As Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we become servants and messengers of the lord for 18-24 months.
This takes a lot of preparation. In order to be able to even receive our call we must go through a series of checklist, and interviews in order to make sure we are physically, and spiritual ready to serve on a mission. We become representatives of Christ and in order to share His gospel we must worthy and ready to do so.
So after we go through the initial process we receive the assignment of where we will be serving for the next 18-24 months. This is not random.
Clink on this link if you like to know more about receiving a mission call....The Divine Call of a Missionary.
Ronald A. Rasband talks about the process of how the call is personal revelation received through Prophets who have the proper authority to receive revelation for the missionaries.
Once the call has been assigned the we have and obligation to prepare ourselves even more for the mission. We need to continue studying our Scriptures (Bibe/ New Testament/ and Book of Mormon) These become great tools while teaching others about the Gospel . We also have a handbook called Preach My Gospel, which is a missionaries tool. It has all the basics that the missionary will need to know in order to teach lessons to those who have questions or are interested in learning more about the Church.
There are other books and things that we study and learn from during this time to prepare for a mission.
We also take this time to gather things that we might need on a mission, such as specific wardrobe, shoes, bags, all the things missionaries might need where ever they are going.
If we are sent to a foreign country to need to get our visa, and passports, we also should study the language before we go, Missionaries are not always sent to places where they know the language fluently. For example I am going to Germany, and really I don't remember too much from High School except maybe Ich Heisse McKinzie.
Missionaries are also asked to go through the temple. The temple is a very sacred place. It is the House of the Lord Where we worship and learn through ordinances, and covenants. Not everyone can go into the temple, but everyone is invited to enter. In order to go through the temple we must be worthy. We must strive to fallow the commandments the Lord has asked us to fallow, and also have an understanding of the importance of the temple and what happens in the temple. It is a beautiful place to be and you can truly feel the spirit of the Lord, learn, grow, and receive revelation for yourself.
Right before we leave for our missions we are set apart my proper authority to be Missionaries Of the Lord. During this time (which is usually only for a day or less) we must fallow all the mission rules. We must have a companion with us at all times, wake up when missionaries do, have companion study, and so on. On or departure day we are dropped off either and the Air Port or the MTC drop off where are parents have to say there goodbyes to us for the duration of our mission. This is a big deal because they cannot See us, phone us, or anything except emails, and letters for 18-24 months.
We then report to the MTC where we have another 4-6 weeks of training in being a Missionary. (Man we really have to be super prepared, and even then it doesn't feel like enough sometimes. ) During those weeks we train in Preach My Gospel lessons, we have investigators, and learn all the basics of being a good missionary. We will also have rigorous training on our mission language. Even though we might not be fluent when we get to the country the expect us to learn it and be able to communicate in that language well after we have been there for a few months. (This is really up to how much you are willing to put forth the effort) It is probably one of the hardest things missionaries have to overcome on the missions.
Missionaries are truly amazing people, and I cannot wait to be out there on my full time mission. They serve, and help people in the community, while also bringing Gods children closer to him. They are talented and strong.
While on the mission, missionaries must fallow a strict schedule and rules. This will seem strict to others, but for missionaries it is a blessing (plus we really don't have time for much anyways).
Missionaries wake up at 6:30 everyday. They have personal study time, and get ready for the day. Missionaries then have companion study, and preparation time. During this time they will plan there day out and also fallow the spirits council in what they should talk about with there investigators and what goals they should meet for the day.
They have an hour for lunch and an hour for dinner, during the time in between they are reaching out to and helping God's children.
Once a week Missionaries will have a personal day where they can do laundry, read and write emails, and have some free time.
Missionaries will help Members of the Church in the areas they are in as well. They will visit them, and teach them.
Every Christmas and Mothers days Missionaries can call or Skype home!
For those 18-24 months missionaries devote all their time and effort into serving the Lord and being a representative or Christ. They fallow rules, study, and listen to the spirit to be able to know who is ready to receive the gospel in their lives, and who needs help. They have great charity and love.
Missionaries are truly Gods army.
