(Okay, I don't know what's wrong with this post... the formatting goes all weird for some reason. It looks fine when I go edit it but then it looks weird on the actual blog. Sorry, but I don't know what to do about it.)
- Study, study, study! My bishop recommended a book called The Book of Mormon Made Easier by David J. Ridges (I think it has 3 parts). He has the Book of Mormon word for word in it but then adds definitions, histories, his own thoughts, etc. to help you understand it better. It takes a while to read, but you get a very thorough study of the Book of Mormon. Studying the Book of Mormon (whether you get this book or just study the Book of Mormon itself) is one of the best things you can do to prepare for a mission. Preach My Gospel and the books in the missionary library (Our Heritage, Our Search for Happiness, True to the Faith, and Jesus the Christ) are, of course, great study resources.
- Practice several different studying techniques and figure out which ones work best for you. Figuring this out now will certainly help you be one step ahead in your studying as a missionary.
- Another thing you can do is to practice teaching from Preach My Gospel. For FHE (or whatever other gathering you find yourself in) teach your family/FHE group/friends one of the lessons, or any subject you find in PMG. You can pretend they're the investigators, or you can plan the lesson for members.
- Study, study, study! My bishop recommended a book called The Book of Mormon Made Easier by David J. Ridges (I think it has 3 parts). He has the Book of Mormon word for word in it but then adds definitions, histories, his own thoughts, etc. to help you understand it better. It takes a while to read, but you get a very thorough study of the Book of Mormon. Studying the Book of Mormon (whether you get this book or just study the Book of Mormon itself) is one of the best things you can do to prepare for a mission. Preach My Gospel and the books in the missionary library (Our Heritage, Our Search for Happiness, True to the Faith, and Jesus the Christ) are, of course, great study resources.
- Practice several different studying techniques and figure out which ones work best for you. Figuring this out now will certainly help you be one step ahead in your studying as a missionary.
- Another thing you can do is to practice teaching from Preach My Gospel. For FHE (or whatever other gathering you find yourself in) teach your family/FHE group/friends one of the lessons, or any subject you find in PMG. You can pretend they're the investigators, or you can plan the lesson for members.
- Attend the temple as often as you can. Satan's influence on future missionaries is very strong. He will do anything he can to stop you. You will need the spirit that comes from attending the temple.
- If you don't know already, learn the basics of how to take care of a car. You know, what needs to be done on a regular basis, like checking the oil and things. And maybe even how to change a tire. This knowledge could really come in handy if you happen to get a car. (A note for sisters: ignore all the elders' jokes about sister missionaries and cars...)
- Also, if you don't know already, learn the basics of how to fix a bike. You may be in a bike area and may need to know things like how to change a tire. Or you might want to know hints like making sure to give it some lubricant every couple of months to help it ride better.
- Don't stress too much about learning (and remembering) car and bike stuff, but they are good to know. If you need help with them in the mission field, you can always call the mission office, your district leader or zone leaders, or a member. If you know a little about it though, you won't feel like a fool like I did.
- If you play the piano, or used to play the piano, be sure to learn how to play at least a few hymns (including at least one sacrament hymn). You may just be assigned to a branch or ward that has few musically inclined people. You don't want to have to go through the embarrassment of having the whole congregation sing acapella because you had to say "not really, not anymore" or "not any of the hymns" to the "do you play the piano" question. District meetings will be great opportunities to practice playing while people are singing.
- I don't think this is as much of a problem as it used to be, and it may seem obvious, but I decided I better mention it. Know how to take care of yourself! Know how to cook, clean, do laundry, that sort of thing. I was completely dumbfounded to find out there were missionaries who did not know how to cook or do laundry. It would also be good to learn simple hand sewing tips. Like sewing on a button or how to hem.
- Also, learn how to go grocery shopping! It's not as easy as it looks. Go with your mom or older sibling and have them show you. Learn how to plan meals before you go and then go shopping for the ingredients. I thought I knew how to do these things but ended up struggling with it for my first few weeks. It's totally different going shopping for your mom than going shopping for yourself.
- Learn how to get along with people. Getting along with people you have little in common with goes far as a missionary.
**For Preparing to Leave Part 2, click here.
**For tips on how to stay focused as you prepare to serve a mission, click here.
- If you play the piano, or used to play the piano, be sure to learn how to play at least a few hymns (including at least one sacrament hymn). You may just be assigned to a branch or ward that has few musically inclined people. You don't want to have to go through the embarrassment of having the whole congregation sing acapella because you had to say "not really, not anymore" or "not any of the hymns" to the "do you play the piano" question. District meetings will be great opportunities to practice playing while people are singing.
- I don't think this is as much of a problem as it used to be, and it may seem obvious, but I decided I better mention it. Know how to take care of yourself! Know how to cook, clean, do laundry, that sort of thing. I was completely dumbfounded to find out there were missionaries who did not know how to cook or do laundry. It would also be good to learn simple hand sewing tips. Like sewing on a button or how to hem.
- Also, learn how to go grocery shopping! It's not as easy as it looks. Go with your mom or older sibling and have them show you. Learn how to plan meals before you go and then go shopping for the ingredients. I thought I knew how to do these things but ended up struggling with it for my first few weeks. It's totally different going shopping for your mom than going shopping for yourself.
- Learn how to get along with people. Getting along with people you have little in common with goes far as a missionary.
**For Preparing to Leave Part 2, click here.
**For tips on how to stay focused as you prepare to serve a mission, click here.
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