Looking Beyond Comfort: What Does True Discipleship Require?

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt that little tug—that quiet sense that something essential is missing from the way things are, or maybe even from the way *we* are doing things—you know the feeling. It’s the spiritual itch that keeps you reading, keeps you studying, keeps you coming back to the Book of Mormon.

It’s easy, isn't it, to get caught up in the current culture, to let the pursuit of comfort and personal success become the main focus of our faith. We can start treating the gospel like another lifestyle option, something nice to have, rather than the all-consuming, life-altering covenant it is. It’s a subtle drift, but it’s a drift nonetheless.

Recently, I was thinking about this same tension when I watched a Q&A featuring Pastor David Guzik. The lead question, posed by a sister named Fiona, hit right at the heart of it: “Is Modern Christianity Missing Something?”

It was a powerful discussion, and while David offered some excellent counsel, it really made me pause and reflect on what it means to be a true disciple in these times. He cautioned us against being *too* critical of the Church—past or present—but that caution only served to sharpen the focus on what we *should* be striving for: a constant, humble return to the core principles of sacrifice and discipleship.

The Call to Sacrifice: More Than Just Feelings

One of the most resonant parts of the discussion for me was when the topic turned to worship. Are we worshipping with our whole selves, or are we just having a good time? David touched on the idea of worship being the "sacrificing of self/picking up our cross daily."

As we are all working on becoming better internet missionaries, we need to remember that the message isn't just intellectually sound; it requires a change in our *lives*. It requires us to be willing to pick up that cross—the cross of service, the cross of sacrifice, the cross of consistent effort even when no one is watching.

This isn't about being perfect; it’s about direction. It’s about remembering that the covenant path, the one that leads back to the restored gospel of our beloved Prophet, requires more than just attending services or feeling good during a hymn. It requires *action*.

A Little Mission Prep Thought

If you’re feeling that pull toward greater discipleship—that desire to dig deeper than the surface level—I encourage you to look at the principles of genuine discipleship. Think about what it means to be truly Christlike. It means looking at the hard questions, the uncomfortable scriptures, and asking, "How does this apply to my life *today*?"

This is exactly where our resources shine. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of doctrine, remember that the scriptures are meant to be studied together. I highly recommend diving into a Book Club or joining a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to wrestle with the material alongside other disciples who are also hungry to learn.

For those of us who are returned missionaries, this feeling of "missing something" is often the spiritual fuel that gets us back into the field. It’s the realization that the gospel is bigger, deeper, and more challenging than we initially anticipated.

We are all called to be disciples anywhere, all the time. That means when you’re waiting in line for coffee, when you’re scrolling through social media, or when you're sitting quietly with your family—that is your opportunity to be an internet missionary.

If you want to wrestle with some of those tough theological questions that came up in the Q&A—like the nature of faith or the role of tradition—don't hesitate to bring them to Davee. He’s ready to guide you through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you frame your answers with the Spirit’s guidance.

Let’s keep feeding our spiritual hunger. Let’s keep striving to make our lives a testament to the power of the restored gospel. I’ll be dropping a link below for a free weekly Disciple Challenge—it’s a great way to keep the momentum going!

Remember, we are all on this journey together. Let's keep gathering Israel, one inspired discussion at a time.