Louisa Barnes Pratt: Early Sister Missionary in French Polynesia

tropical flowers

Louisa Barnes Pratt served as one of the first sister missionaries of the Church in French Polynesia.  While her husband was serving a mission in the Society Islands in French Polynesia, Louisa Barnes Pratt was called to join him there as a missionary—along with their four daughters. After receiving the… Continue reading

Four Ways to Be an Everyday Missionary

boys with book by tree

By committing to be missionaries for the rest of our lives, we can help others experience the joy and peace of the gospel. Many members of the Church have served missions across the world and know firsthand the blessings of sharing the gospel. But whether you served a full-time mission… Continue reading

What I Learned From Not Serving a Mission

While not serving a mission, I learned more about myself, my Heavenly Father, and the places he is leading me.   As waves of missionaries return home, lots of things have changed, such as housing, dating, school enrollment, and marriage. President Thomas S. Monson’s 2012 general conference announcement lowering the ages… Continue reading

In My Afflictions: Missionary Trainer for Two

After spending weeks as a missionary punching bag, I stopped fighting and got down on my knees to call for backup. I bit back my words as the three of us walked to our apartment. The tension between us was palpable and strangled any patience I still maintained. I was… Continue reading

Saying Yes to God: Letting Him Help Us through Our Trials

With God’s help, returning home early from a mission can actually be a building experience. Some situations in life—such as returning home early from a mission—can leave us feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, but if we let God into our lives, we can move past these feelings and use the experience… Continue reading

#floodtheearth: Hastening the Work Through Technology

In our media-filled society, what can we do to help the Lord hasten his work? Whether you’re a social media master or someone who hasn’t quite figured out what a tweet is, you can find help in Elder David A. Bednar’s 2014 Education Week address, “To Sweep the Earth as… Continue reading

7 Ways Not to Write Your Missionary

Keep in contact with your missionary without complicating the work. It’s Monday and your inbox is bombarded with weekly missionary emails—stories of being chased by dogs, sprinklings of foreign jargon, and endless retellings of miracles. Now it’s time to write your missionary a response. Missionaries love receiving letters, but could… Continue reading

Called to the Cavalry

You don’t need a name tag, satchel, and pair of walking shoes to effectively share the gospel. When my dad was in high school, he was less active in the Church. At the end of his senior year, a friend encouraged him to pray and ask if God exists. “If… Continue reading

Finding Light in Laoag

While serving my mission in the Sunshine City, God not only lit my path but showed me where it leads. When I first read my mission call to Laoag, Philippines, I had no idea how to pronounce Laoag. So of course, I also didn’t know that laoag means light in… Continue reading

Obtaining Salvation for You and Your Ancestors

black and white photographs

By doing temple work for our ancestors, we develop gratitude and love for them and recognize the significant role we play in their salvation. Cynthia Doxey, associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University, says that we are “noble and great ones” who can help our ancestors… Continue reading