In this webinar, we discuss getting Young Men motivated to serve a Mormon mission. We talk about the worth of souls in the sight of God, why the Church needs many more missionaries, and the blessings of missionary service.

1. Mormon Mission Prep Webinar:
Gaining a Desire to Serve
One of a series of webinars on LDS Missionary Preparation by Jimmy Smith
of MormonMissionPrep.com. Other Webinars:
-Preparing to Serve
-Receiving the Call to Serve
-Gearing Up to Serve
View recordings at www.MormonMissionPrep.com/webinar

2. Before We Begin
• Etiquette
– Please mute your line during the presentation
– You can unmute at the end when we get to the Q&A
• This webinar is being recorded
• You can click on the links within the slide presentation
– For example, click here to go to MormonMissionPrep.com
• What this webinar is not
– It is not an official presentation of the LDS Church
– It is not the Church Mission Prep class offered by wards,
stakes, and LDS Institute programs
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3. Introduction to Jimmy
• Working for the LDS Church
since 2008
– Currently website product
manager for Seminary and
Institute
• In 2009 started
MormonMissionPrep.com
• Graduate of BYU and ASU
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4. Mormon Mission Prep Webinar 1: Preparing to Serve 4

5. Served mission in Rosario, Argentina
from 1995 to 1997
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6. My First Missionary Apartment: Parana, Argentina, December 1995
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7. The Almada Family: Parana, Argentina, January 1996
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8. Baptism of the Almada Family, February 1996
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9. Agenda
• The Gospel, Atonement, and Worth of Souls
• Gaining a Desire to Share
• You Are a Chosen Generation and We Need
You
• Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission
• Blessings of Missionary Work
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10. Preach My Gospel
A Guide to Missionary Service
• The full-time missionary
guide is called “Preach My
Gospel”
• What is the “gospel”?
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11. The Gospel is the
Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Bible Dictionary says the gospel = good news
• What is the good news? “That Jesus Christ has made a
perfect atonement.”
• “And this is the gospel which I have given unto you—
that I came into the world to do the will of my Father,
because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me
that I might be lifted up upon the cross.”
– 3 Nephi 27: 13-14
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12. Heavenly Father and Jesus Have
Shown Their Love for Us
• “For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting
life.”
– John 3:16
• “Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.”
– John 15:13
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13. The Worth of Souls is Great
• “Remember the worth of souls is great in the
sight of God;… And if it so be that you should
labor all your days in crying repentance unto this
people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me,
how great shall be your joy with him in the
kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will
be great with one soul that you have brought
unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how
great will be your joy if you should bring many
souls unto me!” (D&C 18: 10, 15-16)
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14. Agenda
• The Gospel, Atonement, and Worth of Souls
• Gaining a Desire to Share
• You Are a Chosen Generation and We Need
You
• Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission
• Blessings of Missionary Work
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15. Lehi tasted of the fruit (the love of
God) and wanted to share it
• The Book of Mormon teaches that
the “the tree of life was a
representation of the love of God”
(1 Nephi 11:25)
• Lehi said “I partook of the fruit
thereof it filled my soul with
exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I
began to be desirous that my
family should partake of it also” (1
Nephi 8:12)
• When you taste of that fruit, you
too will want to share it with others
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16. Alma wanted to help others “taste of
the exceeding joy of which I did taste”
“And it came to pass that as I was thus racked
with torment, while I was harrowed up by the
memory of my many sins, behold, I
remembered also to have heard my father
prophesy unto the people concerning the
coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to
atone for the sins of the world…And oh, what
joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea,
my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was
my pain!...Yea, and from that time even until
now, I have labored without ceasing, that I
might bring souls unto repentance; that I
might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy
of which I did taste.”
• Alma 36: 17, 20, 24
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17. The Mission of the Four Sons of
Mosiah was due to Similar Motivations
• “Now they were desirous that
salvation should be declared to
every creature, for they could not
bear that any human soul should
perish; yea, even the very
thoughts that any soul should
endure endless torment did cause
them to quake and tremble.”
– Mosiah 28:3
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18. Agenda
• The Gospel, Atonement, and Worth of Souls
• Gaining a Desire to Share
• You Are a Chosen Generation and We Need
You
• Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission
• Blessings of Missionary Work
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19. A Chosen Generation
• President Hinckley said he never
spoke to the youth of the Church
without thinking of this scripture:
• “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous
light.” (1 Pet. 2:9.)
• See A Chosen Generation
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20. A Chosen Generation
Ezra Taft Benson
“We love you. As leaders of the Church, there
isn’t anything in this world we wouldn’t do
that’s right for you. We have great confidence
in you. You are not just ordinary young men
and young women. You are choice spirits,
many of you having been held back in reserve
for almost 6,000 years to come forth in this
day, at this time, when the temptations,
responsibilities, and opportunities are the very
greatest.”
-A Message to the Rising Generation
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21. The Greatest Generation of
Missionaries
“We look to you, my young brethren of
the Aaronic Priesthood. We need you. ...
We need you to be meticulously
obedient and faithful, just as they were.
What we need now is the greatest
generation of missionaries in the
history of the Church. We need worthy,
qualified, spiritually energized
missionaries.”
-M. Russell Ballard, The Greatest
Generation of Missionaries
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22. Young Men:
Oh, how the Lord needs you!
“We need you. Oh, how the Lord needs you!
… My plea to you this morning for
leadership has never been more critical in
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints than it is today. I now understand
abundantly why the prophets have said that
the Lord reserved for this last day some of
his very choice spiritual sons and
daughters. I understand why you have been
reserved to come forth now: because he
needs you. He needs you desperately in the
building of his kingdom.”
-M. Russell Ballard, You—the Leaders in
1988
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23. Spiritual Starvation that Missionaries
Can Alleviate
• Amos 8:11: “Behold, the days come, saith
the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the
land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for
water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
• “The world wants and needs what we have.
In the beautiful prayer by Brother Holland,
he mentioned the famine in the world—
famine not of bread, not of the ordinary
needs, but a famine for the word of the
Lord; and you are the custodians of the
bread of life, you take it to your families so
that they can share it with the people of the
world.”
– Spencer W. Kimball, Men of Example
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24. Agenda
• The Gospel, Atonement, and Worth of Souls
• Gaining a Desire to Share
• You Are a Chosen Generation and We Need
You
• Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission
• Blessings of Missionary Work
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25. President Kimball’s Landmark Address
on Missionary Work
“The question has been often asked, Is the
mission program one of compulsion? And the
answer, of course, is no. Everyone is given his
free agency. The question is asked: Should every
young man fill a mission? And the answer of the
Church is yes, and the answer of the Lord is yes.
Enlarging this answer we say: Certainly every
male member of the Church should fill a
mission, like he should pay his tithing, like he
should attend his meetings, like he should keep
his life clean and free from the ugliness of the
world and plan a celestial marriage in the temple
of the Lord.”
-Spencer W. Kimball, Planning for a Full and
Abundant Life
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26. Every Prophet Since Then Has
Repeated the Call
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27. Every Young Man Should Serve a
Mission: Ezra Taft Benson
“The Lord wants every young man to serve a full-
time mission. …Not only should a mission be
regarded as a priesthood duty, but every young
man should look forward to this experience with
great joy and anticipation. What a privilege—what
a sacred privilege—to serve the Lord full time for
two years with all your heart, might, mind, and
strength. You can do nothing more important.
School can wait. Scholarships can be deferred.
Occupational goals can be postponed. Yes, even
temple marriage should wait until after a young
man has served an honorable full-time mission for
the Lord.”
-To the “Youth of the Noble Birthright”
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28. Every Young Man Should Serve a
Mission: Howard W. Hunter
• “Earlier prophets have taught that
every able, worthy young man
should serve a full-time mission. I
emphasize this need today.”
– Howard W. Hunter, Follow the Son of
God
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29. Every Young Man Should Serve a
Mission: Gordon B. Hinckley
• “I throw out a challenge to every
young man within this vast
congregation tonight. Prepare yourself
now to be worthy to serve the Lord as
a full-time missionary. He has said, ‘If
ye are prepared ye shall not fear’ (D&C
38:30). Prepare to consecrate two
years of your lives to this sacred
service. That will in effect constitute a
tithe on the first twenty years of your
lives.”
– Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship
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30. Every Young Man Should Serve a
Mission: Thomas S. Monson
• “We affirm that missionary work is a
priesthood duty—and we encourage all
young men who are worthy and who are
physically able and mentally capable, to
respond to the call to serve. Many young
women also serve, but they are not under
the same mandate to serve as are the
young men. We assure the young sisters of
the Church, however, that they make a
valuable contribution as missionaries, and
we welcome their service.”
– Welcome to Conference, President Thomas S.
Monson, October 2012
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31. Agenda
• The Gospel, Atonement, and Worth of Souls
• Gaining a Desire to Share
• You Are a Chosen Generation and We Need
You
• Every Young Man Should Serve a Mission
• Blessings of Missionary Work
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32. Missionary Work Cleanses Sin
• “And in this place let them lift up their voice and
declare my word with loud voices, without wrath
or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For
I am able to make you holy, and your sins are
forgiven you.” -D&C 60:7
• “Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those
whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I
pray for them, and also for them who shall
believe on their words, that they may be purified
in me, through faith on their words, even as they
are purified in me.” -3 Ne. 19: 28
• “If thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from
it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in
his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
-Ezekiel 33:9
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33. A mission makes you a “stronger” man
and a more “exceptional” woman
Elder Richard G. Scott said mission “experiences will develop a
foundation for the later blessing of your being a strong
husband and father.”
“…Now may I speak from my heart of what an honorable full-
time mission has meant to me personally…I served a mission in
Uruguay. It was not easy. The Lord gave me many challenges
that became stepping-stones to personal growth. There I
gained my testimony that God the Father and His Beloved Son,
Jesus Christ, did in fact visit Joseph Smith to begin a restoration
of truth, priesthood authority, and the true Church on earth…At
the same time, my future eternal companion, Jeanene, was
being molded to become an exceptional wife and mother by
her own mission. Most important, all that I now hold dear in
life began to mature in the mission field. Had I not been
encouraged to be a missionary, I would not have the eternal
companion or precious family I dearly love.”
– Now Is the Time to Serve a Mission!, Ensign May 2006
– Watch the video on my site: What a Mission Meant to Elder
Scott
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34. The Blessings of Sharing the Gospel
• “Perhaps your desire or will to serve
would increase if you understood
more fully the blessings associated
with missionary service. …Please
understand that these blessings and
more can be yours, if you become
converted to [missionary] service and
make yourselves available to
respond”
– Carlos E. Asay, The Blessings of Sharing
the Gospel
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35. 17 Blessings of Missionary Service
1. Eternal Life: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or 9. Developing and Polishing Character: “The fundamental
brethren, or sisters, …for my name’s sake, shall receive an character of our manhood and womanhood [is]
hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (Matt. improved” though missionary service.
19:29) 10. Forgiveness of Sins: “In the acceptance of the mission call
2. Leadership Training: “Returned missionaries provide and the dedication of yourself to the work, the Lord will
valuable leadership in the Church, especially in the forgive you of past transgressions.”
developing countries of the world.” 11. Growth of Testimony: “Missionaries teach and testify…
3. Building the Kingdom for the Second Coming: Each time they do, they invite the Spirit, and the truths
“Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the they proclaim become more and more deeply ingrained
kingdom of heaven may come.” (D&C 65:2, 6.) in their own souls.”
4. Memorable Experiences: “President Kimball has referred 12. Companionship of the Holy Spirit: “Of all the
to missionary service as high adventure. He did so because companionships established in the mission field, the most
the work is stirring and exciting.” cherished is the companionship of the Holy Spirit.”
5. Establishing Abiding Friendships: “The friendships we 13. Closeness to the Lord: “No one will ever fully understand
establish in the mission field with companions and the Savior’s work until he has invested in the business of
converts become eternal.” saving souls, for that was the Savior’s role.”
6. Loving and Understanding of People: “Missionaries gain a 14. Growth in Faith: Mission “experiences plant seeds of
love and understanding of others through their service.” faith in their hearts.”
7. Rendering Service: “He doth require that ye should do as 15. Knowledge of the Gospel: “Missions are schools of
he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth gospel learning, even schools for the prophets.”
immediately bless you.” (Mosiah 2: 23–24.) 16. Peace of Conscience: Missionary work brings “peace and
8. Being a Peacemaker: “If every member of this Church happiness beyond all understanding.”
would …become missionaries in very deed, we could 17. Joy: President Heber J. Grant testified: “*I+ had more joy
contribute more to the cause of peace than all the power while in the mission field than ever before or since.”
that might be gathered together by all the governments.”
35

36. Why I have a Wheat Field on my
website and cover of my book
• “For behold the field is white already to harvest;
and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his
might, the same layeth up in store that he
perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.”
– Doctrine and Covenants 4:4
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37. Aldo, Gabriela, and Their Family, September 1996
7
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38. Homework: What you can do now to
gain a desire to serve a mission.
• Talk to your dad, mom, or other friends who
have served a mission about their experiences
• Learn about who you are as a child of God and
a member of the chosen generation
• Learn about the Savior and his atonement
• Study the words of the living prophets
• Pray for a testimony of all these things
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39. Questions?
• Tell your friends about our upcoming webinars
• Next Mission Prep Webinar
– Preparing to Serve, Jan 27th at 6pm MST
– Receiving the Call to Serve, Feb 3rd at 6pm MST
– Gearing Up to Serve, Feb 10th at 6pm MST
• Register and watch video recordings at
MormonMissionPrep.com/Webinar
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