4 Ways You Can Help A Struggling Missionary - LDS Living

4 Ways You Can Help a
Struggling Missionary
by Jenny Spencer Hunt and Brooke Ward | Jan. 08, 2019
Mormon Life
Missionaries can deal with a slew of issues, and as a parent,

sibling, or friend reading and writing letters from afar, you
may feel helpless. But you’re not. Check out some ways you
can help them with some of these most common struggles, and
some prophetic counsel that may help as well.
► You'll also like: "The Ultimate Missionary Guide"

Feeling Unprepared
When missionaries are new to the MTC or mission field, it’s

easy for them to become discouraged, feeling as if everyone
ahead of them knows so much more. Missionaries around
them seem to have all the lessons and accompanying
scriptures memorized, not to mention the fact that they can
recite them all in a foreign language! Remind your missionary
that everyone has to start at the beginning. The best way to
overcome these feelings of inadequacy is to dive into gospel
and language study and prayer. Help him realize that he may
not have all the answers to difficult questions, but he still has
his testimony.
► You'll also like: "What's Life Like at the MTC?"
Nearly 40 years ago as I contemplated the challenge

of a mission, I felt very inadequate and unprepared.
I remember praying, "Heavenly Father, how can I
serve a mission when I know so little?" I believed in
the Church, but I felt my spiritual knowledge was
very limited. As I prayed, the feeling came: "You
don’t know everything, but you know enough!" That
reassurance gave me the courage to take the next
step into the mission field. — Elder Neil L.
Andersen: “You Know Enough”
Struggling with the Language
When a missionary first opens the Book of Mormon in the

mission language, sometimes it appears as if it’s all in
gibberish. She can quickly become discouraged, feeling that
mastering the mission language is impossible. But the gift of
tongues can and does happen, and you can assure her that it
only takes time, perseverance, and faith. Even Elder Uchtdorf
was able to learn English when it seemed impossible at first:
“When I turned 11 we had to leave East Germany
overnight because of the political orientation of my
father. Now I was going to school in West Germany,
which was American-occupied at that time. There in
school all children were required to learn English
and not Russian. To learn Russian had been
difficult, but English was impossible for me. I
thought my mouth was not made for speaking
English. My teachers struggled. My parents
suffered. And I knew English was definitely not my
language. . . . Then I learned that to become a pilot I
needed to speak English. Overnight, to the total
surprise of everybody, it appeared as if my mouth
had changed. I was able to learn English. It still took
a lot of work, persistence, and patience, but I was
able to learn English!
“Why? Because of a righteous and strong motive!”

— Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “The Power of a Personal
Testimony”
► You'll also like: "3 Things No One Tells You About Serving

a Mission"
Here is one missionary's testimony of the role of the Book of

Mormon in overcoming this particular struggle:
“My mission president promised us missionaries

that if we read the Book of Mormon and asked for a
specific blessing, it would be granted to us by the
time we finished the book. One elder asked to be
able to speak French when he finished the Book of
Mormon. He finished it two weeks later and could
speak French nearly fluently. Just two weeks before,
he was struggling a lot with it. We couldn’t believe
how fast he picked it up. I think that when you show
Heavenly Father that you have a real desire to
learn, and you put your trust in the counsel of the
scriptures and church leaders, Heavenly Father can
help you do anything. And I still believe in that
promise of reading the Book of Mormon.”
Working with a Difficult Companion
Sometimes missionaries may think that they are given a

difficult companion as a punishment, but often, mission
presidents are inspired to place struggling companions with
stronger missionaries. The companion may be struggling with
any sort of matter, but it is important for your missionary to
remember that the Lord has placed them together for a
reason. There is always something to learn from one another.
► You'll also like: "The Parts of Missionary Work We Don't

Talk About and Why We Need To"
Doctrine & Covenants 84:106 says,
And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit,

let him take with him him that is weak, that he may
be edified in all meekness, that he may become
strong also.
Dealing with Depression
Remind your missionary that this transfer, companionship,

area, and mission will not last forever. Sometimes depressed
missionaries cannot even understand their own feelings, let
alone explain them to their companions. Encourage him to
confide in the mission president. Some missionaries feel
embarrassed by their negative feelings, but they may not
realize that the mission president is always on their side—and
that you are, too. Bear your testimony to your missionary,
share with him similar experiences you’ve had, and perhaps
send him these uplifting quotes from the prophets and
scriptures:
No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may

look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus
Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending
of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest
expectations.
And to all who suffer—to all who feel discouraged,

worried, or lonely—I say with love and deep
concern for you, never give in. Never surrender.
Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.
Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the
love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens
all sorrow, and gladdens every heart.” —Elder
Uchtdorf: “The Infinite Power of Hope”
Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were

about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us,
and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites,
and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will
give unto you success. —Alma 26:27
No matter what issues your missionary faces, you can lend an

understanding ear and constantly reaffirm your support of
what he is doing—placing the Lord before himself. And if
difficulties continue to persist, you can share this loving but
firm admonition from President Monson:
Regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and

then go and do.
For ideas on how to help returned missionaries transition back

to everyday life, read "Especially for Latter-day Saint
Missionaries: How to Transition to Post-mission Life."
Lead image from Shutterstock
Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected]

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4 Ways You Can Help a

Missionaries can deal with a slew of issues, and as a parent,

► You'll also like: "The Ultimate Missionary Guide"

When missionaries are new to the MTC or mission field, it’s

► You'll also like: "What's Life Like at the MTC?"

Nearly 40 years ago as I contemplated the challenge

Struggling with the Language

When a missionary first opens the Book of Mormon in the

“Why? Because of a righteous and strong motive!”

► You'll also like: "3 Things No One Tells You About Serving

Here is one missionary's testimony of the role of the Book of

“My mission president promised us missionaries

Working with a Difficult Companion

Sometimes missionaries may think that they are given a

► You'll also like: "The Parts of Missionary Work We Don't

Doctrine & Covenants 84:106 says,

And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit,

Dealing with Depression

Remind your missionary that this transfer, companionship,

No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may

And to all who suffer—to all who feel discouraged,

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were

No matter what issues your missionary faces, you can lend an

Regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and

For ideas on how to help returned missionaries transition back

Comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected]

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