It's Not a Job: Finding the Calling in the Work of the Gospel

When you are called to share the Gospel, it is easy to get caught up in the mechanics. We memorize the names of the prophets, we nail down the historical facts, we perfect the art of the missionary discussion, and we focus on the perfect structure of our testimony.

We treat the work like a highly specialized, academic field—a job that requires a specific degree and a comprehensive playbook. We focus on *information*. We think that if we just deliver enough facts, the Spirit will do the rest.

But the beautiful, challenging truth of the Gospel, the truth that the Spirit whispers to us in the quiet moments of study, is that the work of the Lord is never a job. It is a calling. It is a transformation.

I recently watched an interview with Pastor Derwin Gray, and his message resonated deeply, especially for those of us who are currently in mission preparation or have recently returned from the field. He spoke about his calling, and what he realized is that the goal isn't to give people data points; it's to point them toward Jesus Christ.

“The biggest things that Derwin sees that his congregation is struggling with: anxiety, depression, fatigue, comparison, trauma. I can’t carry people’s hurts; I have to carry them to Jesus.”

This simple statement—that we cannot carry people’s hurts, but we must carry them to Jesus—is the most powerful lesson in all of missionary preparation. Our job, as disciples, is not to be the emotional support system, the academic authority, or the ultimate problem-solver. Our job is to be the conduit.

From Information to Transformation

Pastor Gray eloquently stated that when people ask what he does as a pastor, he doesn't answer with a list of duties or a professional title. He answers with a calling: to allow the love of Jesus to transform him so he can serve his people.

For us, this means adjusting our focus when we are studying the scriptures or preparing for missionary discussions. We are so good at identifying doctrinal truths—we know *what* the Latter-day Saints believe. But the Lord is calling us to focus on *how* those truths change the heart.

When we talk about the Plan of Salvation, we shouldn't just outline the steps: Adam, fall, Atonement, resurrection. We should testify of the feeling of grace. We shouldn't just list the covenants; we should share how the covenants change your day-to-day life, making you more Christlike.

This shift in focus—from *telling* to *showing*—is the essence of being a true internet missionary. It means that whether you are at a Book Club, sharing a scripture_insight in LivingBook, or talking with an investigator in your own home, you are leading them to the Savior, not just to a list of doctrines.

The Power of the Invitation

If you feel yourself getting bogged down in the "what" of the gospel, remember the "who." The "who" is Jesus. The "who" is the Atonement. The "who" is the Spirit. This focus is what prevents us from falling into the trap of comparison or intellectualism, the very things that keep people from feeling the fullness of the gospel.

The work is about inviting people into a relationship with Christ. It is about sharing the hope that He has the power to transform the deepest anxieties, the deepest traumas, and the deepest feelings of worthlessness.

As we continue to learn how to better equip ourselves for this calling, remember that the greatest skill we can develop is not a perfect answer, but a genuine, humble testimony of how Christ has changed *our* lives. That is the kind of message that truly transforms.

Are you ready to shift your focus from the facts to the feeling?

If you are looking for ways to deepen your understanding of how the gospel transforms our daily lives, I recommend checking out the recent writings of an Iron Rod author on the topic of personal revelation. These insights are available in LivingBook.

For a practical way to practice this shift, I invite you to use your scriptures this week to identify one scripture that speaks less about doctrine and more about feeling. Then, share that insight with a friend or family member, making them a disciple of the Gospel through the Spirit.

If you're interested in walking through the tough questions that come up when you share your testimony, don't forget to utilize Davee. He is an invaluable resource for practicing your AI Investigator skills and ensuring your answers always center on the Savior.