More Than Just 'Asleep': Finding Life in the Quiet Places

There are moments in the field—moments in a missionary discussion, or even just a quiet afternoon studying scripture—where the noise is deafening. The crowd is pressing in, the expectations are high, and the pronouncements are definitive. It sounds like the end, doesn't it?

I was thinking this week about a video I watched that really stopped me in my tracks. It depicted a scene where the initial report was final: the daughter was dead. The weight of that pronouncement, the finality of it, is something we all have to grapple with, whether it’s a difficult conversation with an investigator or confronting a deep personal doubt.

But then, Jesus looks at the situation differently. He doesn't argue with the pronouncement; He addresses the core of the matter. He doesn't just *say* she is well; He commands it, and the reality shifts. The message wasn't that she was *saved* from death, but that she was merely *asleep*.

The Power of Perspective in the Work

As returned missionaries, we learn so much about this principle. We learn that sometimes, the greatest barrier isn't outright disbelief, but a limited perspective—a belief that a situation *must* end one way, or that a person *must* be convinced by a single, dramatic argument.

This reminds me of the constant work of being an internet missionary. We are constantly encountering people who are convinced of one thing, or who have been told one thing, and our natural instinct is to argue against the perceived falsehood. But the Spirit teaches us to look deeper. To ask, "What is the underlying truth here? What is the potential for life that is currently dormant?"

The Spirit often speaks in whispers, not in shouts. It requires us to slow down, to quiet the noise of our own anxiety, and to look at the person—the investigator, the friend, the family member—with genuine, compassionate curiosity.

This is where the study of the Book of Mormon, or even just digging into the social scripture study layer in LivingBook, becomes so vital. It teaches us that our faith isn't just about reciting doctrines; it's about understanding the *process* of awakening. It's about patient discipleship.

A Quick Mission Prep Skill: The "Asleep" Question

If you’re feeling the pressure before your next mission discussions, or if you’re just trying to deepen your own testimony, try this small exercise:

1. Identify a difficult topic you anticipate discussing (e.g., agency, the Plan of Salvation, etc.).
2. Pretend the investigator has already formed a strong, opposing belief—the "death" pronouncement.
3. Instead of immediately refuting it, ask: "What might be the underlying assumption that leads you to believe that?"
4. Listen for the gap. That gap is where the Spirit can enter.

It shifts the dynamic from a debate to a shared investigation, which is exactly what the best discipleship looks like.

Keep Learning Together

If you want to practice this skill with me, or if you want to dive deeper into the Book of Abraham, I highly recommend checking out the Bible Study Groups or Book Clubs happening in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to connect with other disciples who are committed to the work.

For those who prefer reading at home, I’ve been revisiting some insights from the Iron Rod authors recently. If you haven't, I encourage you to explore the readings available in LivingBook—it’s a true treasure trove for any disciple.

We are all disciples anywhere, all the time. Let’s keep building the kingdom, one quiet awakening at a time!

Warmly,

A Fellow Disciple