The Deep Work: Equipping Others to Bear Witness to the Gospel

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to learn and grow in our discipleship—whether we’re knee-deep in mission prep, serving as returning missionaries, or simply studying scriptures in our own living rooms—it’s easy to get caught up in *our* immediate assignment. We focus on our own preparation, our own testimonies, and the next set of talks we need to master.

But lately, my thoughts have been turning to a different kind of work. The kind that happens behind the scenes. The work of equipping the shepherds so that the flock can be fed faithfully, no matter where they are planted.

It struck me watching this recent presentation. The speaker used the imagery of a fisherman—a trade that sounds tedious, demanding precision, and requiring deep knowledge of the water. And that image resonated so deeply when I thought about the Gospel. Preaching, teaching, bearing witness—it’s not just about having the right message; it’s about having the right *discernment* and the right *training* to deliver it.

We all know the core truth: the Gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal. But what does it look like when that truth is being taught in a culture or a setting where the foundational understanding of *how* to teach God's word is weak? It’s heartbreaking to hear about places where religious activity is high, but the deep, biblical rooting is missing. It’s like having a beautiful, ornate building, but the foundation is built on shifting sand.

The speaker highlighted the need for expository preaching workshops. They aren't just giving tips; they are teaching commitment—a commitment to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They are helping leaders see the theological reflection of a passage, not just what it *sounds* like, but what it was meant to say to its original audience, and how that message speaks to us today.

This is the heart of discipleship, isn't it? It’s not just about *receiving* the Spirit; it’s about being equipped to help others *receive* the Spirit through the proper understanding of the restored gospel. It’s about partnership.

It reminds me of our own journey. When I was first learning the ropes of the field, I thought my job was just to testify. But I quickly learned that being a good disciple meant being a good *student*—studying the scriptures, understanding the nuances of the Plan of Salvation, and knowing how to guide a discussion back to the core truths. That’s a form of equipping, right?

As we are all disciples of the restored gospel, we are all in a position to be "Internet missionaries." We can't always be in the field, but we can be in the *study group*. We can be in the *Book Club*. We can be in the *Social Scripture Study* layer in LivingBook, asking those deep questions that lead to revelation.

If you feel that calling to help strengthen the local body—whether that’s helping a friend understand a difficult doctrine, or helping a ward member dig deeper into the Book of Mormon—I encourage you to dive into some deeper study. For those of us who love digging into the foundational texts, I highly recommend revisiting some of the teachings found in the Iron Rod. It’s always good to refresh our understanding of what it means to be Christlike.

Let’s keep praying for those who are working tirelessly in the field, and let’s also pray for the wisdom to know where our own gifts can best be used to build up the saints around us. Because in the end, the goal isn't just to have activity; it's to build God's kingdom, brick by faithful brick, with eternal truth as the mortar.

If you're looking for a place to deepen your study this week, check out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. Let's continue to lift each other up in the work!