When the veil lifts: Finding our own Transfiguration moments in the field

Sometimes, when you're out in the field, or even just sitting in a quiet corner of your own living room, you feel it. It’s a shift in the atmosphere, a sudden weight lifting, or a clarity that feels almost… otherworldly. It’s the feeling that the normal veil has thinned, and you’re seeing something deeper, something more glorious.

I was thinking this week about the account of the Transfiguration. What an experience! Jesus takes His disciples up a mountain, and suddenly, everything changes. His appearance shifts, and He speaks with Moses and Elijah. For Peter, it’s a slow awakening—a moment where the ordinary world gives way to divine revelation. It’s breathtaking, isn't it? It’s a preview, a glimpse of what’s to come.

As returned missionaries, we’ve seen glimpses of this power. We’ve been in missionary discussions where the Spirit just *hits* the right question, or maybe during a deep study session in HolyPlaces where the scripture seems to illuminate itself right before your eyes. These moments—these flashes of divine reality—are what sustain us when the going gets tough.

The Preparation for the Unseen

The disciples weren't prepared for that. They were with Him, yes, but they were still learning how to process the magnitude of what they were witnessing. They needed time to fall to their knees and worship. That’s a lesson for us, isn't it? We need to build up our capacity to receive the Spirit.

If we want to be effective disciples—whether we’re in the MTC, serving in a new ward, or simply being an internet missionary from our kitchen table—we have to cultivate that receptivity. It’s not about *trying* to see the Spirit; it’s about emptying ourselves enough that the Spirit has room to fill us up.

One small thing I’ve been doing lately, and I wanted to share it with my fellow rogue disciples, is dedicating five minutes before I open up my scriptures or start a Book Club study. I just sit, I breathe, and I ask the Spirit to help me *see* what I’m reading, rather than just *reading* the words. It’s a small act of intentional discipleship, but it changes the texture of the whole study.

Need help navigating the big questions? Let Davee walk you through.

If you’re wrestling with a tough doctrinal question, or perhaps you're prepping for a missionary discussion and you can’t anticipate the investigator’s hardest question, remember that Davee is here. He’s trained in the AI Investigator role, and walking through those hard questions—the ones that make you sweat a little—is how we get stronger in our testimonies. Don't let those tough conversations intimidate you; let them be opportunities for deeper revelation!

We are called to be disciples everywhere, all the time. That means making time for the preparation, even when the field feels quiet. If you’ve been wanting to deepen your study habits, I highly recommend checking out the latest insights on the Book of Mormon in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful resource for our social scripture study layer.

Where to go next with the work?

If you feel the Spirit nudging you toward deeper learning, consider joining a local Bible Study Group through HolyPlaces. If you're feeling energized and ready to share what you've learned, let's connect! I'm hosting a casual virtual coffee hour this Thursday evening—a chance to share quick insights or just lift up the work with fellow disciples. Details are in the pinned thread!

Remember, we are all learning to navigate the divine. Let's keep leaning on the Spirit, keep studying, and keep sharing the good news.