Ready Always / Everyday questions / School & church

Are you going on a mission? Why would you do that?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“I’m hoping to. Missionaries volunteer, and even pay their own way, to share what they believe about Jesus and to serve. It’s a big sacrifice, but people come home saying it was the best thing they ever did.”

Then ask them: If you could live anywhere in the world for two years, where would you go?
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

After His Resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Latter-day Saints take that seriously. The Topics and Questions page on missionary work says young men have a duty to prepare to serve full-time missions, and young women and older couples also have the opportunity.

Both young men and young women can begin at 18. Young men usually serve for two years and young women for 18 months. Missionaries don’t choose where they go. They teach, serve in communities and study a lot. Families and the missionaries themselves pay for it.

For the Strength of Youth frames it as part of being a disciple: “you can help with God’s work.” Not every young member serves a full-time mission, and the Church provides options for those with health or other limits.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

Matthew 28:19-20Teach all nations
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Read in New Testament, Connected →
D&C 18:15-16How great will be your joy
15And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! 16And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! Read in Doctrine and Covenants, Connected →
Mosiah 28:3The sons of Mosiah want to share the gospel
3Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. Read in Book of Mormon, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

Most friends have seen missionaries in white shirts on bikes. They may wonder why anyone would give up two years, or feel a little uneasy about the idea of “converting” people.

OfficialTopics and Questions: Missionary Work ↗OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: You can help with God’s work ↗OfficialServe a Mission ↗Ages, lengths and kinds of missionsOfficialPreach My Gospel (2023) ↗The guide missionaries actually use

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. What do I already know that I’d want to share with someone?
  2. How can I be a missionary now, without a name tag?
  3. What would I need to start preparing today?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

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Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

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