Serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a unique and challenging experience, particularly when it comes to living and working closely with a companion. A strong companionship can significantly enhance your mission experience and success, fostering spiritual growth, unity, and effective service. After your mission, these companionships can become friendships you will cherish for the rest of your life. Here are eight ways to be a good missionary companion.
“Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.” —Doctrine & Covenants 4:6
1. Communicate Openly and Honestly
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful companionship. Make it a priority to discuss expectations, goals, and any concerns openly and honestly. Regularly check in with each other, express feelings constructively, and be willing to listen. Open communication helps prevent misunderstandings and resolves conflicts before they escalate.
2. Show Respect and Kindness
Respect and kindness are essential in maintaining a harmonious relationship. Treat your companion with the same consideration and courtesy you would like to receive. Acknowledge their efforts, appreciate their strengths, and be patient with their weaknesses. Small acts of kindness, such as sharing a meal or offering a compliment, can go a long way in building a positive relationship.
“Love, respect, and strengthen each other…[and] treat each other as you would like to be treated.” —Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ
3. Be Supportive and Encouraging
Missionary work can be emotionally and physically demanding. Support your companion by offering encouragement and understanding during difficult times. Celebrate their successes and help them overcome challenges. Being a source of strength and positivity will foster mutual trust and respect.
4. Work as a Team
A successful mission requires teamwork. Collaborate with your companion to set goals, plan lessons, and find ways to improve your efforts. Share responsibilities equally and make decisions together. Working as a team will make you more effective in your missionary efforts and build a stronger bond with your companion.
“Each of us is an individual with unique strengths and talents, different from any other person in the world. Each of us has weaknesses. In a harmonious companionship, there is teamwork—where one is weak, the other is strong.” —President James E. Faust
5. Pray and Study Together
Spiritual unity is crucial for missionary companionships. Make time for daily prayer and scripture study together. This practice invites the Spirit, fosters unity, and helps you grow closer to each other and to God. Discuss your insights and feelings about what you study, and use this time to strengthen your testimony and resolve.
6. Be Adaptable and Patient
Living with a companion 24/7 requires flexibility and patience. Understand that your companion may have different habits, preferences, and cultural backgrounds. Be willing to adapt and compromise to maintain harmony. Patience and a willingness to adjust will help you navigate the challenges of living and working together.
“Be humble and recognize each other’s strengths.” —Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ
7. Maintain a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude can significantly improve your mission experience. Approach challenges with optimism and a willingness to learn. Avoid complaining or dwelling on negative aspects of the mission. Instead, focus on the positive, express gratitude, and find joy in the work. A positive outlook will uplift both you and your companion.
8. Focus on the Savior
Your purpose as a missionary is to bring others unto Christ. When you and your companion face challenges, focusing on your purpose can help you to see past your differences and extend grace and charity to each other. Remember that you are both children of God doing His work, and that your efforts are blessed when you try to live and treat others as the Savior would.
“Something wonderful happens in a missionary’s service when he or she realizes that the calling is not about him or her; rather, it is about the Lord, His work, and Heavenly Father’s children.” —Elder Dale G. Renlund
Being a good missionary companion requires effort, understanding, and a commitment to living gospel principles. You can foster a strong, effective, and harmonious companionship by communicating openly, showing respect and kindness, offering support, working as a team, praying and studying together, being adaptable, maintaining a positive attitude, and respecting personal boundaries. These principles not only enhance the mission experience but also prepare you for future relationships and responsibilities. Serving Jesus Christ with love and unity will help you fulfill your mission purpose and leave a lasting impact on the people you serve and your own spiritual growth.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
