On Guidance, Trust, and the Spirit: Navigating Counsel in the Field

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing the journey back to the fold teaches you, it’s that the path to discipleship is rarely a straight line. It’s a winding trail, full of breathtaking views, unexpected detours, and moments where you genuinely question who holds the map.

Recently, I was pondering a question that hit close to home, one that touches on the delicate balance between divine guidance and personal agency. It was a question about how much a shepherd—a leader, a pastor, a trusted companion—can, or should, ‘interfere’ in the lives of the sheep.

It made me think about the whole framework of the covenant path. We are taught to be diligent students of the scriptures, to study in our Book Clubs, and to rely on the Spirit in our personal moments of revelation. But what happens when the counsel comes from a place of deep care, yet feels like it’s crossing a boundary? Where do we draw the line?

The recent Q&A with David Guzik really illuminated this. The discussion around counsel—and the weight of scripture like Hebrews 13:17—is something every returned missionary, every lifelong disciple, and every budding internet missionary needs to wrestle with. It’s a topic that requires humility, deep scripture study, and, most importantly, a reliance on the Spirit’s whisper above all human voices.

The Weight of Counsel vs. The Voice of the Spirit

What was so valuable in that discussion was the emphasis placed not on *perfection* in leadership, but on *faithfulness*. It’s a crucial distinction for us as disciples. We are called to build up the Church, and that requires us to trust the brethren, but we must also guard our personal testimonies with the utmost care.

I was particularly struck by the idea that trust is earned over long periods of faithfulness. It’s not a transaction; it’s a steady accumulation of seeing the Savior’s attributes in the lives of those who guide us. When we approach counsel, we need to ask ourselves: Is this guidance rooted in eternal principles, or is it based on the feelings or current best guess of the person speaking?

This is where our tools become invaluable. If you're struggling to discern the difference between good counsel and overreach, I highly recommend revisiting the principles of discerning revelation. If you haven't already, dive into the materials on the Iron Rod concerning prophetic gifts and modern revelation. They offer a framework for testing things spiritually.

Remember, the core of our movement is that every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our primary allegiance must always be to the restored gospel and the teachings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not to any single personality or system of authority.

A Practical Skill for the Field: Testing Counsel

If you’re prepping for your next missionary discussion, or even just having a deep talk with an investigator, practice this: When someone offers strong counsel, don't react immediately. Pause. Ask yourself, "Does this counsel align with the core doctrines I've studied? Does it help me draw closer to Christ, or does it create unnecessary anxiety?" This pause is where the Spirit speaks loudest.

For those of you who are digging deep into scripture study—and I know many of you are, especially those utilizing the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook—I encourage you to look up the passages concerning the covenants made in the temple. Understanding the covenants is understanding the boundaries of our commitment, and that clarity strengthens our ability to discern counsel.

If you want to continue unpacking these deep theological questions, I highly recommend checking out the recent deep dives into scripture available through the Enduring Word resources. It’s a wonderful, free resource for commentary on the entire Bible.

We’re building a global body of disciples, and that requires us to be wise, humble, and deeply rooted in our covenants. Let’s keep studying, keep serving, and keep lifting one another up with love and truth!

— Your Brother in the Gospel

Want to keep the momentum going? If you're ready to put these principles into action, join us for a free weekly Disciple Challenge! It’s a low-stakes, high-reward way to practice what we preach and strengthen our testimony together. Link in the comments!