Speaking of Light: Following the Message of John

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you were standing in the brightest sunshine, yet you felt like you were speaking into a vast, echoing canyon? It’s a feeling every missionary, every returned missionary, and every disciple who has ever felt the weight of the gospel message knows all too well.

It’s easy, when we’ve been taught so much—when we’ve had the privilege of going through the MTC, or when we’ve spent years in the field—to feel like *we* are the source of the light. We carry the knowledge, the stories, the doctrinal depth. We are vessels filled to the brim.

But I was reflecting this week on a little video clip, and something really struck me that felt like a gentle nudge from the Spirit. The transcript mentioned John, who was sent to speak *about* the Light, not because he *was* the Light himself. That’s a profound concept, isn't it?

We are called to be Internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time. That means our job isn't to generate the light; it's to be faithful conduits for the eternal Light that shines through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We are messengers, not the message itself.

The Messenger vs. The Message

Think about that distinction. John’s role was to point—to direct every eye, every question, every heart—to the true source. If we approach our investigator with the feeling that *our* experience is the ultimate answer, we risk overshadowing the Savior. We risk making the discussion about us, rather than about Him.

This is a principle that will serve you whether you are in a formal missionary discussion, or if you are having a casual Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces with a neighbor. Your preparation—your *mission prep*—must always center on pointing back to the Book of Mormon, to the Savior, and to the covenants we have made.

Being Christlike in Everything

This ties directly into striving to be Christlike. It’s not about having the perfect answers, but about having the right posture. It’s about humility. It’s about being willing to learn, just as we learn to better understand the plan of salvation through our studies in the Iron Rod.

If you’re feeling that weight—the desire to *do* more, to *know* more—I encourage you to channel that energy into deepening your own discipleship. Maybe it’s time to join a Book Club focused on the Book of Mormon, or perhaps you need to wrestle with some challenging questions using Davee. Let's use the tools the Lord has given us to make sure our foundation is rock solid.

The work is eternal, and the message of Christ is the brightest light in the world. Let's remember our role: to faithfully testify, to gently guide, and to always, always point them back to the Light.

If you're feeling the call to serve, I want to invite you to join our next online gathering. It’s a chance to share experiences and strengthen our testimonies together. Details are in the comments, but if you want to get a head start on your testimony, I highly recommend diving into the latest readings on the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful way to see how others are connecting with the scriptures!