When the Field Needs Us to See the Unseen Harm

Sometimes, when we are out in the field—whether it’s knocking on doors, holding a Bible study, or even just having a quiet missionary discussion with a friend—the darkness we encounter feels personal, contained to one neighborhood, or one conversation. It feels manageable.

But the scale of what we are called to address, the scope of the challenges facing our world, can be staggering. It can feel overwhelming, leaving us wondering, “Where do we even begin?”

This week, I was struck by a testimony I saw shared online. It wasn't about temple attendance or ward boundaries; it was about the sheer, unimaginable scale of suffering in the digital realm. Hearing someone speak about the scope of online exploitation—the sheer number, the persistent nature of the harm—it forces you to pause and recalibrate your vision of what “the work” actually entails.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the immediate, tangible needs right outside our door. We are taught to be diligent, to be prepared, to be *present*. And we are. But this testimony, and the discussion around it, forces us to remember that being a disciple means being an internet missionary, a disciple everywhere, all the time.

The Scope of the Work: Seeing the Invisible

When Tim Tebow testified, the sheer data—the red dot map, the numbers—was designed to shock the conscience and demand action. It wasn't just about a few bad apples; it was about systemic capacity failure. It was about the invisible, pervasive nature of the danger.

As we study the scriptures and prepare for our own callings, we are constantly learning about the great and dying, about the gathering of Israel, and about the eternal nature of the Atonement. These are massive, seemingly abstract concepts. But the principle remains: when the problem is huge, our response must be diligent, organized, and Spirit-filled.

This is where our preparation needs to expand. It’s not just knowing the Book of Mormon verses; it’s knowing how to apply the principles of Christlike living to the hardest, most modern corners of life—the digital, the systemic, the hidden.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Disciple: Questioning the Scale

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the world's problems, remember this: Don't try to solve the whole problem in one conversation.

Instead, focus on making the next small connection, the next small shift in understanding. When you are in a missionary discussion, and the investigator brings up a massive, scary topic—be it global politics, or the scale of a modern crisis—don't get lost in the statistics. Gently pivot back to the core principle: Agency and the Plan of Salvation.

Ask, “What does the Savior’s gospel teach us about how we can exercise agency in *this* situation?” Keep it focused on the power of the Spirit and the truth found in the restored gospel. That’s your anchor.

My challenge to you this week, as we continue to build up our capacity to be disciples everywhere, is to look up one area of global or local need that feels too big to tackle. Then, find one scripture passage—maybe through a Book Club study in HolyPlaces—that speaks directly to the power of faith in the face of overwhelming odds. Let that scripture be your focus, not the problem itself.

We are the rogue disciples, called to be everywhere. Let's keep studying, let's keep sharing the light, and let’s keep lifting each other up as we prepare for the days ahead.

If you want to practice wrestling with difficult questions in a safe space, I highly recommend checking out Davee. He’s been working on some excellent scenarios for the AI Investigator role this week. It’s a great way to hone those responses before you’re actually in the field.

For deeper study, I’ve been revisiting some foundational texts on discipleship. If you haven't, check out the latest readings on covenant keeping in LivingBook—it really helps ground the big ideas in personal commitment.