Specific things to do:

[ ] Avoid pornography (internet, entertainment, music) [ ] Stay morally clean [ ] Keep the Word of Wisdom [ ] Be honest [ ] Be law abiding, good citizens [ ] Do not defile your body [ ] Use clean language, and not use vulgarity [ ] Have a solid testimony of the gospel [ ] Learn how to pray meaningfully to your Heavenly Father [ ] Keep the Sabbath Day Holy [ ] Work and prepare financially for your mission by saving part of your earnings [ ] Pay full and honest tithe [ ] Limit time spent playing computer games (or other entertainment) [ ] Spend more time STUDYING the scriptures (Read the Standard Works!) [ ] Understand the message of the Restoration [ ] Serve others [ ] Share your testimony [ ] Duty to God YM program

One of the key focuses of the new guidelines is to learn how to feel and recognize the Spirit. Your children should be able to learn how to teach by the Spirit. Let them practice in Family Home Evenings. Take advantage of opportunities to practice giving talks on the spur of the moment, using the scriptures as their only text.

For Fathers:

[ ] Teach your sons to understand the basic doctrines required to become a faithful father. [ ] How worthy are your children? [ ] How are they progressing spiritually? [ ] Monitor your children's issues and concerns carefully [ ] Ask specific questions and get specific answers [ ] Counsel with your children, and if necessary, go with them to see the Bishop if they need to repent.

Fathers need to be a counselor, adviser, Priesthood Leader because of your eternal responsibility for them. If there is no father in the home, then it is the responsibility of the Melchizedek Priesthood Brethren.

PHYSICAL Preparation:

[ ] Know how to work hard [ ] Be able to handle a full schedule: study, work, and cook meals, clean house, and do their own laundry. The ability to handle all of them at once will ease the stress of a new missionary. They will be able to do that which is familiar by rote. [ ] Learn how to repair a bike [ ] Be in good physical condition. The physical rigors of missionary work require good health and physical strength. (Good time to get to the gym, and to ride a bike again). [ ] If overweight, your children must slim down. If a missionary candidate's weight-to-height ratio exceeds the BMI, "the individual will typically be denied missionary service until the individual demonstrates a desire and an ability to lose weight". If this is an issue, you must see your Bishop or Stake President for details. [ ] Physically healthy. If the missionary already has an eating disorder, the stress of missionary life will typically exacerbate the problem, which can further damage the missionary's health. [ ] Learn to lead music, and if possible, play the piano. [ ] Learn basic skills--home repair, car repair, and other things that will help a missionary contribute to service in their missions. [ ] Keep a clean driving record