As missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, your daily routine will revolve around sharing the gospel, teaching, and immersing yourself in scripture study. To help you on this spiritual journey, it’s essential to bring the right tools to aid in your studies, reflection, and teaching. Here’s a list of scripture study tools that will be invaluable for your mission, from notebooks to scripture pens, to help you dive deeper into the word of God and better serve those around you.
On my mission, I didn’t bring nearly enough tools, and I spent a lot of money buying cheaper products in my different areas. Invest the money and luggage space for your study materials. Studying takes at least 2 hours every day, so it’s important to prioritize it!
I’ll add links for product recommendations for each item category.
1. Notebooks: Big for Language Study, Small for Quick Notes
You’ll likely be learning a new language during your mission or interacting with people who speak a language different from your own. A large notebook dedicated to language study is a must-have. Use it for vocabulary, grammar notes, practice exercises, and helpful phrases. It will help you organize your language learning journey and ensure you’re able to communicate effectively in your new environment. Buying one large notebook will help avoid spending more money buying multiple notebooks. You will write down a lot more than you think! I recommend 200-300 pages.
- Spiral Notebook + Study App, 5 Subject, College Ruled Paper
- Spiral Notebook, A5 College Ruled Notebook with 300 Pages, 5.7″ × 8.2″, Medium Size
In addition to a larger notebook, consider bringing a small, compact notebook for quick notes and thoughts. This can be a place to record spiritual insights during your studies, things to follow up on with friends, or even personal reflections from the day. These small notebooks are lightweight and easy to carry, so you can always have one with you when inspiration strikes or you need to capture a thought on the go.
2. Pens, Lots of Pens
Having a good supply of pens is crucial. Not only will you need them for language study, but you’ll also use them for marking scriptures, writing notes in your journal, and preparing teaching materials. Make sure to have a variety, including different colored pens, as color-coding can help organize your thoughts and scriptures. Consider pens that are comfortable for long writing sessions, especially since you’ll be using them frequently. Bringing enough pens ensures that you’re always prepared, even if one runs out of ink or gets lost along the way.
My all-time favorite pens are G2 0.7mm gel pens. They are high quality, and you can buy a lot in bulk for a great price. Again, get more than you think you’ll need!
- Pilot, G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens, Fine Point 0.7 mm (Multicolor)
- Pilot, G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens, Fine Point 0.7 mm (Black, blue, red)
3. Scripture Pens/Highlighters for Marking Scriptures
Your personal study of the scriptures is central to your mission, and you’ll want to mark and highlight passages that stand out to you or that you plan to share with others. Scripture pens and highlighters are perfect for this purpose. These pens are often designed with precision and smoothness in mind, so they’re ideal for underlining or highlighting important verses without smearing or bleeding through pages. A good set of highlighters in different colors can also help you create a system for marking different themes, such as faith, repentance, or the plan of salvation. Whether you’re marking verses for your own understanding or preparing for a lesson, these tools will help you engage with the scriptures more deeply.
My companion in the mission field had the Mr. Pen set, and they work so well! It includes pens and highlighters, and they don’t bleed through your scriptures.
- Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kit, 18 Pack (Highlighters & Pens)
- Mr. Pen No Bleed Gel Highlighter (Only highlighters)
4. Quad or Triple Scripture Set
This is the best thing I brought on my mission! Every missionary should have a Quad or Triple Scripture Set. A quad includes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the Bible, all in one convenient volume, while a triple combination includes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Having all the standard works together will make it easier to cross-reference scriptures, find key verses, and study them in context. Though you won’t typically bring this to your lessons, it will be the center tool in your personal study. The size of the quad can make it a bit bulky, but it’s worth it for the convenience and thoroughness it provides during scripture study.
These options listed below allow you to customize your scriptures, and put your name on them. You could even put Elder ___ or Sister ___ on the cover!
- LDS Scriptures Hand-Bound Pearlized Gunmetal Gray Genuine Leather (Quad)
- LDS Scriptures Hand-Bound Blush Pink Genuine Leather (Triple)
If your quad or triple doesn’t have tabs that mark the different books, you need to buy tabs. It makes a HUGE difference when you are able to find specific chapters and verses quickly.
5. Journal for Daily Journaling
Missionary life can be intense, but taking time each day to journal can help you reflect on your experiences and document your personal growth. A journal provides an outlet for you to record the challenges and blessings of each day. You can write about specific people you meet, miracles you witness, or the lessons you learn from the Spirit. Your journal can also be a place for you to record personal revelations or insights gained during scripture study. This practice will help you develop spiritual habits and will become a cherished record of your missionary journey.
Once again, buy a bigger journal than you think you’ll need! I went through 2 journals on my mission, and I wish I would have just brought a bigger one with me. I love the journals shown below because they are large enough for a missionary’s entire mission.
6. Pictures of Jesus
A simple yet powerful tool for missionaries is having pictures of Jesus Christ. These can be used in many ways, from giving them to friends and members to leaving them as bookmarks in your own scriptures. Pictures of Jesus can be a tangible reminder of His role in our lives and His teachings. You can also give these pictures to people you meet as a way to share His love and invite them to come closer to Him. Carrying a few high-quality, small prints of Jesus can open doors for conversations and serve as a tool to strengthen your teaching.
These are my 2 favorite themed picture packets! I brought the Calm and Stars Mini Pack on my mission, and it was a great gift to give to someone after they were baptized.
- HavenLight Christian Wall Art – Look to God and Live, Mini Pack by Dan Wilson
- HavenLight Christian Wall Art – Calm and Stars Mini Pack by Yongsung Kim
7. Sticky Notes for Reminders
Sticky notes are a simple yet highly effective tool for missionaries. They can be used for quick reminders, to mark key scriptures, or even for leaving notes for yourself or others. Use them to jot down things to do, key phrases to remember during your lessons, or a spiritual thought that you want to reflect on later. Sticky notes can also be useful for organizing your thoughts when preparing a lesson or study material. The ability to move them around as needed can help you stay organized and focused.
- Sticky Notes 3×3 Inches,Bright Colors Self-Stick Pads (Bright colors)
- (8 Pads) Sticky Notes 3 x 3 in, Pastel Colorful Super Sticking Power Memo Post Stickies (Pastel colors)
8. Tabs for Your Scriptures
To make your scripture study and teaching more efficient, tabs for your scriptures are a great investment. These small, colorful tabs stick out from the edge of your pages and allow you to quickly find key chapters or verses you reference often. You can use them for marking specific sections in the Book of Mormon, Bible, or other scriptures, such as chapters on faith, repentance, or key doctrines. Tabs save you valuable time, especially when you’re teaching and need to quickly navigate through different scriptures to answer questions or share a thought.
Conclusion
Bringing the right tools for scripture study and personal growth is essential to a successful mission experience. The tools mentioned above—like notebooks, pens, scripture pens/highlighters, a quad or triple scripture set, a journal, pictures of Jesus, sticky notes, and scripture tabs—will not only enhance your personal study but also help you teach more effectively. They’re simple yet powerful ways to engage with the scriptures, document your experiences, and keep the Spirit close as you serve. Prepare now, and your mission will be richer, more meaningful, and more productive!
