When the Wilderness Calls: Finding Our Exodus in the Work

Sometimes, the biggest revelations about the Lord don't happen in the comfort of a seminary classroom or during a smooth missionary discussion. They happen when we are deep in the wilderness—when we are faced with the unscripted, the confusing, and the overwhelming.

If you’ve ever felt like your own version of the Promised Land is still a long way off, or if you’re struggling with what to do after a big change—a transfer, a move, a life transition—you know that feeling. It feels like a journey through the desert.

The power of the narrative in Exodus, the story of Israel leaving Egypt, isn't just about the Red Sea. It's about the divine call itself. Think about Moses. He wasn't called from a place of comfort; he was called from obscurity, from the very place he was supposed to be safe. He was thrust into the incredible, confusing, and utterly transformative work.

As Latter-day Saints, we know that our lives are often a series of mini-Exodus moments. We are continually called out of our personal “Egypts”—the comfort zones, the habits, the assumptions—and into the field, into the challenging, beautiful work of discipleship. This is where the Spirit doesn't just whisper; it roars, calling us to action.

The core lesson from this sacred story, which we can see echoed in the divine guidance through the Audio Bible, is that we never have to face the wilderness alone. The Lord provides the guidance, the companionship, and the conviction.

The Companion in the Desert: Finding Divine Guidance

When we talk about being an Internet missionary, we are talking about carrying the light of the gospel into every corner of the digital world. And sometimes, that feels just as daunting as crossing the Red Sea. We might be faced with complex questions, difficult cultural misunderstandings, or people who seem determined to reject the message of Christ.

This is where our preparation and our community come into play. If you're gearing up for your own mission, or if you're a returned missionary who now feels the call to be a disciple in your own neighborhood, remember the principle of companionship. The Lord doesn't call us to walk alone.

Leveraging the Spirit in Your Disciple Life

The best way to navigate the unknowns of the field is to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in the Spirit. This isn't just feeling good; it's an active, persistent readiness to feel the Lord's prompting, even when the evidence is contradictory. This is the skill we practice every time we prepare for missionary discussions, or every time we counsel a friend through a difficult life choice.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’ And Moses said unto the Lord, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel?’” (Exodus 3:11)

Moses’ initial response is so relatable: “Who am I?” We all feel that way. We look at the vastness of the work and feel inadequate. But the Lord doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. He gives us the strength, the words, and the wisdom we need in that moment.

If you are feeling the call to deepen your knowledge of the scriptures, I highly recommend dipping back into the principles of the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants. These books are full of these dramatic, divinely guided journeys. For a great, focused study, check out the Book Club feature in LivingBook. It's an incredible way to use the Social Scripture Study layer and connect with other disciples.

We are all called to be disciples anywhere, all the time. Let’s commit today to not fear the wilderness, but to trust the Spirit that guides us through it.

Keep yourselves humble, keep yourselves diligent, and keep yourselves focused on the Savior. We are doing this together!