Seeing the Divine Spark: Thoughts on Monotheism and the Search for Truth

Brothers and sisters, friends, fellow travelers on this journey of discipleship—it always strikes me how vast the world is, and how many paths to the divine are being walked right now. Sometimes, we feel like we’ve got the rhythm down here in the field, or maybe we’re wrestling through a tough doctrinal point in a HolyPlaces Book Club. But the truth is, the Spirit whispers that our understanding is always incomplete.

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch a deep dive into comparative religion, specifically a discussion on Islam. It was a powerful reminder that being an internet missionary isn't just about knowing our own doctrines; it’s about understanding the landscape of belief with humility and genuine curiosity.

What stood out to me, as I was reflecting on the transcript, wasn't the doctrine itself, but the *method* of inquiry. The discussion kept circling back to foundational questions: What is the ultimate source? What does it mean to submit to a higher power? And most critically, where do we find the divine?

The Divine Spark: A Common Thread?

One of the most resonant moments for me was the comparison between different understandings of the divine spark. While the discussion covered the Quran's arguments for a singular, uncreated Creator, the conversation naturally touched upon the idea of inherent divinity within humanity. It’s a concept that resonates so deeply with our own teachings—that every single member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been given a divine spark, a potential for the Spirit, waiting to be polished through effort and covenant keeping.

It made me think about our own mission prep. We spend so much time learning the 'what'—the doctrines, the stories, the temple ordinances. But sometimes, we need to focus on the 'how'—how do we help an investigator see that spark in themselves? How do we guide them to the realization that the inherent goodness, the potential for virtue, is already within them, waiting for the Atonement to refine it?

The Shining Example

The conversation touched on the best mode of conversion—the idea that a shining example speaks louder than any treatise. As one speaker noted, perhaps the proper mode is simply letting the truth shine through our actions. This is the heart of being a disciple, isn't it? It’s not just what we *say* in our missionary discussions; it’s how we live our lives when we’re tired, when we’re discouraged, or when we’re just having a normal Tuesday afternoon.

It requires us to be constantly mindful of our own testimony, to examine our own views, and to keep learning. This is why I keep encouraging everyone to dive into the Iron Rod authors. They are masters at helping us check our own views and build a stronger foundation for our testimonies.

A Bite-Sized Skill for Today: The Humble Question

If you are feeling the weight of comparison or confusion about another belief system, don't feel the need to have the 'perfect' answer. Instead, practice asking the humble, clarifying question. Instead of debating a point, ask, 'Can you help me understand how that belief system accounts for X?' This models intellectual humility, which is a cornerstone of being be christlike.

The work is always progressing. Whether you’re in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or just having coffee with a neighbor, remember that you are an internet missionary. We are all learning to better understand the Savior’s plan through the lens of eternal truth.

If this discussion stirred your thoughts, I invite you to join us for our weekly Disciple Challenge this week. It’s a low-stakes, high-learning environment where we can wrestle with these big questions together. Details are linked below!