The Power of Showing Up: Learning from the Empty Tomb

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in a room where everyone is whispering doubts, or maybe you’ve been studying scripture alone in the quiet of your own heart, you know that feeling of needing solid testimony. It’s the kind of feeling that makes you want to grab a friend, or maybe even a district leader, and just talk it out until the Spirit settles the dust.

We often think that to have a strong testimony, we need a massive, visible miracle—a heavenly spotlight shining on our efforts. We think we need the 'internet camera' to capture the moment, right? But sometimes, the most profound moments of the gospel are those that happened out of sight, moments that required an act of faith simply because the Lord *said* it was true.

I was recently studying John 20, and I kept circling back to the details. The disciples were gathered, "for fear of the Jews." They were scared. They were huddled together, maybe whispering doubts to one another, paralyzed by what they thought they knew versus what they were actually facing. Jesus walks in, and the first thing He says is, “Peace be with you.”

The Peace That Cuts Through Fear

Think about that contrast. They are gathered in fear, and He brings peace. That’s the work, isn't it? The gospel isn't just a set of doctrines; it's a tangible, palpable peace that cuts through the anxiety of the world—the anxiety of doubt, the anxiety of the unknown, the anxiety of the coming challenges.

The sermon I was listening to recently highlighted something crucial: the resurrection wasn't captured on film. Nobody saw it happen. But plenty of people *saw* the resurrected Jesus. They saw Him appear to Mary, they saw Him walk the roads, they saw Him minister to His disciples. The reality of the Atonement, the reality of Christ’s sacrifice, was so potent that it could not be contained by the darkness of a tomb or the whispers of fear.

This is such a powerful reminder for us as we strive to be effective internet missionaries. We don't always get the perfect, dramatic moment where every question is answered with a flash of divine light. Sometimes, the work requires us to show up—to show up in the study group, to show up in the missionary discussions, to show up in the quiet moments of scripture study in HolyPlaces—even when we feel a little shaky ourselves. We have to walk through the doors, just like those disciples, and speak the truth of the gospel with the peace Christ gave.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: Embracing the Unseen

If you are feeling doubt creep in this week, or if you are preparing for a visit where the questions are going to be tough, remember the disciples. They were present, they were gathered, and they were scared. The Lord didn't wait for them to feel perfect; He met them *in* their fear. My skill this week is to name my fear out loud—to my companion, to my leader, or even to Davee—and then remember that the Spirit is stronger than the fear. Don't wait until you feel ready to share the gospel; share it *with* the feeling of being imperfectly ready.

The gospel is about faith in the unseen covenant. It’s about the sacrifice that paid the debt we couldn't pay. It’s about the promise that Christ rose, and that promise is the foundation for every single thing we teach.

If you want to dig deeper into the nature of faith and doubt, I highly recommend picking up a book by an Iron Rod author focusing on the Atonement. Check out the LivingBook and see if there’s a relevant study guide or a Book Club option popping up. Let’s keep building up our knowledge together.

If you’re feeling the call to deepen your personal study, consider joining a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. It’s a wonderful way to keep the momentum going, whether you're pre-missionary or a seasoned returned missionary.