Following the Covenant: Finding Our Guiding Principles in the Eternal Work

Sometimes, the simplest decisions—like who gets the fun new accessory—can feel like a moral dilemma. We look to our friends, our culture, or sometimes, even just our own gut feeling, to decide what is right. But what happens when the 'rules' seem to conflict, or when we need a deeper, unchanging guide?

Recently, I was digging into some material about ancient religious traditions, and it really struck a chord with me. It made me think about what anchors *us*—us disciples of the restored gospel—when the world throws conflicting ideas our way. It’s easy to get caught up in the 'what ifs' of the day, but the foundation we stand on—the covenant—is what keeps us steady.

The lesson I encountered highlighted how Judaism, for example, centered its life around a foundational promise, a covenant, and sacred texts like the Torah. They had a clear moral code, a guide for living that was passed down through generations. It wasn't just a collection of old stories; it shaped their daily life, from their celebrations to their deepest beliefs about one God.

It got me thinking about our own covenant path. We are heirs to the greatest covenant ever made—the covenant between God and those who follow the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Our guide isn't just one book, though the scriptures are our most precious treasures. Our guide is the ongoing revelation that helps us understand and live the principles of the restored gospel.

This reminds me of the core principle we always preach: that every member can be an internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time. We don't need to be in a specific building or even in a specific location to live by the covenants. We can study, we can teach, we can bear testimony, and we can invite others to learn about the restored gospel.

If you’ve been feeling a bit adrift lately, or if you’re preparing for those tough missionary discussions, I encourage you to revisit the concept of the covenant. What is *your* guiding principle right now? Is it the Atonement? Is it the Plan of Salvation? Is it the power of the Spirit? Pinpointing that central truth helps everything else fall into place.

This week, I want us to focus on strengthening our understanding of the principles of the gospel. If you haven't already, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod authors. They do a phenomenal job of unpacking these foundational truths. For a deeper dive into comparative religion and how foundational beliefs shape modern life, I found this video illuminating:

As we continue to study the deep roots of faith—whether it’s the Torah, the covenants of the Hebrews, or the sacred covenants we keep with our Heavenly Father—we realize that true discipleship is about living by established, eternal principles. It’s about making sure our personal guide is always pointed toward Christ.

A Little Prep Skill for Our Rogue Disciples

Here’s a small missionary preparation thought for you this week: Think of one core commandment (like honoring your parents, or keeping your word) and brainstorm three different, modern, non-obvious ways you can actively *live* that commandment in your daily life. Don't just *think* about it; *do* it. That’s how we build the muscle memory for discipleship!

If you want to keep this momentum going, please join our next Disciple Challenge! It's a low-stakes, high-reward way to build spiritual momentum together. Check the link in the community tab for details.

Let's keep studying, let's keep inviting, and let's keep building Zion, one principle at a time. The Lord is doing great things through His disciples.