Seeing the Charge: Passing the Torch to the Next Wave of Disciples

There’s a unique kind of ache, isn't there? Watching the faces of those who are leaving—the excitement mixed with that palpable nervousness—it’s a powerful reminder of the charge we’ve been given. It feels like watching a relay race where the baton is passed, and the next runners look so full of light, full of the Spirit.

I was watching some footage recently of friends from Idaho leaving for their missions, and it hit me all over again: this is a grand design. This isn't something that happens to a few people in a specific place at a specific time; this is the ongoing, eternal work of gathering Israel, and every single one of us has a part in it.

If you’ve been in the field, or if you’re preparing to go, you know that the preparation is everything. It’s not just about the scriptures or the callings; it’s about the heart—the willingness to be teachable, to be humble enough to learn from every investigator, and to be resilient enough when the going gets tough.

The Eternal Nature of the Work

What struck me most from the video was the sentiment shared—that this is part of a grand design. It’s easy, when we’re deep in the day-to-day of our own lives, to feel like our efforts are small, like a single drop in the ocean. But the Savior’s work is bigger than any single drop. It’s constant.

As returned missionaries, we often find ourselves in a strange space. We’ve been in the intensity of the MTC, we’ve done the comps, we’ve seen the firsthand reality of the field, and now we’re back in our homes, in our communities. It can feel like we’ve been given a new kind of assignment: to be the best possible internet missionaries right where we are. We are the rogue disciples, disciples everywhere, all the time.

A Bite-Sized Prep Skill: Listening for the Underlying Need

If I could leave you with one thing today, it’s a small skill for our missionary preparation efforts, whether you're right around the corner from your own mission or you’re just in a regular missionary discussion. When an investigator asks a question, don't just answer the *question*. Listen for the *need* behind the question.

If they ask, "How do I know if the Book of Mormon is true?" the surface answer is scripture study. But the *need* might be for personal assurance, or perhaps a feeling of belonging. In those moments, gently guide them back to the Spirit. "That’s a huge question, and I don't have the final answer for you, but what I *do* know is that the Spirit testifies of truth. Let's pray about that together."

This requires us to be deeply familiar with the principles we preach, so we can pivot when the conversation takes an unexpected turn. It’s what Davee is so good at—walking you through those hard questions so you feel equipped, not cornered.

Staying Connected to the Spirit

The greatest resource we have, the one that sustains us through transfers, through disappointments, and through the mundane weeks between calls, is the Spirit. Remember that the Spirit doesn't just visit when we're actively preaching; it resides in us as disciples.

I encourage everyone to use the resources available to keep the momentum going. If you're craving deeper study, dive into a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. If you're wrestling with doctrine, let the social scripture study layer in LivingBook guide your insights. These tools are designed to keep the learning alive.

This movement—this commitment to be a disciple anywhere—it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Let’s support the next wave, let’s support each other, and let’s keep sharing the light. We are better together, always.

Fellow Disciples,

A fellow traveler on this journey.