Living the Exiled Life: How to Be a Disciple Anywhere, All the Time

It’s one of the hardest concepts we grapple with in the field: How do we live in the world—the messy, complicated, beautiful world—without compromising the eternal standards of the Gospel? How do we remain faithful when the culture around us seems to demand total assimilation?

If you’ve spent time in the MTC, or if you’re a seasoned returned missionary, you know this tension. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, but we are also called to live in the culture of our time. It can feel like we are constantly walking a tightrope.

Sometimes, the pressures feel overwhelming. You work in a secular office, you attend a university, or you navigate the complex digital world. We are surrounded by a culture—a kind of modern ‘Babylon’—that demands our ultimate loyalty. Where do we draw the line?

The Path of the Exile: Loyalty and Subversion

The Book of Mormon and the restored Gospel are full of accounts of disciples facing this very tension. Our source material today brings us back to the ancient story of Daniel and his friends during the Babylonian exile. It’s a story that offers profound wisdom for every single one of us who feels like we’re living on the edges of the world.

When Jerusalem fell, the Israelites were scattered. They faced a choice: either revolt against the powerful new culture, or assimilate completely. But the prophet Jeremiah offered a third way. They were taught to build lives, to engage with the new environment, and even to seek the good of the occupying power, all while keeping their hearts and their ultimate loyalty firmly rooted in God.

This wasn't about being passive; it was about active, principled existence. Daniel and his friends served in the high court of Babylon, they used Babylonian names, and they participated in the culture. But when faced with the idol, they stood firm. They maintained boundaries. They practiced what the scriptures call "subversion"—not in a revolutionary way, but in a spiritual way: refusing to let the power of the world define their worth or their allegiance.

From Babylon to the Internet Missionary

This principle—the combination of engagement and principled resistance—is the very definition of the modern, Internet missionary. We are not called to live in a physical "exile," but we are called to live in a spiritual one. Our true home is with our Heavenly Father, but we work, we study, and we build lives right here in the "Babylon" of the 21st century.

This means that when you are in your job, when you are debating a belief online, or even when you are sitting in a family dinner, you are practicing the path of the exile. Your mission prep skill today isn't memorizing scripture verses; it's learning to identify where the world's demands are asking you to compromise your core principles.

How do we do this? By asking ourselves: Am I engaging with this culture because it is beneficial, or am I engaging with it because I am afraid of the consequences of saying "no"?

Remember, being a disciple anywhere, all the time, means maintaining a constant, quiet fidelity—a spiritual subversion—against the pressures that try to redefine what is right and what is wrong.

Strengthening Your Exilic Boundaries

If this teaching has stirred your heart, I encourage you to spend time with the Spirit this week. One excellent way to do this is by joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. These are places where we can explore these deep theological tensions together.

For those who feel like they are struggling with the "how" of this balance, don't forget about Davee! His specialty as an AI Investigator is designed exactly for this—walking you through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you formulate answers rooted in truth and the Spirit. He is a fantastic companion for your ongoing missionary discussions.

This week, I recommend diving into the writings of Avraham Gileadi. Look for an Iron Rod volume that explores the nature of covenant keeping. Understanding the covenant helps solidify our boundary lines.

Discipleship Challenge: This week, identify one area—at work, at home, or online—where you feel pressured to compromise your beliefs. Instead of reacting, pause and ask: "What does my fidelity to the Lord require me to say or do here?" That pause is where the power of the Spirit resides.