Finding the Light: How Your Unique Gifts Can Be Used for the Lord's Work

My brothers and sisters, when we think about what it means to be a disciple, we often picture ourselves in a classroom, standing in a temple, or perhaps in the field, preparing for missionary discussions. But the truth—the glorious, expansive truth—is that the work is everywhere. It’s in the boardroom, the art studio, the server room, and the movie set.

It can feel overwhelming, right? Like, *where* am I supposed to be serving? What if my gift isn't singing, or teaching, or even giving a talk? What if I'm just... me? What if my calling is to be a good accountant, or a great coder, or a really good dog-walker?

This week’s discussion on the How to Faith a Life podcast brought up a point that really resonated with me. The guest, Masey McLain, is an actress, and she shared how she is committed to telling stories that matter—stories of redemption. She was able to do this in a field that, historically, has been considered 'pagan'—the secular media industry.

"...the word redemption has been kind of the stamp of a word that we've been kind of using as just kind of the banner we want to be over all of our projects."

It was a powerful reminder that the Lord doesn't just call us to *attend* the work; He calls us to *be* the work. He doesn't just call us to share our testimony on Sunday; He calls us to share it in the moments we are most naturally expressing who we are—whether that’s through a beautiful meal, a well-written report, or a dramatic performance.

It made me think about how many of us are carrying gifts—whether they are literary, organizational, technical, or creative—that we treat as purely personal. We treat them as hobbies, or career paths, or just ways to fill time. But what if those gifts are actually divinely appointed tools, given to us to help bring the message of Christ to the people around us?

Discovering the Divine Gift: The Internet Missionary

This concept is the heart of being a modern, global disciple. We are all potential Internet missionaries. We don't have to wait for the district leader to tell us we're going to the mission field. We are already on the field, wherever we are. Our unique skills—our calling—are the vehicle for the Spirit.

The challenge isn't finding a perfect, spiritualized version of your job. The challenge is asking: *How can I infuse the principles of the Gospel into this space? How can I make this secular space feel sacred?*

Think about it: Every time you write a kind email, every time you organize a difficult event, every time you listen empathetically to a friend struggling with doubt—that is ministry. That is the Spirit at work through your talents. You are a disciple *anywhere*, all the time.

Practice: Integrating the Gospel Mindset

If you are feeling called to use your talents for the Lord's work, here is a quick mission-prep skill: Practice the "Preach My Gospel" mindset in your everyday life. Don't wait for a missionary discussion or a formal talk to share the Gospel. Instead, ask yourself these questions in your daily routines:

1. What am I doing with my natural gift right now? (E.g., writing, fixing things, planning, listening.)
2. How can I bring a Christlike principle into this action? (E.g., if I'm planning, how can I plan with more generosity? If I'm writing, how can I write with more hope?)
3. Who is the person I am serving, and what do they need to hear? (This requires empathy and a willingness to learn, just like a good investigator.)

This shift in perspective—seeing the Lord's hand in the mundane—is how we become effective, modern disciples.

Your Next Step in the Work

If you are feeling called to deepen your understanding of how your life experiences connect to the Book of Mormon or other scripture, I highly recommend checking out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful, safe space to wrestle with the hard questions alongside other disciples.

If you're looking for deeper study material to apply this principle to your own life, I highly recommend reading the latest Iron Rod article on *Tithing* or *Service*. These principles apply regardless of whether you are a full-time missionary or a full-time professional.

🛠️ Need help turning theory into practice? Check out Davee's AI Investigator role! He is excellent at walking you through the hard questions your friends or colleagues might ask about the Gospel, helping you prepare thoughtful, Christlike answers.

We are all called to be lights. Let's use every talent, every connection, and every moment to shine that light for Jesus Christ.