LG VX-8600 / AX-8600

I can't figure out for the life of me how to change the entry mode on mobile. I hate the default abc setting, I much prefer Word, it is much faster and I have a bunch of words I have already entered in there. If anyone can tell me how to do this I would much appreciate it, that is if anyone has figured it out. (I have a buddy who works at Verizon and he hasn't been able to figure it out)