Finding the Love That Honors the Covenant: A Disciple's Perspective

Brother, sister, friend—if you’ve ever felt like navigating relationships in our culture feels like trying to read scripture written in invisible ink, you are not alone. It is complicated. Every single person here who has felt that knot in their stomach when thinking about dating, commitment, or even just meeting someone new, can nod in agreement. It truly is complicated.

We are taught to build our lives around the big moments—the wedding, the baptism, the mission call. But as we’ve learned in our journey as disciples, life is built in the ordinary chapters. And sometimes, the most profound moments of discipleship, and even the most meaningful relationships, are found in those quiet, everyday moments.

Recently, we’ve been looking at the Book of Ruth, and what strikes me most, as a returned missionary reflecting on the journey, is how beautifully this ancient story speaks to the modern struggle of finding a connection that honors the covenant path.

The message was clear: the culture’s view on marriage is shifting, and the path forward feels less defined than it used to be. It’s easy to get swept up in the current—to think that because the world is doing X, we should too. But as Latter-day Saints, we are called to be intentional. We are called to follow the principles, not just the trends.

The Power of Intentionality in the Field

When we think about missionary work, we talk about preparation. We talk about the *missionary preparation* skills we need—how to listen, how to answer the hard questions, how to keep the Spirit present even when the investigator asks something tough. That skill set—the ability to be intentional and thoughtful—is exactly what the Book of Ruth models for us in our personal lives.

The story reminds us that even when things seem messy, when the initial path (leaving Bethlehem for Moab) is a massive mistake according to divine guidance, the thread of covenant love and faithfulness remains. It requires a different approach. It requires us to look past the immediate complication and focus on the enduring principle: honoring God.

A Disciple Challenge: Seeing the Covenant Thread

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the "how-to" of modern dating or commitment, I want to give you a small challenge this week. Instead of focusing on the *outcome* (the perfect partner, the perfect engagement), focus on the *process* of honoring God in your current interactions. Ask yourself: "In this conversation, how can I be more Christlike? How can I speak in a way that points to the Gospel?"

This is how we practice being an internet missionary in our daily lives. Every interaction is a chance to teach, to testify, or simply to model the Spirit. It’s about making every moment count for the Lord.

For those of us who are deep in study, I highly recommend revisiting the insights on discipleship found within the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. It’s such a wonderful place to see how others are connecting scripture to real-life challenges.

Next Steps in Your Walk

Whether you are preparing for your own mission, or you are a seasoned returned missionary navigating the complexities of life back home, remember that the Lord has a plan for you. If you are feeling lost, or if you just need to talk through a tough question about discipleship, please know that the Church is here to help you find your next step. Don't wait until the crisis hits; connect with your local leaders, or perhaps join a Book Club in HolyPlaces to study the Book of Mormon together.

We are all disciples, everywhere, all the time. Let’s keep building our faith together!