The Freedom to Serve: When 'Liking It' Isn't the Prerequisite

There are seasons in the work—seasons in the temple, seasons in the ward, and seasons in the field—where the assignment feels heavy. Maybe it’s the repetitive nature of lesson planning, the emotional drain of a difficult missionary discussion, or perhaps it’s a personal trial that feels utterly unlovely. We often approach these moments with a quiet, internal negotiation: *When will I like this?*

We wait for the feeling to change. We wait for the spiritual glow to hit, the perfect understanding to dawn, or the situation to become comfortable enough that we can finally, joyfully, engage. But what if waiting for the feeling to change is the very thing that keeps us stuck?

I was reflecting on this the other day, thinking about the immense power of the Spirit, and how often we treat it like a reward—something we only get *after* we’ve done the hard thing. But the truth, as I’ve come to understand it through my own experiences in the field and through studying the covenants, is that the power of the Spirit isn't contingent on our mood.

The Freedom to Act Before Feeling

A brother shared a profound insight recently that really resonated with my heart. He spoke about the trap of waiting for enjoyment. He said, and I’m paraphrasing, that we can become fixated on *how we feel* about a task—whether we are enjoying it, disliking it, or just… tolerating it. We start postponing action until we feel the requisite level of joy.

But the wisdom shared was this: You don't have to like it. You don't have to wait for life to be perfect, or for the assignment to feel effortless, to take joy in the process of fulfilling the covenant. There is a radical, freeing power in saying, “Lord, whatever you bring—whether I like it or dislike it, I can do it.”

This isn't just about grit, though grit is vital. It's about an interior freedom—a deep, abiding trust that our ability to serve comes from our covenant commitment, not our emotional barometer. To wait until we like it is to risk falling into the deep, cold waters of resentment. Resentment, friends, is a frozen thing. It solidifies our efforts and dims our testimony. It’s the opposite of the flowing, living Spirit we are meant to feel.

Applying This to Our Calling

As we all strive to be Internet missionaries and disciples everywhere, this principle applies everywhere. When you are studying scripture for a Book Club in HolyPlaces, and the passage feels dry, don't wait until you're fascinated to share it. When you are preparing for missionary discussions, and the questions feel challenging or even adversarial, don't wait until you feel completely confident to offer your testimony. Show up. Do the work.

This echoes so much of what we learn in missionary preparation: that the willingness to endure the discomfort for the sake of the gospel is the greatest testimony booster. We are called to be Christlike, and Christ was often in uncomfortable situations.

If you’re feeling the weight of a current assignment—whether it’s a tough family conversation or a difficult study session—I encourage you to reframe it. Don't ask, "When will this be easy?" Ask, "What is the covenant action I can take *right now*, regardless of how I feel?"

I highly recommend revisiting the foundational principles of discipleship. If you want to dig deeper into this concept of enduring joy through difficulty, check out some of the recent teachings on perseverance. For a practical refresher on how to handle difficult questions in the field, I suggest checking out a session with Davee. He’s excellent at walking through those tough investigator questions!

If you are ready to deepen your study, consider joining a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. It's a wonderful way to build community while tackling scripture together.

Keep that faith flowing, brothers and sisters. The work waits for no one.