Dave and Rachel Weidman, former mission leaders in the California Los Angeles Mission, spoke at the Prospective Missionary Devotional on Nov. 6.
Prior to the event, attendees were invited to submit questions for them to answer. The event was held in the WSC Ballroom but was also available to view live on YouTube. A recording of the devotional is still available on the BYU Religious Education department's YouTube channel.
At the beginning of the devotional, Dave Weidman invited those who currently had a mission call, those waiting for a call and those who were either current or returned missionaries to stand in succession.
Throughout the devotional, Dave Weidman went through a slide show of videos and questions that had been asked in advance. One of the most frequently asked questions was, “How do I know whether I should serve a mission?”
To answer this question, the Dave and Rachel Weidman used a video from Church President Russell M. Nelson.
“Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able, young man to prepare for and serve a mission," President Nelson said. "For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful but optional opportunity.”
Dave Weidman continued by sharing his own thoughts on the matter, adding an inspired promise.
“If you’ll listen to the promptings in your heart, you’ll feel answers to your prayers,” he said.
Another question addressed whether women should consider serving a mission or not. Dave Weidman spoke of the current prophet’s words in regards to sisters serving a mission, saying the decision is “consequential.”
He encouraged young women to pray to God about the decision, asking Him to help them determine whether they should go or not.
“Sisters, God knows you. He loves you, He cares about you," Dave Weidman said. "He values what you can do ... as a missionary, and in other arenas of your life.”
Dave and Rachel Weidman then spoke on serving a mission with mental or physical challenges.
Rachel Weidman encouraged young men and women to follow the direction of the prophet for them individually. She said there are teaching missions and service missions, and both them are issued callings from the prophet.
She continued by saying, “The Lord has a place for everyone to serve.”
During one of the final sections of the devotional, the Dave and Rachel Weidman spoke with a panel of current missionaries. They were asked several questions, including how to know when one is ready to serve a mission.
“A lot of times people are looking for an answer how to prepare … I think it just takes a step of faith sometimes," Sister Thompson, a missionary currently serving in the Utah Provo Mission, said.
Dave and Rachel Weidman showed a video of a young woman’s conversion story and Morgan Bush, a BYU freshman, found it impactful because of the similarities in the way they saw God.
“It’s so interesting how God speaks to everyone so differently," Bush said. "That was an answer of a prayer for me to hear that … and there are people that I can teach that see God the same way that I can see God.”
Bush is preparing to receive her own mission call and hopes to receive it in December.
BYU freshman Abby Hunt spoke of her own difficulties in accepting her assignment to Reno, Nevada. She came to the devotional hoping to receive an answer and confirmation that she really was called to Reno, Nevada.
She said she didn’t really receive an answer but felt peace during the meeting. She said she was touched by the missionaries up on the stand called to serve in Orem, Utah.
“This isn’t our work, it’s His work,” Hunt said.