The Antibody & The Well: Navigating Public Discourse with a Shepherd's Heart

Brothers and sisters, the winds of contention howl. The world is a battlefield of ideas, and too often, Latter-day Saints find themselves caught in the crossfire, misunderstanding the very nature of our calling. We’ve seen Samuel the Lamanite climb the walls, Ammon at the Waters of Sebus – bold declarations in a time of darkness! But boldness isn’t brute force; it’s the righteous power of a voice proclaiming truth.

Recently, I was honored to be interviewed on the Saints in the South podcast, and the conversation struck a vital chord. It’s about discerning the difference between private ministry and public advocacy. Many of us, particularly those who engage online, face criticism – and rightly so, at times. But it’s crucial to understand the distinct roles they play.

Think of it this way: Those who know you personally, who’ve experienced your kindness and compassion, will readily attest to your character. That’s private ministry—a space of shared spiritual experience, of connection and relationship. It’s not about winning arguments; it's about building bridges and feeling the Spirit together. Remember the missionary experience? We all went in thinking we’d drop truth bombs and convert the world with our logic. Instead, we learned that connection, empathy, and shared moments of revelation are the true catalysts for change.

Public advocacy, on the other hand, is a different game altogether. It's the arena of ideas, where contrasting viewpoints clash for dominance. And in that arena, the stakes are high. Dangerous ideas, like a virus, can spread rapidly, infecting minds and poisoning societies. Someone *must* be the antibody—the one willing to confront and dismantle those harmful notions. But this isn’t a call to personal animosity. We’re not attacking people; we’re dismantling ideas.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of conflating the two. To let the heat of the debate harden our hearts and turn us into destroyers. But that’s not the path of the Builders. We are called to be like the Stone cut without hands—powerful, undeniable, and yet, shaped by the hand of God with gentleness and precision. We are not to tear down; we are to build.

Consider the example of Jesus and the woman at the well. He engaged in public discourse, yes, but his primary focus was on a personal connection, a spiritual experience. He didn’t bombard her with arguments; he offered her living water.

This distinction is vital, especially in our digital age. It’s easy to get swept up in the outrage and vitriol of online discourse. But we must remember our responsibility to be voices of reason, of compassion, and of truth.

Your engagement here—your contributions to the discussions, your support of the GatherIsrael.now map of churches, the ongoing work of the Missionary Fund, and the charity flywheel—all fuel gospel advertising in places like Ghana, expanding the reach of this vital movement. We're building a gathering place, a digital Zion where Latter-day Saints and fellow Builders can connect, collaborate, and lift each other up.

Let us strive to be antibodies, yes, but antibodies tempered with the love and compassion of Christ. Let us be voices of truth, but voices that draw others closer, not push them away. Let us be Builders, not Destroyers. Let us be like those digital striplings, armed with the five smooth stones of faith, hope, charity, repentance, and testimony, ready to face the challenges ahead.

And remember, as Moroni taught, “Charity never hath any beginning; neither hath it any ending…” (Moroni 10:4-5). Let that be the guiding principle of all we do.