When author Norman Hill asked hundreds of Church members what they needed to do to prepare for a mission, he was given several answers and suggestions-so many that he realized how easy it was to overlook the most important strengths The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prescribes for its gospel messengers. Some of the abilities we sometimes fail to consider are • Understanding priesthood leaders' perspectives • Obeying mission rules with exactness • Focusing on commitments and the baptismal interview questions when teaching investigators • Being aware of one's own personal progress and not that of others • Visualizing investigators as our Father in Heaven visualizes them In order for missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to succeed in their sacred calling, they must first be prepared, and in order for them to be prepared, they must first know how. What They Don't Teach at the MTC provides the fundamental foundation needed in order to gain the necessary skills and abilities to serve a successful mission. It is for all those who desire to bring souls unto Christ and reap the blessings thereof. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, success, and achievement have no meaning."

From a Nebula Award–nominated author, “insight and imagination infuse the stories of this eclectic collection. . . . Powerful . . . sure to draw in readers.” (Publishers Weekly) In Today I Remember, Martin L. Shoemaker—award-winning author of Today I Am Carey and The Last Dance—shares stories written as tributes to the people who inspired him in his life and his writing. A circus acrobat relives tragedy and triumph Leonardo da Vinci’s greatest creation exceeds even his vision A manager must save a space colony from starvation An Alzheimer’s patient and her android caretaker experience life through her delusions A girl must keep her father alive after an accident on the Moon A Lunar rescue squad races to find a lost transport ship A vampire's assistant must help him to face the great detective A young man in Nigeria talks with the spirit of the wood A dying patient volunteers for an experiment with unforeseen side-effects A teacher must teach her students to survive the wreck of their spaceship A young law student returns to Haiti to rescue his dead grandfather from the Bokor Each story begins with an explanation of how it came to be and who inspired it. These are some of Martin’s best stories—and best memories.

Based on research in a small congregation in northern Japan and in-depth interviews with foreign missionaries, Japanese Saints is the first book to provide an in-depth, qualitative examination of what it is like to be a Japanese Mormon.

Most inspirational and self-help books are written by experts, celebrities, or people who have compellingly unique life-changing stories to tell. This one isn't. Watching Cookies in the Oven chronicles mundane events in the author's daily life, then shows that, with introspection, everyday life can become sublime. From overcoming depression to breaking up with girlfriends, the true stories of each chapter are filled with optimism, hope, and an abiding trust in God. Breaking from the genre's tradition of to-do lists or resolutions, Peterson invites readers to see the world in a different way, promising that each shift in paradigm will effect a change in actions and results. In the end, readers leave lifted, refreshed, and ready to find their own symbolism in everyday life - proof that you don't have to have a PhD to be inspired.

Its the Christmas seasonthe most wonderful time of the year for most people in River City, California. But for Jehovahs Witnesses Lawrence and Brad, its a time for them to try to explain the truth about this holiday season to the people of the community. Their earnest efforts may earn them ridicule, disagreement, or a door slammed rudely in their faces, but they persistand are sometimes able to find a mind and heart receptive to their urgent message about Jehovahs coming Kingdom. Whereas for Elders Skousen and Marshalltwo Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionariesthe season is another opportunity to share their Churchs distinctive interpretation of the Christian gospel; but their efforts are often rebuffed, as well. In the course of their work, these two pairs of men engage in dialogue with traditional Christians, as well as members of the Church of Christ; the Community of Christ (RLDS); Seventh-day Adventists; and Oneness Pentecostalsnot to mention skeptics, atheists, and the increasing numbers of people who lack any particular religious beliefs. But when a local church brings in a researcher to give a series of lectures on Cultsand specifically targeting the Jehovahs Witnesses and Mormonsa confrontation is ensured, where theological and biblical concepts collide in a public forum. Who, if anyone, really has the Truth? Can one still discover the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of passionate disagreements over the validity of the holiday season? Are objections raised about the secularization and rampant commercialism of the modern celebration valid? Spend a holiday season (or any other season) with some interesting and intellectually-stimulating characters, as they explore these and other challenging questions. (Readers of the authors earlier novel, A Multicultural Christmas, will be pleased to see a brief reappearance of two characters from that book.)

Most returned missionaries say that their missions have been the most rewarding experience of their lifetime. It is no wonder: their maturity, testimony, and knowledge grow phenomenally. There is no greater feeling than to teach, convert, and baptize a new family into the Church. The miraculous changes that occur in people as they accept, live, and progress in the Gospel are worth all of the missionaries' personal sacrifices. If we lovingly encourage and prepare our sons to serve full-time missions, they will accept the challenge. They will happily prepare themselves and look forward with great anticipation to serve the Lord anywhere in the world for two years. If you do the things suggested in Mission Accomplished, you will have successful missionaries who serve honorable missions. You will be showered with never-expected blessings. Indeed, the windows of heaven will open wide to pour out innumerable blessings from on high. I recommend the following to parents of all currently serving missionaries: Pray for them daily Write to them weekly; keep letters positive and encouraging Send them periodic care packages Do not call them unless permitted by the mission president Help them complete an honorable mission If you do these things, you will reap blessings galore. Your missionaries rely on the support they receive from home. They need your support. They look forward to your support. Don't let them down.