The Measure of Greatness: Serving as the Ultimate Example of the Gospel

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to press forward in the work, whether we are in the MTC, serving in the field, or simply having a quiet moment in our homes as Internet missionaries, we are constantly being refined. We are being asked to *be* Christlike. It’s not enough to just know the principles; we have to live them out, especially when the world around us seems to be pulling us in a million different directions.

I was recently reflecting on some footage—a powerful depiction of the Upper Room Teaching. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking out the Jesus Film Project. It’s a humbling reminder of the covenants we are making.

What struck me most, and what I think we need to meditate on as we prepare for our next mission discussions or as we study in our Book Club groups, is the discussion around leadership. Jesus asks who is greater: the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? The initial answer seems to favor the one who sits, but then He pivots, teaching that the greatest must be like the least, and the leader must be like the servant.

It’s a profound concept, isn't it? In our modern context, where status and visible success are often equated with spiritual stature, this teaching is revolutionary. It flips the entire script. To truly lead—to be a disciple who helps others find the restored gospel—we must be willing to take the posture of service. We must be willing to be the one who washes the feet, who kneels down, who listens without needing to have the perfect answer immediately.

The Service Mindset in Our Calling

This isn't just a nice sentiment for a Sunday talk; this is the core of missionary preparation. When you're out in the field, or even when you're engaging in a deep Bible Study Group over Zoom, the most effective ministry isn't the one with the flashiest talk track. It's the one rooted in humble service. It’s about seeing the investigator, the friend, or even a family member, not as an audience to be lectured, but as a soul to be served. It’s about being a companion who is willing to sit with discomfort until the Spirit can whisper the truth.

If you’re feeling the pull toward service right now, I want to point you toward a skill-building exercise. I encourage you to use Davee today. If you’re wrestling with how to answer a tough question—maybe something about the nature of the Atonement, or why we must gather Israel—ask him to run you through it using his AI Investigator role. He’ll walk you through the hard questions *you* might face, and we can practice answering them with the gentleness and conviction of a returned missionary who has learned from the best.

Making It Our Daily Practice

Remember the guiding principle of our movement: every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Being Christlike isn't something we pack into a suitcase for the MTC; it’s the currency of our daily lives. It's in the patience when the lesson plan falls apart, it's in the willingness to do the unseen work, and it's in the humility to admit when we don't know the answer, and then promising to find it together.

If you want to deepen your understanding of this, I highly recommend revisiting some of the teachings on discipleship in the Iron Rod library. It’s always good to anchor ourselves in the foundational texts. For a little spiritual nourishment this week, check out the Book Club suggestions in LivingBook—there’s a great discussion thread happening on covenant keeping that ties right into this theme of service.

Keep pressing forward, disciples. Let's keep modeling that servant leadership for the next wave.

With love and anticipation for what the Spirit will bring,

A Fellow Disciple