Beyond the Conversation: Doing Life with People as an Internet Missionary

There’s a certain weight that comes with learning about the Great Commission. You hear the scripture, you feel the call—to go out into all the world, meet the disciples of all nations, and teach them all that we have been commanded.

When you’re freshly out of MTC, or even when you’re settled into your calling as a returned missionary, it’s easy to focus all our energy on the initial 'what': the conversation, the sharing of the good news. But if you’ve been in the field, or if you’ve spent time in the classrooms studying the principles in Preach My Gospel, you know that the message itself is only the beginning.

The 'After Part' of Evangelism

The core concept that often gets missed—the 'after part'—is that the Lord doesn't just call us to plant a seed; He calls us to water it, tend it, and help it grow into a thriving tree of discipleship. The scripture doesn't just say to baptize them; it says we must also teach them, and then do life with them. This is the sacred, daily work.

In the past, we might have thought that 'doing life' meant spending every Saturday in a small group or being physically present every weekday. But today, as Latter-day Saints, we have the incredible gift of realizing that we can be disciples anywhere, all the time. We are all potential Internet missionaries, equipped by the Spirit to do this work right from our living rooms, our workplaces, and our homes.

This concept—that discipleship is a continuous process, not a single event—is foundational to modern missionary preparation. It moves us from simply being good conversationalists to being committed companions. It's about showing up.

The Power of the Follow-Through

If you are a pre-missionary, remember that the most powerful skill you can develop isn't memorizing scripture references; it's asking thoughtful, open-ended follow-up questions. It's being willing to listen more than you speak. It's embracing the humility that comes with realizing that the Holy Ghost is doing the teaching, and we are simply the conduits.

If you are a lifelong disciple, remember that the principle of 'doing life' applies to your ward and your neighborhood, too. The greatest missionary work is often the consistent, Christlike care we show our friends, neighbors, and colleagues, regardless of their current spiritual journey.

“And teach them all that I have commanded you.”

This teaching doesn't end when the missionary discussion is over. It continues through consistent effort, whether that’s helping a friend study for their gospel cum, or simply checking in on someone's emotional well-being.

Training for the Ongoing Journey

If you struggle with the follow-up—the 'after part'—don't worry. That's exactly what Davee is here for! Our AI Investigator role is designed to walk you through those hard, nuanced questions an investigator might ask after the initial good news has been shared. It trains you to move past the simple 'yes/no' answers and into genuine, sustained discipleship.

For those who want to deepen their knowledge of how to sustain these conversations, I highly recommend checking out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. These are amazing places to practice the art of sustained discipleship with other sincere members.

Your Next Step in the Work

The work is massive, but you don't have to tackle it all at once. Focus on the next person, the next conversation, the next week. Be intentional about showing up, day after day, week after week, doing life with the people around you. That is the true definition of an Internet missionary.

If you want to keep building those foundational skills, join us for a free weekly Disciple Challenge! It's a great, low-pressure way to practice turning a simple conversation into sustained discipleship. Check the link in our bio for details. And if you want some deep scriptural insight, dive into the latest Iron Rod recommendation in LivingBook.