Jacob Meyers Returns from Florida Mission

Elder Meyers, right, with Elder White as they
return from their Florida missions.

    Elder Jacob Meyers just returned from his mission in Orlando Florida and said he was glad to serve.  He likes to help other people.

    Using an iPad on his mission, Elder Meyers found an effective way to teach investigators, access church videos and other helpful information, communicate with ward members, and have effective personal study.  (Note: each missionary had an iPad.  They were not confined to one per companionship.) The missionaries in Orlando encouraged ward members to use Facebook to get to know investigators and have contact with them during the week.  Jacob said that learning to use technology was invaluable.  Just as he was leaving, all the missionaries were also given smart phones to help them in their work.

   The most challenging part of the mission was being away from home for the first time.  He realized he had to “step up and do it.” One of the big challenges in Florida is that it’s a Bible Belt and everyone thinks they know the bible.  They also mistakenly “know” that all Mormons are polygamists.  “It’s hard to get them to read The Book of Mormon,” Jacob said.

    One of the most memorable experiences in his mission was when he taught a lady from El Salvador who had three children, and her husband was in the military.  English was hard for her, but she wanted to learn.  Elder Meyers got a Spanish Book of Mormon for her and that helped, but she still wanted to learn it in English.  She grew little by little and saw that it was true.  She wanted to be baptized, and her husband was not opposed to it.

     When asked what he learned from his companions, Jacob said he learned patience. “I learned to be flexible, less critical, and less judgmental.”  What is his method of getting along with companions?  “I washed the dishes,” he answered.  He had an attitude of serving throughout his mission.  He was taught by his father (Nolan Meyers) during his growing up years as they served together on many projects.

    Jacob said he was also taught by his father to “Buy to your needs, not to your wants.”  Missionaries were allotted $148 a month for supplies.  Elder Meyers was always frugal, and able to live on less than that.  If companions came up short, he helped them. He was always mindful of other people’s needs.

       Question to Jacob:  How has a mission changed your life?  Answer: “I have a better head on my shoulders.”  He learned to be more sensitive to others, and learned to forget self.  He learned the importance of converting himself in his studies.  General Authority Seventy Elder George Donaldson told the missionaries, “We are most interested in YOUR conversion.”

   Jacob advises young people to prepare for their missions by going out with missionaries, going to the temple, and reading Preach My Gospel.  “Take the time to read, study, and ponder the Gospel. Experience is invaluable.”

    Next on Jacob’s agenda is to continue his education.  He is thinking about becoming a teacher.  (Note: Elder Meyers left on his mission from the Lodi Third Ward.)

Missionaries give "Temple Tour" to investigators at Orlando, Florida Temple.

Elder Meyers (in brown shirt) gave service after Hurricane Irma.