FAIR's Rising Generation

Author Archive

Okay so you know by now that I’m 18 and I’m preparing to leave on a mission within the year. In order to get ready I’m doing a lot of study on various subjects that I think will help prepare me for the next two years. I’m going to share what I’ve learned on this blog because I’m hoping that other future missionaries will benefit from it.

So the first book on my reading list was written by Randy Bott and it’s called Preparation Precedes Power; How Successful Missionaries Prepare to Serve. Last night after reading a chapter in that book I did this exercise where I wrote out what I think the Gospel is using Bott’s “Eight Points” for a guide.

I copied this from my journal to here. Read the rest of this entry »

In ten short months I’ll be putting in my papers to serve a full-time mission.  To me that means that I have only ten months remaining to finish my preparations.  This isn’t like high school, what I mean is if I fail to prepare now, I won’t get a second chance.  And in the words of Randy L. Bott, a teacher of Missionary Prep. courses at BYU, “Not taking these years seriously can signal trouble ahead(1).”  The name of Brother Bott’s book is in my footnotes and I totally recommend it for prospective missionaries.  It was this book that woke me up to how unprepared for a mission I really am. Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry I took so long to finish up this story, Thanksgiving was a blast and I got really wrapped up in things at home. 

So in case any of you are coming into this story late, take a moment to read the beginnings of the story which can be found at the links below.  For all of you who like this story please consider using the “Share/Save” button to post a link on Facebook or Twitter.  It’s such a small thing, but it would mean a great deal to me.

Part 1; Missionary Moment at Eastern Oils – http://blog.risinggeneration.org/905/eastern-oils

Part 2; a Reformation - http://blog.risinggeneration.org/909/reformation

And in the blink of an eye the conversation had turned to the subject of my religion.  Some poeple lock up when it comes to telling people what they believe in, but not me.  I love telling people what I think. Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of weeks ago I met a vendor at the mall, named Nathaniel. He was a black man dressed in business casual and his composure suggested he had all of the secrets of life stored up in his forehead. When he looked at me it was an instant transference of confidence; confidence in him, confidence in myself, and confidence in the message he had to share with me. Now I’ll continue with my story where I left off last week, and in case you missed it here’s the link that will take you to it: Missionary Moment @ Eastern Oils.

“Woohoo! Darth Vader has found religion!” I cheered to Nathaniel, fully understanding the metaphore he had presented to me. He was comparing himself to Star Wars’ youngest protagonist Anakin Skywalker. Anakin grew up as a slave, won a race for his freedom and started training in the supernatural religion of the “Jedi.” However, before Anakin could complete his training, he was decieved by a wicked Dark Lord. Anakin followed the Dark Lord and became caught up in the snares of power–before he knew it he had become “Darth Vader,” the right hand of evil. Read the rest of this entry »