Free resources about the Minnesota Minneapolis 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
Minneapolis Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Minnesota Minneapolis 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.
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission
5931 W 96th Street
Bloomington, MN 55438-1715
Phone Number: 1-952-835-7788
Mission President: President Carey S. Barney
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the Minneapolis Mission:
Videos with Minneapolis RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
Videos about Minnesota
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Minnesota. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Minnesota, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Minneapolis Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Minneapolis Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission Groups
Here are Minnesota Minneapolis Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Minneapolis Mission.
- Minneapolis Mission – President Clements Group (257 members)
- Minnesota Minneapolis Mission RMs Facebook Group (232 members)
- Minnesota Minneapolis Mission! Facebook Group (173 members)
- Minnesota Minneapolis Mission (The Smiths) Group (156 members)
- Minnesota Minneapolis Mission (MMM) Facebook Group (56 members)
- Minneapolis Mission- President Martin (1996-99) Group (53 members)
- Minneapolis Mission: Gerald Thompson 1987-90 Group (13 members)
- Minneapolis Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (11 members)
- Minneapolis Mission, President Bennett (1984-87) Group (7 members)
- Minneapolis Mission- President Peterson (1993-96) Group (4 members)
- Minneapolis Mission- Pres. Smith (2005-08) Group (3 members)
Minneapolis Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission!
Shirt designs include Minnesota Minneapolis 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: Minnesota Minneapolis missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Minneapolis Mission gifts
Minneapolis Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Minneapolis Mission.
- 2017-2020, Carey S. Barney
- 2014-2017, Stephen W. Forbes
- 2011-2014, Jordan W. Clements
- 2005-2008, Robert Lloyd Smith
- 2002-2005, Peter F. Evans
- 1996-1999, A. Keith Martin
Minnesota LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 32,030
- Missions: 1
- Temples: 1
- Congregations: 76
- Family History Centers: 24
Helpful Articles about Minnesota
Minneapolis Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Minnesota Minneapolis RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- 2016-2017 (Poya)
- 2014-2016 (Lonnie)
- 2014-2016 (Cassidy)
- April 2014-October 2015 (Allison)
- 2013-2015 (Diane)
- 2007-2009 (Aaron)
- 2005-2007 (Brandon)
- 2005-2006 (Robbie)
- 2004-2006 (Glen)
- 1989-1991 (Shawn)
- 2012-2014 (Jake)
- 1991-1993 (Kirby)
- 1999-2001 (James)
- October 1997-February 2000 (Jeremy)
- 1989-1991 (Michael)
- 1985-1986 (Larraine)
What areas did you serve in?
- Twin Cities young single adult ward, Rochester 5th Ward, Eden Prairie Ward (Chaska), New Brighton. (Poya)
- Maple Grove, Burnsville, Woodbury, Lake Marion, Northfield YSA. (Lonnie)
- Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Lakeville, Cottage Grove, New Brighton, and the U of M Institute. (Cassidy)
- Bloomington, Rochester (2x), North Shore, Cambridge, La Crosse. (Diane)
- Aitkin, Elk River, LaCrosse, New Prague, Chippewa Falls, and Farmington. (Brandon)
- Willmar, Minneapolis, Oakdale, Apple Valley, Bloomington. (Robbie)
- Frogtown; Minneapolis; East St. Paul; Onalaska, WI. (Glen)
- St. Cloud, St. Paul, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Blaine, and Hopkins. (Shawn)
- Rochester, MN. Barron, WI. Thunder Bay, Ontario. Oakdale/St. Paul, MN. Grand Rapids, MN. (Jake)
- Baron, Hayward, Sparta, Andover, Grand Rapids, Mankato when I served Baron and we were combined when I was district leader there as well as new Ulm and Sparta also. (James)
- Superior Wisconsin, East Saint Paul Minnesota, NE Minneapolis Minnesota, Little Canada Minnesota, Maricopa, Arizona, Lancaster California, Encino California, Ridgecrest California. (Jeremy)
- St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, Faribault, Hudson, Superior, Fairmont. (Michael)
- Apple Valley, LA Cross, Lacressant, Minetonka, St Louis park, Plymouth, Oakdale. (Larraine)
What were some favorite foods?
- Pho, Juicy Lucy’s, Culver’s ice cream, hot dishes. (Lonnie)
- Mostly the unique food was from restaurants. I loved Snuffy’s malt shop in Minnetonka, Annie’s Parlor and Mesa Pizza in Dinkytown, and Erbert and Gerbert in multiple places. (Cassidy)
- I served in Spanish speaking and loved authentic Mexican tacos, Tinga, and pozole! (Allison)
- Spaghetti, pizza, hot dish, Panera bread, Culver’s. (Diane)
- I never did get to eat Lutefisk. If you have a chance, jump on it. Members would feed us regular food, and I liked it just fine. (Aaron)
- All hot dishes and pho. (Brandon)
- Too many to name off…I’d have to say pizza. (Robbie)
- All Hmong food – pho, sausage, sticky rice, kao bong. All of it! (Glen)
- There are a lot of West African and Hmong people in the bigger cities. Pho is really common for Hmong people and they make it well, its super good! A Hmong lady also made us the best egg rolls in the entire known universe. The African dishes are beyond spicy. (Jake)
- Hot dish. (Kirby)
- Pirogues, Amish apple pie, seven rice soup. (James)
- Everything. Tried new foods from other cultures, like chicken feet. Had great chimichangas. Always willing to try anything once. Mexican and Tex-Mex are on top. (Jeremy)
- Pizza, burgers, ice cream. (Michael)
- Homemade baked sauerkraut with sausage. I can’t duplicate it or find it the same anywhere. (Larraine)
What was a funny experience?
- There were lots! One time, while living with members, we were awakened early in the morning by some strange noises. We ended up calling the police after talking to the members who were out of town. In the end it turned out the noises we heard were snow shovelers. So we totally called the police on these kids who were trying to clear the snow early in the morning. (Cassidy)
- We were contacting a lady in a trailer park and this little kid comes over on his bike and demands to see the lady’s son because he needed to talk to him. The son was busy, so in frustration, the other little boy rides away, but not long after, he fell on his bike. My companion and I were worried if he was okay or not. The lady comforted us saying that he falls all the time. The next time we were in that trailer park, we saw the same little boy on his bike and to our amusement, he fell off his bike- again! (Allison)
- When my companion fell on the ice and I was so tired and laughed so hard I wet myself. (Diane)
- There are many. One that comes to mind is my companion and I were riding our bikes during the winter, and he forgot to bring his hat and/or ear muffs. He decided to tough it out, and while we were biking home at night he told me he couldn’t feel his ears. When we got in, he started to rub them, declaring to me, “Elder, I can’t feel my ears!” It was at this time I saw the outer layer of the skin on his ears began to come off. I informed him what was happening and he stopped. He later got feeling in them and it hurt. A lot. (Aaron)
- My companion was sick and we went to the store for medicine. While at the store he had to throw up and it came out both ends. My companion then walked home 5 blocks to get cleaned up. (Brandon)
- Shooting rubber bands with the office Elders! (Robbie)
- It was a daily occurrence to see livestock in homes and backyards in parts of the inner city. It got to the point where it didn’t surprise me anymore. My companion was fairly new, and while we were teaching a lesson we heard a rooster crow from inside a closet. He turned, flabbergasted, and I kept teaching. (Glen)
- Taking a picture of us jumping from a swing in the snow. (Shawn)
- There are so many! Just learning to laugh at myself and the little things that happen in everyday life. (Jake)
- Ward picnic that turned into a water fight. We got soaked. Sarcastically commenting that a sister must be pregnant when she spilled a fork full of spaghetti on herself at supper (Because that’s the only time I ever saw my mother and aunt’s spill food on themselves). She briefly got mad at her husband because she thought he had told us. His reaction was like a deer in the headlights, because he hadn’t. They had just gotten a positive pregnancy test an hour before when he got home from work. They hadn’t even told any family yet. We got a good laugh, and promised not to say anything to anyone. (Jeremy)
- Went tracting in a small town and noticed a woman on the phone at her window staring at us. We walked further down the road before turning around to wave at her. Her reaction of jumping back was priceless. (Michael)
- When Elder Martin pretended to kidnap a greenie, a neighbor saw it and called the cops. It wasn’t funny at the time. (Larraine)
What was a crazy experience?
- We had a recent convert who was an old Vietnamese man who had Parkinson’s disease. We visited with him weekly and one week we went to see him and he never answered. After a few days we sent the Elders over and there was clearly no activity there. We worried he was possibly hurt inside the apartment. The Elders ended up calling the police and they broke down his door. It turned out that he had just gone to California for the weekend and didn’t tell anyone, but when he came home he had a broken front door! (Cassidy)
- We were teaching a lesson to a less active woman when all of a sudden we hear an explosion. It was no ordinary firework. We looked outside to see the SWAT team busting through someone’s sliding back door. Apparently, there was a drug bust. We were all shaken up, but everything was fine and safe. (Allison)
- When a big, scary looking man we were teaching cornered me and admitted he had feelings for me. (Diane)
- I have a speech-impediment, namely a stutter. People would sometimes give me blessings, commanding me to be “healed”. One woman also declared to me that the world would end before New Years Day, 2008, but that I would be raptured before. I was disappointed when I found I was left behind when 2008 rolled around. (Aaron)
- We tracked into a vacant house that a thief was using to keep all his stolen goods. He let us in the house and once we figured out what was going on, we ran out the door to our bikes and took off. (Brandon)
- Hearing gun shots in St. Paul and getting chased by a dog. (Shawn)
- Tracting in Wisconsin during a Packers Game! (Jake)
- Got hit by a truck. (Kirby)
- Riding on a trail, I swerved to miss others around a blind corner, ended up going over a 10 foot cliff and wiping out. It knocked me out for about a minute. Going to a Pentecostal Church. I can tell you what spirit was there. (Jeremy)
- Approaching a big man, full beard and yelling at his dog. Taught him and his family 5 discussions but wouldn’t join. Good people. (Michael)
- It was so cold, President Bennett told us not to go out. People had literally died on the streets of Minneapolis. All missionaries safe. (Larraine)
What was a spiritual experience?
- We had some amazing moments teaching people. There was a man in his late 60 s we taught. He was trying to quit smoking and we brought the Elders to teach with us. As he talked, the Elders offered him a blessing. He agreed and as the Elder spoke, the Spirit filled the room. It ended and the man was completely speechless, which was not like him. The spirit was so strong! (Cassidy)
- During my last week, we decided to visit an elderly lady in our area. She lived alone and stayed home all day. When we stopped by, I felt like something was wrong. When she opened her door, she was a mess. Through tears, she explained to us how ill she felt. She had been battling pneumonia like symptoms for 15 days. We were able to call the hospital and translate for her and get the ambulance over right away. While still crying, she gave thanks to us and exclaimed how it was a miracle that we were there at that exact moment. I know that is true. Heavenly Father knows his children. (Allison)
- When we were able to find and teach Praying Verna, who basically found and taught us before she was baptized. (Diane)
- Too many to count. I was street contacting (just walking around town, talking to people were walking on the sidewalk, getting out of their cars, etc). I was in a small town, little people to talk to, no one in our teaching pool. It was hot, muggy, I was tired, thirsty, hungry, and in a bad mood. I was feeling sorry for myself, thinking I was in a bad area, and if only I could be transferred to a better area, I’d be happier. I saw a woman sitting on the front steps of her apartment, and I spoke to her. She looked at me with a blank face before extending her arms to show me her wrists. I saw jagged blue stitches over red, wounded arms. She told me blankly, “I tried to kill myself less than a week ago.” It was like a blow to my gut. All feelings of self-pity and moaning instantly left, when I realized I had been complaining about such minor things in my life. (Aaron)
- A new member that had become an elder gave a blessing to a baby with a high temperature and it instantly dropped. (Brandon)
- There were lots…I can’t really remember…I’d have to say being at the Temple. (Robbie)
- My mom said that I would serve in Minnesota before I opened my call. (Shawn)
- We held a family home evening with a family we were working with and the members we lived with. During the opening song (I am a Child of God), I was looking around at all these people and was filled with a spirit of gratitude and love exceeding any other joy I had previously felt. (Jake)
- Baptizing a family. (Kirby)
- Being able to teach a class about the church at MSU and inviting them to be baptized…the most spiritual event I ever had as a missionary we taught 120 discussions that day. (James)
- Getting a much needed answer to a prayer while attending the Los Angeles Temple. Learning that there was a reason I went home sick and then was reassigned to a different mission when I went back out. (Jeremy)
- Gave a discussion to a lady that had some weird experiences and was difficult to understand at times. I talked back to her where she stated she understood with a big smile. I still don’t know what I said but the Spirit was felt. (Michael)
- Baptisms of course and seeing their countenance change. But I remember Sister Bennett’s sister conferences being spiritual and fun. (Larraine)
What are some interesting facts about the Minneapolis Mission?
- The twin cities are REALLY diverse. I taught people from all over the world, people from Africa and the Middle East and Ukraine and Honduras and England and Scotland. Minnesota has one of the largest Hmong populations in the world. (Lonnie)
- It’s a large area and there are so many different cultures. We also have one of the only Karen Wards in the world and some of the only Karen missionaries. (Cassidy)
- There really are a lot of lakes. The movie Miracle was filmed close to our mission home. Target, Best Buy, and many other brands are all centered in Minnesota. It is freezing and the lowest temperature I experienced was -35 degrees F. It is home to the creator of The Peanuts. It is the location of Little House on the Prairie. (Allison)
- The accent is Canadian/Norwegian. Casserole is called hot dish. There’s such a thing as lutefisk season. There’s way more than 10,000 lakes. It holds the biggest mall and hospital in the world. The spam factory is there. Some of America’s wealthiest merchants used to live in North Minnesota. (Diane)
- I served in the largest stake in North America. The Hmong people have awesome food. “Minnesota nice” is a real thing. (Brandon)
- I served a home mission due to disability challenges. I grew up in Crystal, Minnesota. (Robbie)
- We got 4 ft of snow on Halloween night. (Kirby)
- I tracted in -65 degrees. Loved it. Was threatened with arrest for unlicensed soliciting, while on splits with the Assistants. I won that debate with the officer. My Mission President commended me for standing up for what was right (he was a lawyer). Back then, the Minnesota mission had more cars than any other mission. The Duluth stake was the largest stake geographically in North America. I’d rather tract for 6 hours in -25 (not wind chill) than in 120. (Jeremy)
- Left on the 5th of July and returned on the same day two years later. I have a brother and nephew that went to the same mission, all different areas. (Michael)
- LA Cross which was the most southern part of Minnesota Minneapolis Mission, had more bars per capita than any other city. (Larraine)
What was the weather like?
- While the temperature usually doesn’t venture too far into the 90’s during the summer, the humidity is stifling. It rains A LOT. The winters are, as you’d imagine, really really cold with lots of snow and ice. At one point during my first winter there, there were three consecutive weeks where I never saw the temperature rise above zero degrees. The winters are also surprisingly dry. Bring lotion. Springs and falls are gorgeous with lots of rain. (Lonnie)
- Extreme! Freezing winters and hot, humid summers. (Cassidy)
- The weather was freezing in the winter, and hot and humid in the summers. Spring and autumn were beautiful with the changing trees. Overall, it’s beautiful with all of the four seasons. (Allison)
- Bitingly cold in the winter (9 months) and a horribly humid summer (6 days), but perfect otherwise. (Diane)
- The spring, summer, and autumn were beautiful. The two nicest summers of my life were there. The winter….Cold. So very cold. Colder than you can probably imagine. Buy winter gear out there if you can. Most other winter stores in your hometown won’t have the gear you need (unless you’re from Alaska or someplace cold). (Aaron)
- Cold… and hot and humid. (Brandon)
- I really enjoyed fall and spring, as well as summer…very beautiful times of the year. (Robbie)
- Hot and humid or cold and humid. October and May were the best months. (Glen)
- Winter was very cold; we had to put a blanket under our car hood so it would start. I told myself I would never live in another old state. I live in Idaho.😊 (Shawn)
- My first summer was record breaking heat and I wasn’t used to humidity so I thought I was going to die. But summer is usually fairly temperate and nice. Winter was terrrible. My second winter was the coldest they’d had in the past 50ish years and one of the coldest on record. Both winters we hit temperatures below -40. (Jake)
- Cold, humid. (Kirby)
- Super, super cold with lots of snow in all my areas. (James)
- Minnesota was frigid in the winter, beautiful in the spring and fall, and muggy in the summer. California was awesome, except the pollution. There’s a reason we called Minnesota the “Land of the Frozen Chosen” where “Many are thawed but few are frozen.” (Jeremy)
- Hot and humid in the summer, cold and colder in the winter. (Michael)
- It was crazy in LA Cross and LA Creasent when the May flies came out on the Mississippi. They would crunch as you drive over the bridge because they hatched there. It was so humid during that time too. And the smell of the breweries was nauseating. The humidity made it 10 times worse. Also when it’s tornado season, the sky gets a green purple creepy color sometimes. (Larraine)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- Literally everything besides the weather. The culture there is diverse, it’s beautiful, the people are fantastic, the members are loving and take you in like you’re their family, the twin cities are rich with fun sites to visit on preparation days if you’re mission president allows you to do that sort of thing, and there’s the smallest, cutest temple that I’ve ever laid eyes on sitting in Oakdale. (Lonnie)
- People are so kind and so ready to help us. The areas are BEAUTIFUL in all seasons and there are a lot of Africans, which is really cool. (Cassidy)
- I love the humility of the people that I served. I love how kind and loving they are. I love the community in Minnesota and also the culture. (Allison)
- They are so friendly, helpful, very devoted and loyal. They’re my kind of people. North Shore is breathtaking and Cambridge is quaint. (Diane)
- I love Minnesota. Such a great place. The people there are very nice, keeping up the stereotype, “Minnesota nice.” Sometimes they’re too nice; they don’t want to tell you, “No,” to your face, so they’ll say they’re interested and then tell you to come back when they’re not at home. You might have planned your whole day around this phantom appointment, so when you go to their home and they’re not there, your next couple of hours are shot. (Aaron)
- They are genuine people and very nice. (Brandon)
- I loved serving in the Willmar Branch! (Robbie)
- The people I served with and met were the best. (Shawn)
- I loved the diversity in the cities. Learning to have charity for the people was a breakthrough and super rewarding. I went back to visit over the summer and was filled with great memories and a love for the place because of the growth I experienced and observed in others while there. (Jake)
- Very nice. (Kirby)
- Most were warm and inviting and I liked running into many different cultures while I was there. (James)
- I knew I was where the Lord needed me to be. I think I spent at least 60% of my proselytizing time tracting, but never got in a single door. I loved meeting new people, and hopefully planted some seeds. There are great people everywhere. (Jeremy)
- Pretty place. Most people were very nice. (Michael)
- Hmong people were interesting along with their amazing conversion stories. The ladies made amazing tapestries. In the cities, I remember a lot if big wigs of corporations were in wards in Plymouth, Minetonka, Oakdale and Minneapolis. (Larraine)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Wear layers in the winter. Down coat that goes past your knees. Have two types of boots: thick, big snow boots and smaller boots for when there isn’t much snow on the ground–taking off and putting on huge boots can be a hassle when you’re constantly entering and leaving people’s houses. Wear like three pairs of socks at once in the winter. Gloves. Plethora of scarves. Lots of cardigans for Sundays and mission meetings with the mission president and other missionaries. Durable shoes. Comfort over style! Minnesota also has a Goodwill in like every area. Go shopping! It’s fun and cheap! (Lonnie)
- Be prepared to purchase winter clothes! Also don’t forget to bring summer clothes, that’s one most people forget when they hear Minnesota. (Cassidy)
- Get a good coat and boots. Sisters should have cardigans and jackets for meetings. Tights are wonderful. I like skirts that flow. They make it easier to do a lot of things like impromptu service or bike riding. If I did it again, I would want 4-7 different colored skirts that are just solid colors so I could mix and match more. (Allison)
- Fleece lined stockings and long skirts. No gloves, only mittens. Hot pads/ hand warmers. Lots of them. (Diane)
- Buy winter gear over there. They know what they need for their unbelievable winters. Your local stores don’t know. (Aaron)
- Warm clothes and warm shoes but not boots. Lots of slacks and short sleeve shirts. You will rarely wear suits. (Brandon)
- Buy your winter coat there. They know the best kinds for the weather out there. (Glen)
- Pack warm! Very warm! (Shawn)
- Thermals. You can really buy anything you want in stores there so don’t worry about getting everything you think you’ll ever need to fit in the suitcases. (Jake)
- Warm clothes. (Kirby)
- Mittens or gloves with Gortex and winter hats and muffs for your ears and always wear layers. (James)
- Roll your clothes. They are going to wrinkle anyway. Save your bike box. You can pack bedding and large things around your bike. (Jeremy)
- Wool for winter, cool and light for summer. Warm hats and face coverings. (Michael)
- Snow boots. (Larraine)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I don’t even know how to say them all. I was so blessed in my own way of growing spiritually. I’ve only been home a couple weeks, but I have noticed that I am a much better speaker and I learned a lot of leadership. Not to mention the incredible people I was blessed to meet and the great friends I made. (Cassidy)
- I am more confident in the way I act and speak. I learned a language that is now dear to my heart. I learned how to communicate properly and why it is important. I learned how to be more diligent and the importance of working hard. (Allison)
- Learning how to synergize, compromise, live with, and love another human being. Learning how to talk to people. Realizing my own weaknesses and my passion for teaching and learning the gospel. (Diane)
- Many. Many. I imagine every blessing I’ve had is a result, at least partially, of serving a mission. (Aaron)
- To many to name. (Brandon)
- It taught me how to interact with others on both a social level and spiritual level as well. (Robbie)
- I was very blessed on my mission. I enjoyed it. (Shawn)
- A love for The Book of Mormon. A love for the New Testament. A love of teaching and serving. A deeper understanding of the Atonement. Patience. Charity. An understanding of my relationship with God. A testimony that God knows what He’s doing and as we do all we can, He guides our life where it needs to go. (Jake)
- Helped me gain a stronger testimony. (Kirby)
- An increase in testimony and knowing there is no such thing as coincidence in missionary work and a testimony that there is a living prophet( of course it does help when you are in the same room with him). (James)
- My testimony was strengthened. My confidence lifted. More than I can mention. A lot of growth happened in my mission and because of my mission companions. (Jeremy)
- Too many to count. (Michael)
- Meeting great people, great missionaries, and huge growing experiences. (Larraine)
What are some skills you gained?
- I have always been a people person, but I learned to be much more forgiving than before. I’m a better leader and am better able to express myself and my gratitude for people. (Cassidy)
- I learned Spanish. I improved my biking skills. I learned how to crochet. I learned how to communicate, and I learned how to survive after eating five dinners right in a row. (Allison)
- How to teach effectivity and according to a person’s needs. Survival. Thrift, compassion, study skills, concentration and perseverance. (Diane)
- Talking to people, carrying out a conversation. Having bigger confidence in myself. (Aaron)
- Wood cutting, reading, public speaking, cooking, how to have better personal relationships with new people with dissimilar interests. (Brandon)
- Computer entry skills. (Robbie)
- Work ethic. Planning. Leading. Teaching. Compromise. Goal setting. Accountability. Learning to not take myself too seriously. Callouses on my knuckles (no joke). (Jake)
- Learned to cook faster and better, what to do during winter, I’m from the south no snow.better at public speaking. (James)
- Patience and understanding for the Lord and His timing. I can fix anything, and have fixed everything, on a bike. I fix the missionaries’ bikes to this day. (Jeremy)
- Taking care of myself on the cheap. (Michael)
- I’d have to say Teaching the Plan if Salvation . Because there were so many Born Agains. I learned where they were coming from and how to counteract from the Bible. It’s so important not to Bible bash even when they don’t have a leg to stand on. (Larraine)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- I wish I had been more serious about my study of Preach My Gospel and I had been more willing to follow the 12 week training. I also wish I had studied The Book of Mormon more simply before leaving. (Cassidy)
- I wish I had read and studied Preach My Gospel more before the mission. I wish I was more open with my companion and that I expressed my opinion more. (Allison)
- Really understood the missionary purpose. I wish I had known how to understand, ask questions, listen to, invite and discuss with people instead of just wanting to lecture and dispense information. (Diane)
- Work harder. Don’t let bad areas, companions, ward/branch members, or investigators give you an excuse to be lazy. Don’t blame your circumstances on your attitude. You can always control your attitude and how hard you can work, no matter what. (Aaron)
- That serving a foreign mission was not something of which to be jealous. (Brandon)
- In some ways, I wish I would have been more prepared. (Robbie)
- I’m super quiet and wish I had learned how to talk to people and be confident in the gospel earlier. (Jake)
- That No matter who says that tracting isn’t useful and if you allow the Spirit to guide you, you will find worthy people to teach convert and baptize. I was told as soon as I got off the plane that tracting isn’t useful. I was able to disprove that theory because you never know who you will meet tracting so what I’m trying to say is I was glad I ignored what I didn’t know because of what everyone had said about tracting and was able to baptize in all my areas I served. (James)
- I wish I knew the discussions better. I love the new Preach My Gospel. So much more personalized. Had a better understanding of the gospel and a better reason for going out initially. (Jeremy)
- Better scripture mastery. (Michael)
- Don’t stress about anything, or getting discussions perfect. (Larraine)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Minneapolis?
- Pay attention in seminary and institute! Learn to pray sincerely and just be willing to learn and humbly listen to advice from others. (Cassidy)
- Go teaching with the missionaries. It’s great practice! Do a lot of service as well. Don’t worry if you feel like a failure as a missionary sometimes. We all feel that way. Even missionaries aren’t perfect, but God calls us to our respective missions because of our gifts and abilities. Be yourself on the mission. God does not call robots to the work! (Allison)
- Don’t get caught up in yourself or focus only on how you’re teaching, only try to know how people’s UNDERSTANDING changed because of what was talked about. Don’t seek to blame others for your frustrations, only humbly consider your own soul and be open to when the Spirit invites you to change (or your companion). Communicate openly and honestly with EVERY one. Even if it’s scary and painful, it’ll feel better if you just do it. Don’t treat people like they’re unintelligent, or assume you know how they’re feeling. Instead ask them. (Diane)
- Chances are you’ll get a great trainer. Do what they say and follow their example. However, the Lord doesn’t need you to be a carbon-copy of your trainer. He needs you to be the best missionary You can be. You have unique assets and skills and experiences that only you can touch some people who are ready for the Gospel. You can do it with His help. Obey the mission rules, even if they seem silly or stupid or needless. (Aaron)
- Prepare to be happy with any situation you are placed in. Adjust your attitude to be pleasant in adversity. (Brandon)
- Love the people! And when it may seem tough..keep going! (Robbie)
- Be obedient, make it fun, make your companion one of the most important people in your life. (Jake)
- Ignore the cold and get to work because many are thawed but few are frozen. (James)
- Be humble. Learn from the those who’ve been out a while. When discouragement sets in, cast it off. It’s a temptation of Satan. Know what you say in your testimony is true before you go out. Don’t fake it, because it only makes it harder on you, and Satan will tempt you…a lot. (Jeremy)
- Learn how to teach and learn how the Spirit communicates with you. (Michael)
- Love the people and bear your testimony. (Larraine)
What was a funny language mistake?
- The word ‘to be tired’ and ‘to be married’ are very similar in Spanish and I told someone that in order to live the law of chastity, they needed to be tired. We all laughed! (Allison)
- I got a Hmong name- Pa Na Xiong – it means rain flower. But to get the name I had to eat a Thai pepper. I thought I’d broken my tongue. (Diane)
- I was English speaking, and that’s my native language. I could understand every swear word, insult, and threat, exactly as it was intended. (Aaron)
- Me trying to remember Hmong phrases and telling people good bye when we were just getting to their house. (Brandon)
- My companion once promised that if an investigator were to keep the Law of Tithing that the Lord would open up the pants of heaven, rather than the windows of heaven. (Glen)
- California language isn’t appropriate for Sacrament meeting, so don’t bare your testimony in that language. (Jeremy)