Keys to Communicating Effectively as Missionaries: Love

One of the most important elements to successful communicating as a missionary is an unconventional one: love. Still, this should not come as a shock, for when asked what is the greatest commandment (and therefore the most essential thing we can be doing as people and as missionaries), the Lord answered his apostles:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it. Though shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:37-39

Having genuine love and compassion for those you teach shows your true devotion as a disciple of Christ.

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Keys to Communicating Effectively as a Missionary: Trust

Another element of good communication commonly brought up by the missionaries is that of trust.

 

One elder suggested that establishing trust is crucial–beginning with the first impression! Because the first impression may be the only impression for many who meet the missionaries, it is crucial to develop that trust immediately. Preach My Gospel has some helpful feedback on how to make these first impressions go well:

Keys to Communicating Effectively as a Missionary: Good Listening

For the next series of blog posts, I wanted to learn more about the communication skills necessary to be a successful missionary. Who better to ask than some current LDS missionaries? As I’ve talked to my missionary friends–in the MTC, in the field, or recently returned–I’ve been taking notes. Not surprisingly, the missionaries all agreed that good communication is crucial to successfully sharing the gospel with others and bringing them closer to God. However, the elements they emphasized as being key in good communication varied from missionary to missionary. Those qualities which tended to resurface over and over are those which I’ll be sharing. And today’s is good listening.

When it comes to communicating effectively with others, the listening is more important than the actual speaking.

Preparing to Serve a Mission without “Shrinking”: Thoughts on Last Night’s CES Broadcast by Elder Bednar

Last night, the young adults were lucky enough to be addressed by Elder David A. Bednar, apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, in a CES Broadcast. (For those of you who may have missed the broadcast, you can find it here)

Elder Bednar addressing the YSA at a devotional held at University of Texas Arlington

His address, entitled “That we Might not… Shrink” pulls from Doctrine & Covenants 19:18, which reads:

Which suffering [the atonement] caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

How to: Prepare to enter the temple prior to your mission

The most important thing you will do in preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is enter one of the Lord’s holy temples and make covenants of eternal significance. More on these covenants can be found in a post written earlier this week–“The next big step: Understanding the importance of the temple in mission preparation.”

Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Utah

Because going to the temple for the first time is a big and important experience, it can seem a little daunting or overwhelming. However, proper preparation can help immensely with the process. I was blessed enough to attend the temple for the first time on Friday, and I loved it. Thankfully, I had some wonderful leaders and advice which helped me appreciate the experience–advise which I’d like to pass on to you.

News Flash: Boom in new LDS missionaries leads to creation of 58 new missions

Good morning all!

Yesterday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the creation of 58 new missions. These will be split from some of the existing 347 missions, and will not cover any new territories or countries. The changes are meant to accommodate the influx of missionary work that has occurred since the announcement of new ages for missionary service by Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in October (a large part of this influx, I am proud to say, being the result of sister missionaries–well done sisters!).

These are exciting times for missionary work, and there’s no better time to be preparing for a mission.

Some lovely sister missionaries in the Belgium mission.

The new missions being created are listed below:

The next big step: Understanding the importance of the temple in mission preparation.

Preparing to enter the temple as you prepare for a mission is an incredible opportunity and experience. We can talk a little more about the how-tos of temple preparation later, but first let’s look at what the temple is.

Many you have probably seen a temple before, but maybe not. Whether you’ve been a member of the Mormon faith for your entire life, or you’re just someone curious about the LDS temples, it’s helpful to be reminded of what a temple is, and why it’s important.