Free resources about the Jamaica Kingston Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
Jamaica Kingston Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Jamaica Kingston Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Jamaica Kingston Mission
4 Garelli Ave
Kingston 10
Jamaica WI
Phone Number: 1-876-754-1848
Mission President: President Scott C. Pearson
Jamaica Kingston Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Jamaica Kingston Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Kingston Mission:
Videos with Jamaica Kingston RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Jamaica Kingston Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
Videos about Jamaica
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Jamaica. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Jamaica, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Jamaica Kingston Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Jamaica Kingston Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Jamaica Kingston Mission Groups
Here are Jamaica Kingston Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Kingston Mission.
- LDS Missionaries- Jamaica Kingston Mission Group (272 members)
- Kingston Mission (President Gingery) Group (144 members)
- Jamaica Kingston Mission Moms Group (64 members)
Jamaica Kingston Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Jamaica Kingston Mission!
Shirt designs include Jamaica Kingston Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Jamaica Kingston missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Jamaica Mission gifts
Jamaica Kingston Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Jamaica Kingston LDS Mission.
- 2016-2019, Scott C. Pearson
- 2013-2016, Kevin G.Brown
- 2010-2013, T. Scott Hendricks
Jamaica LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 5,891
- Missions: 1
- Temples: 0
- Congregations: 19
- Family History Centers: 2
Helpful Articles about Jamaica
Jamaica Kingston Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Jamaica Kingston RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- 2014-2015 (Camille)
- 2013-2015 (Leonie)
- May 2013-December 2014 (Bethany)
- April 2013-October 2014 (Kylee)
- 2012-2014 (Parker)
- 2000-2002 (Icent)
- 2000-2001 (Jassodra)
- 2011-2014 (Jace)
- 2009-2011 (Brandon)
- 1996-1998 (Joe)
- 2008-2010 (Josh)
- 2008-2010 (Robby)
- 2002-2004 (Nate)
- 1998-2000 (Benten)
- 1985-1987 (Alan)
- 1982-1984 (Daniel)
What areas did you serve in?
- Junction, Jamaica. Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Mandeville, Jamaica. Ocho Rios, Jamaica. (Camille)
- Linstead, Grand Cayman, Junction, May Pen. (Leonie)
- Junction, Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Turks and Caicos. (Kylee)
- Downtown Kingston, Savanna-La-Mar, Nassau Bahamas, Linstead, Kingston. (Parker)
- Spanish Town, Montego Bay, Mandeville, Kingston and Portmore. (Icent)
- Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Kingston, Portmore, Linstead, Mandeville. (Jassodra)
- In Jamaica: Portmore, Junction, Mandeville, Old Harbour, and Boulevard (Kingston); in The Bahamas: Nassau (New Providence) (Bethany)
- Kingston Boulevard, Downtown Kingston, Constant Spring Kingston, Santa Cruz, and Nassau Bahamas. (Jace)
- Old Harbour, Falmouth, Savannah la-Mar, Linstead, downtown Kingston, Yallahs. (Brandon)
- Ocho Rios, Kingston, Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Mandeville. (Joe)
- Portmote, Spanish Town X2, Yallahs, Cayman, and Sav La Mar. (Josh)
- Kingston, Portmore, Junction, Santa Cruz, Nassau Bahamas, Montego Bay. (Robby)
- Ocho Rios/St. Anne’s, Santa Cruz, Linstead, Spanish Town, Highgate/St. Mary. (Nate)
- Kingston, Portmore, Old Harbour. (Benten)
- Kingston, Mandeville, Portmore. (Alan)
What were some favorite foods?
- Jerk Chicken/Baked Chicken, Curry Goat, Rice & Peas, Dumplings, Green Bananas, Mackerel. (Camille)
- Turtle, rice and peas and chicken. (Leonie)
- Brown stew chicken, rice and peas, festival. (Kylee)
- I loved their national dish! It was Ackee and Saltfish. The Ackee kind of looks like scrambled eggs when it is cooked, but can be poisonous if you eat it raw. You could always count on a member feeding you rice and peas and stew chicken. I still haven’t had anything that good in my entire life. They make fresh juice from the variety of different fruits they have on the island like pineapple, orange, mango, guava, papaya, banana, lime, the list goes on! The BEST time of year is mango season. You are always given and eating fresh mangoes. (Parker)
- Stew peas and rice, rice and peas with fried chicken, dumplings, bananas, yam with ackee and salt fish. (Icent)
- Rice and peas, brown stew, chicken dumpling and salt fish, fried chicken and a cold ting. (Jassodra)
- I love rice and peas (rice and beans) and curried goat! (Bethany)
- Jerk chicken, Jerk lobster, escovitch fish, festival, rice and peas, Brown stewed chicken, curried chicken, oxtail, fried plantain. (Jace)
- Beans & satches. Jerk chicken. Brown stew chicken. Fried plantain. Roasted breadfruit. Rice & peas. Ackee & salt fish. Oxtail. Patties. (Brandon)
- Patty and Coco Bread. Chicken Rice and Peas. Jerk Chicken. Cabbage loaf. Many amazing fruits. (Joe)
- Jersey chicken, brown stewed goat, and bulla. (Josh)
- Jerk chicken, mangoes, star fruit, rice and peas (Robby)
- Ackee & Saltfish, Rice N Peas, Breadfruit, Dumpling (boiled or fried), Banana (boiled), Fried Plantain, Mackerel Rundown. (Nate)
- Jerk chicken, oxtail, rice and peas, mannish water. (Benten)
- Rice and Peas, Ting. (Alan)
- Patties, everything curry and ackie and salt fish. (Daniel)
What was a funny experience?
- Being serenaded for 20 full minutes by a drunk Rasta man on my 20th birthday while eating lunch. (Camille)
- We almost fell into a ditch. (Leonie)
- My companion and I had to travel about an hour every week to attend District Meeting. They have these big bus taxis that they pack you into like sardines. Well I squished in between this very sweet elderly woman and we were having a pleasant conversation for the first 10 minutes of the drive, then she fell asleep. With the fast and curvy roads her head ended up on my shoulder, and then I felt my shirt getting wet. I looked down and to my dismay she has been drooling on me for the last 30 minutes and the whole right side of my shirt was soaked in this woman’s drool. When we arrived she simply got up and got off the bus as if nothing happened! It was a good laugh and I am grateful for the experience. (Parker)
- Meeting the people, sharing the Gospel, seeing their life change for the better. (Jassodra)
- I was walking to see a less-active member, and as I was passing the home of one of her neighbors (who happened to be the branch president), we saw a goat tied to a post in the yard. As my companions and I walked past the goat, it paused from its grazing and grunted at each passing Sister. As I passed it, it made eye contact with me and grunted, followed by charging at me. I didn’t know what to do, so I did the first thing I thought of: grab its horns so it didn’t reach me and injury me with them. The goat and I went around in a circle, and because I forgot it was tied up, I got wrapped up in the rope, and when one of my companions began pulling on the rope to move the goat away from me, she began pulling me down. I was able to free myself from the goat and the rope and we went on to visit the less-active sister, It is a fun laugh (almost an inside joke) for me and those two companions. (Bethany)
- Being told by a woman that she knew the cure for AIDS… 11 pumpkin seeds. (Jace)
- When I floured my companion on his birthday while he was in the shower. He thought it was powdered bleach and didn’t know what happened. To flour someone on their birthday is a local tradition. (Brandon)
- In my first week, we had a rasta come up to us chatting angry, (I had no idea what he was saying) my companion chatted with him for a while and explained later that he was mad because my companion and his previous companion had promised to help him weed his garden. We helped him the next week. This rasta loved my last name because Gange looks close to Ganja. When I bumped into him months later with my new companion he said “I know your name, it’s herb no, Gange!” I was surprised he remembered it so well. (Joe)
- Nash the flash called me and Elder Carter Jesus 1 and Jesus 2. (Josh)
- While living in Portmore there was a homeless man named Nash the Flash. He approached my companion and I for some food, and willing we gave him a spice bun and in return called us Tom Cruise and the FBI, haha. (Robby)
- Watching a rasta ride a donkey very slowly down a dirt hill after telling us “more time-seen!” as though he was in a hurry (and he was actually trying to make the donkey move faster by kicking it’s bottom with the heels of his feet with very little success). (Nate)
- Playing dominoes in the sink. (Benten)
- Too many. (Daniel)
What was a crazy experience?
- The sisters having their bags stolen and being held at knife point. Nothing happened, but it was definitely sketchy. (Camille)
- A snake almost bit me in the Cayman islands. (Leonie)
- Jamaica is a great place and you are very well taken care of and respected by the people. The Jamaican people are incredible. However, the way they drive is a lot different than what most of us are used to. That is probably the craziest part. (Parker)
- In my first area (Spanish Town) on John’s Road some thugs wanted to rip off our name tags and me and my companion ran out on the road and just stopped a car and got in and told the driver- drive! It was scary, I was so afraid. (Icent)
- Having a man cuss at us and run us from his yard, because he did not want to hear us. Having dogs chase after us. Getting into our apartments and waking up the next morning to find our door keys left on the outside of the lock. Doing my laundry on Preparation Day and finding my clothes all stolen off the line (I was impressed someone liked my style, lol). (Jassodra)
- The craziest experience I had occurred on a preparation day during the transfer after I had completed my 12-week program training. My companion and I, a set of Elders serving in the same branch, as well as our zone leaders went to an old abandoned hotel in the area. It had been used as a hotel in the ’70s and ’80s, and was closed down because it was a money hole. The missionaries like to go there and climb to the very top, on top of the roof, gathering pieces of broken sink and toilet and other fixtures of that sort. After the six of us had done that, we started our descent down the building. Along the way we encountered one of the several homeless men who tend to make this building their home, and one of the Zone Leaders began having a casual conversation with this man. By the time we had reached the bottom and began walking out of the structure, the homeless man had begun yelling at us, asking us for money and food, two things we didn’t have to give, and the other zone leader asked us all to get in the car. I snapped one final picture of the building before getting in the car. After my companion and I put on our seat belts, we looked out the front window to see the homeless man standing at the driver’s side, gently tossing a rock about the size of a brick up and down as if he wanted to through it at my companion (the driver). The zone leader who told us to get in our car told us this, and made himself as big as he could get, and with the next biggest Elder following him, he hollered to us “GO! GO NOW!!” and off we sped…into a bush. We didn’t realize we had to turn around to get out, so after fishing our way out of the bush we turned around and followed the zone leaders’ truck out of the area, watching a small group of homeless men who had gathered wanting to throw that rock at us still, with the first homeless man holding them back. Our hearts were racing as we went to pick up the other two elders in the area and went grocery shopping afterwards, but now we just have fun reminiscing about this experience. (Bethany)
- I was robbed at gunpoint shortly after we left our house after preparation day by people who live a couple doors down. (Jace)
- Proselyting in a tropical storm when the road washed out preventing the traditional way home and forcing my companion and I to take an alternate route home and losing a bike pedal on the way. (Brandon)
- In Kingston, my companion and I decided to visit a member family in a place called Sea View. While we were down there, guys kept asking “where ya go white boy?” When we got the members house they asked us the same thing. We just wanted to visit them but found out later that it was one of the more dangerous parts of Kingston. (Joe)
- Gunfire in Spanish Town during Dodos era. (Josh)
- Teaching a lesson and having the JDF drive by shooting a machine gun out the window at a run away car. Scary stray bullets. (Robby)
- Riding in a crazy taxi from Ochi to Linstead following a torrential downpour that littered the roads with large water holes (several of which we hit going full speed). Despite the precarious hydroplanes that frequented the trip while passing and dodging people and other vehicles, we somehow made it to our destination in a miraculous fashion (and in lightning fast time I might add; probably less than 30 minutes when it normally takes around 45 minutes, if you’re of a sound mind and safe disposition). I also want to point out that 90’s American dance music was the driver’s choice of music during this electric escapade (I can still hear Marky Mark singing “c’mon, c’mon, feel the vibration!” while crashing into water holes and swerving through the streets at a record pace). This experience was dangerous, but it was also quite hilarious in retrospect. (Nate)
- Riding the Bashment bus from Old Harbor to Kingston. (Benten)
- Took a bad fall on bike during election riots. (Daniel)
What was a spiritual experience?
- Watching the people I had come to love build a relationship with Heavenly Father. It was the most rewarding experience I’ve ever felt in my life. (Camille)
- We were looking for a less-active member and found an elect investigator family that got baptized in two weeks. (Leonie)
- We were teaching the first lesson about the Restoration and at the end we invited the investigator to say the closing prayer and challenged her to pray there on the spot if what she had heard was true. During the lesson her kids were all over the place being super loud, mosquitoes were biting us everywhere so it was a super distracted lesson, but when she started to pray everything went completely still. The mosquitoes stopped, the children were silent, and you could feel the Spirit enter our hearts. The best part was afterwards when our investigator closed the prayer and looked up with tears in her eyes and said, “I know this is true.” It was an epic lesson and my companion had only been out for a month and I had been out for about four. So we only had five months of experience underneath out belt, but I learned that the Lord will compensate for our lack of experience if we are humble and rely 100% on Him. (Parker)
- Teaching about the First Vision. Whenever I was teaching that principle it felt like I was actually in the grove of trees, the Spirit was always so strong, I always cried. (Icent)
- Seeing people accept the Gospel and get baptized. It helped me to grow more spiritually. Seeing the people happy and spiritual- full and in love with the Gospel. That makes me happy about my mission. (Jassodra)
- While I was serving in a branch in the Bahamas, I had many spiritual experiences. I helped an amazing part-member family (mother had recently been reactivated and the boyfriend-who became her husband) began coming to church with her without telling her he was coming. They were so strong and seeing their desire to grow in the gospel, even though it took six months before he could be baptized (due to a delay in her obtaining proper documentation so they could get married), seeing the look on his face as he was baptized and then confirmed was such a powerful testimony for me. (Bethany)
- One of our investigators had no money to get to her own baptism and she lives about an hour away from the baptism font. She said she would go and wait on the road and try to flag someone down to give her a ride. After a couple hours, she had no luck. Finally, as she was about to give up a truck stopped and it was a guy from her school she hadn’t seen in 10 years who remembered her and was going exactly where she needed to go. (Jace)
- After saying a prayer with a less active member in a tropical rainstorm and praying for the rain to stop. Immediately after leaving the house, the rain let up until we got home. (Brandon)
- We had girl we were teaching pray to see if she should be baptized. The Spirit in the room was so strong you could not mistake the answer. We asked her to be baptized and she said no. We were floored. She told us not to come back and we left. We were confused and prayed to know what to do. A week or so later, we were talking to a member in their yard and this girl came walking by and you could see by the look on her face she was uncomfortable seeing us. (Joe)
- Finding and baptizing the Fisher family. (Josh)
- Teaching a woman named Ann Marie and asking her if she was ready to change her life the first lesson and committing her to baptism. (Robby)
- Going to an out of the way area not knowing why and finding a distraught woman crying. She had just gotten into a fight with her family and was seeking comfort. We sang a hymn and prayed with her, and comfort was provided. She was never baptized; in fact, she never even received any of the lessons, but I received an important lesson in learning that we are instruments in God’s hands to serve His children here below in their times of need. Doing so doesn’t always involve teaching the Gospel, but it does always require living it. (Nate)
- Every day hanging out with the most humble, and deeply good people of Jamaica. Jamaicans are a God centric people, with deep yearning to be closer to God. (Benten)
- Too many, lots of baptisms. (Daniel)
What are some interesting facts about the Kingston Mission?
- The first stake was recently established in Kingston. It’s English-speaking by definition, but there are different languages everywhere you turn. It’s very diverse, even within Jamaica itself. (Camille)
- The spicy food, jerk chicken and lots more. The beautiful beaches. (Leonie)
- Our mission is the most unique mission in the world! We have five different countries in our mission and they are all islands! Our mission includes Jamaica, Nassau and Freeport Bahamas, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Turk and Caicos, and Cuba! Missionary work is thriving in all these areas. Jamaica received its first Stake that was established by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in April of 2014. President Kevin Brown is the first native Jamaican Mission President in the history of The Church. (Parker)
- It’s the best mission in the whole wide Earth. (Icent)
- Stay focused, work hard and love the people. Build the mission stronger. Everyone knows the FBI (or missionaries, lol), so always be the best you can be. (Jassodra)
- There are between 5,000 and 6,000 members in Jamaica, most of whom (unfortunately) are less or inactive.The preaching of the Gospel in Jamaica began in 1985, the same year that it began in the Dominican Republic.The first stake of Zion, the Jamaica Kingston Stake, was formed by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, 2014. There are roughly 150 missionaries in the mission, which are roughly 70% Elders and 30% Sisters, along with approximately 6-8 senior couples.
- Covers four different countries in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cayman. (Jace)
- You have to understand the local dialect of Patois while speaking proper English. (Brandon)
- Jamaicans are amazingly hospitable people. (Joe)
- My Mission President went home after only ten months. (Josh)
- You stick out like a sore thumb! Being white. (Robby)
- It went by quick, there are so many people on the island. Best time ever. (Benten)
- Started as West Indies including all the lesser Antilles. We split 4 times and I stayed in Jamaica. (Daniel)
What was the weather like?
- Hot, humid, and beautiful. (Camille)
- Sunny, windy and rainy. (Leonie)
- It’s very tropical! The humidity wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Depending on the area you always have a nice breeze off the ocean. It’s usually mid to high 80s. (Kylee)
- You have a rainy season during the summer months, like May through November. It will rain a lot in those months depending where you are located. It is hot and very humid 365 days a year. You will be sweating non-stop, it will take some getting used to it, but eventually you will. (Parker)
- It’s always sunny and hot, with some light showers now and again. (Icent)
- It’s really, really hot and it rains a lot- some parts more than others. (Jassodra)
- It is hot and humid…practically everyday. There are a couple of areas that are cooler, but it is always humid. It may be hot and humid, but in Jamaica the wind blows enough to help make the heat bearable. In the Bahamas, it is very rarely windy during the summer…it is very hot and very sunny. When it rains, it pours…and it smells like wet dog and wet goat (stray goats and dogs are always wandering around the streets). (Bethany)
- Sunny, hot, and humid. (Jace)
- Mostly hot and humid. When it rains, it pours and humidity becomes 200%. Tropical storms and hurricanes do happen. (Brandon)
- Hot and humid. It could change in flash though. I’ve never seen rain sweep in so fast or come down so hard. (Joe)
- Hot and humid. (Josh)
- Never got below 75. (Robby)
- Warm and sunny year round with rainy seasons. It was nearly perfect except for how humid it could get at certain times of the year. (Nate)
- Wet. (Benten)
- Hot an humid except during monsoon season. Mandeville was cool. (Daniel)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- They are crazy, yet humble. They will give you time to listen. They may seem extremely rude at first, but that becomes one of your most favorite attributes about them. They love to give everything they have. There are truly elect people among them. (Camille)
- The people are very loving. (Leonie)
- All the places were gorgeous! The people are so full of life and very bold! They will tell you exactly what they think. (Kylee)
- The people! The people, the people, the people. They are truly the happiest and the warmest people you will ever come in contact with. Everyone from the CEO banker to the homeless man on the street. They will stop and talk to you about anything. They will open up and tell you their life story if you asked them to. (Parker)
- I love the places I served in and I love the people too, although at times it was frustrating and tiring. (Icent)
- They are a loving people. They talk their mind and don’t have a problem telling you like it is and still being your best friend. I love the areas I served in- some more than others, but the people are sweethearts all over. (Jassodra)
- The people are the best part about where I served. The people may be blunt, but they care about you. The members want to make sure you are safe and happy. Occasionally (well, quite often) you will be called “whitey” or “brownie'” or “blackie,” dependent on your skin color. That’s all there is to it. Random drunk or otherwise intoxicated men (or women) will holler “Pst! Whitey! I wanna marry you!” It’s somewhat normal, you are fine to say hello and be on your way. (Bethany)
- Everyone was perfectly willing to talk about God because almost everyone already believed in God. Some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They will tell you to come inside of you’re caught in the rain and will offer to feed you even if they hardly have enough for themselves. (Jace)
- They are awesome. You will love them and religion is already a big part of the culture. (Brandon)
- Beautiful country and amazing people. My first Jamaican friend told me that Jamaicans will only show you race if you do. This helped me to see the people as brothers and sisters. (Joe)
- Relaxed people who are generally very nice, unless you make them mad. (Josh)
- So humble. (Robby)
- Jamaicans are very open-minded and friendly. You can talk to them about anything and that includes the Gospel, which helped to make tracting much easier. I also liked how straightforward they can be (it’s quite refreshing when so called manners- at least by American standards- sometimes close us off and dilute honesty). Jamaica is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The rolling green hills and sparkling caribbean ocean was breathtaking and never got old. (Nate)
- A humble people. (Benten)
- Hungry to learn and super nice. (Daniel)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Don’t bring a rain jacket, there’s no point. Yes it rains, but bring a nice sturdy umbrella instead. You sweat even more than normal with a jacket. Pack clothes that you can match with multiple outfits. Cotton is best for the heat/humidity. BUG SPRAY!! (Camille)
- Well it’s tropical here, so not too many long clothes and you’ll get tan. (Leonie)
- Just keep lightweight material. Also bring one or two cardigans. It can get chilly when it rains sometimes. (Kylee)
- I never wore sandals or lava lava’s, so don’t bring them. A bear of rubber sandals to wear around the apartment would be a good idea. There isn’t a temple in Jamaica, so no need to bring temple clothing. I used an umbrella maybe once on my mission. It rains every day, but you just get drenched and then dry out a few hours later. Slip on proselyting shoes are nice since you don’t have to tie your shoes a million times a day. You walk a ton so the more comfortable, the better. Make sure you get a half size bigger than your regular shoe size, due to how much you will be walking your feet will swell, so the risk of ingrown toenails is high. Learn how to take care of your feet, I can’t tell you how many times missionaries would get ingrown toenails and they would need to go to the doctor to get them removed and it took them away from proselyting for a few days. Do not bring silk ties, the humidity will ruin them and stain the color of your shirts when you sweat and when it rains. I liked the Dri Lux garments, because they were very breathable and would dry very fast. Mesh are okay as well. (Parker)
- Pack easy to iron clothes and comfortable shoes to walk in, since it’s warm or hot most of the time. (Icent)
- Keep it cool and light. The place is hot. (Jassodra)
- Sisters, pack cute blouses that are breathable. Don’t fuss too much about collared shirts. You are fine to pack a couple (like 1 or 2), but I went overboard. It is hot and humid and having a thick stiff collar makes it very uncomfortable. Also, pack lightweight flexible shoes, shoes that can get wet without getting ruined. It gets really muddy when it rains, so you’ll want shoes that won’t get water/mud damaged, if you can. (Bethany)
- Dri lux garments. (Jace)
- No umbrella, bath robe, extra long sleeve shirts or sweaters necessary. Your only suit should be the one you wear at the MTC which you wear out to the mission and returning from the mission. (Brandon)
- If you don’t use it now, you won’t use it there. (Joe)
- Take polyester ties instead of silk ones. Take drilux garments. (Josh)
- Don’t worry about a suit. (Robby)
- Old school polyester ties from the DI. Short-sleeve white shirts and at least two pairs of very durable dress shoes (I had a pair of Doc Martens that turned into slippers about half way through my mission). (Nate)
- No suits, bring nice ties to give away to brothers who don’t have them. (Benten)
- Short sleeve shirts. (Daniel)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- A stronger relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer. I began to understand more of how the Holy Ghost works with each individual, especially myself. God is at the head; He is in charge. I am an instrument in His hands. (Camille)
- Finding an eternal companion, and my dad got baptized. (Leonie)
- Anyone who goes on a mission will have a life-changing experience regardless if you have a good attitude or not. You are leaving home and living on your own for two years or 18 months, so of course you will learn new things and have experiences you will never forget. However, when one has the right attitude, a willingness to work, and a desire to be there, your mission will have a soul-changing effect on you. I have benefited immensely from my mission. Every blessing I have received since being home has been a direct result from my mission. I have been SO blessed and will be forever grateful for two short years I gave to the Lord, because of how much I grew and benefited from it. (Parker)
- I got to marry a returned missionary, and I learned to appreciate the scriptures and the Savior more. (Icent)
- A stronger faith in the Lord and learning to wait on His timing. All things are possible through Him. Holding strong to the Gospel. (Jassodra)
- The biggest blessing I received from serving a mission was my confidence increased. I have become more comfortable in talking with people I have never met before, which would have terrified me before my mission. My testimony and knowledge of the gospel grew immensely. I have become a better person because of what I learned on my mission. (Bethany)
- Found out more about the Gospel and myself than ever before. I know it’s not a requirement to serve a mission but I don’t know how I would learn all that I did if I never served. (Jace)
- I knew exactly what area of study in wanted to pursue when I returned home to attend college. (Brandon)
- I gained a love for people of all backgrounds. I also have a love for language now. (Joe)
- Stronger testimony, many great friends and an invaluable experience. (Josh)
- Grounding my testimony! (Robby)
- Greater love for God and my fellowman. An enlarged testimony. I learned what I’m made of and that I can overcome great odds through faith and humility. I developed patience and tolerance with other people’s beliefs and behaviors. I witnessed first hand the miracle of the Gospel’s power to change and improve lives for the better. I gained exposure to different cultures and perspectives and learned that even though the world is a big place, it is still small in ways because we have so much in common as human beings and children of God regardless of where we’re from. (Nate)
- Life. (Daniel)
What are some skills you gained?
- Communication, increased confidence, scripture study skills, journal skills, learning to pray with real intent, patience and more charity for people I don’t understand. (Camille)
- Learn how to be more interactive. (Leonie)
- Washing clothes by hand, and how to take a super fast shower (with no hot water). Patience. Communication. How to resolve conflict. (Kylee)
- I learned how to cook food that was actually edible. I learned how to properly iron my shirt (Jamaicans are very meticulous with their clothing) and properly wash my clothing. I learned how to properly study the scriptures and just how to study in general. My communication skills have improved tremendously because of my mission. I’ve learned how to work with others. The greatest skill I learned was how to truly, genuinely love others. (Parker)
- I learned to love walking and service a lot more. (Icent)
- True love, service, hard work. (Jassodra)
- My study skills have increased. As I am finishing up my undergraduate studies at BYU, I have come to wish that I had better study habits before my mission. (Bethany)
- I can “chat” Jamaican patios. Some Jamaican cooking skills. Can bring up the Gospel to people I know or don’t know incredibly easily. (Jace)
- Ability to ride a bicycle without hands while carrying groceries. (Brandon)
- I learned how to be more of a people person. (Joe)
- Cooking, studying efficiently, and working hard. (Josh)
- Study habits, great social skills, take rejection lightly, learn to stay positive- best thing you can do! (Robby)
- Leadership and followup skills. Goal setting. Communication, teaching and public speaking. Organization and time management. (Nate)
- Interpersonal skills, being able to talk to anyone regardless of status. (Benten)
- Social/listening and compassion. (Daniel)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- Don’t ever waste a single moment. If you have five more minutes, go talk to someone or do some simple service really quick. I wish I knew it doesn’t matter so much about your planned schedule. What matters is that you follow the Spirit, because THAT’S what you should be doing. (Camille)
- That you have to teach to get people baptized- didn’t know that one. (Leonie)
- All the things I have told you already is what I wish I knew. When I first got to Jamaica there were only 68 missionaries, by the time I left there was over 130 of us. I wish I would’ve known that only the best and most obedient missionaries get called to the JKM (Jamaica Kingston Mission). (Parker)
- I wish I knew how to comb hair and run from dogs. (Icent)
- I wish I knew how much I would grow and love my mission life. (Jassodra)
- I wish I had focused a little bit more on the missionary discussions before I served. It would have made my mission better from the beginning. (Bethany)
- How to effectively work with members. (Jace)
- I wish I had known better how to share and trust the Holy Ghost to teach. You don’t have to know everything, you just need to share your testimony of what you do know and let them find out for themselves the truth. (Joe)
- Jamaica is dangerous but you can mostly avoid danger by being smart. (Josh)
- Learned how to cook healthy food. (Robby)
- Besides opening my mouth and being more bold, I wish I would’ve realized sooner that you can only share the Gospel with others if they are willing to listen, and most importantly, using my precious short time to find those who were in a prepared and ready state to hear the word of God (see Alma 32). At first I think I was consumed by the pressure that I had to teach everyone and convince them of the truth (because it was the best thing for them even if they didn’t know it yet). But the sad reality is that many are content with their lives and what little truth they live by. The Gospel will only benefit others if they are open to it. (Nate)
- Not worry about my insecurities and “chill out”. (Benten)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Jamaica?
- Determine NOW to be exactly obedient, even if your District Leader or trainer isn’t. JUST FOLLOW THE RULES, even if they sound irrational or stupid. THEY WORK. They work SO WELL. (Camille)
- Just have a positive attitude. (Leonie)
- Prepare for the greatest experience of your life. It feels like leaving home is going to be very hard and I’ll admit it was, and adjusting to Jamaica, the culture and the mission life was extremely difficult. But the hardest thing I have done in my life was leaving the people of Jamaica. If you have received your call already then PRAY EVERY DAY for the people there. I promise you will find, teach, and baptize many souls if you truly love them. I wish I was in your shoes right now. The Lord will be your companion in your daily efforts, so learn from Him. (Parker)
- Love the Lord with all your might, mind and strength. Make sure you are ready to serve the Lord at all times. (Icent)
- Don’t think you know too much. Leave room for the Spirit to teach. Always be humble. (Jassodra)
- Serving a mission is the best thing I have done in my life. We like to say in the mission that your mission is not the best two years (or 18 months) OF your life, it is the best two years (or 18 months) FOR your life. It’s true. Study up on our Patois! You’re gonna need it! (Bethany)
- Love the people. There will always be things that drive you a bit crazy. (Jace)
- Be prepared for a big culture shock if you are from the United States. (Brandon)
- Trust the Spirit. Don’t try to be a know it all. Love the people and you will be inspired about what you should do to teach them. (Joe)
- Follow the white handbook and be a hundred percent invested in the work. Have fun with your companion. (Josh)
- The Lord will protect you as you keep the mission rules and the commandments. (Robby)
- Stay close to God through daily prayer and scripture study. And when you pray, remember to pray for love; even to love the people you will serve. Your experience will only be truly worthwhile if you are motivated by love. I would also encourage you to become Jamaican in every way you possibly can so that you can better connect with the people. Be humble and realize not every one is that same and try to learn from them. (Nate)
- Be honest in your dealings with others. At the end of the day, an ego is pointless and will get you no where. Be yourself and remember who’s errand you are on. (Benten)
What was a funny language mistake?
- Well in Jamaica we have Patois (broken English). (Leonie)
- They speak English, but really it’s Patoi. It’s a broken English. You will have a hard time understanding people for the first two months. But don’t worry, the Jamaicans are really relaxed and understanding, and your trainer will be there to help you. (Parker)
- They have deep accents some times. I am not aware if it was me they were talking about, but it’s the best Patois ever, I love it. (Jassodra)
- Everyone in Jamaica has “yard names” or nicknames… We had one investigator that eventually got baptized and her nickname was “Puntsy” (pronounced Poontsy) and a member told us that it means a female’s private part…(Jace)
- I called a boy a pickney and he chastised me saying “Me nah pickney!” (Joe)
- The area seventy once said “We do not speak the word ‘patwah'” when we’re supposed to avoid speaking the dialect patwah. (Josh)
- Big up yourself is a positive term in Jamaica. (Robby)
- Heads up; the Jamaican people are honest and blunt. If you are large, you will be called “fatty” to get your attention. As tempting as it is to reply negatively, understand it’s not an insult. (Benten)