,
members, contacts, etc.
My $10 shoes lasted almost half of my mission!
The cooking, sewing and laundry I learned over the years. My mom made
sure I knew these things. I thank her NOW.
My father taught me to wash dishes after I ate, and I didn't always do
this. On my mission I have had to learn that we do dishes right after we
eat. I didn't listen enough to my parent. The meal isn't over until the
dishes are done!
I wish I would have worn my shoes a couple of months BEFORE I was in
the MTC. You can't believe all of the missionaries in the MTC with sore
feet!
Bring a good camera and pack more nylons.
I wish I had learned how to write a quick journal and letters. Learn
how to use a computer. Learn how to prepare healthy foods!
Bring an address book with names of your relatives, ward members and
friends. Always record the addresses of your converts and those whom you
wish to stay in contact with after you leave your mission.
I wish someone had taught me how to read a map!
Learn how to eat everything!! Learn to eat different food. You won't
have your mama cooking food for you!
Learn how to take care of yourself when you are sick! Your mom won't
be there to do it for you!
I wish I had saved enough to pay for my whole mission!
Learn how to clean and keep things clean.
I wish I had brought a travel iron with me.
I wish I had bought a bigger suitcase!
Learn how to be organized.
I wish I had brought more pictures of my family and friends. (Many
missionaries had listed this wish).
Learn how to be patient, and most of all, obedient!
If you are going on a stateside mission, get half of the stuff before
you leave, and buy the rest on your mission.
IMPORTANT! Learn how to shine your shoes, and bring a shoe polish
KIT. Kits are so much easier to pack and smaller, than bringing separate
items.
If possible, live on your own before your mission. It really makes a
difference! You can see missionaries who have lived on their own, and
they are better prepared. They have figured out how to budge, do laundry,
clean, shop, cook, etc., and can focus on more spiritual matters.
I wish I had bought shoes that I could shine. Greasy leather Doc
Martens are a bad idea. Buy hard leather. Doc Martens are the best! They
last forever. But don't get the funky styles. Plus you will need a pair
of "meeting" shoes. A good place to get these are a surplus store. Old
army dress shoes shine up great and only cost $15 to $20!
Follow the Boy Scout motto and come "Prepared"!
Have patience with others. Frankly forgive your companion. I met a
missionary that tried to vacuum up water with a standard vacuum. Use
common sense! (Jacob 6:12).
If you have a weak foot, Doc Martens may not be so good, for they
don't provide good support.
Save more money, and bring more money. You will need emergency money,
not only for unexpected transfers, but to buy things if you gain weight,
ruin a shoe or something.
If you are from the states, and going to Europe, your hair dryers and
curling irons won't work. They have different volts.
I wish I had brought more church tapes and talks!
Always pack more pantyhose and tights.
I wish I had packed a basketball and more street clothes.
I should have brought more fishing lures.
Develop better study and work habits!
Pack enough garments for two weeks, a small camera is great, and order
and get some of those missionary cards with your name and address on them.
Learn how to hem your pants!
I wish I had brought a nice, big, framed picture of my family!
Start a savings account and add to it from the time you are very
young.
I should have brought some sport shoes.
Practice and get used to getting up at 6:30 am!
Bring church music.
Don't buy a camera that uses the adrantix system. It is too expensive
to develop film!
Learning how to do things such as cooking,. Mostly learning how to
cope with different situations, to go with the flow, how to improvise.
Especially how to be frugal with money! Buying practical clothing and
good shoes and clothes. Buy normal clothes so people will recognize that
you are a person just like them. Learning different foods is really
good--be willing to try everything first before passing judgement!
I should have brought a good backpack!
Learn how to organize your time! Plan your day/week/area
book/referrals, personal stuff during transfers, keeping track of miles
for your car during the month. Here's a helpful hint: when you leave an
area somebody else has to be able to read and understand the area book.
So write clear and clean so they can read and understand what you were
talking about.
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Note 8: Question 3
| 3. MTC Experience
The food was okay.
My companion was awesome.
My missionary experience in the MTC was too confining. I wasn't
prepared for that. I really enjoyed the church leaders who came to speak
to us.
The MTC was fun! It wasn't hard to adjust, it was kind of like being
at camp. The hardest part was getting used to being around all those
members. The food was good. Wish, from my point of view, the food would
have been healthier. My companion was awesome. We had a lot of fun.
The worst was not being able to play a full out soccer game or anything in
my view as fun. The indoor track was okay. Just way too crowded with all
the weights up there.
The food was awful and it gives everyone awful gas.
The MTC is the best place. The spirit is a non-stop companion.
Before I entered the MTC I wish I would have known more people skills.
Trying to adapt to the MTC life was hard but well worth it. My companion
and I hit it off the first day. Still, today, we are "best friends".
The food there is just like any other cafeteria food. I have no comment
on that one!
The MTC was a great experience. I felt the Spirit so much there and I
learned a lot of good things there, and it was great to see all of these
people all these missionaries who wants to serve the LORD.
The MTC was great!! It is hard sometimes, but you will enjoy it! I
was there for 10 weeks and I couldn't wait to leave, but the firesides and
devotionals are amazing. Enjoy the spiritual feast that you will have
there! The food, well, how can I describe the food? Hmmm I don't want to
say anything negative because people work so hard everyday to make enough
for 3-4 thousand hungry Elders and picky Sisters, and they try to please
us? Some things were great, others were not so good. I think overall it
depends on what you like to eat, especially when you eat there for 10
weeks. The was not a highlight! But the service is great! My companion
was awesome, but there were hard times, which I believe is expected. You
have never had a companion like this before, they have to go with you to
the bathroom all the time, you have to see them all the time, and
sometimes you just want to run away from them, but my companion was
amazing and we had fun. It is always good to have someone to go to!
Learn how to cook, clean, sew, etc. You can't count on your companion
knowing these things, he/she might be counting on you to know them!
The MTC was a great experience, but it was definately time to leave
after nine weeks!
I was in the MTC for two months, and I had many companions, some were
awful, some were okay, and some were awesome!
I loved the MTC!
The MTC was difficult because of the lengthy classes. Nine hours of
classes in three hour blocks. The Spirit is very strong in the MTC. I
was a little sad to leave.
It was easy to adapt to the MTC. Seemed to me like Sunday School
every day. I enjoyed the devotional meetings and classes.
It was hard to sit through all of the classes, but they made them fun.
I wish I had known ahead of time that I would be sitting in a hard
desk for 12 hours a day for a month!
Some companions in the MTC are hard to keep track of! I had one
companion that was always taking off without me.
Adapting was hard but quick. There is no other place like it in the
world, not even in the Mission Field!
The MTC was like a dream come true. But the food was gassy!
The MTC is the most powerful experience I have had on my mission.
Something about being with 3000 servants of the Lord makes you grow in no
other way. The Spirit is so strong!
The food tasted good, but they loaded it with vitamins so it will mess
you up at first.
For me, the MTC was tough. I wasn't ready for the drastic change of
going from summer vacation where I could be outside, have fun, and do
anything I wanted to do, whenever I wanted to do, and by myself to sitting
in a classroom all day, going over the same things everyday, only having
breaks for meals and sleep. Plus always having someone with me! I got
really homesick even though my family was 30 minutes away. I don't know
if I could have really prepared for all that. It was tough to adapt. I
don't think I fully did adapt. It was more of a test of endurance for me.
The MTC is a place completely isolated from the real world. It was
hard to be adjusted to absolutely no contact with the world. In the MTC I
was longing for the real world--and here I'm in fairyland! I didn't even
know Clinton was impeached! Anyway, it was a real different experience.
It was easy to adapt for the most part, just hard to sit there for so
long.
The food gives you horrible gas.
The MTC was really good spiritually. There is no place that can
better prepare you for a mission than there.
Most people hate the food but I was in JobCorps for a year previously
and the food was similar but better, so I LOVED it. Plus I was able to
adapt easier than some. JobCorp and the MTC were similarly run as far as
schedules.
I was a District Leader so I didn't have too much time enjoying the
MTC.
The food was awful, but there was lots of it.
I liked and enjoyed the MTC. I learned how to be obedient.
The food tasted okay but made very very ill.
Appreciate the food while your in the MTC! You'll miss it when you're
in the field, especially if you go foreign.
The food was great, but always the same, and that was the problem.
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Note 9: Question 4
| 4. Adaptation and Adjustment
Almost every missionary surveyed wish they hadn't left a girlfriend
behind. At least, 99% said having a girlfriend left at home made their
missions more difficult. Drop the girl before you serve, was their
advice! If it is meant to be, she'll still be there when you return
home.
Learning another language. My trainer didn't speak English, and I
couldn't speak or understand Spanish very well.
When I entered the Mission Field, I found it difficult to adjust to
the "culture", even though I was serving in the U.S. and am from the U.S.
Each area of the country is different. I wasn't used to the climate,
(hot, rainy). I also had a difficult time adjusting to the slummy areas.
I wish, wish, wish I had never left a girlfriend behind. Never get a
girlfriend before your mission!
I found it hard to adjust to some very immature 19 year old
missionaries who were on a mission for who knows what reason!
When I reached the Mission Field the hardest thing, well the only
tough thing was getting used to having a significant other always stuck to
you. I'm not a fan of not being able to have my private quiet time. But
it's worth putting up with. And I don't have much longer to go. The girl
thing was not a problem. At least from my end of it. I've been on the
streets so the language wasn't a problem. Every now and then I have to
help my companion understand slang.
The biggest adjustment I had to make was getting used to a missionary
schedule, and how it really is to be a missionary. Being motivated enough
to go out and work hard everyday, to fit in your day all that you can.
Learning another language can be hard, but if you speak it everyday
every chance you get it will come fast. Most of all rely on the Lord!!
Be willing to adjust to the behavior and attitudes of the people in
your area. I had problems with my second companion because he was racist.
Learn to love people everywhere!
I had a companion that snored. My dad snores, but I didn't expect my
companion to snore!
Getting up at 6:30am every morning was tough to get used to.
I had no difficult time adjusting to my mission.
Mission life is mission life. It is hard sometimes, but I love it!
I had a difficult time with homesickness.
I didn't understand a lot of the slang.
The Lord helped me adjust. You will have companions who believe in
different things than you do, for example, politics and environmental
issues. You have to learn to work with your companion no matter how
obnoxious they behave.
I had to get used to the way people talked, even though I was in the
states and from the states. For example, they say, "howdy", "y'all",
"fixin". I had a hard time being with a companion all of the time. I
like time by myself and you just don't get it out here. It took me about
2-3 months to adapt. Be prepared for it!
It was hard on me because I was used to being able to fish everyday.
Leaving behind family, friends, girlfriend, etc., was hard at first.
Looking at the whole mission and thinking I had to be perfect (which
isn't true), made it hard for me to adjust.
My girlfriend supports me very well, but I still wish I hadn't left
one behind.
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Note 10: Question 5
| 5. Preparation Advice
I wish I had been prepared mentally for how hard a mission is, but I
never knew how rewarding it is also.
Stay close to the Lord. He loves you and you need him if you want to
be a good missionary. Stay close to the Spirit.
Be ready to work hard. Be ready to grow in areas you never thought
possible. Be ready to associate with people you may not want to talk to
or teach. Be ready to be disciplined in areas of yourself that you may
need work. Be prepared to live with someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, constantly.
I wish I had known that not everyone is perfect.
Save up spending money to use, bring a good camera. Make sure
everyone has your address and write people weekly!
Forget about everything, even family. Don't always be hoping for mail
and then be grumpy because nothing is there. You'll be less effective.
Don't think about family, friends, girlfriends. Keep your goal and dreams
alive but don't think about them more than your work. Be able to think of
it, then smile, then put it away and go to work.
If you can focus on the "today" you won't look two years down the road
or behind you. It's great plus when you come home in the evening dead
tired from pounding pavement and there is a little thinking of you from
someone special or a girlfriend, and then you smile and doze off into a
wonderful world of peace for another day.
I learned that it is the Spirt that matters most, especially when
you're learning another language. Bear your testimony often and share
experiences and they will feel the Spirit when you do this.
Learn more about the Bible!
Learn how to love the people and serve them.
It's great to learn a lot about the gospel. Don't freak out if you
don't because Heavenly Father will still work through you at the level you
are at. But having a good basis helps especially when learning a foreign
language because all of a sudden you have to do it all in this strange
language. Especially when teaching.
You will never be fully prepared for all that will happen. One thing
parents can do for young missionaries, especially 19 year old boys, is
give them if possible an opportunity to live away from home. This will
help them learn how to get along with people who are so different. Teach
them how to cook, handle money and managing things on their own. The
biggest thing is getting along with a companion.
Save your money so that parents won't have to help so much! But I
know that the Lord has prepared me for my mission, if you let him, he will
help you. Just come ready to expect the unexpected!!
Choosing to serve a mission was easy, but the process before was full
of ups and downs!! As I look back I see his hand guiding me, shaping me
for this. My advice to all new missionaries is to go to Him in prayer.
Tell Him that you want to serve a mission. Start preparing through study,
learning new things, developing your talents, saving money, etc. He will
put things in your life that will shape you and give you experiences you
can draw on to help you!
Things can be very hard on your mission. But remember that you are on
the right track when he tries his hardest to throw you off! On a mission
your weaknesses will be magnified, but so will your strengths. Find the
balance and don't let either one way you down with despair or pride!
Remember Ether 12;27. Our weaknesses can become strengths and that is why
we have them to humble us.
Forget about the social activities and keep your mind focused on
Spiritual matters in order to help save souls, because people need the
help of the missionaries.
You will learn challenges that will prepare you for a future career as
a husband or wife. For me, I am learning good qualities that will make me
a good man and a good husband.
Listen to people and help them spiritually and if possible,
physically.
Start your mission with an open heart and mind. Be teachable, humble,
and let the little silly things go.
When you prepare, put in your mind that you are going to fulfill your
job and make your heart full of love and humble, work hard.
I wish I had learned how to iron a shirt and eat different food.
Trust your Mission President's vision and advice, and go out and DO
IT. Catch the vision of your mission. Have simple faith and draw on the
powers from Heaven.
Forget yourself, don't worry about languages, trust in your Heavenly
Father with all your heart and always do your best.
Save money--do your part in that! Read and learn more about the
Bible, both Old and New Testament.
The main point of going on a mission is to Baptize people, but to also
help you grow as a member or as a person. It's truly the only place where
you're going to have experiences that will help you to face the future.
Serve and love your investigators and members. Be focused on those
things, serve and love and the Lord will bless you. Members will be your
family for two years and they will feel your love for the Savior and for
them and they will give you referrals. That's the key to missionary work,
work with the members.
Before you leave on your mission, spend as much time as you can with
your family. Also, not everyday is a great day. Some days will be hard.
What kind of missionary do you want to be? Set a goal of what you
want to accomplish on your mission, before you come to the field.
Every mission is different. The best advice I could give is this: have
faith; love the people, work hard and be obedient. Always remember that
you are a child of God. He wants you to succeed and if you have faith in
him and a perfect brightness of hope, nothing is impossible, even
missionaries today can baptize thousands.
Get your own testimony of the Book of Mormon and the church. It will
help you through hard times. Make sure you know the reason why you are
going to serve on a mission!
I wish I had read the entire New Testament.
Missions are not easy, but it's so worth it!
My advice is to learn the discussions. Go on a mission not because
you are expected to go, but because you want to go.
Don't think of home a lot, and SMILE!
Be prepared to work every day, and be spiritually prepared for
anything. Also be prepared to get more restrictions than anything else.
Get your knuckles ready to knock on doors.
Learn more about the gospel. Know more about Joseph Smith and the
history of the Church, and read more of the scriptures.
Take a good, durable camera and use it. Be prepared to do without and
the unexpected will probably happen.
Learn to trust in the Lord.
Work and save your money! Obtain addresses of all of your friends.
Read the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
Obedience is happiness! Live it, teach it, and love it!
I think D&C 130:19 applies well to pre-mission life. The more you
learn, the better you will be. Soak it up and become a sponge. There is
no time out here in the Mission Field. It can be frustrating for new
missionaries if they are trying to learn it all at once. Enroll in
Institute programs! They are a great source of knowledge!
Decide in advance that you are going on a mission. The blessings of
going are incomprehensible. Once you k now beforehand, you'll have plenty
of time to earn money, study the scriptures, and prepare mentally to serve
the Lord with all you've got. Also, realize that a mission isn't just
something you do for two years and then life goes back to normal. You'll
realize this isn't so the first month in the MTC. It changes your life.
You'll be a better person, and the rest of your life's decisions will have
a lot to do with experiences you'll have on your mission. Before my
mission, I thought it was just a two year detour from life, but now I know
that it's a two year enhancement.
Learn how to love different kinds of people and be very tolerant of
those who are different than you.
Prepare in your mind to think: never give up!
Have experiences that will help you feel the Spirit of the Lord.
Pray and ponder the scriptures that you read. Don't just read them to say
you read them.
Work hard, read & pray, and have fun.
Take missionary preparation classes!
I didn't leave someone behind like others have and I've seen how hard
it is on those that did as opposed to myself. So, don't do it!! Also,
respect the decisions of your Mission President. His decisions may not
always seem fair or they may not make sense, do what he says anyway. It's
always for the best! I wish I had realized a mission is a tithe of your
life pay--pay a full tithe! Also, enjoy and have fun what you do. A
great attitude furthers the work along!
Follow the guidelines with clothes, it's safest that way!
Prepare yourself to memorize and get into the six discussions. Read
Jesus the Christ, Marvelous Work and Wonder, and above all, be open minded
and expect shock.
Spend time and really get to know the scriptures and the discussions.
Get a testimony of your own and do away with the fear and the shame.
Read the Book of Mormon and pray. Have a conviction that it is true.
Learn how to proselyte.
Have a great desire to serve the Lord with all your hearts. Have a
strong testimony about missions and pray a lot and study the scriptures a
lot.
Make sure you have a firm and unshakeable testimony of the Savior,
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I thought the MTC was really hard.
If you can get through the MTC, you can get through anything!
Take every minute and be thankful! Time goes by so quickly so don't
wish away your mission. It goes too quickly. Learn to LOVE the people!
Learn to SHARE everything!
Make sure you know the reason why you came on a mission. Pray and
fast about it. If you're not sure, keep praying until the answer comes
because our faith and testimonies help so much.
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Note 11: Question 6
| 6. Advice for Parents
Write to your missionaries at least twice a month! Tell them you love
them! Tell them spiritual stories to uplift them. Send money. Send them
packages. Send them film and pictures.
Parents, stop babying your children! These kids are old enought.
They should know you love them, hopefully. So don't help unless asked.
They should have a few questions otherwise let them grow up. If they
prepare and do it all they will be stronger out here. If you catch them
when they fall all the time at home, they won't be prepared here, because
you won't be here to catch them. They will also be less homesick
hopefully. I had that! I've taught I don't know how many people how to
shop, cook, clean and even repair toasters and refrigerators. It's time
to give these kids their wings and let them learn to fly. The mission is
a great next step (for most), to learning to fly higher in a protected
environment. So cut ‘em loose!
Help your children to be spiritually prepared to rely on the Lord.
Get used to writing to your missionary a lot!
Spend as much time as you can with your sons and daughters, for you
will miss them when they leave on their missions.
If possible, give your future missionaries a chance to live away from
home first. This will help them learn how to get along with people who are
so different, and teach them how to cook, handle money and manage things
on their own.
Make them read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
Don't force your children to serve missions, or they will do things
that are dishonorable and be sent home.
Love them, support them, but let them go. Don't get them more
homesick than they need to be. It's okay, you will see them again.
Let your sons/daughters know that this is the work of the Lord, and
love everyone like Christ.
Talk to your sons and daughters and help them realize that home is the
same as missionary work in some ways. Teach them that when they are a
missionary they must cook, clean, do clothes, dishes.
Prepare them physically and spiritually. Teach them how to prepare
healthy food that is easy to make. Teach them to speak politely and use
kind words. Teach how to respect and serve others, especially their
companions.
Bear your testimony constantly to your children. Be an example in
everything you do when it comes to the gospel.
Teach them to be independent and to make their own choices.
Make sure you tell them that you love them. Write them weekly!
Don't worry so much about your children. Just let them know you love
them and care for them.
Love them but don't force them and support them in their decision.
I've seen missionaries who were pushed into a mission. Some do come around
and love the work. Others don't want to be here and hurt the work. Make
it matter of prayer.
Teach them how to take care of foods so that they don't go bad so
quickly.
Missionaries need a lot of support, encouraging letters from family
and friends, so be prepared and commit to writing your missionary once a
week!
Read the Book of Mormon together as a family, and pray together with
them at all times. Read the missionary guide.
Send them a lot of mail and boxes and stuff!
Make sure they are serving a mission for the right reason. Make sure
they have a good testimony of the Gospel.
Support them 100%, and prepare them spiritually and physically!
Start when they are young!
Write!
Practice getting up at 6:30am and going to bed at 10:30pm. Do gospel
study together!
Don't nag them! Support them.
Let them make the decision to go, but help them decide!
Go to church every Sunday. Save money before the mission. Begin to
buy things such as shoes, ties, etc.
Let them go, but love them and don't ever tell them how many months
they have left!!
Start when they are young and talk about missions frequently.
Prepare them mentally from their childhood on. Tell them the joys of
serving the Lord, and the wonderful experiences you've had, or others have
had, on their missions.
Tell them how great it is to serve the Lord.
Teach your children how to respect other cultures, faiths, etc.
Tell your children when they are young that you want them to serve a
mission. Make sure they are worthy.
To prepare your future missionaries, they need to know the word of the
Lord. Start reading scriptures with them everyday together as a family,
discuss gospel things, and let them help prepare Family Home Evening
Lessons.
Be examples and support them in every way possible.
Don't send fattening foods to them!!
Have them read the scriptures, and pray and read with them, too.
Have family home evening, do home teaching with future missionaries,
read scriptures daily and pray as a family. Engage in family missionary
work, teach the value of hard work and sharing the gospel.
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Note 12: Question 7
| 7. Preparation That Lessens Challenges
Studied even more, and stayed away from girls!
I wish I would have been more patient, saved more money.
I could have gotten better at writing skills. For example, writing in
a journal. I'm bad. But what can I do but keep trying to do better.
Everything else just becomes a part of your day such as studies...
I wish I had developed more Christ-like attributes.
I should have "Dear Jane'd" before I left on my mission.
Prepare yourselves for going to the Temple. Take a Temple Preparation
class, and go fasting to the Temple. The Temple is one of the biggest
steps, there you will make sacred and holy covenants, ones that are not to
be taken lightly. You have been "recommended" to go and stand in others
places. Remain worthy and honor that recommendation from our Heavenly
Father.
I wish I had learned how not to be shy, and to communicate better.
I wish I had been more serious about preparing. Talking with the
Bishop constantly and asking for advice on callings, personal study and
helping the missionaries in my home area.
I should have known the scriptures better, and been more involved in
the church.
Don't date anyone on a serious level. It is hard trying to break up
with them. It is even harder to do this after you have left on a mission.
But girls are too distracting and you wonder why they don't write, and
messes you up.
I should have been more diligent in memorizing scriptures, doing
better in Seminary, going out with the missionaries as much as possible,
memorizing the discussions.
I was really well prepared, but there is no way you can be prepared
for everything.
Try to stop seeing girls, focus on getting prepared for your mission,
and try to love everyone.
If you get an opportunity to go on a mini-mission, do it!
It might help to learn another language.
Try not to go rebellious and then go on a mission. It causes a lot of
mental guilt!!
Hey, some areas don't have peanut butter or root beer. Stock up!!
Save your money and stop spending it on cars, girls, and other things.
Become accustomed to other cultures.
You can never pray too much!
When you first get your call, write to the Mission President and ask
what scriptures you should memorize. Each mission has different ones they
want you to know.
I should have been more social and developed more people skills.
I should have learned to be more humble with people.
Get a Book of Mormon and mark ALL of the missionary passages. You'll
be surprised by the number of them, and LIKEN each and every one. Get the
discussions and study them even if you speak another language you will
know what you are talking about!
I should have learned how to control my anger and been more patient.
Sometimes I am still having these feelings but it's better now. You have
to practice it many times here.
I should have gotten a testimony and studied before I came on my
mission.
Get a steady job and earn more money. I didn't do very well.
Learn how to study the scriptures, not just read them.
It really helps to go on splits with the missionaries.
I should have walked more rather than driving. I should have learned
more about other cultures. If you think you're going to be on a bike, you
better get into shape quick you you'll die the first few weeks of your
mission!
I should have learned better study habits.
For me, nothing would have made me better prepared for what I have
experienced.
Pay attention to and learn more BASIC gospel doctrine!
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Note 13: Question 8
| 8. Getting Along With Companions
Look for the good things in your companion and the things you don't
like will work out.
Be open and ready to deal with adversity.
Ask yourself why they are so different. Where are they coming from
with views, understanding and feelings? Try and answer those questions
before you get upset. There will be companions who you won't see eye to
eye with. Maybe they don't think that they can learn from you. But if
you are already too close minded to that than your spiritual and mental
growth will stop. I say you're weak, if you won't listen and learn from
your companion, and you won't ever know who he/she is and what makes them
work. Without understanding you can't motivate and inspire or build a
bond that nothing will break. But be warned there is opposition in all
things and this knowledge is even powerful enough to destroy companions
and areas. When you've learned about someone you can help, or destroy.
Don't be quick to attack or go on the defensive. You must learn the value
of patience and peace if you ever want anybody to talk to you and trust in
you! "Those who live in a world of fear do not even believe that a world
of love, honor, and trust exists." Blaine Lee.
Love your companion no matter what. Open your heart and seek to be
united, to be one.
Learn to be quiet about your complaints.
Sometimes you will have companions that you don't like or they don't
like you, so the best thing to do is pray to love them. It's so great
when you pray to love them and discover the good part in them. You'll
love them, and you will have a good time together. You will learn a lot
on your mission, how to love people and you serve them.
Learn to be of service to your companions, love them, and forgive
them. You need more than just tolerance. Decide before you go on a
mission that you are going to love them. Decide now to be patient with
them, and never forget to serve them! Make their bed, fold their clothes,
iron their shirts/dresses, make dinner for them, leave them a note of
appreciation and a gift, etc. Pray for them before you meet them.
Be a man! Get along!
Always love your companion regardless of his/her identity: color,
cultures, etc. We are all children of God.
Let the little, silly things they do that annoy you go. Don't hold
grudges!!
Focus on the work and work hard. Don't focus on your companion, think
about the work everyday, every minute and every hour.
Read Jacob 3:2. Be patient. Have fun. Focus on the gospel and the
work, remember the fun times you have together, not the bad parts.
Strive to be patient, loving, kind. Find a good chance to create more fun
together. If things really bother your mission effort, then pray, find a
good time to talk about it.
Focus on their good attributes, remain teachable, follow the example
of Christ and love.
Always face the problem and talk with your companion, and be part of
the solution.
Pray, talk to them and really get to know them, then it makes it
easier to see why they do some things sometimes, or why they won't do some
things. I remind myself when I get upset at my companion that I am not
perfect, either. You must have a good relationship or it is hard to be a
good missionary!
Love your companion. There is always something good that you can
learn from your companion. Just remember that the Lord assigned you as a
companionship. So accept him/her as your partner.
Love them and don't let pride cause contention. Do what is right.
Serve them. Be as patient with them as you want your Heavenly Father to be
with you.
Just accept the fact that you cannot avoid meeting people who are
different from you. Concentrate on the missionary work with your
companion and everything will be fine.
Just love them. Years from now you will only remember the good times
you had together. Endure to the end!
Accept them as they are and don't try to change them. In the world we
are all so different, and every missionary has some purpose.
Don't let the little things bug you so much. You will develop
patience with people.
Just relax and control yourself. Always humble yourself and be patient
with them.
Communicate all good things and major conflicts. Don't be the picky
one!
Learn and practice charity.
Learn to keep your mouth shut. Learn how to work with your companion.
If there is contention you won't get any work done. Don't complain and
always look for the good things in your companion. Have a good attitude
about who your companion is, where you live, your apartment, etc.
Accept them, live with them, and the Lord will take care of the rest.
Be a good example of what you teach!
Ignore the small stuff. Before you go on your mission, listen to John
Bytheway's tape, "Things I wish I knew Before my Mission." Don J. Black's
"Hand to Hand Combat with Satan". I was never on drugs before my mission,
but people you teach will be on drugs. This tape will help you understand
the dangers of drugs, and you can teach people these things. If you've
lived a sheltered life, you have no idea how many people have this
problem!
Be positive, have charity, and realize it won't last forever!
Put the needs of your companions first!
Love them. It really works! Apply the Golden Rule, sing hymn #308,
read Mosiah 18:21.
Set goals to love your companion. Pray and fast, and be patient!
Remember patience in your afflictions and it is for your own good!
This too shall pass!
Be yourself and don't be phony.
Communication is the key.
Forget about yourself.
Love them and look at their good points.
Remember you are not on your mission to make best friends. Learn to
compromise. Your mission work is more important than getting your own way
everytime.
Some things will really annoy you. You just have to grit your teeth
and ignore the annoying things.
Serve them, realize you will only be with them for a short time, learn
from them, and have fun together. Appreciate what they bring to the area
and the companionship.
Look at the positive side of life.
Be sensitive and please leave your sarcasm at home. Listen carefully
to your companions.
Relax, enjoy it while it lasts, don't take things personally, and
don't be selfish!
Pray for them. I found that praying for my comp's helped me love them
easier.
Exercise patience, talk to them and see how you can change the
situation. If that doesn't work, talk to the President and ignore the
problem and go back to work.
Just let the different and irritating things go! It is just a waste
of energy to think about!
Learn to love them the way they are, not the way you want them to be.
Love them, respect them, and make sure the Spirit is part of the
companionship.
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Note 14: Question 9
| 9. Why I Chose To Serve
I chose to serve a mission because I want to help bring my brothers
and sisters back to live with our Heavenly Father. I love the gospel.
I've only been a member for three years but it is the most important thing
in my life. I also know the Lord will bless my family who are not members.
I came on my mission to repay the Lord back everything he has given
me. I also came to take the opportunity to serve the Lord, the people,
and go to a place I haven't been before. I needed to grow as a person and
gain experience. The best experience so far is talking to and meeting all
kinds of people with a wide array of beliefs.
You need to look to the Lord, then yourself, and then others. You
can't save too many lives if you are hanging half out or completely out of
the boat.
The joy the Gospel has brought in my life is a miracle! I love to see
how the Gospel changes the lives of others.
I chose to serve because I knew I should, and I always wanted to serve
since I was in Primary. The best experience I have had on my mission
would be two things: The MTC for many reasons, and the second would be a
family I was able to teach. They have since become active members of the
church and are planning on going to the Temple. I love this family like my
own.
You learn so much on a mission! It is so great, everyday going out and
testifying about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is great to see young men
or women teaching people of all ages. It is so great to be in the service
of our God!
It is so exciting to be on a mission! I have always wanted to go on a
mission, and it is the most wonderful thing that has happened in my life.
It is a commandment for all men to serve a mission. I love seeing
people change, and especially yourself will change.
It has been very good being a missionary. I have been contributing to
the world and concerned about people. The Savior loves them and he wants
them to return to his presence. That alone is a great sacrifice that a
young man/woman can do with his/her conscience. I don't discourage anyone
from serving a mission. Forget about yourself and do what the Lord wants
you to do in building up his kingdom where ever you may be sent.
Remember 1 Nephi 3:7. As for me, I have learned a lot of quality and
potential characteristics for the future. It is the greatest experience to
see how people change their lives. It is wonderful to help them realize
that the Savior loves them. I have learned, on my mission, to help and
listen more fully to other people. I can see how to best help them
overcome their obstacles that come their way. With this experience, I can
help my wife and children in the future. Even those things will get
hectic sometimes, but I will always listen to them and hep them with any
situations that may come our way as a family.
I went on a mission for many reasons, but now the biggest reason is to
see the change the gospel makes in the lives of people. You start a fire
in them with that very important message.
I needed direction for myself and help for my family, and I know the
Lord needs me out there. I want to be like the RM's. They are different,
They are happy. To see people change when they are baptised, the change
of face when they come out of the water is wonderful!
I know this work is true! I wanted to share the joy and happiness it
has brought to me through the gospel.
I want to give back to the Lord all that he has given me since my
baptism. Spiritual growth, the stronger the spirit the easier it is to
choose the right and continue to progress in the gospel.
You will have experiences that will help you face the future.
I love the Savior, and I came for myself, I needed a lot of help, but
nobody can help you if you don't have the true desire to change. So that's
why I am here.
I love the gospel and it can change people's lives. I wanted to be a
part of that. My best experiences on my mission so far is seeing
part-member families come together in the gospel.
I know the gospel is true. It has changed my life, I know it can
change the lives of others. That is why I came on a mission.
It is the right thing to do. I prayer a lot and God told me to go.
Most of all I love my brothers and sisters and want them to have the truth
so they can have joy and return to their Father in Heaven. My testimony
of the truth has, by the grace of God, become unshakeable. I know God
loves me, and seeing souls brought unto Christ is truly awesome. Also, my
personal growth.
I know it is important to serve a mission for me. This is a great
opportunity to share my testimony of the Gospel everyday. I saw the
Gospel working in the live of many people and it changed my life, too. I
prayed and God answered me that I would be able to do this work for him.
Serving a mission is a great thing. It teaches me a lot and strengthens
my testimony. I know I needed it.
I came on a mission because I love Jesus Christ and I want to share
the gospel with others. I had the opportunity of sharing lunch and
talking to our Prophet, President Hinckley. It was a remarkable
experience in my life.
When I was seven years old I had an accident. I fell from two story
building and nothing happened to me. I wasn't a member of the church. I
joined the church when I was 18. I know our Heavenly Father wanted me to
do some work, to be a missionary. I know a mission is for us to help us
grow up. I have learned a lot, my testimony is getting stronger and I
know why it is a commandment right now to go on a mission. It is a
privilege to serve God. I hope every young person can see as we could see
and feel as we feel because the Holy Ghost is going to be with them closer
when they serve a mission.
I went on a mission because the Lord said to go on one. The best
thing is to see people change.
I decided to serve a mission because I knew the Lord wanted me to and
I saw how a mission has influenced my dad, brother and brother-in-laws
life for the better. I knew my family and myself would be blessed for my
choice to serve a mission. The best experience of a mission is seeing
people get baptized. That makes everything worthwhile.
On a mission you get to open your mouth to people and share with them
the Book of Mormon and help them realize that Heavenly Father loves them
and that ther is a plan for them.
I went on a mission because I wanted to repay the Lord with my
service.
We need to help people find happiness.
I went on a mission because I wanted the experience, and the
satisfaction of serving the Lord. The best experience is the working!
I know that my life isn't the only life that can change. I love it
when people feel the spirit for the first time!
I went on a mission because I prayed about it. I HAD to go because the
spirit bore witness that I should. Now that I understand Priesthood
leadership, I would go simply because the Prophet told us to. It is
really awesome seeing someone you baptized giving the Bishop a tithing
envelope! You know that they are committed and on the way to the Temple!
I chose to serve because it was the right thing to do. I felt I'd
miss a whole lot if I didn't go. My testimony has grown so much for the
work of the church. The joy of seeing people feel the spirit for the
first time, and change their lives for the better.
The Gospel changed my life, and because I have been given much, I too
must give! I can't keep it to myself. I have to share it with the world.
I chose to serve a mission because I know the blessings that come
because of serving. I know that sharing the gospel to others is part of
the true church. I love the Lord and his gospel. I experience it because
I have 2 sisters and 5 brothers who are returned missionaries!
It is something that I have always wanted to do and knew I should do.
You grow so much, sharing the gospel brings such joy.
The Lord, through our prophet, commanded it.
Serving a mission teaches you how to be a better person, father and
husband.
I went on a mission to serve the Lord, help God's children come home.
It's a commandment and you learn.
I served a mission to help me grow up, and see people's lives change.
I wanted to be able to teach people.
I came on a mission to serve people and to serve the Lord. I needed
to learn how to be closer to him. Watching people change their lives and
become happy is the best part.
I chose to serve because that is what Heavenly Father wished me to do.
It wasn't easy, but I wanted to do what he wished me to do. I also wanted
to find those I know I promised I'd find in the pre-existence, to share my
testimony with them and help them find their way home. Best experience
has been realizing the one soul I'm bringing to Christ has been me and
watching others come to Him, too.
My step-dad passed away two years ago. After two months of depression,
I had an experience to show me that God lives and religion is just not
something to do. After that I wanted to share what I've found to be true.
My teaching the gospel and being able to see the spirit touch the hearts
of others.
My decision was pretty simple. I figured if I shared my testimony
with the congregation, who already knew about the gospel, then it will be
more useful if I should share it with those who didn't know the gospel.
I knew the Lord wanted me to go. I just never knew how much he wanted
me to go.
I am learning to love other people. My heart has been softened.
Before, I never worried about other people or anyone else's life.
I am here to help plant seeds and see how they grow.
I came on a mission because I love God so much. I think in our lives
we work so much for ourselves and families, but on a mission we have a
chance to work for God and others.
I wanted to be an instrument in God's hands. I wanted to follow my
dad's example. When I was a little girl in Primary we would sing, "I Hope
they Call me on a Mission", and I've always had the desire to serve.
Going on a mission is the minimum I can do for my Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ. I pray that my testimony will grow, and my charity too. I
pray that I will be better than I was before I came. I know through
prayer that I'm at the right place, and the right time!
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Note 15: Saving MyLDSMail.net Email
| An RM submitted this on the LDS Missionary Moms form:
Well this is the solution I could think of to download email messages the
missionary has in his inbox to a given computer. MyLDSmail.net doesn't
support access from an email program other than their web interface, so
you can't download email directly using outlook or any other email client
software. However, they do allow you to automatically forward new messages
to another e-mail account. Then you can download from the other email account,
to set the automatic forwarding go to OPTIONS while in the myldsmail account
then go to mailbox management and mark Forward All New Messages and
be sure to mark KEEP A COPY. That's important because it keeps a copy
of new messages in the myldsmail inbox for the missionary) enter the alternate
account then save changes.
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