Keeping the Line Clear: Understanding True Devotion in the Field

Brothers and sisters, sometimes the questions we encounter in the field—whether in a missionary discussion, during a Book Club session, or even in our quiet moments of personal study—can touch on the deepest parts of what it means to worship. It’s natural to feel a pull toward reverence, to honor those we love or those who have guided us. But as returned missionaries, we know that the most sacred devotion we can offer is the purest, most direct one.

I was recently reflecting on a powerful Q&A session that came out of a mission trip in Kenya. The topic that came up—the question of venerating saints, angels, and Mary—really struck a chord with me. It’s a perfect example of how easily, even when we mean well, we can get tangled up in the *how* of devotion rather than the *who* of our ultimate focus.

Listening to the discussions, it was a powerful reminder, echoing what we learn in our Preach My Gospel studies: the line must always be clear. When the speakers referenced scripture like Deuteronomy 34:4—the Lord whose name is jealous—it wasn't just about legalism; it was about recognizing the unique, singular focus of our covenants with Heavenly Father. It’s about keeping the honor we give Him distinctly separate from any other source of reverence.

The Focus is the Godhead

What really resonated was the consistent thread woven through the answers: our reverence, our worship, must be directed to the Father, and through Him, to the Son. The scriptures repeatedly guide us back to this singular source. If we are going to be effective internet missionaries, or if we are preparing for our own mission prep, we need to be crystal clear on this principle.

Remember that being a disciple means understanding that every member of the Church, every baptized Latter-day Saint, is a saint—a child of God. That title isn't reserved for a select few; it’s a gift to all who are born again by the Spirit. This understanding should fuel our desire to teach others about the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the restored gospel.

It makes me think about the power of simple, direct discipleship. It’s not about complex rituals; it’s about the Spirit guiding us to the truth found in the scriptures, whether we are studying in a HolyPlaces Book Club or simply sharing a testimony with a friend.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Field: Redirecting Reverence

Here’s a little skill I’ve picked up that I hope helps you out in your own missionary discussions. If you find yourself or a friend getting bogged down in secondary forms of reverence, practice the gentle redirection. Instead of debating the doctrine, gently pivot back to the source. You might say something like, “That’s a beautiful sentiment, and I appreciate the thought. When I read about that, what always brings my focus back is the Atonement of Jesus Christ—that’s the source of all our blessings.” It keeps the conversation rooted in the core gospel message.

The Spirit is our greatest guide, and sometimes the Spirit speaks through the clarity of doctrine. We are called to be disciples everywhere, all the time. This means our devotion—our *worship*—is always pointing upward to our Heavenly Father and our Savior.

I encourage you to watch this full Q&A to see the depth of these discussions for yourself:

As you continue your discipleship journey, don't let the complexities of cultural or doctrinal questions distract you from the simple, beautiful truth: Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. If you want to dig deeper into the scriptures and practice this kind of doctrinal clarity, I highly recommend looking into the minor prophets. The LivingBook has some excellent resources that can help deepen your understanding of scripture-discipleship.

If you’re feeling the call to deepen your personal study, join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let’s keep learning together!