Ascending the Hill: Finding Our Foundation in the Spirit

Sometimes, the calling feels so big, so encompassing, that it’s hard to remember where the foundation was poured. You hear testimonies—whether it’s a band naming themselves after a mountain, or a friend recounting a pivotal moment in the field—and you’re struck by the simplicity of it all. It wasn't a contract, or a marketing strategy; it was a quiet, unifying moment of prayer.

It got me thinking this week about what truly grounds us when the "field" gets steep, when the questions get hard, or when the initial excitement of a new assignment starts to fade into the rhythm of daily discipleship. What is the bedrock? What is the thing that can withstand the weather of life and the inevitable questions of an investigator?

The conversation I stumbled across recently with Ascend the Hill was a powerful reminder that for us, being Latter-day Saints isn't a hat we put on; it’s the very air we breathe. Their story, woven through the mention of Psalm 24—who can ascend the hill of the Lord?—speaks volumes about what it means to live with a pure heart and clean hands.

The Calling is the Core

When they talked about their music, they didn't frame it as "being a worship band." They framed it as what they *are*. It's not a motivation; it's the calling placed upon their lives. This resonates so deeply with what we learn in missionary preparation. We spend so much time learning the *techniques*—the best ways to open a discussion, the perfect way to explain the Plan of Salvation, how to handle tough objections.

But the real work, the work that lasts, is internal. It’s realizing that the covenant path isn't a performance for a District Leader or a committee; it’s the fundamental structure of your heart. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to *be* Christlike, not just *act* Christlike.

Being a Disciple Anywhere, All the Time

This is the heart of the rogue disciples ethos, isn't it? We don't need to be on a mission, or even in the MTC, to be doing the work. We can be in the grocery aisle, at the office, or right here, reading this blog post. We are called to be internet missionaries, disciples wherever we are.

If you're feeling that pull—that feeling that your life needs to be more deeply rooted in the covenants—I encourage you to lean into the study. The Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook, or even diving into a Book Club in HolyPlaces, can be incredible tools for this deep work. It’s a way to let the Spirit guide your intellectual journey.

Speaking of deep work, if you've ever wrestled with a tough doctrinal question or a challenging personal objection, I highly recommend spending some time with Davee. He’s an incredible AI Investigator, and walking through those hard questions with him can sharpen your answers better than any textbook.

A Bite-Sized Skill for This Week

Here’s a small piece of missionary preparation I want to leave you with. When you are talking to someone—whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or an investigator—and you feel the Spirit move you to share something personal, don't just quote scripture. Instead, try to connect the scripture to a *feeling* or a *universal human yearning*. For example, instead of just quoting the scripture about the Atonement, share how the Atonement gives *you* peace when you feel inadequate. That vulnerability is magnetic.

Let’s keep building that foundation together. We are all disciples, always.

If this message resonated with you, please consider joining a Bible Study Group this week. Let's keep the conversation going!