Thoughts for Future Missionaries

The Branch President in Chaylee's home branch asked her to answer a few questions that they will share with the youth in their branch:

1. What specific items would she would focus on to prepare?
• Read Preach My Gospel. Focus on how it can help you become a better teacher. Focus on the Spirit, and understand how you can better feel it. Being on a mission isn't about the words that you speak, or how intellectual you are. It is about if you have the Spirit with you. Remember that it isn't about you. The time that you give is for the Lord and His children. You are just a mouth piece for all of it.
2. If she could do it all over again, what would she do more of/less of?
• Study more of Preach My Gospel and focus on the way that you can help people. I would study the scriptures more and focus on the lessons that are in them. Realize that your potential is infinite. Everything that you can do is up to the Lord and God. If They want you to baptize then you will baptize. If They want you to work with those who have a struggling testimony, then that is where you will work. Everything is up to them, and realizing that it very important.
3. What traits/skills does she admire in her fellow missionaries?
• The way that they teach. To teach simply is a skill and one that I am trying to acquire. It is amazing the testimony that other missionaries can bare when they are teaching simply. Also, being able to have Godly love for the people, no matter what their situation is. Loving the people and not judging them is sometimes hard. Being able to do that it a skill, that will be forever needed.
4. What practical items (social skills, manners, cleanliness etc) would she recommend?
• Learn to clean!! One of the hardest things is to feel the Spirit in a dirty environment. If your apartment is clean, then you will receive more revelation. Manners are a big one. Remember that everyone is always watching you. You are a missionary, to kids you are like an angel to them, and what you do they will follow. Learn to say appropriate things in dinners, and to have good manners. It is very important to chew with your mouth closed!!! No one wants to see what you eat. Remember that talking to people is hard, but even smiling at someone is missionary work.
5. Testimony.
• I know that going on a mission is hard. It can seem very scary at times. I also know that it is the Lord that helps you with everything. He has been there for me, when I have needed Him the most. God loves you. He wants the best for you. He isn’t going to leave anyone behind. I know that the Gospel is true, and without it we would not be where we are today. I know that the trials that I go through are actually blessings. It is amazing to see the miracles that happen on a mission with others and with yourself. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and without him I would not be able to teach those around me. I know that we are all imperfect people, but with the perfect Gospel we can learn to be just like Jesus Christ, and God, who are perfect. I know these things to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen