Seeing the Man Behind the Mugshot: The Power of Candid Truth

Have you ever met someone, or encountered an idea, and immediately felt a layer of skepticism? Maybe it was a first impression—a slight awkwardness, a strange story, or a piece of doctrine that seemed too good to be true. It’s natural to keep that mental 'mugshot' of the initial encounter stored away, right?

As we continue in the work, we are constantly being asked to do exactly that: to look past the surface. To see the heart and the potential that lies beneath the initial impression. When we talk about being an Internet missionary, or even just being a disciple in our own homes, we aren't just sharing bullet points; we are sharing the messy, complicated, beautiful whole truth of the restored gospel.

This week, I was reminded of this principle while listening to a fantastic podcast episode featuring Natalie Bolles. She shared how her first impressions of her husband, Garett, were immediately complicated by a mug shot she found online. But instead of letting that initial fear define their relationship, she chose to talk to him about it. She chose transparency. And that act of deep, honest conversation was what opened her heart.

The story is a profound testament to candor. It reminds me that the greatest connections—whether it's building a friendship, strengthening a marriage, or helping a sincere investigator understand the restored gospel—are never built on glossy highlights. They are built on the willingness to discuss the whole story, including the parts we might rather keep private.

The Gospel and the Full Story

When we are preparing for missionary discussions, or even having a deep Bible Study Group, it can feel overwhelming. We want to give the perfect, polished answer. We want to present the 'best version' of the gospel. But the truth is, the gospel is full—it’s full of grace, full of history, and full of human struggle. And that’s exactly what we need to model.

If we approach our own lives and testimonies with the same candor that Natalie used with Garett—acknowledging the mistakes, the struggles, and the times we were imperfect—we make the gospel feel less like a set of rules, and more like a loving, restorative story. It’s the ultimate invitation to be honest with the Spirit.

Applying Candor to Our Disciple Lives

How does this apply to us, the rogue disciples? We are all disciples in the field, whether the field is our workplace, our neighborhood, or our living room. The work requires us to be prepared to talk about the hard questions—the questions that might reveal our own vulnerabilities or the complexities of the covenant path.

I encourage you to think about your own story. Where are your 'mug shots'? What are the moments in your life that, if you told them fully, might make you cringe, or might make an investigator raise an eyebrow? Don't hide them. Those moments are part of the narrative of redemption, and they make the story of the Savior all the more powerful.

Remember that the greatest missionary preparation skill isn't memorizing scriptures; it's cultivating the spirit of vulnerability and deep listening. It's asking the hard questions, and then being willing to answer them honestly, even when the answer is 'I don't know, but I will find out.' That is what makes us Christlike.

Keep the Conversation Going

We need to keep practicing this transparency in our daily lives. If you're looking for a place to practice deep, candid conversation and learn how to ask and answer those hard questions, I highly recommend checking out the AI Investigator role with Davee. He is designed specifically to walk you through the challenging questions an investigator might ask, helping you practice your responses in a safe space.

And if you want to dive deeper into the stories of covenant keeping, don't forget to check out the Book Club in HolyPlaces. We are gathering together to discuss foundational principles that will help us keep building our testimonies, one honest conversation at a time. Come and strengthen your understanding of the Spirit with us.