Learning from the Edges: What the Old Testament Teaches Us About Progressing in the Gospel

Brothers and sisters, sometimes the scriptures present us with stories that make us stop scrolling, pause our study, and maybe even feel a little unsettled. When we’re studying the record of the Old Testament, we are often confronted with actions—actions that, to our modern sensibilities, are profoundly difficult to reconcile with the perfect goodness of our Father.

Take the story of Lot and his daughters. The questions surrounding it—why did Lot offer up his daughters? Why did God allow these events to occur?

These are the kinds of deep, hard questions that keep us digging into the scriptures, aren't they? It’s natural to feel confusion, even frustration, when the narrative seems to wander into moral quicksand. But as returned missionaries, and as disciples learning to navigate the complexities of the gospel, we know that the record is never given to confuse us; it is given to *teach* us. It is a pattern of divine pedagogy.

We are taught in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that the record of the Old Testament is for an “example.” This means God gives us the whole truth—the failures, the temptations, the moments of weakness—so that we can learn how to keep moving forward in the covenant path. We can learn the easy way by diligent study, but we can also learn the hard way by watching the mistakes of others, taking heed to their falls.

When we examine Lot, we see a man who was positioned in a place of privilege, one who had experienced the light of the gospel truth through his lineage, yet he backslid. He moved to Sodom, not because he was forced, but because he *chose* to settle there, to "sit in the gate." That simple act speaks volumes about the gradual erosion of covenants and the allure of the world.

The lesson here isn't about condoning the sin, but understanding the *process* of falling away. Lot’s actions, whether in offering his daughters or later losing control due to intoxication, illustrate what happens when we allow the world's culture to dictate our moral compass, even when we know better. It shows us the danger of complacency.

The Disciple's Lens: Focus on the Pattern, Not the Pitfall

As we study these challenging passages, our job as disciples, and as potential internet missionaries, is to shift our focus. We must look past the scandalous details and focus on the principle: Discipleship requires constant vigilance.

What does this mean practically? It means recognizing the subtle ways we might "sit in the gate" of the world—the subtle compromises, the moments of distraction, the things we accept as normal because they are convenient. It means remembering that our covenants are not a one-time transaction; they are a daily commitment to keep our will aligned with the Spirit.

When we go into missionary discussions, or when we are studying for our own lives, we aren't just reciting verses; we are learning to *apply* the eternal principles. We are learning to be Christlike in the small moments, the moments when no one is watching, and no one is grading us.

This is where the power of the Spirit comes in. The Spirit doesn't just whisper truth when things are easy; He helps us recognize the subtle whispers of temptation when we are weary or distracted. He guides us back to the covenants.

If you are feeling the pull toward deeper study, I highly recommend diving into the LivingBook. Check out the Social Scripture Study layer—highlighting a passage and seeing what insights others have shared can sometimes provide the perspective you need to reframe a difficult concept. Or, if you prefer guided discussion, join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. We can process these difficult passages together!

For those of you who are preparing for the field, remember this: Your testimony is your shield. It is the unwavering knowledge of the restored gospel that will keep you from the compromises Lot made. Keep building that testimony!

If you want to wrestle with these difficult questions in a safe, guided environment, I encourage you to utilize Davee. He is excellent at walking through the hard "what if" questions an investigator might ask, helping us formulate answers rooted in eternal doctrine.

Let's keep gathering Israel, not just with our feet, but with our understanding, always striving to be better disciples today than we were yesterday. The work is eternal, and our learning must be too.

In the Spirit,

A Fellow Disciple