What a wonderful interview! Made me contemplate the nature of the spiritual among the mundane. "By the sweat of your brow" is the rule in all situations, even those we tend to think of as extraordinarily, spiritually elevated. Conversely, I suppose, if one is attentive, one can find spiritually elevated moments in the most mundane of temporal circumstances.
Bro Watson's story regarding his conundrum with the sister missionaries reminded me of my own experience. Many years ago I was able to serve a two week mission in the Columbus Ohio mission. They were going to be down one sister as one was returning home and another was not due for two weeks. A senior couple labouring in our tiny branch recommended me to the mission president. I was told that if I was unable to fill in as a full time missionary for two weeks the remaining sister would have to live in the mission home during that time. I was unable to go on a formal mission due to family disapproval and lack of funding. But this was wonderful way to get a small taste of missionary life.
This podcast was so timely for me today, as I recently submitted my papers to perform a service mission after my husband passed away going on two years ago. I felt inspired to ask to serve in the mission office, and have my first interview with my bishop later today. It was super informative for me to get a better scope of what the staff in the mission office might be doing and how they serve. Thank you, Ben, and Brother Watson. I've always loved the song about walking 500 miles to fall down at your door, and just noticed today that the band is The Proclaimers - how apt. I hope that I can have the strength to walk 500 miles and 500 more to help to proclaim the gospel to scattered Israel. Thanks so much!
ElizabethPeterson, good luck and I know you will be an asset to your mission! I could never do the office part, but would someday love the proselytizing part. I'm not secretary material. God be with you!!
I loved this interview. Missions are truly the best! I wouldn’t trade mine for anything. So fun to hear his perspective having led the work in Belgium/the Netherlands!
On the "Mormon Channel" years ago they had this series called "into All the World" where they interviewed recently returned Mission Leaders from all over the world, very cool series. I am glad to hear from President Watson about the experiences he had
I served a full time mission when I was younger and was awesome, I learned a lot from my Mission President, I love him and his wife dearly. After that I already served 3 service missions in my area, and it was so different, not even having an official Mission Leader and because of that was solitary and more about the job than about the growing. I think we still have some space for improvements on service missions especially for those who are living a normal life but wants to serve the Lord in some capacities. Also, now that single men can serve a senior mission too, that’s will be interesting.
Bro Watson seems such a nice bloke! Super interview and Ben gives us a nod here in Ghana! One thing about the cost of serving a senior mission people might not be aware of is medical insurance. This only rears its head after you receive a call. We were called to Ghana Kumasi mission at cost X. Then told we had to have medical insurance at Cost Y. The medical insurance alone is double cost X Young missionaries are covered but don't pay (and haven't a clue) Most of your listeners are young, so if your grandparents are planning to serve a senior mission warn them. If we had stayed in the UK we would be covered by the NHS and not pay insurance. But we wouldn't swap tropical Africa for anywhere else
Interesting. Never would have thought of that (of course, as an American, perhaps I wouldn't notice it anyway, as we don't have Socialized Healthcare, so insurance is a normal expense). Good to be aware of.
Missionaries 'Called' from Third World Countries can find it a struggle to feed themselves when serving in First World Countries; as their families are not able to financially support their children.
I’m from a “Third World Country, and a return Missionary, maybe you are talking about missionaries from another churches, but in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this isn’t the case, I invite you to come and talk with one of our Missionaries and see how prepared and structured our missions are, come and see it!😊
Did you serve a mission? If so, what did your mission leaders mean to you? I'm very grateful for the mission leaders I had.
What a wonderful interview! Made me contemplate the nature of the spiritual among the mundane. "By the sweat of your brow" is the rule in all situations, even those we tend to think of as extraordinarily, spiritually elevated. Conversely, I suppose, if one is attentive, one can find spiritually elevated moments in the most mundane of temporal circumstances.
Thank you. Fascinating and inspiring. Call to prayer for appreciating and support for their service
Bro Watson's story regarding his conundrum with the sister missionaries reminded me of my own experience. Many years ago I was able to serve a two week mission in the Columbus Ohio mission. They were going to be down one sister as one was returning home and another was not due for two weeks. A senior couple labouring in our tiny branch recommended me to the mission president. I was told that if I was unable to fill in as a full time missionary for two weeks the remaining sister would have to live in the mission home during that time. I was unable to go on a formal mission due to family disapproval and lack of funding. But this was wonderful way to get a small taste of missionary life.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
This podcast was so timely for me today, as I recently submitted my papers to perform a service mission after my husband passed away going on two years ago. I felt inspired to ask to serve in the mission office, and have my first interview with my bishop later today. It was super informative for me to get a better scope of what the staff in the mission office might be doing and how they serve. Thank you, Ben, and Brother Watson. I've always loved the song about walking 500 miles to fall down at your door, and just noticed today that the band is The Proclaimers - how apt. I hope that I can have the strength to walk 500 miles and 500 more to help to proclaim the gospel to scattered Israel. Thanks so much!
ElizabethPeterson, good luck and I know you will be an asset to your mission! I could never do the office part, but would someday love the proselytizing part. I'm not secretary material. God be with you!!
This was a great show. I didn't realize missons were that complicated. Very inspiring, thank you
I’m so thankful for President & Sister Watson for shaping my mission. I was truly called to serve under their guidance.
I was captivated from the beginning. I now look upon mission leaders in a new light. What an amazing Church and people.
Thank you for this insightful interview. It opened my eyes to the great Christlike love and dedication of our Mission Leaders throughout the world.
I loved this interview. Missions are truly the best! I wouldn’t trade mine for anything. So fun to hear his perspective having led the work in Belgium/the Netherlands!
I feel the same, I think about my mission every day
Thank you for this insightful interview. It reminded me of my own mission all those years ago
My deepest respect for all mission presidents and their spouses. Amazing work and effort.
Well-done! Powerful episode, expanded my mind about the nitty-gritty of being a Mission Leader!
On the "Mormon Channel" years ago they had this series called "into All the World" where they interviewed recently returned Mission Leaders from all over the world, very cool series. I am glad to hear from President Watson about the experiences he had
I agree! They need to bring that series back!!!!!! 🎉
I just discovered your channel. Thanks! Can't wait to watch lots of previous episodes.
Welcome aboard!
I served a full time mission when I was younger and was awesome, I learned a lot from my Mission President, I love him and his wife dearly. After that I already served 3 service missions in my area, and it was so different, not even having an official Mission Leader and because of that was solitary and more about the job than about the growing. I think we still have some space for improvements on service missions especially for those who are living a normal life but wants to serve the Lord in some capacities. Also, now that single men can serve a senior mission too, that’s will be interesting.
Elder and Sister Weitzeil who serve in the Scotland and Ireland Mission as senior Missionaries are the 'salt of the earth'.
Bro Watson seems such a nice bloke! Super interview and Ben gives us a nod here in Ghana!
One thing about the cost of serving a senior mission people might not be aware of is medical insurance. This only rears its head after you receive a call. We were called to Ghana Kumasi mission at cost X. Then told we had to have medical insurance at Cost Y. The medical insurance alone is double cost X
Young missionaries are covered but don't pay (and haven't a clue)
Most of your listeners are young, so if your grandparents are planning to serve a senior mission warn them. If we had stayed in the UK we would be covered by the NHS and not pay insurance. But we wouldn't swap tropical Africa for anywhere else
Thanks for that insight!
Interesting. Never would have thought of that (of course, as an American, perhaps I wouldn't notice it anyway, as we don't have Socialized Healthcare, so insurance is a normal expense). Good to be aware of.
Well done . Our older missionary couples were our greatest blessings in Kumasi 2012-2015
beautiful interview. What a great leader this president is!
Great insights, thanks
Yes, everything positive is always a miracle. Understood.
Einstein said ‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.’
Thanks!
Thank you! So nice to see your comment here!
@ So proud to know you, Ben. I admire the work you’re doing to connect us as Latter-day Saints around the world.
Missionaries 'Called' from Third World Countries can find it a struggle to feed themselves when serving in First World Countries; as their families are not able to financially support their children.
I’m from a “Third World Country, and a return Missionary, maybe you are talking about missionaries from another churches, but in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this isn’t the case, I invite you to come and talk with one of our Missionaries and see how prepared and structured our missions are, come and see it!😊
Being exposed to both the Scottish and Dutch cultures, he must be very frugal.