Choosing to Serve a Mission

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. …

For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity. (“Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, May 2022, 6)

missionary service, commandments

Read Deuteronomy 28:1–6, 9, marking what the Lord promised through Moses if we do what He asks of us. Note: “The fruit of [the] body” in verse 4 refers to posterity.

How do you think the Lord’s promises in these verses could apply to our obedience to serve Him as His missionaries?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Dear young friends, you are each vital to the Lord. He has held you in reserve until now to help gather Israel. Your decision to serve a mission, whether a proselyting or a service mission, will bless you and many others. (“Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, May 2022, 6)

missionary service, gathering Israel

Serving a mission shows appreciation for what the Savior has done for you. But understanding some of the blessings God offers can help with your decision on whether to serve a mission.

Imagine you are a full-time missionary. You wear a black name tag labeled “Elder ” or “Sister .” You have a companionship study every morning. You will spend the next few minutes preparing for a companionship study about missionary service.

Read two or more of the following scripture references. Look for the blessings God gives missionaries. Tag the verses as “missionary service” or “missionary blessings.”

• Matthew 28:19–20 (Jesus Christ’s words to His Apostles in Jerusalem)

• Alma 17:2–4 (A meeting of Alma and the sons of Mosiah after many years of missionary service)

• Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16 (Revelation to the Church in 1829)

• Doctrine and Covenants 118:3 (Revelation to the Church in 1838)

Read one or both of the following statements.

• President M. Russell Ballard (1928–2023) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

  

  My full-time missionary service … blessed my life and shaped my spiritual destiny. …

  My missionary service prepared me to be a better husband and father and to be successful in business. It also prepared me for a lifetime of service to the Lord in His Church. …

  The Lord knows you. When you are serving your mission, you will have experiences that will help you come to know Him better. You will grow spiritually in serving Him. (“Missionary Service Blessed My Life Forever,” Liahona, May 2022, 8–9)

  missionary service, missionary blessings

• Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis of the Seventy taught:

  

  Among the many rich blessings He has given me for serving Him as a full-time missionary are a greater faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and a stronger knowledge and testimony of His teachings, so that I am not easily swayed by “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). I lost my fear of teaching. My capacity to face challenges with optimism increased. … And I learned for myself that God is a God of miracles (see Mormon 9).

  All of these things were instrumental in my preparation for adult life. …

  My mission completely shaped my life. I learned it is worth the effort to trust in God. (“Lift Up Your Heart and Rejoice,” Liahona, May 2022, 42–43)

  missionary service, missionary blessings

Watch one or more of the following videos. President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discuss the possible blessings of missionary service.

• “The Book of Mormon” (2:10)

  

  2:10

• “Missions and Eternal Companions” (1:07)

  

  1:7

• “Missions and Careers” (1:37)

  

  1:37

• “Education” (1:44)

  

  1:44

Prepare a note, text message, or video message for a friend or family member who is deciding whether to serve the Lord on a mission. Include at least two of the following:

• One or two blessings you learned that God gives as we serve a full-time mission and how you feel about them

• An example of someone you know who received one of God’s blessings you identified through their missionary service

• How what you learned affects your desire to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary

• What you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that could help someone choose to serve a full-time mission

Close your eyes and think about Heavenly Father. Imagine having a conversation with Him about serving a mission. You share with Him some of your questions or concerns. Seek impressions from the Holy Ghost about how Heavenly Father might respond to your questions or concerns.