Preparing For a Mission

So Elder Fraley's email today was in response to some questions my mom asked him. She has to speak on how to prepare a missionary for missionary service and asked him what some of his thoughts were. He's doing well and having a great time. In his email to me he said it has been the best year of his life! 

Here is his thoughts on missionary preparedness:

Mental, emotional, and physical preparedness is one thing. Spiritual preparedness is another.. As far as the first three go... almost impossible. The mission is nothing like you expect. You get thrown into it. Follow the guidance in the paperwork all missionaries are given. Fear/anxiousness is normal. Don't worry.  But none of that unpreparedness will be a problem. The Lord will take care of it. His arm is always extended. 

Spiritually prepared: my recipe, Scripture and PMG study along with much prayer and fasting and weekly trips to the temple. There's a talk given  by Elder Holland about worthiness. They actually made a youth video about it. I think it's called,"stay within the lines" or something like that. 

He said,

 "...Well, the Lord has drawn lines of worthiness for those called to labor with Him in this work. No missionary can be unrepentant of sexual transgression or profane language or pornographic indulgence and then expect to challenge others to repent of those very things! You can’t do that. The Spirit will not be with you, and the words will choke in your throat as you speak them. You cannot travel down what Lehi called “forbidden paths”⁵ and expect to guide others to the “strait and narrow”⁶ one—it can’t be done.

But there is an answer to this challenge for you every bit as much as there is for that investigator to whom you will go. Whoever you are and whatever you have done, you can be forgiven. Every one of you young men can leave behind any transgression with which you may struggle. It is the miracle of forgiveness; it is the miracle of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. But you cannot do it without an active commitment to the gospel, and you cannot do it without repentance where it is needed. I am asking you young men to be active and be clean. If required, I am asking you toget active and get clean."

Very good talk.

Worthiness is by far, the most important thing. The Lord NEEDS missionaries who are ordained, active, and CLEAN, and WORTHY to serve. Best way to prepare is to repent and confess and forsake past transgressions. Try your best to develop these Christ-like attributes BEFORE you leave. 

I hope that help! Probably not what you expected haha :)

Love you! Take care! Good luck! 

Elder Fraley