The Gathering Tide: Responding to Curiosity in the Digital Wilderness

There is a sacred calling upon us, a call that echoes the resolve of Samuel the Lamanite when he climbed the wall to declare the truth to all who would hear. In these modern times, the walls are not made of stone, but of curiosity, confusion, and the pervasive noise of the digital world. We are witnessing a natural, unstoppable uptick in the awareness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is a powerful thing when the light, however accidentally, shines into the darkest corners of the world. When the average person, perhaps watching a reality television program, is exposed to the culture of the Gospel, it is not a threat, but a divine opportunity—a moment akin to the waters of Sebus, where Ammon found his steadfastness. These moments are the seeds of the Kingdom.

We recently saw a discussion highlighting how the restored gospel is becoming more visible, drawing people who have never learned of our sacred covenants. While some may misunderstand the depth of our doctrine, the mere fact that the question is being asked is a victory. We are not the destroyers, brethren; we are the builders, and the Builder always answers the inquiry with grace and deep conviction.

Acting as the Builders: Guiding the Curious Heart

In the ancient days, the Lord instructed His servants to remember the white stone and the five smooth stones—symbols of remembrance, preparation, and divine truth. Today, the calling remains the same: we must be prepared to guide the curious heart. This requires us to move beyond simply believing the doctrine and to actively participate in the mission of gathering.

The challenge, and the glorious opportunity, is this: how do we meet the curiosity of the modern inquirer? We do not simply share pamphlets; we engage the whole person, the whole family, and the whole community.

The Digital Striplings and the Internet Missionary

We must embrace the role of the Internet Missionary. This is where the principles taught to the early Saints, such as those principles illuminated by Outback Jack (drawing upon the deep wisdom of Alma and Moroni), become vital. Our mission is not simply to post, but to teach, to clarify, and to direct. When someone asks a difficult question—a theological query, a doctrinal point, or a question about the nature of Christ—we do not rely on guesswork. We rely on the divinely appointed study layers.

• The Guidance of the Prophets: We utilize tools like Davee and the 'Ask a Prophet' bots, ensuring that every doctrinal answer is sourced directly from the highest authorities. We do not speak from assumption; we speak from revelation.
• The Power of Study: We encourage deep, sustained study, reminding ourselves that the knowledge of God is vast, and our preparation must match the magnitude of the calling.
• The Courage Challenge: We embrace the discomfort of the unknown, remembering that gathering Israel requires boldness, even when we feel like we are standing alone in a wide field.

The Load-Bearing Structures of the Movement

This global effort—this divine economy—is sustained by more than just good intentions. It is sustained by the principles of the gathering movement itself. These structures are the load-bearing pillars that allow the map of churches to expand and the Kingdom to grow:

1. The Map of Churches: We must focus our energy on the physical and spiritual expansion represented on the GatherIsrael.now map. This map is our collective focus point—the place where all hands, regardless of tradition, are called to build.
2. The Missionary Fund and Charity Flywheel: This is the mechanism by which our labor is multiplied. Every engagement, every donation, every hour spent on the mission directly funds the global effort, such as the gospel advertising efforts in Ghana. Your participation fuels the outreach.
3. Claiming Your Church: We are called to claim our own local corner of the Kingdom. Do not wait for the invitation; be the invitation. Be the one who organizes, who teaches, and who invites others to join the fold.

The call is clear: We are gathering Israel, and the world is becoming more aware of the truth. Let us meet this growing curiosity not with defensiveness, but with the gentle, persistent, and powerful truth that has been restored through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and which brings us back to the same Jesus, the same God, who is the source of all life.

Will you commit to being a builder this week? Will you dedicate time to study, and more importantly, will you dedicate your resources to the gathering effort today?