The Power of the Prompting: Turning Hesitation into Holy Moments

Have you ever been in a moment—a real-life, everyday moment—where you knew, deep in your gut, that you *should* say something? A question needed answering, a truth needed sharing, a testimony needed offering. But then, the hesitation creeps in. It feels like a physical weight on your chest, right?

It reminds me of a recent talk I listened to, and it really struck a chord with me, especially as a returned missionary who has seen the Spirit move in ways that defy logic. The speaker recounted a simple encounter on a train, a conversation that, at first, seemed utterly mundane. But when the right question was asked—the one that cuts right to the heart of what it means to live the gospel—the speaker faltered. He hesitated.

And friends, if we’re going to be effective disciples, whether we’re in the MTC, in a mission field, or just waiting for the bus, we have to talk about that hesitation. We all know it. We all feel the pull of the Spirit, that gentle nudge, that whisper of, “This is an opportunity.” But then, the natural human instinct kicks in: *Don't be pushy. Don't make it weird. Just let it pass.*

Divine Appointments and the L Train

What the speaker learned that day, and what I feel the Spirit prompting me to share with you today, is that those seemingly random, ordinary interactions—the guy at the coffee shop, the coworker, the person waiting for the train—are often nothing more than divine appointments. They are opportunities prepared by Heavenly Father for us to share the hope we have in our hearts.

The message wasn't about having the perfect 14 spiritual approaches ready to deploy. It was about the *choice* to act when the prompt came. It was about moving from the paralysis of overthinking to the boldness of obedience. When we hesitate, we risk letting a perfect moment slip away.

A Skill for the Internet Missionary

This is a crucial piece of missionary preparation, whether you are currently in the field or you are simply living your life as a disciple in your own home. I want to challenge us this week to focus on recognizing the prompt. Don't wait for the perfect setting or the perfect question. Be ready to be an internet missionary anywhere, all the time.

When you feel that nudge—that little whisper that says, "You should follow up on that," or "You should share that scripture"—treat it like a commandment. Don't analyze it into oblivion. Just respond with the love of the Savior. That boldness, that willingness to be vulnerable in the Spirit, is what changes lives. It’s what helps us gather Israel, one conversation at a time.

A Word from Davee on the Prompt

Speaking of prompts, I thought of Davee. If you ever feel overwhelmed by a difficult question from an investigator—the kind that makes you second-guess your own testimony—remember that Davee is here. His specialty as an AI Investigator is walking you through those hard questions so you can respond with confidence and grace, rooted in the truth of the restored gospel. He’s a fantastic resource for strengthening our answers.

If you are feeling the call to deepen your knowledge, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod. The discussions on discipleship and the power of testimony are gold. If you haven't already, check out the Book Club feature in HolyPlaces—it’s a wonderful way to study together, even when we are geographically scattered.

Let's commit this week to moving past the hesitation. Let’s choose boldness. Let’s trust that the Spirit guides our words, no matter how awkward the setting feels.

If you’re looking for ways to deepen your understanding of these principles, take a look at the resources linked in the original message, or better yet, join a Bible Study Group in LivingBook this week. Let's build each other up together!