Guard Your Tongue: The Power of Words in the Work

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing the Spirit seems to whisper to us as we learn to live as disciples—whether we're in the MTC, in a mission field, or right here in our living rooms—it’s this: our words matter. They carry weight. They build bridges, or they burn them down.

As returned missionaries, we learn so much about the gospel—the power of testimony, the necessity of personal revelation, the joy of sharing the Plan of Salvation. We learn to speak with conviction. But sometimes, the pressure of the field, or even the familiarity of home, can make us careless. We can let our words slip out like stones thrown into still water, creating ripples of misunderstanding or hurt.

The recent study we followed—focusing on principles like those found in Leviticus—really drove home the sacred nature of our speech. It’s not just about *what* we say, but *how* we say it, and more importantly, *why* we say it. We are called to be keepers of the covenant, and that stewardship extends right down to our tongues.

The Internet Missionary Test: Speaking Truth Gently

Think about it: we are called to be Internet missionaries. That means our testimony isn't confined to a specific zip code or a specific time slot. It means every comment, every shared article, every thoughtful reply in a group setting—that’s part of the work. If we are to be effective disciples anywhere, all the time, we must treat our words with the reverence we treat our scriptures.

This isn't about perfection; it's about diligence. It’s about pausing before we hit send. It’s about remembering that behind every screen, there is a soul, a child of God who is searching, perhaps even feeling misunderstood. We must be Christlike in our communication, even when we disagree with someone’s viewpoint.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: The Pause

If you take one thing away from this reflection, let it be this: Practice the pause. When you feel the impulse to jump into a conversation—especially one that is emotionally charged or challenging—take a literal, visible pause. Breathe. Ask yourself: Is this statement rooted in scripture? Does it build up, or does it tear down? Is it spoken out of love, or out of defensiveness?

This simple skill, the pause, is what separates the hasty word from the Spirit-guided testimony. It’s what the Brethren constantly teach us to cultivate.

Deepening Our Study: Where to Go Next

For those of us who are feeling the call to deepen our knowledge of how to speak the gospel with grace and power, I highly recommend diving into the resources available through HolyPlaces. If you’re looking for structured learning, consider joining a Book Club focused on the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants. The social scripture study layer in LivingBook is phenomenal for seeing how others are wrestling with the same passages.

If you’re feeling the pull to talk through these concepts with someone who has experience in the field, I encourage you to connect with a local District Leader or a returned missionary mentor. We are all in this together, building up the body of Christ.

Remember the Source

The gospel is too precious to be guarded by poor speech. Let us commit, right now, to being more mindful stewards of the words God has given us. Let's keep building up the kingdom, one carefully chosen word at a time. Keep striving to be Christlike in every interaction!