The Unfolding Plan: Finding Jesus in the Forest of Life

There are moments in the journey—moments that feel like stumbling upon a hidden workshop in the woods—where the Spirit guides us to something profound. It’s not always a grand announcement or a formal lesson; sometimes, it’s just the intriguing scent of sawdust and the quiet hum of creation.

I was recently reflecting on a beautiful testimony, one that reminded me so much of the quiet unfolding of revelation. It spoke of stumbling upon a workshop in the woods, a place filled with tools, supplies, and the palpable evidence of dedicated work. Curiosity, that wonderful, divine nudge, led the speaker and her friend to investigate.

What struck me immediately, as a fellow disciple who has spent time in the field and in the quiet moments of study, was the *authenticity* of the life being lived there. The speaker noted that the life reflected genuine kindness and goodness. That, my friends, is the core of the gospel we are called to share.

It’s easy to get caught up in the *what*—the doctrines, the scriptures, the policies. But the Spirit whispers about the *who*. It’s about the character revealed in the everyday act of service, the genuine desire to build and to teach. The speaker and her friends were invited to stay, not just as visitors, but as helpers, participating in the ongoing work.

The Power of Childlike Faith

As we navigate our own lives, whether we are in the MTC, preparing for transfers, or simply having a missionary discussion with a friend, we often feel the weight of our own knowledge or experience. We think we need to sound educated, perfectly prepared, or doctrinally flawless. But this testimony brings us back to a simple, powerful truth: "Lasciate stare i bambini e non impedite loro di venire a me, perché il regno dei cieli è di chi è come loro" (Matthew 19:14).

This isn't just a cute quote for a Sunday talk; it’s a blueprint for discipleship. It means approaching the Savior with the pure, unburdened trust of a child. It means being curious enough to ask, "What is this? How does this work?" without fear of judgment.

The beautiful part of this story is how the revelation unfolded—the man finished his project, and then he announced he had to go to fulfill a greater divine mandate. Sad, perhaps, but ultimately, glorious! His fame was growing, and the opportunity to hear his teachings and witness miracles was all around.

Being an Internet Missionary

This is where the "Internet missionary" concept clicks into place for me. We don't need to be in a physical field assignment to experience this. Our homes, our study groups, our online interactions—these are our fields. We are called to be disciples *anywhere, all the time*.

If you are feeling the weight of preparation right now, remember Abigail’s realization: "I am a follower of Jesus! I know I am only a little girl, but..." That recognition of humble calling, coupled with deep conviction, is magnetic. It draws people in, just like the workshop in the woods.

If you have children, nieces, nephews, or even just young cousins, this testimony is a gentle nudge. We are called to have the wisdom to present the Savior to them in a way that feels natural, inviting, and utterly real. We are called to be the gentle guide that points them toward the source of light.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Field

My little skill for you this week, as we continue our journey as rogue disciples, is to practice *curiosity over certainty*. When you are in a conversation, especially one that feels challenging or complex, instead of immediately offering the "correct" answer, pause. Ask a clarifying, genuinely curious question. For example, instead of correcting a misunderstanding, try asking, "Help me understand what you mean by that?" This models the openness that allows the Spirit to guide the conversation, just as Abigail did.

The work is always unfolding. Sometimes we just need to be curious enough to follow the thread of goodness until it leads us right to the Savior.

If you want to deepen this feeling of inspired learning, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod. There are some wonderful passages on the nature of revelation that will resonate with this feeling of discovery. If you’d like to discuss this further, join our next Book Club session in HolyPlaces, or feel free to bring your questions to Davee for an AI Investigator session!