Cool missionary picture, right? This was recently shared by the Mormon Channel on Instagram. While it shows what some people might talk about when they return from their missions (how hard the work was, how crummy the weather was, how long the days could get), it also shows another side to the mission. Look at how happy this Elder looks, despite being thigh-deep in water. And what an adventure that he can remember for the rest of his life! Here are some other great things you should know about missions.
We’ve all heard it before. The "Doom and Gloom" speech that starts with "Missions are tough!" Like that shocks anyone anymore. No, we’ve all heard it a thousand times in mission prep classes. “Missionary work is work, and it’s tough, and you can’t come home, you’ll get bitten by a dog and have people slam doors in your face every day… oh, and you’ll lose your right leg on top of that…. b.u.t. (with a long pause), it’s worth it,” they say.
So, if you’re looking for a doom and gloom list, then you’ve come to the wrong place. Here are eight, very common, positive parts of being a mormon missionary. So whilst you mission prep, think of the good times you’ve got coming.
1. You may actually like your companions
RM’s can’t seem to talk enough about their ‘worst’ companions, but in fact you’ll probably make more lifelong friends than be stuck with challenging people. I’ve not met a missionary yet who doesn’t keep in contact with at least a few, years and years on. They are kind of comparable to your war buddies. You come back into civilian life, where most people don’t know what it was really like. But your mission companions do, they relate completely. Remember, you can learn something from everyone you meet.