"What I want my grandchildren to bring home from their missions," was the theme President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, used in speaking at the Mission Presidents' Seminar Thursday, June 27.

President James E. Faust

"Over the years, I've seen some strange things that missionaries have brought home from their missions," he said. "I've seen missionaries trying to get a Paraguayan harp in the cabin of an airplane." He said missionaries should rather bring home:

• First, a "firm testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world," and that He is the "head of His Church and directing its growth and development." This, said President Faust, is "fundamental and essential."

• Second, a testimony of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. President Faust said that Joseph Smith brought forth the fruits — "the scripture that he revealed to us, the temple ceremony and all the rest" — that "establish him as a great prophet." He continued, "Now we do not need to claim perfection for Joseph Smith the way we do for the Savior. His humanity is part of his strength and credibility."

• Third, a love for the gospel. "The more you learn about the gospel, the more you will learn to love it," President Faust said.

• Fourth, a knowledge of the scriptures. "Missionaries are asked to have one hour of personal study and one hour of study with their companions daily," he said. "Two hours a day for two years should be a good foundation on which to build and continue to build."

• Fifth, an everlasting love for the mission president and his wife. President Faust pointed out that missionaries look up to their mission president and his wife. "They will become bonded to you through your service," he said.

• Sixth, a love for the place and the people where they served as missionaries. President Faust recounted some of his experiences as a young missionary in Brazil and spoke of revisiting his field of labor while recently traveling in South America for temple dedications. "I felt like I was coming home," he said. "It was a marvelous experience."

• Seventh, an everlasting appreciation for missionary companions. "My companions and their wives have been getting together now for almost 60 years," he said. "There is a great love and friendship among us. . . . I hope this relationship will continue in eternity."

• Eighth, an understanding of the importance and the power of prayer. "Most missionaries have some personal challenges in the mission field such as learning a foreign language, cultural adjustments, problems with food, homesickness, lovesickness, and occasionally health problems," President Faust said. "Prayer should be an established habit for these missionaries which will endure and continue throughout the rest of their lives."

• Ninth, a desire to serve. "For some, the experience of going on a mission may be the first time these young people have really had to serve others besides themselves in their lives," he said. "But it can be the beginning of tasting of the joy of a lifetime of service in the Church and elsewhere."

• Tenth, an enduring faith that will carry them through the challenges of life. President Faust said that future success isn't indicated by Church callings or positions of leadership missionaries and other Church members hold. He said, "The race really isn't to the swift; that bright star everyone wishes they could be like. It is to that persistent, plodding, stubbornly obedient individual who toughs it out through thick and thin."