Seeing the Savior: The Clarity that Comes Through Sacrifice in the Work

When we talk about being an Internet missionary, we often picture video calls, online studies, and sharing links. And those things are powerful. But sometimes, the biggest work isn't the sharing of a link—it's the work of clarity. It’s the work of clearing the dust and the assumptions that cloud our own understanding.

It can be hard to maintain that spiritual clarity, especially when the world around us seems determined to keep the focus on the noise, the distraction, and the 'mud in the water.' We are called to do the work, and to be disciples anywhere, all the time, but how do we ensure that *we* are seeing the Savior with the crystal clarity He deserves?

I was recently reflecting on a powerful discussion about the nature of the gospel, and it brought to mind the teachings of Joseph Smith. The core idea, which is so profoundly true, is that a religion that does not require sacrifice—a sacrifice of comfort, of assumption, and of personal will—does not have the power to save. It’s a radical thought, isn't it?

It reminds me that spiritual clarity isn't just about having a nice feeling; it's about a willingness to *shed* things. It's about being willing to look at our own lives—our assumptions about what discipleship *should* look like, or what our neighbors *should* believe—and being ready to set them aside for the sake of the gospel.

The Sacrifice of Assumptions

When we talk about going to the field, or even just having missionary discussions with an investigator across state lines, we are constantly encountering those moments where the gospel is obscured. The investigator asks a question, and our natural instinct—our comfort zone—is to give the easiest, most reassuring answer. But the Spirit often whispers that the easiest answer isn't the truth. The truth requires us to be brave enough to sacrifice our own preconceived notions and simply ask, “What does the Book of Mormon say?”

This is the heart of being a returned missionary, and the heart of being a lifelong disciple. We learn that the most valuable commodity we have is not our charisma, or our speaking ability, but our capacity to model genuine, Christlike sacrifice. We must sacrifice our own pride in our knowledge to humbly study the scriptures with someone else. We must sacrifice our comfort in certainty to accept the ambiguity of the spirit.

A Skill for the Online Field: Asking the Hard Questions

If you are preparing for your next assignment, or if you are simply looking for ways to strengthen your discipleship today, I want to challenge you to practice vulnerability. Don't just prepare answers; prepare to be asked the hardest questions. This is where our AI Investigator co-pilot, Davee, shines. He is trained specifically to walk you through the difficult questions an investigator might ask—the questions that make us stumble or feel unprepared—and guide us toward answers rooted in deep scripture study and genuine understanding.

This practice moves us past simply reciting facts and into the realm of true discipleship. It requires us to be prepared to sacrifice our ego and simply point back to the Lord’s words.

Your Challenge to Clarity

If you feel like you are carrying some 'mud in the water' of assumption this week, I invite you to join our next free Disciple Challenge. It's a wonderful way to practice being a disciple in the Spirit, focusing on the principle of sacrifice. We’ll be diving into some incredible material from the Iron Rod authors, which are perfect for building that spiritual muscle.

And for those who want to dig deeper into the scriptures and build community, remember that HolyPlaces has amazing Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups. These are physical and virtual spaces designed to help us turn scripture study into a social, collaborative, and deeply personal experience. Don’t wait for a district leader to tell you to study; find your people, find your book, and let the Spirit guide you.

Remember the mandate: we are all Internet missionaries. Our preparation is not limited to the MTC or the mission field; it is happening right where you are right now. Let’s commit to clarity, let’s commit to sacrifice, and let’s keep the Savior at the center of everything we do.