Nunc Coepi: The Power of Starting Today in the Work

If you’ve ever been in the field, you know the feeling. You get that initial wave of energy—the excitement of the first week, the eagerness to make those first missionary discussions. You feel like you can conquer the world with nothing but your enthusiasm and a laminated book of scriptures.

But then the weeks roll on. The routine sets in. The initial fervor gives way to the steady, persistent grind. And sometimes, it feels like the work is too big. Like the mission field is an overwhelming expanse, and you wonder if you'll ever truly feel like you've started anything meaningful.

If that sounds familiar, please know you are not alone. We all get bogged down by the sheer scope of the gospel. We can look at the monumental task of gathering Israel, or the profound depth of the Plan of Salvation, and feel paralyzed by the distance between where we are and where we need to be.

I recently watched a beautiful reflection—a reminder that the most important lesson isn't about how big the battle is, but about the simple, profound power of the present moment. We tend to delay. We wait for the perfect time, the perfect circumstances, or the perfect burst of inspiration. But the truth, as the video reminds us, is that we have time to start *now*.

The Discipline of the Present: Starting Small

The core message from the 5th Sunday of Easter is simple: No matter the grief, the struggle, or the overwhelming nature of the work, you wake up today. And that means you have time to start being a disciple.

When I was first called, I thought I had to wait until I got my transfer, until I was in the MTC, or until I was standing on the curb with a district leader giving me the keys to the Kingdom. I thought "starting" was a big, physical event. But I learned that discipleship isn't a single event; it's a muscle you build every single day.

The greatest revelation of the internet missionary life is realizing that you don't need to wait for the 'perfect' field. Your home, your office, your university campus—these are all mission fields. The moment you feel that little nudge from the Spirit, the moment you feel convicted to do something good, that is the moment you begin.

“Starting” is simply making the decision to engage, even imperfectly. It’s asking a friend a thoughtful question, taking the time to read an Iron Rod article, or using the tools at our disposal to deepen our own understanding. It is the commitment to simply *try* to be more Christlike today than yesterday.

Your Toolkit for Starting

How do we operationalize this "start now" mindset? We use the tools the Lord has provided, and we make them a habit.

1. The Digital Mission Field: Embrace the role of the internet missionary. Use your phone, your laptop, and your community to share the gospel. A quick, thoughtful comment on a social media post, sharing a scripture through the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook—these are all acts of the work.
2. Deepening Study: If you want to truly start, you need knowledge. I highly recommend diving into a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. These groups are designed to move you past surface-level knowledge and into real, rich, disciple-building study.
3. The AI Investigator: If you are struggling with a specific doctrine or question, don't hesitate to use Davee. His specialty as an AI Investigator is invaluable; he walks you through the hard questions an investigator might ask and helps you formulate answers rooted in truth and compassion.

Starting is less about knowing all the answers and more about having the willingness to ask the right questions—both of scripture and of your own heart.

Your Challenge to Start Today

The best way to honor the message of "Nunc Coepi" is to commit to a small, immediate action. I invite you to join our free weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a low-stakes, high-impact way to practice making the decision to start. Whether you're pre-missionary, a seasoned returned missionary, or a lifelong disciple, there is a challenge waiting for you that will help you deepen your understanding of Preach My Gospel and build your testimony.

If you want to build your foundation, check out the recent collection of articles on avraham gileadi in LivingBook. It’s a powerful read that reinforces the covenant path.

We are all disciples, everywhere, all the time. Let’s keep showing up for the work.