Lionel Funaki said while serving as a missionary in the North Santiago, Chile, he struggled to learn Spanish. He said it was difficult not being able to share his testimony and express his feelings with the people he met because of the language barrier.
“I cried every night because I had a desire to share what I felt but couldn’t say it well in Spanish.” He said although he trained in the missionary training center in Provo, Utah, he “felt like [he] was not enough to serve in that capacity.”
After sharing his struggles with his mission president, his leader read Ether 12:27 with him: “And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
Funaki said he held onto that affirmation, trusting the Lord would develop his weaknesses into strengths. He responded to the challenge the way the Savior would, and eventually, he said his tongue “unfolded” and he witnessed God working miracles through his humble service.
Returned missionaries studying at BYU–Hawaii said the best way to prepare to serve a full-time mission is by responding to adversity like the Savior would, practicing patience with pending perfection and developing a personal testimony of Heavenly Father.
How to prepare
Jerius Gutierrez, a sophomore from the Philippines studying anthropology and TESOL, said he served his mission in South Korea. He said he wished he had spent more time studying Korean culture before leaving for his mission because learning about the beliefs and values of Koreans makes it easier for people to connect with them.
To prepare for missionary service, Funaki, a freshman computer science major from Tonga, suggested, “Prepare now instead of waiting for the MTC. [People] can be a missionary where [they] live.”
He said prospective missionaries should study the attributes of Christ in chapter six of Preach My Gospel and take opportunities to serve. “There is nothing more rewarding than being in a position to serve,” he explained.
Gutierrez recommended prospective missionaries start “involving the Savior more in [their] lives.” He said missionaries who include the Savior in their missions get the most out of their experiences because it is easier for them to obey the rules and love the people.
Teivnaa Javzandulam, a senior Mongolia majoring in business management, said the most successful missionaries are the ones who listen to and heed spiritual promptings from the Holy Ghost. She explained everything a missionary does helps him or her invite the Spirit. “[Those who] seek spiritual things and feed [their] spiritual body every day are able to have the Spirit in [their] hearts.”
Javzandulam said living missionary standards is a good way to prepare for a mission because it will invite the Spirit and help missionaries follow promptings.
She added the most important thing prospective missionaries can do is develop their faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, including a knowledge they are loved by Heavenly Father and the Church and Book of Mormon are true. She added a missionary’s testimony and ability to rely on the Spirit is what will help them be successful.
Javzandulam reminded prospective missionaries they don’t have to know everything before they leave for their mission because they will learn as they serve.
Chile
Although Funaki said serving in Chile was difficult, by seeing his challenges as opportunities to become more like Christ, he said the Savior turned his weaknesses into strengths.
Funaki said every day presented him with a challenge on his mission. “Each and every day, [people] are given the opportunity to become like Jesus Christ or to be further from what he expects of [them].” Funaki recommended missionaries take challenges as opportunities to grow and practice seeing things through a spiritual scope.
For example, he said, “Rejection, in the eyes of the natural man, is misfortune. Maybe with Heavenly Father’s lens, it means He has something else planned for you.”
Funaki explained missionary work mirrors the ministry of the Savior because although missionaries have a global initiative, they teach one person at a time. “It’s individual. The Savior ministered to a lot of people in a very personal way.”
Korea
Gutierrez said the biggest lesson he learned while serving was perfection is not attainable in mortality. “Do not expect perfection in this life. The calling of a missionary is a heavy calling. When you’re wearing it, you feel like you have to be perfect.”
He continued, “If [a person] expects perfection of [their self] in this life, [they] will fail to love [their self] and [they] will miss the fun parts of the mission.” He said trying to be the perfect missionary is a trap many who serve fall in. Acknowledging successes and setting realistic expectations helps in avoiding the trap, he said.
Gutierrez said his missionary service helped him live a more abundant life by knowing his direction and what he wants in life. He explained his experience serving in Korea helped him discover his interests, talents and weaknesses, which changed his life trajectory entirely. He changed schools, moved countries and started a new major because of his mission service, he added.
“One scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 16:25: ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.’” Gutierrez gave two years of his life to the Lord, and in return, he said boldly, “I think I found my life because I served my mission.”
Temple Square
Javzandulam explained while she served at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, she discussed the gospel with many who were against the Church. She said she was born Buddhist and did not know a lot of Church history nor English, which made her an easy target for the disgruntled Temple Square visitors.
Though she wished she had brushed up on Church history before serving, Javzandulam said she was grateful she had developed a strong testimony that couldn’t be shaken by those who questioned her. She said she overcame their comments by sharing her simple testimony and advised new missionaries to not let others confuse them, drag them down, shake their faith or doubt the decisions they made.
“You have to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and Heavenly Father, so you can share your real experience with them. [Your personal faith] will really touch people’s hearts, and the Spirit will testify.”