I've only visited Ireland, but from what I hear, you'll be dealing with more than your share of chain smokers. There actually used to be a stop-smoking program that a missionary in Ireland came up with, because he just became fed up with the Word of Wisdom problems. The program was discontinued for various reasons (which is a shame, because I used it on my mission, and it WORKED!), though.
Sorry, can't help you with anything more than that. It's cold there, though, and it rains all the time, so make sure you get a really good rain jacket. The missionary mall in Utah has a decent one that you can tuck away in a pocket fairly easily, though I wouldn't shop there for much else. Oh, and I served in a rainy area, and I found that taking an extra handkerchief or ten really helped. You can use it to wipe the rain from your face before you try and talk to someone, if nothing else.
For the most part, though, just study the lessons in Preach My Gospel. You won't have as much time to work on them in the MTC as you would think, and it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Anything else you deal with will be minor in comparison.
Congrats!What advice would you give to a LDS guy about to serve a mission in Ireland?
Don't ignore truth. If you were strong in you faith nothing could stumble you but most of you can't even back up your answeres. Check the website i ask you to see. Do you agree with the action that mormons had in Germany? Its exactly how the pope tries to avoid, because he himself was a Nazi youth.
Report Abuse
Actually, if you are going on a mission, your church should have a list of what you need to take. Look up Ireland on a website and see what the weather is like to see what clothes you need to take. For sure take a camera and enjoy your time abroad, but do be prepared for some rude answers because people are touchy about religion. If they say they are not interested, just politely tell them okay and thanks. I am a Christian and when another religious person comes to my door I just tell them thanks for taking the time, but I am a Christian and not interested in another religion. Do be prepared for that and most of all, do not be judgmental about people. Being judgemental really turns people off. Trust me, I have found out the hard way, and it is an area I work on all the time to be kind, not judgemental. You are strong in your faith to have the courage to do this and that is an admirational trait.
1 - Listen to the spirit and learn what 2 Nephi 32 is talking about (learn how to speak with the tongues of angels by knowing the scriptures).
2 - Read the book of Acts carefully, Paul is a master teacher and you can see his missionary methods. Dissect it and see how he teaches and who he seeks out, how he testifies,a nd how he's guided.
3 - Don't postpone a prompting, it was 55 years ago that Elder Burnett and Caulder followed a prompting to go down a certain street in Bangor and found a young Scottish man chopping wood in his yard who didn't want to hear what they had to say but couldn't turn them away.
One small family with 3 girls, the parents served a mission in time and died firm in the faith 2 years ago. Their oldest daughter married a great man who has been a stake president and is currently serving a mission. Their youngest daughter has served with her husband as a mission President's wife and is currently assisting him as the wife of a general authority. Out of a total of 21 grand kids 17 served full-time missions (+6 for senior missionaries/presidents). There are over 100 active members of the church from that family.
I'm so grateful for the missionaries who found a family with a 6 year old girl who grew up to be my mother.
Think about it, 100+ members, 27 missions served 2 stake presidents, 1 general authority, and around 3000 converts from that family.
Go find that family, don't stop until you do, they'll be eternally grateful for your sacrifice.
Enjoy every day of it, it will go by fast!
Congratulations!
Prepare yourself by immersing yourself in service, scriptures, and prayer.
Bring a sense of adventure, purpose and a strong testimony of the restored Church and gospel of Jesus Christ.
Keep in mind that the rules are there as much for your protection and welfare as to set standards for conduct.
I would also recommend a little research into old school etiquette, manners and civility - although these things are ignored in the States, they're not in much of the rest of the world - and will always serve you well.
best wishes!
Congratulations!
As for how to prepare - pray - read - and be clean. Gather recipies of simple things to make. Get a few journals and commit to write in them. Make sure you have at least a few pair of GOOD COMFY shoes - you will need them. Lean on the Lord - and learn to really follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Live every day to the fullest - and really make sure that when you come home and kneel at your bed every night - that you are exhausted - you gave your all every day. Take one day at a time.
And don't forget to pack a good camera, and most of all - your sense of humor - not levity - but humor. You will need it for the best two years - and most challenging of your life.
Sorry the answers you're getting are rather on the bashing side tonight Elder.
But maybe this will prepare for you being humble when you get to the old sod. :)
I have ancestors in Ireland and Scotland and so I hope you find some of my living decendents and teach them. :)
I haven't been on a mission so no idea what I could give you as advice. Perhaps read Alma 32, that's my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon, it might help you when your over there.
God Bless and have a wonderful mission.
I don't have much advice. I just wanted to say good luck! I'm not personally mormon...but I used to live in an area that was predominantly mormon. So I know a bunch of people who have been on missions. I actually think that one of my cousin's best friend's older brother served in Ireland. As far as I know he loved it! Sorry I couldn't help much! Best wishes! I hope you have a great experience. God bless!!
Oh and PS...don't listen to silly people who have answered your question. It drives me nuts when ignorant people comment on other peoples' religions. So people leave this kid alone! He's doing a good thing. Whether or not you share his beliefs you should respect him and his faith. Most people wouldn't have the strength to leave their families for two years. Realize that he will only be able to communicate with his loved ones by mail and email. So show a little support...or atleast don't put him down!
Dude! Yer the man! The only thing you could do better would be to try and get transferred to Brasil, where I served.
If you can just find ways to get out of your comfort zone and talk to people, you'll be great. The more people you talk with, the better. Let the negative comments roll off your back like water off of a duck. Firm in the faith!
The church is true and God loves you!
Hey congratulations! You are one of at least three that I know of that are heading out (myself and Tug included also!). Serve the Lord with all your heart!
Edit: Croman is also serving in the Montreal, Canada mission.
Stay excited and don't get sucked in by the missionaries who aren't there to work.
There's probably going to be a lot of Catholics, so maybe you should study up on that religion.
I really don't know much about Ireland to be honest.
Good luck!
EDIT: did the disrespectful anti LDS guy actually give some good advise? wow
Steer clear of the Catholics. Right, that's most of Ireland
Learn to Fight!!!
The LDS in Ireland. You have got to be kidding me. The slightest whiff of more than one women per husband and you'll be beaten out of town. They Celts don't really take kindly to that type of thing and they don't hold back.
Practicing Shaman.. quantum physics rocks.
i cant answer the question regarding LDS in Ireland because my apartment manager is doing this spyware block and i can never seem to post any LDS questions. It really shows how much they want to stop me. Truth cannot be stopped.
READ THIS!
Maybe this will help. I dont think Europe has forgetten this.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>
If you are going to Ulster, you might have some luck.
If you are going to the Republic bring a rosary, you'll probably be needing it...Wear an easter lilly too.
Avoid evangelizing the Catholic men. These men are descended from warriors who used to paint themselves blue, and fight naked.
Edit; Well, looking at the thumbs up and thumbs down ratio here, I'd guess there are lots of Mormons missing work today. Pax Christi
DON'T DO IT! Don't waste your time pushing your beliefs onto others. Let them believe what they want to. It's not your business to change their beliefs.
Pray unceasingly. Read the scriptures. Don't masturbate.
Just let people believe what they want. Don't force religion on people who are not open to it.
You're going to go to Ireland and tell them you'd like to introduce them to a religion that condemns the consumption of alcohol?
Why don't you tell them you think the ';Sunday, Bloody Sunday'; story up in Derry is a bunch of Catholic propaganda?
Tell them you are really fond of British imperialism
Drop the whole Joseph Smith brainwashing thing and have fun with the Irish women you'll get to meet.
Please don't go spreading lies about the book of Mormon. (my best advice ever)
a mission? Leave the Irish alone.
I hope Mormons like drinking ale! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment