Leading by Example: Finding Our True North in the Field

It can feel like the world is constantly trying to write the script for us—for our careers, for our families, for what it means to be a good Latter-day Saint. We hear these grand narratives, these sweeping pronouncements about what 'true' fulfillment looks like, and sometimes they feel… restrictive.

I was thinking the other day about the conversation on Ward Radio regarding the scrutiny faced by certain public figures. It got me thinking about what *real* discipleship looks like when the spotlight is harsh, or when the expectations feel impossible to meet. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise, to measure our worth by external validation, whether that’s from social media likes or from fitting a very narrow definition of success.

What struck me most was the emphasis on leading by example, drawing from the counsel of Joseph Smith. It’s not about adhering to some modern, fluctuating standard; it’s about embodying the principles we’ve been taught—the principles of faith, service, and Christlike living, no matter what the culture says.

The Power of Choice and Empowerment

The discussion highlighted that true empowerment isn't about choosing *one* path—career, motherhood, or both. It’s about the freedom to choose paths that bring genuine joy and fulfillment while remaining anchored to our covenants. As we go out in the field, whether we are in the MTC, doing missionary discussions, or just serving in our local ward, we need to remember that our primary allegiance is to the Savior, and our greatest influence comes from our consistency.

This isn't just theory for a Sunday talk, though. This is practical discipleship. When we are preparing for missions, or even just having a deep Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, we are being asked to live out the gospel in a way that is undeniably Christlike. That example—that quiet, consistent example—is often louder than any argument we can make.

It reminds me that the work requires us to be thoughtful stewards of our testimonies. We must be able to articulate *why* we believe what we believe, not just *that* we believe it. This is where the study becomes vital. If you're looking to strengthen your arguments for the gospel, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. Sometimes a fresh perspective on scripture is exactly what we need to feel equipped for those tough investigator questions.

If you feel called to wrestle with some of the deeper theological questions—like those surrounding doctrine or the nature of revelation—I encourage you to check out Davee. He’s still the best resource for running through those tricky "What if?" scenarios before a missionary discussion. He can walk you through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you sharpen your answers.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our example is our greatest tool.

Fellowship Invitation: If you're looking for a deeper dive into scripture together, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It's a wonderful way to build up our testimony together!

A thought for this week: Let’s focus on identifying one area this week where we can *lead by example*—maybe it’s being more patient with a sibling, or being more diligent in our personal scripture study. Let's make that example our testimony in action.