Youth today have more opportunities and resources for missionary service than ever before, but there have never been so many distractions. The decision to serve is just the first in a series of choices each missionary needs to make. Understanding spiritual growth, the knowledge and power in the Lord's house, and their own divine potential and responsibility are just part of what missionaries will learn. From deciding to serve to maintaining the vision after the mission, this book assists future missionaries and parents in preparing to hasten the work. EXCERPTIn my years of serving in the Lord's Kingdom here upon the earth I have had many opportunities and blessings of serving in the missionary effort. I have served on many Church committees, taught at the MTC, served as a mission president in England and as president of the Provo MTC. I have taught mission preparation at BYU and the Orem Institute. I have interviewed thousands of missionaries. In these experiences I have learned much from the Lord's missionaries. I have observed the importance of their preparation or lack of it. I know they want to do well but often haven't had enough instruction or paid the price of preparation. The best preparation occurs as parents and missionaries work together in this great process of preparation. The process of becoming a missionary for the Lord is not easy. It takes work. It takes dedication. It takes sacrifice. You have to learn by your own experience to do hard things. Some missionaries struggle to the point of anxiety and frustration. Some young men and women are not fully prepared even though the desire is there. To help in this process this book is designed to let you and your parents know what is expected of you and when. It will take you through every major event within your mission. It is designed to help you make the change from everyday life to the life of a missionary. It will help you be prepared prior to each special event in your missionary life. It will help you face difficult moments in your mission.