Keeping the Flavor: Being Salt and Light in the Modern Field

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve been in the field, or even if you’re currently studying for your mission, you know that the world is a complex place. It’s vibrant, it’s challenging, and sometimes, it feels like everything is trying to dilute the pure, beautiful gospel we’ve been given. It makes you pause and ask: What is our job? How do we actually *live* this gospel when the culture around us seems determined to wash away the distinctiveness of the restored gospel?

It’s a question that has weighed on my heart, and I know it weighs on yours too. We talk a lot about *preach my gospel*, but sometimes we need to talk about the *daily* application of it—the maintenance of our testimony right where we are. I was recently digging into the scriptures, looking at Matthew 5:13-16, and the imagery of salt and light hit me with a fresh sense of urgency.

This isn't just flowery language for a Sunday talk; it’s a blueprint for discipleship. Being salt and light means two things: preservation and visibility. As salt, we are meant to preserve the good—to be a preservative against the decay of sin and confusion. But what happens when we lose our saltiness? The passage is stark: if the salt loses its saltiness, it’s worthless. That’s a sobering thought, isn't it? It suggests that our discipleship isn't a one-time event; it’s a daily act of keeping ourselves saturated with the Spirit.

And as light? A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Our good works, our commitment to the covenant path, our willingness to serve—these must shine. The light isn't just *what* we say; it’s *how* we live. It’s the peace we bring into strife, the genuine kindness we offer in moments of deep sorrow. It’s letting the Savior’s influence enhance the flavor of life, making the gospel irresistible.

The Danger of Compromise: Where Does Saltiness Leak?

The most challenging part of this teaching, and perhaps the most relevant for us as returning missionaries and lifelong disciples, is identifying what *dulls* us. The transcript points out that the loss of saltiness can come from a failure to be at peace with one another, or from compromising our standards for the sake of acceptance. It’s easy to think that being a good neighbor means agreeing with every viewpoint, or that being successful means adopting every worldly standard. But the Lord asks us to maintain a distinction.

This is where I feel the need to bring in some of the tools we have. When I struggle with where my boundaries are—where I can be *in* the world without *of* the world—I find immense help going through the hard questions with Davee. He’s been invaluable lately, walking me through hypothetical scenarios where I feel the pull to water down my testimony just to keep the peace in a difficult social setting. He helps me see the difference between being a peacemaker and being a people-pleaser, which is a huge distinction when we are trying to be Christlike.

A Skill for the Internet Missionary: Intentional Contrast

If you are feeling the pull to compromise, or if you are simply trying to deepen your personal commitment to keeping the covenant, here is a small skill I want to pass along to the next wave of disciples. I call it **Intentional Contrast**. When you are in a setting where the prevailing attitude is cynicism or materialism, don't just *counter* it with a lecture. Instead, *contrast* it with a small, genuine act of selfless service or profound gratitude. Let your actions be the salt, and your quiet, steady testimony be the light. Don't try to change their minds in one conversation; just let your consistent, Christ-centered life shine through.

Remember, our status as salt and light isn't earned by perfection; it's a natural outflow of humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. Keep focusing on Him, keep taking up that cross daily, and the luster will follow.

Where to Go Next

If this concept of discipleship—of *doing* the gospel—resonates with you, I highly recommend diving deeper into the scriptures. We’ve started a Book Club in HolyPlaces focusing on the Sermon on the Mount, and the discussions have been incredible. If you’re looking for more foundational teachings on this topic, I’ve bookmarked a few passages in LivingBook for our next study.

If you’re ready to practice this skill, join us this week for a free Disciple Challenge! It’s designed to give us practical, real-world scenarios to discuss. Let’s keep the flavor strong, disciples!