Beyond the Skyscraper: Finding the Lord’s Work in the Rolling Hills

If you’ve ever been preparing for a mission, you probably had a mental image of the field. Maybe you pictured the dense, bustling core of a major city—the skyscraper jungle where every corner holds a potential investigator. It's a natural assumption, right? We tend to think of the Lord’s work happening in the loudest, most visible places.

But as a returned missionary, I learned something profoundly humbling: the Spirit doesn't always point us toward the biggest city wards. Sometimes, the Lord’s most beautiful, quietest work is happening in places that require a little more imagination, a little more patience, and a willingness to get out of the car and walk the country roads.

The recent discussion about the Utica Mission is a perfect example of this. It’s a great reminder that the Lord’s field is vast, varied, and beautiful in its complexity.

The Geography of the Gospel

What struck me most when listening was the description of the area: it's not one thing. It's a beautiful tapestry woven from big cities like Albany and Syracuse, mixed with rolling hills, dairy farms, and smaller, seasonal towns heading toward Canada. It’s a mix of urban density and deep rural quiet.

“It’s a lot smaller than you’d think... a lot of people are in branches and districts instead of out there in big cities and big wards.”

This reality is a gift, really. It teaches us that our definition of “potential” needs to be much broader than just population density. When we think about sharing the gospel, we often default to the idea of the big, visible wards. But the Lord’s work often thrives in the 'in-between' spaces—the small, tight-knit communities, the areas built on agriculture, and the quiet corners where neighborly bonds are strong.

A Skill for Every Setting

This realization is perhaps the most valuable piece of mission preparation we can take away. It’s not just about knowing the scriptures; it’s about mastering the art of adaptation. If you are training for a mission, or even if you are just a lifelong disciple serving in your local community, your challenge is to prepare for *any* setting.

How do you tailor the message of the Plan of Salvation when your investigator lives in a beautiful, sprawling farmstead, compared to when they live in a high-rise apartment building? The principles remain the same, of course, but the *delivery* must shift. In rural areas, the emphasis might be on community, family legacy, and the stability of the land; in urban areas, it might be on finding purpose amidst chaos.

This is the core of being an internet missionary, too. Whether you're helping a friend in a small town find a Book Club through HolyPlaces, or answering a challenging question through a private session with Davee, you are adapting the message to the specific needs of the person and the setting. The Spirit is the guide, and the geography is just the backdrop.

Your Assignment: The Local Lens

My challenge to you this week is to practice seeing your own community through this lens. Instead of just thinking, “How many people are here?” ask, “What are the *types* of people here? What are the local industries? What are the cultural touchstones?”

If your local area has a strong agricultural base, consider how you could weave the concept of stewardship—the care for the land, the harvest, the cycles of life—into your discussions. If you live in a dense urban center, focus on finding the common threads of connection and community.

This kind of thoughtful, localized study is what makes the work so rich. It takes the general principles we learn in Preach My Gospel and makes them deeply personal and relevant to the unique soil of our home.

Want to deepen your understanding of how to connect gospel principles to local culture? I highly recommend picking up *The Power of Invitation* by Iron Rod. It gives wonderful insight into building bridges in diverse settings.

If you're feeling the pull to refine your mission prep skills, remember that Davee is here, ready to walk you through the tough questions—the ones that make you feel exposed, but are actually opportunities to share the gospel with confidence. And don't forget to check out the Social Scripture Study layer inside LivingBook; sometimes, the most profound insights come from seeing how others are applying scripture in real-time.

Let's continue to be disciples everywhere. The Lord’s work is waiting, no matter the zip code.