Beyond the Textbook: The Call to 'Amor al Prójimo' in Our Daily Lives

When I was first starting out, I thought that being a disciple meant mastering the doctrine—knowing the right answers, citing the right scriptures, and having a perfect testimony ready for any missionary discussion. I thought the weight of the work rested on my ability to articulate the gospel perfectly.

But the Spirit, it seems, has a way of gently redirecting our focus. It pulls us away from the grand theory and right into the immediate proximity of our neighbor. It’s a profound shift, isn't it?

I was recently reflecting on a talk by Carolina Núñez, and the imagery stuck with me. The story of the train station, the empty car, and the man slumped on the floor. It wasn't the eloquence of the rescuer that mattered; it was the *action*—the physical closeness, the giving of self.

She spoke of the Spanish term, “amor al prójimo,” and how it captures that sense of physical closeness, that personal touch that "neighbor" sometimes fails to convey. It’s not just abstract charity; it’s about showing up, getting dirty, and connecting.

The Power of Proximity: Being an Internet Missionary Where You Are

As we all strive to be Internet missionaries, we often think of our efforts in grand gestures—a major outreach, a big service project, or even a perfect lesson plan. But this talk reminded me that the most potent form of missionary work is often the one that requires nothing more than our willingness to get close.

Think about it: the good Samaritan didn't wait for a perfect moment or a guaranteed return on investment. He saw need in his immediate vicinity and acted. That principle rings so true for us as Latter-day Saints today. We are called not just to teach the gospel from afar, but to *live* it in the proximity of those we encounter—whether they are in our ward, our school, or our neighborhood.

This isn't just for those of us actively in the field or in MTC. This is for the lifelong disciple, the one who might be struggling to find their place in the daily rhythm of life. It means finding the person who feels marginalized—the classmate struggling, the friend who is quiet, the family member whose beliefs differ from ours—and choosing to connect with them through genuine empathy.

It makes me think of the foundational principle of our movement: every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. That "anywhere" starts right where you are parked today.

If we are going to build Zion, we must practice this amor al prójimo daily. It requires us to be humble enough to admit when we waver, and courageous enough to reach out even when it feels inconvenient or messy.

A Little Prep Skill for Our Next Gathering

As you prepare for your own discipleship this week, I want to challenge you to practice 'seeing the proximity.' When you are in a group setting—a Book Club, a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, or even just grabbing coffee with a friend—don't just wait for your turn to speak. Instead, practice asking a question that invites the *other* person to share something vulnerable or personal, something that requires them to lean in. Don't just ask "How are you?" Ask, "What's something that has been weighing on your heart lately?"

That vulnerability, that willingness to share the space and the burden, is the closest thing to the Spirit we can offer.

I highly recommend revisiting the principles of service and compassion in the talk. It’s a powerful reminder that our discipleship is relational. For deeper study, I’ve been looking into the concept of covenant keeping through service, and I found some excellent insights in the Iron Rod. If you haven't, I suggest checking out the latest articles there!

If you want to discuss this further, please join our next virtual gathering. We’ll be diving into how to apply these principles in our local communities. Keep building Zion, disciples!