- Mar 9, 2025
Uplifting Messages for Missionaries: Inspiring Talks to Strengthen You in Hard Times
- Brooke Griffiths, RM & Latter Day Missionaries Student Intern
Welcome, Fellow Missionaries!
I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Brooke Griffiths, and I want to share a bit of my story with you. Just like each of you, I once prepared for and served a mission. My mission holds a very special place in my heart, and I am so grateful for the experiences and opportunities it gave me. That said, it was hard! And anyone who has served a mission knows that missions are not easy. They require hard work, determination, sacrifice, and resilience.
Embracing the Challenges of Missionary Life
My dad has always told me, “If you’re on the right path, it’s never downhill.” It’s a simple phrase, but it has stuck with me throughout my life, especially during my mission. We weren’t sent to Earth to have everything be smooth sailing all the time. We were sent to face trials, opposition, pain, and hardship. That’s part of the journey, and it’s no different when you’re a missionary. It isn’t a question of if challenges will come when you are a missionary, but when. And trust me, they will!
Looking back on my mission, I can honestly say that I loved it! It was a life-changing experience, and I look back with so much fondness and gratitude for all that I was able to witness and experience. But that doesn’t mean it was easy. I faced challenges like:
✅ Companion struggles
✅ Feelings of inadequacy
✅ Anxiety and comparison
✅ Homesickness
✅ Personal mental and physical health struggles
✅ Lack of motivation
✅ Disappointment and discouragement
Strength Through the Words of Prophets
The good news? We are never left to face these struggles alone. God has given us many resources to help us, including the words of modern prophets, apostles, and inspired leaders. These messages are available to us anytime through the Gospel Library app, and as a missionary, you have access to them at your fingertips.
A Personal Turning Point
I’ll never forget a particularly difficult transfer early in my mission. I was exhausted, homesick, struggling with my companion, and feeling unmotivated. I prayed for help, asking God to show me His hand in my life so I could regain my purpose and motivation.
Then came an answer: a district council meeting that changed everything. My district leader shared how General Conference talks and BYU speeches had strengthened him as a missionary. He encouraged us to create a personal list of talks that inspired us and to refer to it often.
That day, I started my own list. Over time, it became a source of strength for me. My testimony of the Savior, missionary work, and God’s love deepened as I witnessed the power of these messages. The words of modern prophets pulled me out of the darkness and gave me the motivation to keep going.
Why Prophetic Words Matter
Prophets are mouthpieces for God. Their words are His words. During your mission, you’ll have both good days and bad days, but the guidance from prophets and apostles can help you through even the hardest moments. Their words will:
✨ Lift you when you feel low
✨ Guide you when you feel lost
✨ Strengthen your faith in your missionary purpose
My Challenge to You
I feel inspired to share my list of uplifting talks with you. I hope these messages bring you the same strength they brought me. But more importantly, I invite you to:
✔ Start your own list. Find talks that inspire and strengthen you.
✔ Study and ponder these messages. Let them remind you of your ‘why’ for serving.
✔ Share them with others. You never know when your words might be an answer to someone else’s prayer.
You Are Never Alone
I testify that God loves each of you. He hears your prayers, and He will not leave you to face your struggles alone. Yes, the hard days are part of the journey, but so is the light of the Savior and the guidance He provides through His chosen leaders.
So, missionaries, keep going. Hold onto hope. And remember—you are never alone.
Happy reading!
Wrestling with Comparisons, J.B. Haws
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/j-b-haws/wrestling-with-comparisons/
Be 100 Percent Responsible, Lynn G. Robbins
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/lynn-g-robbins/be-100-percent-responsible/
Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness, Bradley R. Wilcox
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/35wilcox?lang=eng
The Book of Mormon: Man Made or God Given, Tad R. Callister
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/tad-r-callister/book-mormon-man-made-god-given/
Why 1820, Hyrum Smith
https://fheontheroad.com/why-1820-by-hyrum-smith/
The Ricciardi Letter, Danny Humphrey
https://sistersarahcoleman.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/the-ricciardi-letter.docx
Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence/
Stand Forever, Lawrence E. Corbridge
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/lawrence-e-corbridge/stand-for-ever/
True Doctrine, Understood, Changes Attitude and Behavior, Todd B. Parker
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/todd-b-parker/true-doctrine-understood-changes-attitudes-behavior/
His Grace is Sufficient, Brad Wilcox
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/brad-wilcox/his-grace-is-sufficient/
Remember Lot’s Wife, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/remember-lots-wife/
The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, Bruce R. McConkie
None Were with Him, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng
Safety for the Soul, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/safety-for-the-soul?lang=eng
The First Great Commandment, Jeffrey R. Holland
Like a Broken Vessel, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng
Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You, Jeffrey R. Holland
In Search of Treasure, Thomas S. Monson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/in-search-of-treasure?lang=eng
Witnesses for God, Henry B. Eyring
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/witnesses-for-god?lang=eng
The Sacred Call of Service, Thomas S. Monson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/the-sacred-call-of-service?lang=eng
Missionary Work and the Atonement, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2001/10/missionary-work-and-the-atonement?lang=eng
He Is Risen with Healing in His Wings: We Can Be More Than Conquerors, Patrick Kearon
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/24kearon?lang=eng
This Day, Ronald A. Rasband
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/17rasband?lang=eng
Are You Still Willing?, Kevin W. Pearson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/33pearson?lang=eng
Wounded, Neil L. Andersen
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/wounded?lang=eng
Called to the Work, David A. Bednar
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/called-to-the-work?lang=eng
Finding Joy in the Journey, Thomas S. Monson
Charity Never Faileth, Thomas S. Monson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng
Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits, Boyd K.Packer
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?, President Nelson
The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion, Shayne M. Bowen
A Testimony of the Book of Mormon, President Nelson
The Atonement, President Nelson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/the-atonement?lang=eng
Our Heartfelt All, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/57uchtdorf?lang=eng
A Yearning for Home, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/a-yearning-for-home?lang=eng
Fourth Floor, Last Door, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/fourth-floor-last-door?lang=eng
The Inconvenient Messiah, Jeffrey R. Holland and Pat Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-and-patricia-t-holland/inconvenient-messiah/
We Need an Endowment, Anthony Sweat
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/anthony-sweat/we-need-an-endowment/
Lessons From Liberty Jail, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/lessons-liberty-jail/
Divine Love in the Father’s Plan, President Oaks
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/51oaks?lang=eng
Invite Christ to Author Your Story, Camille N. Johnson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/42johnson?lang=eng
The Challenge to Become, President Oaks
Character of Christ, David A. Bednar
https://www.byui.edu/speeches/religious-symposium/david-a-bednar/the-character-of-christ
Come What May and Love It, Joseph B. Wirthlin
The Prodigal and The Road That Leads Home, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/45uchtdorf?lang=eng
Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/souls-symbols-sacraments/
A Saint Through The Atonement of Christ the Lord, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland/a-saint-through-the-atonement-of-christ-the-lord/
The Imperfect Harvest, Vern P. Stanfill
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/54stanfill?lang=eng
Hallmarks of Happiness, Gary B. Sabin
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/31sabin?lang=eng
Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains, President Nelson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng
The Second Great Commandment, President Nelson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/46nelson?lang=eng
Waiting on the Lord, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/57holland?lang=eng
Songs Sung and Unsung, Jeffrey R. holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/songs-sung-and-unsung?lang=eng
Lord, I Believe, Jeffrey R. Holland
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng
Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!, Reyna I. Aburto
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/31aburto?lang=eng
A Higher Joy, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/35uchtdorf?lang=eng
Are You Sleeping Through the Restoration?, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Joseph Smith - Prophet of the Restoration, Tad R. Callister
This Day, Ronald A. Rasband
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/17rasband?lang=eng
Peacemakers Needed, President Nelson
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng
Fear not: Believe Only!
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/23holland?lang=eng
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