People often ask...
- Q. Why hasn't the church done this already?A. Go ahead and ask them! we asked them too. We specifically asked them why there isn't some sort of manual or guide or coming home from the mission class in the CES. Their answer (unofficial statement) was that institute covered all the things that a returned missionary deals with such as marriage and temple preparation as well as gospel study. In my conversations with them when calling the curriculum and missionary departments, they said that they weren't intending on creating any thing for returned missionaries, but to keep them updated as we created it. We have had other unofficial communication with authorities of the church who have said "this is something that needs to be done and it needs to be done by your generation."
- Q. Why are you doing this? A. When missionaries serve, they get a glimpse of who they really are - their highest self. Then when they come home, and all it takes is a short time until many forget how important they still are in the work of the kingdom. We have been inspired by good stories and bad stories. You have surely witnessed some very solid returned missionaries who will never budge from their testimony. You also have surely seen some returned missionaries who wander into strange paths and are lost. We know that we can't change the world alone, but we know that little by little, we can help. YOU can help too. There is an MTC; there is Preach My Gospel; there are mission prep courses; there is a mission president in your mission. But after the mission, the transition is just as challenging (if not more) and there are no set programs or manuals to help with this. Randy Bott has spoken about how how too many missionaries return to their pre-mission lives. We believe guides and helps can prevent this from happening. This time after the mission can be so full of joy, fulfillment and progress. But it is time of serious transition, and crystal-clear guidance can make all the difference.
- Q. Who are you if you aren't the Church? A. We are a group of concerned returned missionaries who want all returned missionaries to be their best selves after coming home. We know it is hard. We have done it. We aren't perfect, and for this reason we want you to benefit from the successes and failures we have already had. And our voices are your voices as well. We have worked for a long time to gather your feedback in surveys so that this site and the book are as much your voice as ours. There will also be a quotes from prophets and apostles as well as civic and world leaders who are the shoulders upon which we stand. We am in the process of collecting the voices of thousands of returned missionaries, bishops, returned mission presidents and parents of returned missionaries. We hope you are a part of the voice! Click here to take the survey and help us to expand the voice of Live My Gospel as well as this website.
- Q. When will it be finished?A. The goal is to be finished with the book by the end of 2012. But before then there will be much more than that on the website that you can enjoy and share with other returned missionaries you know.
- Q. Will there be an eBook version or an app? A. Yes. The book will actually be available first in eBook format (to read on mobile devices such as iPhones, Androids, iPads, Kindles, Nooks, and even just on your personal computers). For those who want an actual paper version of the book, it will be available in a "print-on-demand" format that can be easily ordered online and shipped right to you.
