When the System Fails: Finding Your Voice When the Bureaucrats Get Involved

Sometimes, the biggest lessons about discipleship aren't found in quiet study groups or perfectly planned mission discussions. Sometimes, they are found when the world—or worse, the local administration—gets involved, and you realize that the only thing truly reliable is the Spirit guiding your own conscience.

I was recently watching a discussion about a teacher named Warren Smith. His story, and the subsequent virality of his thoughtful engagement with a contentious topic, was a powerful reminder that being a disciple isn't about having the perfect talking points or knowing every answer. It’s about the *process* of inquiry itself.

The Power of the Question, Not the Answer

Warren was challenged to think critically about deeply held, often emotionally charged, beliefs. The administrators, the systems, the 'consensus of the moment'—they all seemed to want him to tread lightly. They wanted him to ask permission to explore the unknown, or perhaps, to stick to the script.

But what did we learn from his experience? We learned that the most valuable thing he brought to the table wasn't a definitive answer; it was the *method* of questioning. It was the calm, intelligent pushback against accepting things simply because they are popular or because the rules are vague.

This resonates so deeply with what we strive for in our own discipleship journey. We are taught to be humble, to be teachable, to always seek the Spirit. But sometimes, being Christlike means having the intellectual courage to ask, "Wait, what are we assuming here?"

Being Christlike in the Field

As returned missionaries, we often feel like we’ve been given a playbook for the field. We know the key points of the Gospel, we know how to testify, and we know the importance of setting apart time for study. But life—and the Spirit—has a way of throwing curveballs that no training manual can prepare you for. You might find yourself in a conversation where the investigator pushes back not on doctrine, but on the *premises* of the discussion itself. Where do you go from there?

Warren’s experience taught him that genuine effort, genuine teaching, and genuine inquiry will not fail, no matter how many bureaucratic hurdles or social media storms blow through. It's about the internal commitment to truth.

The Internet Missionary Imperative

This is the core of it, isn't it? Our guiding principle as rogue disciples: every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.

Whether you are leading a Book Club on the nuances of the Book of Mormon in HolyPlaces, or whether you are having a difficult, deep-dive Bible Study Group with a friend over coffee, you are in a teaching moment. You are being asked to critically think, to analyze, and to defend the beautiful, simple truths of the restored gospel.

Don't wait for the perfect setting, the perfect permission slip, or the perfect platform. The opportunity to be a disciple is right where you are, right now. Be prepared to ask the hard questions, and more importantly, be prepared to listen to the thoughtful questions that come back to you.

If you want to practice this skill—the art of thoughtful, Spirit-led inquiry—I highly recommend checking out Davee. He’s fantastic at walking you through the tough questions an investigator might ask, giving you the tools to respond with grace and depth. It's perfect preparation for any missionary discussion, whether it's in the MTC or across the digital divide.

For those who want to deepen their study skills, I've been recommending the Iron Rod's insights on understanding the nature of revelation. If you haven't read it, it’s a must-read for anyone serious about moving beyond surface-level knowledge.

What are you doing this week to sharpen your critical thinking? Let’s keep the momentum going!