The Gospel isn't a sprint—it's a perpetual striving.

There are times when the gospel feels like a mountain climb—a relentless, uphill grind. Maybe you just finished a demanding assignment, maybe you’re recovering from a difficult mission discussion, or maybe you’re just trying to balance a full-time job with family life and your calling. It can feel exhausting. You put in the effort, you feel the Spirit, you get the recommendation, but the momentum seems to stall.

When I was first in the field, I learned quickly that effort wasn't a one-time thing. You can’t just *show up* for the gospel once and expect it to sustain you forever. The beautiful truth, the truth that sustains me every time I feel myself getting discouraged, is that the gospel isn't a sprint—it's a perpetual, joyful striving. It's about getting back up, even when you stumble, and keeping the faith.

Where Does the Call to Strive Come From?

Recently, I stumbled across a discussion about the origin of the phrase, “Y’all keep on striving.” It was a reminder that the concept of continuous effort isn't just a catchy slogan; it's a deep gospel principle. The conversation highlighted that the core message is the power of the Atonement—the ability to fail, to stumble, and yet still be called back to the path of repentance and discipleship.

It's a powerful message for every Latter-day Saint, whether you're a seasoned returned missionary or a lifelong disciple doing the work right in your own neighborhood. We are taught that the Spirit doesn't just visit us; it requires us to *seek* it, to *strive* for it, and to *maintain* that effort even when the Lord's whisperings are quiet.

As we continue to build our capacity to be Internet missionaries—to disciple others right where they are, no matter their location—we need to remember that this striving applies to us, too. It means showing up for our Book Club, even when we’re tired. It means being brave enough to share a scripture insight in the social scripture study layer of LivingBook, even when we feel unprepared. It means asking our district leader for help when the work feels too big.

The Disciple Mindset: Always Ready to Keep Moving

The greatest shift I’ve seen in my own journey, since returning from my mission, was moving from thinking of discipleship as a series of milestones (MTC, passing the missionary discussions, getting transfers) to viewing it as a continuous state of being. Every single day is a chance to participate in the work. This is what I call the 'disciple mindset.' It’s knowing that your greatest field is wherever you are right now.

If you are wrestling with how to apply this principle to your local life, I highly recommend working through the AI Investigator role with Davee. He is a phenomenal resource for helping you walk through those tough, hard questions that an investigator might ask—the ones that make you pause and think, *“Wait, what am I supposed to say here?”* Davee helps you build your confidence and your gospel answers, turning potential stumbling blocks into opportunities for profound spiritual connection.

“Keep going, and you will find that the Lord will guide your steps.” (Inspired by Psalm 37:23)

We are all in this together, disciples. We help each other keep striving. If you’re looking for a way to deepen your personal understanding of gospel principles, I encourage you to join a Bible Study Group through HolyPlaces. These groups are amazing for putting theory into practice, and they give you the chance to discuss the hard questions with fellow disciples.

Your Next Step in the Work

The best way to keep the momentum going is to keep learning. This week, I challenge you to engage with the Iron Rod. Specifically, I recommend picking up *Isaiah Studies* and focusing on the concept of Zion. It's a powerful reminder that even when things feel messy or far from perfect, the covenant path is always worth striving toward. Don't wait for the next mission assignment; let the Spirit guide your efforts today.