Rejoicing in the Joy: Keeping Our Hands Open for the Work

My brothers and sisters, I was listening to some recent teachings, and a deep, familiar feeling washed over me—the feeling of being called to simply *rejoice*. It’s the kind of feeling that reminds you of the core of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, a feeling that cuts through the noise of the world, the frustrations of platforms, and the temptation to keep score.

It’s easy, especially when we’re out in the field or even just in our own homes doing our *internet missionary* work, to start tallying up the returns. We think, "If I spend this much time studying, if I share this many scriptures, if I help this many people, what is my reward?"

But the Spirit whispers a different truth, a truth echoing from the revelations and from the testimonies of those who have walked this path before us. It’s about the joy itself. It’s about the pure, unadulterated desire to see our brethren saved and to help them feel the sustaining power of the Gospel.

This week’s study on Doctrine and Covenants 63 touches on so many vital concepts—agency, inspiration, and knowing when to act versus when to wait. But the underlying principle that keeps us going, that keeps us from falling into the trap of cynicism or transactional giving, is something profoundly simple: we do it because we love the Lord and we love our people.

The Power of Free Giving

I was struck by a recent discussion about service—the kind of selfless service that defines our movement. We are taught that we are called to consecrate ourselves, not just our time, but our very spirit. When we give freely—when we help move a neighbor, when we spend hours studying a tough doctrine with a friend, or when we simply offer a listening ear to someone struggling with doubt—we are participating in a pattern of divine grace.

It reminds me of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The temptation to haggle over the penny is real. We can get caught up in comparison—"I worked longer than my companion," or "I studied this book more deeply than my friend." But the Master of the Vineyard reminds us that the ultimate goal isn't a perfect accounting ledger; it's the harvest.

Staying Unshaken

When we are preparing for mission discussions, or when we are engaging in deep study in a Book Club setting, we will inevitably meet people who challenge our understanding. They might bring skepticism, or worse, cynicism. Cynicism, as one speaker noted, is dangerous because it moves from "I doubt what you say" to "I doubt *you*."

This is where the power of our testimony, the testimony that comes from the Spirit, is vital. We must strive to be like Jacob when confronted—unshakable. We must root our faith not in the *proof* of the miracle, but in the *promise* of the Savior.

If you are feeling the weight of the work, or if you are wrestling with how to best share the restored gospel in a secular setting, I encourage you to dive into the discussions from the recent study. It’s a rich reminder that our efforts are always best directed toward the joy of our brethren.

Remember, our defining characteristic as disciples is that we do everything—the service, the teaching, the sharing—because we want to rejoice in the joy of our brethren. That pure motive is what draws the Spirit and what makes the work sustainable.

If you are feeling the call to deeper scripture study, I highly recommend checking out the HolyPlaces Book Clubs or joining a Bible Study Group. And if you want to practice navigating those difficult conversations, don't forget to utilize Davee’s AI Investigator role—he’s ready to walk you through the tough questions!

For those who want to hear this message expanded, I highly recommend listening to the latest episode of the Unshaken Saints podcast. You can find links below to listen on your preferred platform.