Recently, I have been writing about how BYU-Pathway Worldwide , Skep Foundation students, and early career professionals can leverage Linkedin to expand their professional connections. I have since then received messages from students and people who want to know how to approach Networking on this platform or anywhere else.

One student asked me how he can network with executives and business professionals who are primarily in a position to offer people training, mentorship, and job opportunities. Please take a look at the attached message. Though it is in French, the student needed to understand my approach. This question didn't take me off guard because I have approached networking strategically and learned how to network with people. So networking for me needs to be understood if anyone wants to do it well.

As I mentioned before, there are people I have learned networking skills, including Ammon from the Book of Mormon. One might wonder what Ammon would be doing with Networking or why he would be networking, seeing that he lived in a different time than us, more than 2000 years ago. Still, the truth is that the idea of Networking is ancient. We all have longed for professional growth and connection in one way or the other.

It was even more pronounced in the time of Ammon because the story I want to use to illustrate Ammons's networking prowess happened during the time he went to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites, who were lost from the right ways and became wicked, which meant he would need people, and seize opportunities to survive on that trip—a little background on the story.

In Alma 17, we read the story of Ammon and his brothers, who were the sons of Mosiah, who had rejected the kingdom of their fathers and had chosen to preach the word of God among the Lamanites." Ammon was particularly zealous and determined to convert the Lamanites, despite its danger to his life, so he chose to go to the land of Ishmael, where a king named Lamoni was the ruler.

When Ammon arrived in Ishmael, he was arrested, bound, and taken to King Lamoni, who was known to be a cruel ruler. Well, King Lamoni, for reasons best known to him, decided to release Ammon and offered to give Ammon his daughter for marriage. Still, Ammon rejected that offer and chose to be the King's servant to work to the top and gain the King's favor.

Ammon was then asked to work with the King's servant as a shepherd, caring for and protecting the King's flocks from some Lamanite bandits bent on scattering and stealing the King's herds. On one occasion, after the bandits scattered the flocks and left the King's servant to despair, Ammon saw an opportunity to show his talents and skills and probably win the trust of the other servants and, extension, the Lamanite King. He used his physical strength and abilities to protect and reassemble the flocks and win their trust. He then convinced the servants to bring him to their King, which they did.

When Ammon met with the King, he impressed Lamoni with his bravery, humility, and Skills, and Lamoni eventually granted him an audience. Through his preaching and miracles, Ammon converted Lamoni and many of his people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, gaining the unshakable trust of King Lamoni and all his household that even when the father to King Lamoni asked him to reject him, he refused because he understood the quality of service Ammon provided him.

What can we learn from Ammon about networking and building connections?

Networking is about building trust, which has influenced my approach. Like Ammon, the main goal of Networking is to make a mutual connection where everyone involved can solve each other's problems, and that's where the problem is. Most students and young professionals think they have nothing to offer those business executives or HR professionals. After all, they have it figured out, but that is untrue. Those executives understand that everyone has something to offer. They will only connect with you for that reason, and that is why, even when they want to connect with you, they first offer you something to show that the connection would be mutual and not parasitic.

If that is the case, why is it that when you, as a student or young professional, want to connect, you don't think it is necessary to bring something reasonable to the table of "mutual networking."

For example, I recently got a connection request from a C-suite executive, who offered me a bite or a reason why I needed to connect in the connection request I attached above. That is the same approach used by Ammon with the Lamanite King in the story I told earlier. You may need to build a network of mutual connections with anyone you are connecting with to be doing it right. You may ask, what do I have to offer? Well, you have a lot to offer—your skills, training, suggestions, solutions, selfless service, openings for opportunities, and so many more.

Another thing I want to point out is that Networking is a spiritual experience, and just like Ammon, one needs to use a combination of instincts and spiritual promptings to succeed in Networking. One needs help more outstanding than theirs to build quality connections; that help or direction can only come from God.

Finally, to be able to offer a bit in your networking endeavors, you will need to build your skills. The same skills will give employers a reason to bring you on board. You may only succeed in Networking if you have the skills, talents, and training that will enable you to do the job when they are offered.

Ammon's example teaches us the importance of being genuine, building our talents, serving others, and building meaningful connections in our personal and professional lives.