The Power of One: Choosing Words That Change Trajectories

Brothers and sisters, fellow disciples—it’s easy, isn't it, to feel overwhelmed? We talk about the magnitude of the work. We talk about the callings, the transfers, the sheer scope of helping souls come unto Christ. Sometimes, when I think about all the disciplines required to be a true disciple—the study, the service, the covenant keeping—it can feel like trying to juggle ten flaming torches at once.

I remember early in my own missionary preparation days, feeling like I needed to master every single doctrine, memorize every possible answer, and be ready for any doctrinal curveball the district leader could throw at me. I was trying to add *everything* at once. And, let’s be honest, I failed spectacularly. I burned out, I got scattered, and I felt like I was doing everything poorly instead of doing one thing well.

What struck me recently, and what I wanted to share with you all as we continue this journey together, is the profound power of *simplicity*. It’s not about adding ten new disciplines; it’s about mastering one, and letting that one ripple out to change the trajectory of your life—and perhaps the life of an investigator.

I came across a talk recently that really resonated with this idea. The speaker was talking about how over a decade, adding just one new, consistent discipline at a time, can radically change a life. He called it 'Words to Live By.' It made me pause and think: What are the words I am currently living by? Are they words of doubt, or are they words of faith?

The Discipline of Words

This isn't just about avoiding profanity, though that's important! This is about intentionality. It’s about the internal narrative we build for ourselves and for those we teach. When we are in the field, or even just having a casual conversation with someone who is curious about the Gospel, our words are our primary tools. They are the conduits through which the Spirit can flow.

Think about the difference between speaking from fear versus speaking from the knowledge of the Savior’s Atonement. The words change everything. When we focus on one discipline—like consistently studying a passage, or like always framing our testimony around the Atonement—that single focus becomes a powerful lens through which all other learning and service is viewed.

This reminds me so much of our work in the Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups. If we focus on one Book of Mormon book, or one key principle from the scriptures, and let that principle guide our discussions week after week, the understanding deepens organically. We aren't just reading; we are *discipling* ourselves through the text.

If you feel like you are trying to tackle too many areas of your discipleship right now—maybe you’re trying to master the nuances of temple history, *and* prepare for a potential transfer, *and* write a whole chapter of personal testimony—I want to encourage you to pick *one* anchor point. What is the one thing, the one scripture, the one principle, that, if I lived by it today, would make me feel more like I'm walking with the Spirit?

It’s a quiet challenge, but it’s monumental. It’s the kind of foundational work that builds a life resilient enough to withstand the challenges of the field.

If this resonates with you, I highly recommend checking out the source material. It’s a great reminder that mastery isn't about volume; it's about depth.

A Small Challenge for the Week

As you reflect on this, I want to challenge you to pick just one scripture passage this week—maybe one you’ve been meaning to study more deeply—and commit to speaking *only* from that passage when discussing the Gospel with someone. Let that one verse be your guide. Let it be your 'Word to Live By.'

For those who are looking for more structured ways to deepen this, remember that the resources in LivingBook are incredible. If you’re interested in digging into specific doctrinal areas, I always recommend checking out the Social Scripture Study layer—it’s a wonderful way to see how others are applying principles.

If you’re feeling the call to connect with other disciples who are wrestling with similar questions, join us for our weekly Disciple Challenge! It’s a low-pressure way to practice articulating our testimonies and strengthen our understanding together.

Keep striving to be Christlike, my friends. Keep sharing the light. The work waits for no one.