Brilliant at the Basics
May 9th
When Vince Lombardi took over as coach of the Green Bay Packers football team in 1958, one of the first questions the local press asked him was, “What are you going to change to turn this team around after a string of failures and losing seasons?” His reply provided a window into the process of how to be successful when faced with a challenging situation.
Lombardi’s response was: “I am not going to change anything. We will use the same players, the same plays and the same training system. But we will concentrate on becoming brilliant at the basics.” In nine seasons his Green Bay Packers won five NFL Championships and two Super Bowls.” (see Being Brilliant at the Basics, by Rick McCormick)
This same principle of “Being Brilliant at the Basics” applies to preparing for a mission.
- The players = missionaries.
- The plays = principles of the gospel.
- Training System = parents, leaders, mission president, personal revelation, obeying the commandments.
Challenge: Concentrate on 3 Gospel Basics
My challenge to you is to pick three things you will do that will prepare you in the gospel basics for your mission. These three goals could be in any of these areas: physical, social, mental, emotional, or spiritual preparation. Don’t just pick the easiest ones. Choose three things that will build, strengthen, and change you for the better. Decide on something that is measurable so that you can do it with exactness. You’ll be glad you did!
Here are a few ideas:
- 15 minutes studying the Scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.
- Morning & Evening Prayer
- Exercise for 30 minutes a day
- Take time every day to listen to a friend.
- Start up a conversation with a stranger (if you tend to be a quiet or shy person. This would be great -practice for a mission.)
- Save a pre-determined amount of $$ out of every paycheck. Or, if you don’t have a job, find a way to help earn money for your mission.
- Be on time for meetings and activities.
- Memorize scriptures and study the Preach My Gospel handbook.
- Be worthy of the priesthood.
- Do your own laundry for one month.
- Cook dinner once a week for your family.
- Do something everyday that you don’t want to do, so that you can learn self-discipline.
- Have good grooming and cleanliness habits. Begin observing missionary grooming standards such as hair length and proper dress.
(Note: Some of these ideas were gleaned from all-encompassingly.com, Preparing for a Mission.)
PRECISION – not Perfection
“Live … so that you’re brilliant in the basics… You think in terms of precision, not perfection.” (Julie B. Beck, Aug 2009, CES Training).
Remember, you’re aiming for PRECISION :
pre·ci·sion : \pri-ˈsi-zhən\ : noun
the quality or state of being precise : exactness
Don’t Get Discouraged
Don’t get discouraged if you miss a day on your “Brilliant at the Basics” goals. Pick yourself back up and Carry on! Once again, you’ll be glad you did! One of President Gordon B. Hinckley’s favorite sayings was this: “Keep trying. Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, June 1995, p. 4.)
WHY?
Why should you make efforts to be brilliant at the basics of the gospel? You want to know the gospel, not just the missionary lessons. Elder M. Russel Ballard explains:
“We need you. Like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, you also are the spirit sons of God, and you too can be endowed with power to build up and defend His kingdom. We need you to make sacred covenants, just as they did. We need you to be meticulously obedient and faithful, just as they were. …
“Listen to [these] words, my young brethren: valiant, courage, strength, active, true. We don’t need spiritually weak and semicommitted young men. We don’t need you to just fill a position; we need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a time for spiritual weaklings. We cannot send you on a mission to be reactivated, reformed, or to receive a testimony. We just don’t have time for that. We need you to be filled with “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5). – Elder Ballard – Gen Conf Oct 2002 – Priesthood Session
LET’S DO IT!
If you’re ready to take this challenge, please leave a comment about what you picked. Then, in a few months, check back in with us and let us know how it’s going and how being “brilliant at the basics” has helped you in your mission preparation. “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!” D&C 128:22
Introducing Guest Author: Heather
May 8th
Hello! I’m Heather, wife of Jimmy, the founder of this website. From time to time, I’ll be posting as a guest author.
Here’s a little info about me. I grew up in a small town in Idaho, 5th of 7 children. I graduated from Ricks (BYU-I) and BYU Provo way back in the 1990’s (my 7-year-old daughter acts like we’re sooooo old-fashioned because we were born in the 1900’s).
I met the love of my life after I graduated from BYU. We crossed paths at the drinking fountain and were married 8 months later in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. We’ve had fun adventures living in Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, and Utah.
I’m mama to 4 cute tots, ages 7, 5, 2, and 6 months. Our home is a little crazy with energetic kids (especially those 3 boys!!!), but we are constantly striving to teach them that happiness comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. We’re all a work in progress – especially me!
I love hiking in the mountains, playing the piano, reading a good book, eating dark chocolate, and being with my family. I love my beautiful, ordinary life!
Leadership Part 2: Captain Moroni
May 4th
This is the second in a series of three articles on leadership. In the first article on leadership (see Leadership Part 1: Jesus, the Perfect Leader), I quoted President Kimball saying that the scriptures contain many examples of effective leaders that we should study. In that spirit, I’d like to share with you the following excerpt from Hugh Nibley, where he gives a wonderful example of the leadership by Moroni, the military captain of the Nephites, which we learn about in the Book of Mormon. Nibley’s speech, called Leaders to Managers: The Fatal Shift, was delivered at the BYU commencement ceremony on August 19, 1983.
“Moroni was the charismatic leader, personally going about to rally the people, who came running together spontaneously to his title of liberty, the banner of the poor and downtrodden of Israel (Alma 46:12, 19—21).
We are often reminded that Moroni “did not delight in the shedding of blood” and would do anything to avoid it, repeatedly urging his people to make covenants of peace and to preserve them by faith and prayer. He refused to talk about “the enemy.” For him they were always “our brethren,” misled by the traditions of their fathers. He fought them only with heavy reluctance, and he never invaded their lands, even when they threatened intimate invasion of his own.
He never felt threatened, since he trusted absolutely in the Lord. At the slightest sign of weakening by an enemy in battle, Moroni would instantly propose a discussion to put an end to the fighting. The idea of total victory was alien to him—no revenge, no punishment, no reprisals, no reparations, even for an aggressor who had ravaged his country. He would send the beaten enemy home after battle, accepting their word for good behavior or inviting them to settle on Nephite lands, even when he knew he was taking a risk. Even his countrymen who fought against him lost their lives only while opposing him on the field of battle. There were no firing-squads, and former conspirators and traitors had only to agree to support his popular army to be reinstated.
With Alma, he insisted that conscientious objectors [the people of Ammon, parents of Helaman’s 2,000 Stripling Warriors] keep their oaths and not go to war even when he desperately needed their help. Always concerned to do the decent thing, he would never take what he called an unfair advantage of an enemy.
Devoid of personal ambition, the moment the war was over he “yielded up the command of his armies . . . and he retired to his own house . . . in peace” (Alma 62:43), though as the national hero he could have had any office or honor. For his motto was, “I seek not for power” (Alma 60:36), and as to rank he thought of himself only as one of the despised and outcast of Israel. If all this sounds a bit too idealistic, may I remind you that there really have been such men in history.”
Here is an LDS-Church-made video about one of the battles that Captain Moroni led:
In the same talk quoted above, Nibley give some other characteristics of what he called “true leaders.”
“Leadership is an escape from mediocrity. All the great deposits of art, science, and literature from the past, on which all civilization has been nourished, come to us from a mere handful of leaders. For the qualities of leadership are the same in all fields, the leader being simply the one who sets the highest example; and to do that and open the way to greater light and knowledge, the leader must break the mold. “A ship in port is safe,” says Captain Hopper speaking of management, “but that is not what ships were built for,” she says, calling for leadership.”
In conclusion, said Brother Nibley, “True leaders are inspiring because they are inspired, caught up in a higher purpose, devoid of personal ambition, idealistic, and incorruptible.” That higher purpose, of course, is the work of the Lord. This is why missionaries who truly understand the divine work they are doing, bringing souls to Jesus Christ, have the potential to be among the greatest of leaders. May you follow the example of Captain Moroni, and always stand up for your God, your religion, your freedom, and lead by the light of Christ, in your missionary work and in all aspects of your life.
Leadership Part 1: Jesus, the Perfect Leader
May 3rd
As a missionary, you will have countless opportunities to lead: as a senior companion, as an example to the members in your area, as a district or zone leader. Surely each of you future missionaries are among the noble and great ones the prophet Abraham saw in vision of whom the Lord said, “these I will make my rulers.” Leadership is a quality you will need in order to be successful as a missionary and in life.
President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th President of the Church, said, “there are many individuals waiting to be touched and loved if we care enough to improve in our” leadership skills. You can begin now to improve your leadership skills, and you will then become a more effective missionary once you reach the mission filed.
Today, I am posting the first of three articles on leadership. I will start by focusing on the greatest example of leadership that we can emulate, that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the perfect leader. President Kimball gave a landmark address on leadership in 1983 in his talk called Jesus: The Perfect Leader. In it, he said, “I want to point out a few of the attributes and skills he demonstrated so perfectly. These same skills and qualities are important for us all if we wish to succeed as leaders in any lasting way.”
- Fixed principles: “Jesus operated from a base of fixed principles or truths rather than making up the rules as he went along. Thus, his leadership style was not only correct, but also constant.” “His was not a long-distance leadership…Jesus said several times, “Come, follow me.” His was a program of “do what I do,” rather than “do what I say.” He walked and worked with those he was to serve.”
- Understanding others: “Jesus was a listening leader. Because he loved others with a perfect love, he listened without being condescending. A great leader listens not only to others, but also to his conscience and to the promptings of God. Jesus was a patient, pleading, loving leader.” “Because Jesus loved his followers, he was able to be candid and forthright with them. He reproved Peter at times because he loved him, and Peter, being a great man, was able to grow from this reproof.”
- Selflessness: The Savior “put himself and his own needs second and ministered to others beyond the call of duty, tirelessly, lovingly, effectively. So many of the problems in the world today spring from selfishness and self-centeredness.” Jesus “taught us that there can be no growth without real freedom. One of the problems with manipulative leadership is that it does not spring from a love of others but from a need to use them. Such leaders focus on their own needs and desires and not on the needs of others.”
- Shared Responsibility: “Jesus was not afraid to make demands of those he led. He had the courage to call Peter and others to leave their fishing nets and to follow him, not after the fishing season or after the next catch, but now! today!…Jesus trusts his followers enough to share his work with them so that they can grow. That is one of the greatest lessons of his leadership. If we brush other people aside in order to see a task done more quickly and effectively, the task may get done all right, but without the growth and development in followers that is so important.”
- Eternal Potential: “Jesus let people know that he believed in them and in their possibilities, and thus he was free to help them stretch their souls in fresh achievement. Jesus believed in his followers, not alone for what they were, but for what they had the possibilities to become.”
- Accountability: “A good leader will remember he is accountable to God as well as to those he leads. By demanding accountability of himself, he is in a better position, therefore, to see that others are accountable for their behavior and their performance. People tend to perform at a standard set by their leaders.”
- Wise use of time: “Jesus also taught us how important it is to use our time wisely. This does not mean there can never be any leisure, for there must be time for contemplation and for renewal, but there must be no waste of time. How we manage time matters so very much, and we can be good managers of time without being frantic.”
President Kimball concludes with a plead to learn from the leadership examples in the scriptures:
“The scriptures contain many marvelous case studies of leaders who, unlike Jesus, were not perfect but were still very effective. It would do us all much good if we were to read them and read them often. We forget that the scriptures present us with centuries of experience in leadership, and, even more importantly, the fixed principles upon which real leadership must operate if it is to succeed. The scriptures are the handbook of instructions for the would-be leader.”
“If we would be eminently successful, Jesus is our pattern. All the ennobling, perfect, and beautiful qualities of maturity, of strength, and of courage are found in this one person…we will find it very difficult to be significant leaders unless we recognize the reality of the perfect leader, Jesus Christ, and let him be the light by which we see the way!”
Missionaries Are Called by God
Apr 29th
The following is an excerpt, text and video, from Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s talk from the April 2010 Priesthood Session of General Conference called The Divine Call of a Missionary. In the talk, Elder Rasband explains the LDS Mission Call Process, particularly, how missionaries are called by God through inspiration to living prophets.
Part of my early training as a new General Authority included an opportunity to sit with members of the Twelve as they assigned missionaries to serve in one of the 300-plus missions of this great Church.
With the encouragement and permission of President Henry B. Eyring, I would like to relate to you an experience, very special to me, which I had with him several years ago when he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Each Apostle holds the keys of the kingdom and exercises them at the direction and assignment of the President of the Church. Elder Eyring was assigning missionaries to their fields of labor, and as part of my training, I was invited to observe.
I joined Elder Eyring early one morning in a room where several large computer screens had been prepared for the session. There was also a staff member from the Missionary Department who had been assigned to assist us that day.
First, we knelt together in prayer. I remember Elder Eyring using very sincere words, asking the Lord to bless him to know “perfectly” where the missionaries should be assigned. The word “perfectly” said much about the faith that Elder Eyring exhibited that day.
As the process began, a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. As each picture appeared, to me it was as if the missionary were in the room with us. Elder Eyring would then greet the missionary with his kind and endearing voice: “Good morning, Elder Reier or Sister Yang. How are you today?”
He told me that in his own mind he liked to think of where the missionaries would conclude their mission. This would aid him to know where they were to be assigned. Elder Eyring would then study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary.
He then referred to 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.
From others of the Twelve, I have learned that this general method is typical each week as Apostles of the Lord assign scores of missionaries to serve throughout the world.
Having served as a missionary in my own country in the Eastern States Mission a number of years ago, I was deeply moved by this experience. Also, having served as a mission president, I was grateful for a further witness in my heart that the missionaries I had received in New York City were sent to me by revelation.
After assigning a few missionaries, Elder Eyring turned to me as he pondered one particular missionary and said, “So, Brother Rasband, where do you think this missionary should go?” I was startled! I quietly suggested to Elder Eyring that I did not know and that I did not know I could know! He looked at me directly and simply said, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know!” With that, I pulled my chair a little closer to Elder Eyring and the computer screen, and I did pay much closer attention!
A couple of other times as the process moved along, Elder Eyring would turn to me and say, “Well, Brother Rasband, where do you feel this missionary should go?” I would name a particular mission, and Elder Eyring would look at me thoughtfully and say, “No, that’s not it!” He would then continue to assign the missionaries where he had felt prompted.
As we were nearing the completion of that assignment meeting, a picture of a certain missionary appeared on the screen. I had the strongest prompting, the strongest of the morning, that the missionary we had before us was to be assigned to Japan. I did not know that Elder Eyring was going to ask me on this one, but amazingly he did. I rather tentatively and humbly said to him, “Japan?” Elder Eyring responded immediately, “Yes, let’s go there.” And up on the computer screen the missions of Japan appeared. I instantly knew that the missionary was to go to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Elder Eyring did not ask me the exact name of the mission, but he did assign that missionary to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Privately in my heart I was deeply touched and sincerely grateful to the Lord for allowing me to experience the prompting to know where that missionary should go.
At the end of the meeting Elder Eyring bore his witness to me of the love of the Savior, which He has for each missionary assigned to go out into the world and preach the restored gospel. He said that it is by the great love of the Savior that His servants know where these wonderful young men and women, senior missionaries, and senior couple 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 through one of these, His servants.
Mission Papers Online
Apr 18th
The Church recently started publicizing the location of the Web site where missionaries can fill out their mission papers online. The Church refers to this online mission papers Web site as the Missionary Online Recommendation System.
In order to log in and get started with the online mission application, a prospective missionary needs to have an LDS Account. LDS Account is the username and password you use to access your stake and ward Web sites. If you don’t have one, to register for an LDS Account, you will need to go to the site, and you will need to know your Church membership number, which you can get from your ward clerk.
Sharing the Gospel Online
Apr 5th
A couple of years ago, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a landmark address called Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet. In the spirit of that address, I am announcing the launch of a new section of Mormon Mission Prep that I’m calling Mormon Share. In Mormon Share (under “Share” in the site top navigation), you will find tools to help you share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on your Web site, Facebook, a blog or elsewhere. You will find widgets, badges, code, and other tools to help you quickly and easily begin sharing the gospel online. There is much there now, and in the future I’ll be adding even more.
And while we are on the subject of sharing the gospel online. Here are some of my favorite excerpts from Elder Ballard’s talk:
The Internet: A Modern Printing Press
“For many of you, if you read newspapers, the chances are you read them on the Internet. Ours is the world of cyberspace, cell phones that capture video, video and music downloads, social networks, text messaging and blogs, handhelds and podcasts.”
“The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the gospel. The Church has adopted and embraced those tools, including print, broadcast media, and the Internet.”
Join the Conversation Online
“There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.”
“Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true. You can download videos from Church and other appropriate sites, including newsroom.lds.org, and send them to your friends. You can write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports. This, of course, requires that you understand the basic principles of the gospel. It is essential that you are able to offer a clear and correct witness of gospel truths. It is also important that you and the people to whom you testify understand that you do not speak for the Church as a whole. You speak as one member—but you testify of the truths you have come to know.”
Examples of What You Can Do
“A Church member living in the Midwest of the United States makes a concerted effort to share the gospel every day, in person. He then writes a blog about his daily endeavors to share the teachings of the Book of Mormon and to give pass-along cards to all he meets. His effort to share the gospel so diligently is admirable, and his further effort to write about it no doubt inspires many others to do the same.”
“Others have recorded and posted their testimonies of the Restoration, the teachings of the Book of Mormon, and other gospel subjects on popular video-sharing sites. You too can tell your story to nonmembers in this way. Use stories and words that they will understand. Talk honestly and sincerely about the impact the gospel has had in your life, about how it has helped you overcome weaknesses or challenges and helped define your values. The audiences for these and other new media tools may often be small, but the cumulative effect of thousands of such stories can be great. The combined effort is certainly worth the outcome if but a few are influenced by your words of faith and love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”
“The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has no doubt had a powerful impact on your life. It has, in part, shaped who you are and what your future will be. Do not be afraid to share with others your experiences as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all have interesting stories that have influenced our identity. Sharing those stories is a nonthreatening way to talk to others. Telling those stories can help demystify the Church. You could help overcome misperceptions through your own sphere of influence, which ought to include the Internet.”
No need to argue or contend
“As you participate in this conversation and utilize the tools of new media, remember who you are—Latter-day Saints. Remember, as the proverb states, that “a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). And remember that contention is of the devil (see 3 Nephi 11:29). There is no need to argue or contend with others regarding our beliefs. There is no need to become defensive or belligerent. Our position is solid; the Church is true. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit and constantly remembering the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, which reminds us of how precious are the children of our Father in Heaven.”
Conclusion
“Let your voice be heard in this great cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Arriving in Your Mission
Mar 31st
After your time in the MTC is up, generally 3 or 9 weeks, you will travel to your assigned mission. That might mean a drive down the street or a flight half way around the world. Arriving in your mission, for many missionaries, means culture-shock and fear of the unknown. Arriving in your mission as a new missionary is a different experience in every mission and for every missionary. But usually your mission president will see to it that you are properly oriented and taken care of when you arrive.
I recently wrote about the MTC when my brother, Michael, had just entered there. Now he has left the MTC and he arrived in Poland this week. Michael’s mission president took time to write about his arrival and the various activities he and the other new missionaries went through when they first arrived in the country. I thought it might be interesting to compare and contrast Michael’s experience arriving in Poland with my experience arriving in my mission in Argentina.
Arriving in the Poland, Warsaw Mission
From Torben Engbjerg, President of the Poland Warsaw Mission: “The new group of missionaries was met at the Frederic Chopin Airport here in Warsaw by my wife and I and our Assistants. Everyone seemed very excited to be here. We followed our normal procedure when receiving new missionaries. After having put their luggage in the mission van and bringing it to the mission home, we took them all to the “Rynek” (old market square), in the old city of Warsaw, where they were met by other missionaries with the assignment to give this new group of missionaries a first impression of street contacting in Poland. The weather was wonderful today, with the first signs of spring, the sun shining, as you will see in the pictures, so everything was perfect for them to have a great experience.
“[In the] early evening we fed them pizza in the mission home, after which they were allowed to retire early to bed, in order to quickly get over the jet-lag. So they are now sound asleep here in the mission home as I am writing this. Tomorrow we are going to have introductory meetings in the mission office in the morning. In the afternoon the Assistants will take them on a brief sightseeing tour of Warsaw, after which they will be brought back to the mission home for their first interviews, the official welcome dinner and a testimony meeting.
“On Thursday morning we will again take them to the mission office for further instructions and to be introduced to their first companion/trainer, who will come to pick them up from their various work areas. This moment is always filled with excitement and a bit of nervous feelings, before they all go by train, tram, or bus to their various work destinations.”
Arriving in the Argentina, Rosario Mission
I arrived in Rosario Argentina in December of 1995. Getting off the airplane I was nearly floored by the hot, muggy weather (remember, the seasons there are opposite those of the United States). Another thing that struck me was the military guards posted at the airport, carrying rifles and looking very intimidating. Two missionaries from the mission office met us (me and two or three other missionaries) at the airport and took us directly to the mission home. At the mission home we got a brief tour of the mission office, a building directly behind the residence of the mission president and his family. Then the mission president and his wife spoke to us for an hour or so. A couple of highlights from that meeting were:
- I got gently reprimanded by the mission president for not taking notes. As the meeting began, I was in a bit of a haze, but I was paying close attention to the mission president and his wife. I hadn’t even noticed when the other missionaries whipped out a pen and paper and began taking copious notes. I quickly followed suit.
The mission president’s wife told us we could follow the missionary guidelines and only drink filtered or bottled water. Of course then we’d have to turn down water at the homes of members and non-members alike when they offered us a cold drink. Alternatively, she said, we could just drink the water, have diarrhea for a few days, then get used to it and then be able to drink the local tap water. I opted for the second alternative.- Lastly, I remember the mission president telling us that though the missionary guide said preparation day lasted until 6pm and could be used to go site seeing, there were no good sites to see in Argentina. Therefore our p-day would end at 4pm, thus giving us 2 more hours of proselytizing each week.
After the group meeting, each of the new missionaries had a one on one interview with the mission president. In that meeting he told us about our first assigned area and who our first companion/trainer would be. After that, and within a few hours of arriving in Rosario, I was on a bus, all by myself, on my way to a city two hours to the north called Paraná. Boy that was a scary bus ride. I remember at every stop leaning over to the guy next to me and asking him in my broken Spanish, “Es esta ciudad Paraná?” (Is this city Paraná?). He and the bus driver were kind enough to make sure I got off at the right place.
So that was my experience arriving in my mission. What was yours?
Primary Activity on Missionary Work
Mar 17th
Last weekend I was asked at the last minute to help with a primary activity on missionary work. This activity was very similar to one I had participated in years ago and for which I had made a little 4 minute video slide show. Lucky for me, we found the old DVD so I could use it once again. The primary activity had the children divide up into groups and travel from room to room and learn about different places to serve a mission. I had about ten minutes with each group, so we watched the video, I showed them some souvenirs from Argentina, and I taught them how to say a few words in Spanish. It was a good little activity, and it got my five-year-old son very excited to serve a mission. And now, of course, he says he hopes to go on a mission to Argentina some day. Great choice! As it would be to go on a mission anywhere the Lord calls you to go. So, without further delay, here’s the video.
Mission Application Form
Mar 5th
The mission application form, or the “Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation,” is the official Church paperwork you will need to fill out when applying to go on a mission. (Note: you may want to read my earlier post on Mission Papers, which talks about the process of starting and submitting your paperwork from a high-level perspective, and a previous post on the Mission Application Timeline which talks about more details of the application process with particular emphasis on the timing of when to begin each step.)
You can get the “Checklist for Full-Time Missionary Recommendation” from your bishop or branch president. They will give you all the paperwork and help you through the application process. Whether you fill out the physical paperwork, or complete the application online, the form has eight major sections:
- Missionary Recommendation
- Priesthood Leaders’ Comments and Suggestions
- Education and Service of Missionary Candidate
- Unit Information for Missionary Candidate
- Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate
- Physician’s Health Evaluation
- Dental Evaluation for Missionary Candidate
- Personal Insurance Information of Missionary Candidate
1. Missionary Recommendation
The first section of the mission application form is called the Missionary Recommendation. This is where you fill out your name, address, and other contact information. In this section you attach a photograph of yourself, dressed according to missionary dress standards. You will fill in your birth date, confirmation date, and any criminal record you might have. This part of the application asks for your citizenship information, and residency documents, if applicable. You will need to provide the name, occupation, and contact information of your parents, or caregiver if you live with someone other than your parents.
2. Priesthood Leaders’ Comments and Suggestions
The priesthood leader section has two parts. First is the Bishop’s or Branch President’s Recommendation. Once you have completed all your paperwork, your bishop will review it and give you a worthiness interview. He will ask about your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and make sure you are worthy, willing, and able to serve a mission. Then he will write a few comments on your application on what he thinks of your leadership potential, interests, talents, or limitations that should be considered in determining the mission assignment. A similar interview and written assessment will then also be done by your stake president, or mission president if you live in an area where no stake is organized.
3. Education and Service of Missionary Candidate
On this part of the mission application form, you are asked your native language and other languages you speak or have studied. You will then describe your education, including seminary and institute, work experience, and military service. Here you also specify any extracurricular activities, special skills, accomplishments, previous Church callings, and other leadership experience. This is also the section where you will outline how you will be financing your mission. You will be asked to describe your source of funds, indicating how much money will be contributed from yourself, your family, your ward or branch, and other sources. You are also given the opportunity in this section to explain any special circumstances that the Brethren should consider when making your mission call.
4. Unit Information for Missionary Candidate
Most of the information that needs to be filled out in this section will be provided by someone in your ward or branch such as the clerk. This information includes: your membership record number, your home ward or branch unit number, the name of your bishop or branch president, and the name of your stake president.
5. Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate
This is a section that you will fill out yourself or with the help of your parents. You are asked here to specify whether have currently, have had previously, or have never had about 50 different medical conditions, including: serious injuries, various diseases, allergies, seizures, asthma, diabetes, tattoos, skin conditions, severe headaches, insomnia, tumors, cancers, learning disabilities, emotional instability, been a victim of abuse, used illegal drugs, etc. You will need to answer all of the questions completely and honestly.
6. Physician’s Health Evaluation
This section of the mission application form will be filled out by your medical doctor. The Doctor will note your height, weight, and blood pressure. He or she will do a urinalysis and various tests: blood tests, a tuberculosis test, etc. The doctor will fill in your immunization dates (MMR, Polio, Hepatitis A and B), and give an overall missionary fitness report (the doctor’s assessment of your ability to serve) and note any physical or medical limitations. This part of the form is concluded with the physician’s signature, name, address, and other contact information.
7. Dental Evaluation for Missionary Candidate
Every missionary candidate needs to have a complete oral examination and corresponding form sections filled out by your dentist. All dental treatment, including active orthodontic treatment (braces), must be completed before a prospective missionary begins to serve. (Wearing a retainer appliance is not considered active treatment.) Have your dental examination early, perhaps as early as 6 months before you plan to go on your mission, to allow plenty of time to complete all dental treatment or your application may be delayed. The dentist will need to certify that you will be free of dental problems during the next two years (assuming proper oral hygiene is practiced). For many missionaries this means having wisdom teeth removed before going on a mission.
8. Personal Insurance Information of Missionary Candidate
The final section of the mission application form is several pages of authorizations, releases of information, and medical privacy notices that you and your parents will need to sign. Health insurance is not required, but if you have health insurance coverage, please do not cancel it. You will need to provide information about your health care policy so the Church can properly process your medical expenses for events that may happen on your mission. If you become sick or injured during the mission, the Church will provide initial payment for medical expenses, but that is not intended to replace your personal insurance. Health care expenses paid by the Church on your mission are made from the general funds of the Church and are thus sacred in nature and should be treated as such.
Mission Paperwork Complete
Once the paperwork is complete, you will need to make an appointment with your bishop and stake president. You will hand over the forms for them to review and ultimately submit to Church headquarters in Salt Lake.
