Standing Firm: Remembering the Spirit in a Changing Culture

Brothers and sisters, sometimes I feel like I’ve been back from a mission, dusted off, and ready to share everything I learned—the incredible power of the Spirit, the depth of the gospel, the joy of the covenant path. But then I look around, and the cultural currents feel like a tidal wave, pulling us in a million different directions. It can feel overwhelming, can’t it?

It reminds me of hearing talks like the one by Jonathan Cahn recently, where he spoke about the spiritual forces at play in our modern world. Hearing him talk about ancient struggles—the battle against spirits like Ishtar—it makes you pause and really consider what we are building for our families, for our covenants, and for the next generation of Latter-day Saints.

What struck me most wasn't the ancient drama, but the underlying principle: when a culture turns away from the Word and the power of the Gospel, the vacuum is filled by something else. It’s a sobering thought, but it shouldn't paralyze us; it should galvanize us! It should make us more determined to be the light in our own neighborhoods, our own online spaces.

Reconnecting to the Word: Our Daily Defense

The core message, whether we’re in the MTC, in a missionary discussion, or right here in our living rooms as internet missionaries, remains the same: the power of the restored gospel. We cannot let the noise of the world drown out the quiet, persistent whisper of the Spirit. We must be diligent in our own spiritual preparation.

This isn't just about knowing scriptures; it’s about *living* them. It’s about the daily choice to be Christlike, even when it’s unpopular. It’s about making sure our own foundation—our personal study habits, our temple attendance, our covenants—is rock solid. If we are spiritually strong, we are better equipped to help our neighbors, our friends, and our investigators see the truth for themselves.

A Bite-Sized Skill for Our Rogue Disciples

If you’re feeling the weight of these cultural tides, here’s a small skill I want to pass along. When you’re studying for a Book Club or even just reading in your personal time, try this: After reading a challenging passage—maybe one that speaks to modern moral confusion—don't just highlight the verses. Instead, pause and ask yourself, "How would a disciple of Jesus Christ respond to this specific challenge today?" This turns passive reading into active, gospel-centered preparation. It’s a form of spiritual inoculation.

Remember, we are called to be disciples *anywhere*, all the time. Whether you’re on the job, running errands, or just scrolling through your feed, you have the power to be a beacon of the restored gospel.

Let's Study Together

To keep this momentum going, I highly recommend diving into the Social Scripture Study layer within LivingBook this week. If you haven't already, join a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with hard questions together and let the Spirit guide our understanding of what it means to keep the mantle of the prophets burning brightly.

For those of you who are preparing for the field or who are newly returned, keep your ears open for our next virtual gathering. I’ll be posting details soon for a chance to share some recent experiences and answer any questions about missionary preparation!

Stay diligent, keep the covenants close, and never underestimate the power of a unified body of disciples. The Lord is working through us!