Dear elders and sisters,
Welcome to the great Texas Houston South Mission. We’re glad to have you here as you serve the Lord and help in moving His work forward.
Whether you have planned on a mission since Primary, or like the Sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon have found your faith more recently and want to share the joy with others, we applaud you for making the decision to serve!
We want you to be as happy and successful as possible as a missionary. Service to the Lord requires our hearts, might, mind and strength (D&C 4), so keeping yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy increases your capacity to serve. It also makes you happier and more effective as a missionary.
“[T]he Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind,” but promises that “the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days” (D&C 64:34). He also promises “wisdom and great treasures of knowledge,” the strength to “run and not be weary, and … walk and not faint,” protection from the destroying angel, and many other blessings to those develop healthy habits—a principle He called the “Word of Wisdom” (D&C 88:18-21).
We invite you to prepare to give your heart, might, mind, and strength by developing healthy habits now. Pray for inspiration where to start. Choose one or two things you can improve today and incrementally add more as you go. The Lord does not expect perfection; indeed, He recognizes our weaknesses and calls us anyway (see D&C 35: 13, 17). But He urges us to work to improve ourselves each day. It’s a way we show our faith. Indeed, He promises to help our weaknesses become strengths as we are humble and exercise faith (Ether 12:27).
Starting now will help prepare you for the transition that lies ahead of you as you enter the mission field.
Habits for Spiritual Health
Pray regularly and learn to recognize the impressions of the Spirit—to #HearHim
Read the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel every day.
Keep yourself worthy. Practice obeying and repenting daily. If past sins weigh you down, talk with your bishop now. He will help you. Sincere, daily repentance helps you grow and gives you confidence to move forward.
Memorize our missionary purpose, as found on page 1 in Preach My Gospel. Study what it means.
Habits for Emotional and Physical Health
Move. Get your heart rate up. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day.
Eat balanced meals. Gather ideas and easy recipes for the healthy foods you like to eat and that make you feel good.
Start adjusting to the missionary sleep schedule, going to bed early and waking early to attack the day.
Read and become familiar with Adjusting to Missionary Life. Practice its suggestions for coping with stress. Find what works for you. As a missionary you will need to manage stress in ways that are consistent with mission rules.
You will be happiest and most effective as you try to live these principles a little better each day. It’s an important way we invite the healing and strengthening power of the Savior’s great Atonement in our lives, which enables us to better serve Him.
For more information watch this video and read this general conference talk—one of our favorites—about the connection between health and spiritual confidence.
We love you already and look forward to serving with you very soon!
With love,