He wore the name tag. He knocked on doors. He said the words.

But Elder Smith didn't really know the person he was talking about.

Learning to Walk with Him is the story of a young man who left for Japan not fully believing, and slowly discovered that the Savior he was supposed to be teaching others about wanted to be his friend first.

Through five hard-earned lessons, this book invites missionaries, returned missionaries, and young people everywhere to stop thinking of Jesus Christ as a distant figure of history and start knowing Him as the closest friend you will ever have.

He is not waiting for you to be worthy enough. He is not keeping score. He is walking beside you right now, waiting for you to notice.

The five lessons inside:You never know who you will touch. Many seeds sprout long after a missionary has gone home. The Lord is still working even when you cannot see it.
You are sent where you are sent for a reason. Mission calls and area transfers are inspired. The purpose is often invisible until later, but it is never accidental.
Keep the Savior's life and ministry as your focus. The noise of metrics and expectations can drown out what actually matters. Stay anchored to Him.
Do not underestimate the power of prayer and the Lord's love for you. He sees you. He knows you. He is not distant.
Baptisms are not the focus. The Savior's love is. The Lord does not need your mission to be statistically impressive. He needs it to be spiritually faithful.

These lessons apply whether you are thriving or barely hanging on. Whether you baptize fifty people or none. Whether you serve for two years, eighteen months, or come home earlier than expected.

Your mission still matters. The Lord measures your offering, not your timeline.

Ken Smith served as a missionary in the Japan Fukuoka Mission from 1991 to 1993. He left uncertain. He came home changed. Learning to Walk with Him is his first book.