Tips for New Missionaries: Preparing to Serve

Build a study habit before you need one

The single skill that makes the first weeks easier is knowing how to study. Start now: read from Preach My Gospel and the scriptures daily, take notes, and practice explaining what you learned in your own words. You don't have to have it mastered — you just want the habit built before the pace picks up.

Get comfortable with the material, not perfect

Learn the missionary lessons in Preach My Gospel well enough to teach simply — in your own words, not memorized word-for-word. Nobody expects polish on day one. Familiarity beats perfection: it frees you to focus on the person in front of you instead of scrambling for what to say.

Measure success by your effort, not by numbers

Preach My Gospel is clear about this: your success is measured by your commitment to help others come unto Christ — not by how many baptisms you have. Some of the most faithful missionaries serve in the hardest areas and see very few. Decide now that giving your whole heart is the win, and you'll protect yourself from a lot of discouragement.

Mentally prepare to work hard — and to hear "no"

A mission is genuinely demanding: long days, a schedule that isn't yours, and far more people saying no than yes. Deciding now that hard days and rejection are normal — not a sign something's wrong — is one of the best gifts you can give your future self.

Invest in your feet

You will walk and bike more than you expect. Comfortable, broken-in, durable shoes matter more than almost anything else you'll pack — bring good insoles, and break in new shoes before you leave, never in the field.

Bring the documents and the boring essentials

The easy-to-forget practical things matter more than you'd think:

• Passport and immunization records — plus copies stored separately
• Any prescriptions, along with a copy of the prescription itself
• Debit/credit card details and important account logins, kept somewhere safe
• Banking, phone plan, and recurring subscriptions sorted out before you leave, so nothing surprises you mid-mission

Don't over-pack the sentimental stuff

A few photos of family and a small reminder of home help. Beyond that, you'll acquire what you need in the field, and space is tight. Check your mission's specific packing list — climates, laundry access, and dress rules vary a lot from mission to mission.

Know how missionary costs work

Missionaries pay a set monthly amount into the Church's missionary fund. That cost is averaged across the world, so it's the same whether you're called down the street or across the globe — and the fund helps cover missionaries whose families can't pay the full amount. Talk with your parents and, if needed, your bishop about how your family will handle it before you go.

Learn to budget your living allowance

In the field you'll receive a monthly allowance for things like food, transportation, and daily needs. Budget it across the whole month so the last week isn't tight, and keep any receipts your mission asks for. Simple money discipline now saves a lot of stress later.

Set expectations for weekly contact

Today, missionaries contact family every week on preparation day — usually a written update plus a call or video chat, through whatever channels your mission approves. Talk with your parents before you leave about what a normal week of contact looks like, so no one worries when a busy week keeps it short.

Write real emails, not just status updates

Years from now, "we had zone conference and it rained" won't mean much — but the story of the person you taught, or what you were wrestling with that week, will. Write like you're talking to someone who loves you, because you are. Your weekly emails become the story of your mission.

Speak before you're ready

The missionaries who progress fastest are the ones willing to sound silly. "Speak Your Language" (SYL) as much as you can, make mistakes out loud, and let corrections roll off you. Fluency comes from reps, not from waiting until you feel confident.

Learn the language of the gospel first

You don't need to debate current events — you need to testify, teach, and connect. Prioritize the vocabulary of your lessons and everyday kindness. The rest fills in over the months as you live in it.

The first few weeks are the hardest — for almost everyone

Homesickness is normal and usually fades as you get into the work and build relationships. Feeling it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or that you're not cut out for this.

Protect sleep and exercise

Keep the schedule, use your exercise time, and eat something resembling vegetables. Your mood, focus, and resilience all ride on the basics. Burnout is far more often a physical problem than a spiritual one.

Talk to someone early

If you're struggling — anxiety, low mood, anything that isn't lifting — tell your companion, a mission leader, or your mission president. Missions have real support available, including access to Church counseling resources, and reaching out early is a sign of strength, not failure.

You don't have to be best friends — you have to be a team

You'll be with your companion nearly 24/7. Assume good intent, address small frictions before they grow, and remember you're both tired and doing something hard. Kindness and directness together go a long way.

Serve your companion

The fastest way to a good companionship is to look for ways to make your companion's day easier. It's contagious, and it turns the person next to you from a roommate into a friend.

Journal weekly — future you will thank you

Take five minutes each week to write down what happened, who you met, and what you felt. The specific details fade fast. A short, consistent journal beats a perfect one you never keep.

Save your photos and emails somewhere safe

Phones get swapped, inboxes get full, and SD cards get lost. Decide early where your photos and weekly emails will live so nothing disappears over 18–24 months. When you come home, that record is priceless — and it's the raw material for a keepsake of your whole mission.