The first thing you should know about your call and your assignment is that the Lord is sending you here to baptize worthy converts. You may hear from some people that you won´t have much success in Europe, but we encourage you to think of Spain as part of South America! Missionaries in the Spain Barcelona Mission baptize regularly and it is possible for missionaries to baptize weekly in this mission. We are entering a great "second harvest" in Spain (the first great harvest was in the 1970s when thousands were baptized, including most of the today´s Church leaders in our stakes) and have been promised that this harvest will be greater than the first harvest. The missions in Spain, and particularly the Spain Barcelona Mission, are much more productive than the average mission in the United States. We baptize worthy converts. It is what we do. It is the only thing we do.
The most important thing you can do to prepare for your mission is to read the Book of Mormon from beginning to end. Study it as a text for missionary work, and learn from it how to do missionary work, and how to be a powerful missionary. It is your most valuable textbook on missionary work.
We encourage you to also look at the Videos page where you can hear comments and advice from missionaries who have now returned home, as well as the pages on Spain Vocabulary and Mission Vocabulary.
LA MISIÓN ESPAÑA BARCELONA
“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing.” – Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
VISA APPLICATION
It takes about 6 months to receive a visa for Spain. Please submit all of your paperwork to Church Travel as quickly as you can so that you will able to begin serving as scheduled. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If you do not receive your visa by the time you complete your MTC training, you will be assigned to another mission until your visa is approved.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
A mission is a major athletic event. Missionaries in our mission typically walk 8-12 miles every day. This walking puts a tremendous amount of force on feet, ankles and knees. For a missionary who weighs 170 pounds the calculation is: 170 lbs x 3.5 (the force absorbed by the joints) = 595 lbs/step; 2000 steps per mile results in 595 tons per mile x 10 miles/day x 5 days/week = 29,750 tons per week x 95 weeks = 2,826,250 tons per mission. This is the equivalent of over 27 fully-loaded Nimitz-class aircraft carriers!
To prepare for this athletic event, begin training now. In particular, begin a running or walking routine with the goal of reaching a weekly mileage of 25-30 miles.
If you have any history of ankle or knee problems, work closely with a doctor to strengthen your joints to avoid injury in the mission field.
If you have experienced ingrown toenails in the past, have these resolved by a doctor before entering the MTC.
WHAT TO BRING (AND WHAT NOT TO BRING)
Please carefully follow the instructions you received from the Missionary Department. Our missionaries work hard to always look and act in a way that reflects their sacred calling. If, after reviewing the instructions from the Missionary Department, you have any questions about what to bring or not bring, please contact President Hinckley by email at chinckley@ldschurch.org.
We do not use back packs in the mission, so do not bring one with you. You will receive a small briefcase upon arrival. Sisters may wish to bring a large, conservative handbag that will hold scriptures, Preach My Gospel, pamphlets, etc.
Elders should bring an international driver's license. These are available from AAA at a modest cost. Make certain that your U.S. license has been renewed and will remain valid during your mission. While missionaries are not assigned cars for proselyting, we do need drivers from time to time in the mission office.
Each apartment has a CD player. If you wish to bring music, be certain it meets the very high standards described in the Missionary Handbook, page 25. Do not bring music that does not meet these standards. See "A Word About Music" below for more information.
Do not bring DVDs or videos of any kind. Approved media is supplied by the mission office.
Do not bring any device, such as an iPod Touch or iPad, that has Internet or WiFi capability (Missionary Handbook, p. 25, 26) or that can be used for email, texting, or chatting. All approved electronic devices are provided by the mission office.
Medications
It is difficult if not impossible to receive prescription drugs, vitamin pills or supplements through the mail. Most needed medications can be purchased locally, although a prescription is necessary for some. If you have required medications,
- Bring as much as you can with you.
- Discuss with your doctor his feelings about issuing you a prescription by email if needed later on.
- Bring a copy of your current prescription.
All missionaries have always been able to obtain needed medications, so you don't need to worry. However, be aware that it is not as simple as having someone mail you medications - they are generally either returned or destroyed by customs officials.
The list below updates the list you received with your call packet and provides some suggestions for the types of clothing to bring.
Updated List of Items Specific to Your Mission
Items Specific to Your Mission - Elders
- Baptismal clothing – bring a pair of white pants, white socks, and a white tie.
- 2 suits that match the requirements under “Suits and Slacks.”
- 4-5 long-sleeved white shirts and 4-5 short-sleeved white shirts.
- 5-6 ties that match the requirements under “Ties.”
- 1-2 pairs of conservative dress slacks that match the requirements under “Suits and Slacks.” Wool, wool blends, and artificial fabrics work best; avoid cotton slacks.
- 8-10 pairs of garments. Thermal garments are optional (it gets cold in winter!)
- 2 pairs of dress shoes that match the requirements under “Shoes, Boots, and Socks.” Walking is the primary form of transportation – be certain that shoes fit properly and are comfortable for walking.
- 8-10 pairs of socks that match the requirements under “Shoes, Boots, and Socks.”
- Rain coat – bring a warm raincoat in a dark, conservative color that can be worn over a suit jacket. A rain coat with a zip-in thermal liner is most useful. Many areas of the mission are very cold (below freezing) and damp in the winter.
- 2 V-necked sweaters that match the requirements (dark color, no pattern or design) under “Shirts and Sweaters.”
- 1 pair of pajamas.
- Exercise clothing – bring a pair of knee-length shorts, T-shirts, athletic shoes and socks as needed for physical activity.
- Casual/work clothing – bring one set of clothing (including full length pants or jeans) for work/service projects and preparation day activities where regular missionary attire is not appropriate.
Items Specific to Your Mission - Sisters
- 4-5 outfits as described under “Types of Clothes.” This should include a couple of jackets or blazers, a couple of sweaters, and appropriate blouses and skirts that enable easy walking.
- 3 pairs of shoes as described under “Shoes.” Walking is the primary form of transportation – be certain that shoes fit properly and are comfortable for walking.
- 1 pair of dress boots (optional). These should flat-heeled, comfortable for walking and keep your feet and legs warm and dry in cold, rainy weather.
- 5-6 tights or knee-highs (no pattern).
- 6 pairs of peds (for hot weather).
- 8-10 pairs of garments. Thermal garments are optional.
- Raincoat - bring a raincoat that can be worn over a jacket or sweater.
- Coat – bring a warm winter coat.
- 2-3 sweaters as described under “Jackets and Sweaters”.
- 1 pair of pajamas. Robe and slippers are optional.
- Exercise clothing – a jogging suit, athletic shoes and socks as needed for physical activity.
- Casual/work clothing – bring one set of clothing (including full length pants or jeans) for work/service projects and preparation day activities where regular missionary attire is not appropriate.
Items Specific to Your Mission – Elders and Sisters
- First-Aid Kit – bring a small kit with the following items:
- Thermometer
- Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or similar medication to relieve pain, swelling and fever
- Antibiotic cream or ointment
- Antifungal cream or ointment
- Pepto-Bismol tablets or similar medication
- Hand sanitizer (such as Purell)
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Other medications which you may use occasionally
- A supply of all current prescription medications
- Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses if needed
- Small sewing kit
- Alarm clock (battery or wind-up)
- Laundry bag
- Small flashlight and batteries
- Inexpensive watch
A Word About Music
The Missionary Handbook states:
"Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity.
"Listening to music must never interfere with your personal preparation or proselyting."
Each apartment has a CD player. You may wish to bring some appropriate music that meets the very high standards described above. Most popular music, including recent EFY music, soundtracks, and even some popular renditions of hymns, while good music, does not meet the high standards set for missionaries.
If you wish to bring an MP3 player or similar device, you will need to bring speakers, as missionaries do not use earphones to listen to music. Do not bring any device that has Internet access (such as an iPod Touch).
