What to Know Before You Go by Don H. Staheli (Blog Tour Review)

Welcome to my review stop for What to Know Before You Go by Don H. Staheli!
This is a mission prep book for LDS missionaries. I wasn't sure what to expect from
this title and it surprised me with how applicable it was to me and how much I ended
up loving it. You can see all the book info and my full review below...

What to Know Before You To
Developing the Heart and Soul of a Missionary
by Don H. Staheli
LDS Nonfiction
Paperback, 160 Pages
August 3rd 2015 by Deseret Book Company

Summary

As a former mission president and missionary preparation instructor, author Don H. Staheli is familiar with the questions, concerns, and needs of new missionaries. He also knows that the most effective missionaries are those who have learned how to be a missionary, not just those who have learned how to do missionary work. “The most important elements of good missionary work are the heart and soul of the missionary,” he states. This book provides gospel insights, tips, and inspiration that will give new missionaries confidence in their callings and help them to overcome discouragement, recognize the voice of the Spirit, eliminate distractions, set realistic goals, get up in the morning (even when it’s cold and dark), find joy in the work, and prepare to bear a bold testimony of the restored gospel.

  

My Review

I was afraid that What to Know Before You Go would be overwhelming to read - that it would have too much information and not be broken up enough so that each topic or principle could be absorbed. I was glad to find that my fears were unnecessary. The book is broken up into thirty short chapters with an introduction, epilogue, and A Missionary's Prayer that was really sweet and sincere. It easily could be used for daily study. The information felt heartfelt, inspiring, and applicable to not only missionaries, but to any member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I loved that the chapters were short, but detailed. They got across the messages they needed to with examples, applications, and stories. Then at the end of each chapter was a section called In Their Own Words that "are true accounts written by full-time missionaries. . ." These stories at the end were all great and one of my favorite parts of the book besides all the inspiring insights from the author.

It's definitely a book that I would highly recommend reading. It has already helped me think about spiritual things in my own life and would also make a great resource for talks and lessons with the many gospel examples, applications, and stories. It's a book I definitely plan on gifting to my nephew who is currently serving a mission.

Source: I would like to thank Deseret Book for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Don H. Staheli holds a bachelor's degree in history and master's degrees in international management and social work. He has assisted thousands of people in his work as a licensed psychotherapist and trainer, and is currently a full-time administrator. He is the author of the best-selling children's book The Story of the Walnut Tree. Don and his wife, Cyndy, have five children and six grandchildren and live in Bountiful, Utah.


5 comments

  1. Cali Willette7/22/15, 1:48 PM

    I want to read this so bad! I love the Shadow and Bone series!!! :)

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  2. I've never read anything by this author. I hope you enjoy reading this book. Thanks for stopping by My WoW.

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  3. Awesome....I wish I had a missionary in my family going out soon. This will have to go on the missionary buy list :)

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  4. Lisa Mandina7/23/15, 9:20 AM

    This one sounds so good! I can't wait to read it. Great pick! Thanks for visiting my WOW earlier.

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  5. I can't wait to read this one either! ~Pam

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