The Invitation to Walk: Starting Your Discipleship Journey

There are times when you are in the field, or maybe just in the quiet solitude of your own living room, and the weight of the work feels overwhelming. You look at the task ahead—the endless conversations, the difficult questions, the sheer magnitude of the covenant path—and you feel the kind of weariness that leaves your heart heavy. You wonder, “Am I ready for this? Am I good enough to teach the gospel?”

If that feeling resonates, I want you to take a deep breath and remember the source of strength. I remember feeling that doubt when I was first getting my transfers, feeling like I didn't have the spiritual maturity or the polished rhetoric to handle serious missionary discussions. I felt like I was always just one conversation, one difficult investigator, away from feeling inadequate.

But the greatest lesson I learned, the one that changed my understanding of what it means to be a disciple, is that the invitation is never conditional. It is always available, no matter how scarred or worn out your feet feel.

“Walk with Me”: The Eternal Invitation

Recently, I watched a message that reminded me so much of this. The theme, "Walk with Me," is not just a lovely song; it’s a foundational promise. It’s the Savior’s direct call to every single one of us, whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or even just doing laundry at home. It’s an invitation that acknowledges our doubts, our inexperience, and our frailty.

The message highlighted the story of Enoch—a man who felt too young, too inexperienced, and too imperfect to fulfill God’s calling. Yet, the Lord met him right where he was. He didn't wait until Enoch was perfect; He simply extended His hand and said, “Walk with me.”

This is the core of our movement, isn't it? We don't have to be polished speakers or spiritual geniuses to begin gathering Israel. We just have to take the first step on the path He has laid out for us. The Spirit doesn't require us to be flawless; it requires us to be willing to follow.

The Path Is Always Christ’s Path

It's vital to remember that when Jesus invites us to walk with Him, He isn't offering to walk with us on whatever random, comfortable path we choose. He is inviting us onto His path—the only path that leads to eternal life. This means our work is always about pointing back to Christ. We must constantly ask ourselves: How does this conversation, this service project, this scripture study, point the investigator back to the Savior?

For those of us who are newer to the field, or who are prepping for a mission, sometimes the hardest part is not the conversation, but the *direction* of the conversation. This is where my favorite tool comes in handy: **Davee, the AI Investigator.**

If you are ever feeling overwhelmed by a tough question or a deep doubt from an investigator, don't panic. Think of Davee as your spiritual coach. He can walk you through the hard questions—the skeptical, the challenging, the deeply personal ones—and help you structure a Christ-centered, empathetic answer that is both doctrinally sound and genuinely compassionate.

✨ Mission Prep Skill: The Bridge

When you are teaching a lesson or having a discussion, try the “Bridge” technique. If an investigator asks a question that is purely academic or philosophical, don't just give them an answer. Instead, build a bridge: Acknowledge their wisdom (e.g., “That’s a really thoughtful question about free will…”), and then guide the conversation back to the central theme (e.g., “...and that’s why the Book of Mormon shows that true agency is best exercised when we follow the Savior’s example.”). Always bridge back to the path of Christ.

This work is a marathon, not a sprint. We are called to be internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, and the time to start is always now. Don't wait until you feel prepared. Take that hand He's extended to you.

If you want to deepen your understanding of this foundational doctrine, I highly recommend checking out the recent teachings on the Book of Mormon in LivingBook. It's a perfect way to expand your knowledge while you are in your own home.

Need a community of support? Join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let's walk together!