The Best Two Years - Why Serve a Mission

A friend of mine has a son who is a senior in high school. He has been accepted to a prestigious university. He can defer the acceptance for one year. She wrote to me to ask if he should still consider a two-year mission for the church. My response to her was, “A mission is a life changing event that will bless him through his entire life, and he (her son) should see if there is a way to get an exception from the University so that he can serve a mission and attend the university afterwards.” She wrote back asking a favor, to write a one-page letter stating what young people learn on missions that will translate into great success beyond college.

Elders Mecham and Farnsworth

Immediately my mind started pouring out ideas. Missions are a unique experience that provide opportunity for growth in many ways. A mission is a rite of passage for youth in the church. I watch as eighteen-year-old boys and nineteen-year-old girls get off the plane. They are young and look self-conscious and nervous, not knowing what to expect. Most of them have never lived away from home before and they are not sure what will happen next. Two years later I can clearly see the growth from their learning to do hard things. Their maturity radiates on their faces. Even the language they use is more clear and powerful. Here are some of the things they learn.

Personal and Intellectual Growth

·      Missionaries develop self-discipline as they follow the required “missionary standards”, or code of conduct, designed to keep missionaries serving worldwide safe, healthy, and engaged in their purpose. Breaking rules can result in being sent home from service. Missionaries further develop integrity.

·      Missionaries learn the value of work as they follow daily schedules and plan and reach their goals. They dedicate their time to studying, teaching, and serving others. They are asked to abstain from anything that would distract from their mission, such as watching TV or movies, playing video games, dating, etc.

·      Missionaries challenge themselves. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Missionaries leave their comfort zones by striking up conversations with strangers and sharing the Gospel message with those who might criticize and ridicule them.

·      Many missionaries learn a new language. And all missionaries learn to communicate more effectively with everyone.

Self-Reliance

·      Missionaries are responsible for basic household tasks such as meal preparation, doing laundry, and keeping their apartments clean

·      Missionaries learn to manage their health by developing healthy sleep patterns, learning healthy eating habits, exercising daily, and keeping track of medications and doctor’s appointments. Missionaries are also taught how to manage anxiety and stress.

·      Missionaries learn time management skills through daily planning and goal setting.

·      Missionaries learn to budget their money by managing their bi-monthly “missionary support fund” allowance that needs to cover food, cleaning supplies, haircuts, etc.

·      Missionaries learn basic car and bicycle maintenance and safety skills.

Sister Hebdon, Elder Seals and Sister Sutton waiting for their interviews with President Quinn

Interpersonal Skills

·      Missionaries are assigned a companion with whom they are with twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They do everything together, including studying, teaching the Gospel, cooking, and cleaning. Over the course of their mission, they will have around 6-8 different companions. They learn how to have difficult conversations in “companion council” while working through differences. They learn to look for the best in others and appreciate the goodness in others.

·      Missionaries have the opportunity to interact daily with people from all walks of life. They develop empathy for others as they get to know others and understand their stories and backgrounds. 

·      Missionaries make life-long friendships with those they teach and with other missionaries. During their weekly “Preparation Days”, missionaries can have fun exploring the area and participating in various sports and activities.

Service and Sacrifice

·      Missionaries give up school, work, and personal interests for two-years (eighteen months for women) to serve their Savior, Jesus Christ.

·      Missionaries teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others, giving them hope and a community of fellowship.

·      Missionaries look for opportunities to serve others each day and participate in weekly service activities in their communities.

Leadership Skills

·      Previously mentioned items contribute to missionaries developing leadership skill.

·      Missionaries are given stewardship opportunities to oversee and help other missionaries in their local districts or zones. They learn how to run meetings and provide teaching. Most serve as trainers for newly arrived missionaries.

·      Missionaries are held accountable for their goals and accomplishments each week. New goals are assessed through analyzing the data.

Sister Steadman with Sister Quinn

Strengthened Discipleship and Trust in God

·      Missionaries come to know that they are children of God and that He loves them and wants what’s best for them. They learn to trust God, that He will be there to guide, strengthen, and heal them throughout their lives.

·      Missionaries are asked to obey God’s commandments, in addition to the “standards for missionaries”, and to keep the covenants they made with God. They learn the joy of discipleship. In addition, they observe others changing their lives finding happiness through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

·      Missionaries are taught to express gratitude daily in prayer

·      Missionaries become familiar with the scriptures through daily study. They participate in district training and zone conferences, every six weeks, where they learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others.

. Missionaires have the opportunity to learn and grow as they are interview by the mission president every six weeks.

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Missionaries are not doing this all on their own. They are surrounded by mission leaders, bishops. Church members who help and support them in addition to the love and support they receive from family members at home. A mission is a rare opportunity for sacrifice, love, growth, and to have eternal and life changing experiences.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, “Not only is a mission the best two years…, it is also the most important two years because of what you learn.

Booklet listing the standards for missionaries

Elders Bair, Fano, and Hadley