Don't Let Fear Keep You From the Work

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that creeping anxiety? The kind that whispers, "Maybe it's better if we just wait," or "Maybe we can tackle that big thing *after* everything else settles down"?

I was listening to a recent talk—a real-life snapshot of what it means to live with ongoing health scares—and it hit me right where the heart of missionary preparation lives: the tendency to postpone what is necessary because of fear. It’s so easy to get comfortable in the *idea* of being okay, that we neglect the actual, necessary steps to *be* okay.

The speakers in that video talked about cancer recurrence, about putting off doctor’s appointments because things seemed manageable, or because the fear itself was overwhelming. They realized that delaying care, or delaying the necessary conversations, wasn't being cautious; it was letting fear take the wheel. And when you let fear take the wheel, you lose control of the journey.

The Spirit and Procrastination

In our journey as Latter-day Saints, we are taught to follow the promptings of the Spirit. The Spirit is always pointing us toward the right path—the path of diligence, the path of service, the path of truth. But what happens when the promptings are scary? What happens when the "work" feels too big, too complicated, or too far away?

It mirrors the struggle we face in the field. We might be filled with the desire to share the gospel, to teach the Plan of Salvation, to help an investigator understand the covenants. But then, the objections come. They are complex. They require deep study. It’s easier, sometimes, to just keep the conversation light, to avoid the hard questions, rather than face the potential for misunderstanding or even outright rejection. That avoidance—that’s the spiritual equivalent of putting off the mammogram.

Making the First Call

The message here, my friends, is that the first step is always the hardest, but it is always the most vital. Whether it’s scheduling a check-up, or it’s asking a companion to help you study a difficult passage, or it’s simply making the call to the district leader when you feel overwhelmed—you have to initiate the action.

Remember that core truth of our movement: every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. That doesn't mean we can afford to be passive disciples. It means we have the power, through faith and diligence, to act.

If you're feeling anxious about a conversation you need to have, or a scripture passage you’re struggling to teach, don't let the anxiety paralyze you. Bring it to the Lord. Bring it to your companions, bring it to your Book Club, or let's work through it with Davee.

We need to be proactive in our discipleship. We need to treat our spiritual health with the same urgency we treat our physical health. We are here longer, we are here to see our children grow up, and we need to be diligent in keeping the covenant path clear.

Let’s commit this week to identifying one area—be it personal health, a difficult conversation, or a scripture study we’ve been putting off—and making the first, imperfect, but faithful call. That’s how we keep the momentum going in the work.

If you are looking for ways to deepen your personal study, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on faith and diligence in the *Iron Rod*. It's a powerful reminder that faith isn't just a feeling; it's an action.

If you want to practice tackling those hard questions before your next missionary discussions, jump into a session with Davee using his AI Investigator role. He's ready to walk you through the toughest questions you might face in the field!

For those who are looking for deeper study groups, check out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. Let’s gather together, spiritually and physically, and keep the momentum going!