When the Field Feels Distant: Finding Our Foundation When We Cannot See the Sun Rise

Fellow disciples, if you're anything like me, there are days when the work feels less like a glorious calling and more like a long, uphill walk in the fog. Maybe the transfers are slow, the comps are hard to schedule, or perhaps you're simply in a season where the Spirit feels quiet—the kind of quiet that makes you question if the path is even there.

I remember a time, right after returning from an intense block of missionary discussions, when I felt utterly depleted. I felt like I was trying to run a marathon on a week's worth of sleep. I was doing all the right things—studying, calling, praying—but I was also deeply, profoundly shaken. I felt the weight of the entire gospel resting on my shoulders, and I wasn't sure if I could hold it all up.

It was during one of those quiet moments, wrestling with those feelings of inadequacy, that I was reminded of a powerful truth found in Psalm 16:8. It’s a declaration of unshakable trust: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

This song, “Not Shaken,” really hit me because it captures that exact tension—the struggle between what we *feel* and what we *know* to be true. The lyrics speak to being lost, being afraid, and needing a light when the other side is not clearly visible. It's a perfect anthem for any of us who are currently operating as Internet missionaries.

The Discipleship of Choice

Being a disciple anywhere, all the time, means that our mission field isn't confined to a geographical area; it's in the quiet corners of our hearts, our families, and our personal struggles. Sometimes, the biggest challenge isn't the investigator who asks the hard question, but the disciple who has to ask it of himself: *“Am I choosing to believe, even when I cannot feel the Spirit?”*

The lesson here is that faith is not a feeling; it is a choice. It is the active decision to trust in the covenants we have made, even when the mountains shake and the waters roar. It is remembering that God is sovereign over all creation, regardless of our circumstances.

How to Keep Our Foundation Solid

When we feel ourselves in a personal wilderness—whether that's dealing with doubt, professional setbacks, or simply exhaustion—where do we turn? We turn to the resources and the fellowship the Lord has provided.

• Use the Tech: Don't let the feeling of isolation make you feel alone. Use the HolyPlaces Book Club or join a Bible Study Group. The social scripture study layer in LivingBook is a beautiful reminder that we are all learning together.
• Ask the Hard Questions: If you are struggling with a doctrinal point or a challenging personal situation, remember to lean on Davee. His AI Investigator role is invaluable for walking you through those hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you formulate answers rooted in the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel.
• Study the Foundations: I recommend spending time with the scriptures, particularly those passages that remind us of God's faithfulness through the wilderness. If you need a deep dive, consider picking up a book from the Iron Rod authors, which often provides incredible insight into scripture-discipleship.

Remember, we are not meant to walk through the trials alone. We have the power of the Spirit, the support of our district leaders, and the eternal covenant of the priesthood to sustain us. We are taught to believe even when we cannot hear the voice.

A Final Encouragement

If you feel shaky this week, know that you are not alone. Every returned missionary, every lifelong disciple, and every internet missionary has been there. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. He is our foundation. He is our constant. He will work it together somehow.

If you are looking for a way to deepen your study and connect with other disciples, I highly encourage you to sign up for a free weekly Disciple Challenge. Let’s keep moving forward, together, anchored by the faith that will not be moved.