--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I counseled many returning missionaries…" description: "\"I counseled many returning missionaries. I interviewed 1,700 missionaries all over the world. My advice to them is that you should study and prepare fo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/thomas-s-monson-409_advice_i-counseled-many-returning-missionaries_2086651.jpg" --- # I counseled many returning missionaries. I interviewed… ![“I counseled many returning missionaries. I interviewed 1,700 missionaries all over the world. My advice to them is that you should study and prepare for your life's work in a field that you enjoy.” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/thomas-s-monson-409_advice_i-counseled-many-returning-missionaries_2086651.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/thomas-s-monson-409_advice_i-counseled-many-returning-missionaries_2086651.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/377/thomas-s-monson-409_advice_i-counseled-many-returning-missionaries_2086651.jpg) > “I counseled many returning missionaries. I interviewed 1,700 missionaries all over the world. My advice to them is that you should study and prepare for your life's work in a field that you enjoy.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prepare for lifelong work by aligning it with personal passions and skills. **In simple terms:** Choose work you love and are good at. Key Takeaway Match vocation to passion. Themes career purpose mission growth Mood reflective encouraging Type advisory inspirational When to use this quote - career counseling - missionary training - personal development Key Concepts vocational alignment self‑assessment long‑term planning Questions to Reflect On - What passions can become sustainable careers? - How to balance calling with practicality? A Different Perspective Passion alone may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Counseled Returning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counseled-returning-4102759/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Missionaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missionaries/) [Missionaries Interviewed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missionaries-interviewed-4102758/) [Missionaries World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missionaries-world-3206171/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Returning Missionaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/returning-missionaries-4102757/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“It is extreme folly for any people to send thousands of missionaries out into the world to preach the Gospel to the nations, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-f-smith/it-is-extreme-folly-for-any-people-to-send-thousands-of-missionaries/) [Joseph F. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-f-smith/) > [I didn't know the extent of American obsession with Uganda until I got there and saw it. You ride in the plane and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-didn-t-know-the-extent-of-american-obsession-with-uganda-until-i/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I add my personal witness: Our missionaries are not salesmen with wares to peddle; rather, they are servants of the Most High God, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-add-my-personal-witness-our-missionaries-are-not-salesmen-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [My missionaries in a foreign field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coldplay/my-missionaries-in-a-foreign-field/) [Coldplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coldplay/) > [“...During my first few hours in Loja, I had good fortune to run into two young Mormon missionaries who let me sleep one night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meegan/during-my-first-few-hours-in-loja-i-had-good-fortune-to-run-into-two/) [George Meegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meegan/) > [Missionaries never give up on their dream of peace, even when they experience difficulties and persecution, which makes their presence strongly felt today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/missionaries-never-give-up-on-their-dream-of-peace-even-when-they/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I began filming 'God Loves Uganda' by first meeting some of the Ugandan and American missionaries who have helped create Uganda's evangelical movement. 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They forget that they too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-saint/and-people-who-do-not-know-the-lord-ask-why-in-the-world-we-waste-our/) [Nate Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-saint/) > [After 'The Poisonwood Bible' was published, several people believed that my parents were missionaries, which could not be further from the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/after-the-poisonwood-bible-was-published-several-people-believed-that/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [“When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught how to pray with our eyes closed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomo-kenyatta/when-the-missionaries-arrived-the-africans-had-the-land-and-the/) [Jomo Kenyatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomo-kenyatta/) > [People have the idea of missionaries as going out with the Bible and hitting natives with it. It's not really what they were doing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/people-have-the-idea-of-missionaries-as-going-out-with-the-bible-and/) [Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/) > [“And so Mr. Brown came to be respected even by the clan, because he trod softly on its faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/and-so-mr-brown-came-to-be-respected-even-by-the-clan-because-he-trod/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Please dont say you dont miss him. Just to pity me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-yap/please-dont-say-you-dont-miss-him-just-to-pity-me/) [William Yap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-yap/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. 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Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. 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