Finding Direction: How to Ask the Right Questions in the Field

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in a mission discussion—or even a casual conversation with a friend—and the perfect, Spirit-guided question just won't come, you know the feeling. It’s that moment of quiet tension where you feel the weight of the Spirit guiding you, but your tongue feels tied.

It reminds me of listening to some of the recent talks—conversations where people were genuinely seeking advice, grappling with big life decisions, and the advice they were given was... well, let's just say it was a little chaotic! (If you’re curious about the vibe, take a listen to this one:

What struck me, as I was listening back, wasn't the advice itself, but the *vulnerability* of the questions being asked. One young person was stressing about college applications with zero family support. Another was just looking for general guidance. It hit me that whether we’re talking about choosing a major, or navigating the deeper questions of faith, the starting point is always the same: a genuine desire to learn and improve.

The Art of the Open Door Question

When we’re in the field, we are constantly being asked to be investigators, whether we are in the MTC, on a mission, or just having a casual chat with a neighbor. We are taught to be prepared to answer hard questions, and that’s vital. But sometimes, the most Christlike thing we can do isn't to *have* the answer, but to help the other person articulate the question they need answered.

This is where I keep thinking about the power of listening, and how it connects directly to our role as Internet missionaries. We aren't just dropping facts; we are building relationships where the Spirit can work. If someone is struggling with direction, instead of launching into a prepared talk, maybe we can gently guide them back to their own core questions.

It takes humility, doesn't it? To admit that maybe the best thing we can do is help them connect with the right resources—maybe pointing them toward a Book Club in HolyPlaces, or encouraging them to dig deeper into the scriptures using the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: The Gentle Redirect

Here’s a small skill I want to pass along today. When you feel the urge to give advice (and trust me, we all feel it!), pause. Before you respond, try asking, "What are you hoping to gain from this conversation today?" or "What part of this is weighing most heavily on your heart right now?" This simple redirect honors their agency and helps them pinpoint the topic we need to focus on, making your subsequent teaching feel more targeted and Spirit-filled.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. We are all disciples learning to better serve.

Where to Go Next

If you found yourself nodding along to this—if you felt that little nudge from the Spirit to connect with others who are also striving to be more Christlike—I encourage you to join us for our next gathering. We’re hosting a free weekly Disciple Challenge this week! It’s a low-pressure way to practice these skills with fellow disciples.

For those who love digging into doctrine, I highly recommend revisiting the writings of Avraham Gileadi. If you haven't already, check out the latest Iron Rod insights available in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful way to deepen your personal scripture-discipleship.

Keep leaning on the Spirit, brothers and sisters. We’re in this together.