I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ vs. I Will Be

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” 3 Nephi 5:13 starts off with this powerful statement from Mormon. “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” I will continue to be in the future, but I already am. Imagine if every missionary of Jesus Christ could impeccably say these words going into the MTC, or into the mission field. How would this change the effect these missionaries could have? How much further could they grow on their missions?

Missionary service for young men in the Church is expected of them as a priesthood responsibility. Some good young men may feel pressured into serving before they are completely ready to serve. In turn, they may feel angry, fearful, and even confused as to why they are there when they enter the MTC. In other circumstances, missionaries sincerely want to serve a mission, but may need to make some changes in order to be ready to serve a mission. Oftentimes, there is a shared sentiment that “a mission will change me.” This in and of itself is not the full truth. This is because we are creatures of habit. Just as “the same spirit [that possesses our] bodies at the time that [we] go out of this life . . . will have power to possess [our bodies] in the eternal world,” (Alma 34:34) the same spirit (level of conversion) that we have before our missions will possess us the day we enter the MTC. Being set apart as a missionary is not a magical event that changes our desires. Don’t get me wrong! We can change and become “a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord,” but we have to “[yield] to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.” (Mosiah 3:19) In other words, it is a process.

I remember my grandpa explaining an exciting principle to me as I was preparing to receive my mission call. He explained that in the same verse that Mormon is called to declare the word of God among his people, he states, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” He went on to tell me that Mormon didn’t say “I will be a disciple of Jesus Christ;” he already was. This is what made him so powerful, as well as every other powerful missionary in the world. When we decide either before, during, or after our missions that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and that’s just the way we live, we “wax strong in the spirit,” (Mosiah 18:26) and become powerful missionaries, experiencing great joy! (D&C 18:13-16) In my opinion, the greatest joy! This is why I have decided to write this blog/podcast. My intent: to offer suggestions that will help some of you rely more heavily on Christ, experience repentance, and become disciples of Jesus Christ, even before you enter the MTC. That is my hope!

– Zander Coombs