What influenced you to go on a mission? Were you expected to go?

I have wanted to go on a mission for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Utah, I knew many people who served missions and they always smiled when they spoke of it. To this day, I don’t personally know anyone who served a mission and wasn’t glad they had decided to go. I just knew inside that I would love it, and to be honest, I don’t know that anyone has ever enjoyed being a missionary as much as I did. It was difficult at times, but I was always so happy to be there.

Once in the mission field, how did you adapt to your new life? In what ways were you prepared or unprepared? What was your biggest struggle while on your mission?

The biggest struggle I had to face as a missionary was an internal one. I wanted to do such a great job, and I often fell short. It was hard to realize that I wasn’t as great of a missionary as I would have liked to be.

Do you feel closer to your Church after your mission?

I have always loved being a member of the LDS Church, and the mission made me appreciate it even more.

How did you feel when you returned from you mission? Did you adjust to normal life quickly? How were you treated differently by your family/community?

It was hard to adjust to being back home. I loved living in Germany and being a missionary. As a missionary, you spend all day thinking of how you can help the people you are teaching, and it was very hard for me to come home and have to start thinking of myself.

If you could go back in time, would you still go on a mission? Why?

If I could go back in time I would definitely still go on a mission. In fact, if I could, I’d go on a second mission tomorrow (provided my wife could come too). Going on a mission was one of the best things I have ever done. I got to know myself a lot better, and grew a lot as a person. I also had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. It was wonderful to live in Germany and to experience all of the cultural things that I did. Most importantly, I gained a much greater understanding of God and his love for me.

What has happened since your return? What are you doing now?

I’ve been home for two years now, and a lot has happened. I’m studying Finance at the University of Utah and starting an internship at Merrill Lynch. More importantly, I got married six months ago. I love married life and am so happy to have found my wonderful wife Amanda.

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