The Cross We Bear: What Following Christ Truly Means Today

Brothers and sisters, friends, fellow disciples. Sometimes, when we talk about 'taking up our cross,' the imagery that springs to mind is something heavy, something dramatic—maybe a literal burden, or perhaps just the difficult moments we read about in the scriptures.

But after spending time in the field, and after wrestling with the weight of the Savior's call, I’ve been thinking a lot about the *meaning* behind that phrase. It’s not about the jewelry we wear, or the signs we put up for the public to see. It’s something far more deeply rooted in the marrow of our bones—it’s about the rock-ribbed integrity of our hearts.

I was recently reflecting on a talk given by Elder Holland, and it really struck me how profoundly simple and yet monumentally difficult that counsel is: “If any man or woman will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

As returned missionaries, we learn so much about the *words*—the testimonies, the doctrines, the plan of salvation. We learn how to teach. But the Master’s call, as I understand it now, is less about the perfect lesson plan and more about the willingness to follow Him *everywhere*, even when it’s unpopular, even when it’s hard, and even when we feel utterly alone.

This isn't just for those of us who have been out in the field. This is the call for every member of the Church today. Every member can be an Internet missionary; every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. That means the cross we carry today might look different than it did when we were in the MTC. Maybe it's the cross of consistent, gentle follow-up with an investigator who keeps asking tough questions. Maybe it's the cross of being the steady, Christlike voice in a heated family discussion. Maybe it’s the cross of showing up consistently to the local ward effort, even when our schedule is packed.

The beauty of the gospel, and the strength of the covenant path, is that the commitment is total. We follow Him not just when it’s easy, but when it requires sacrifice, when suffering—or perhaps just profound inconvenience—is inevitable. A true disciple follows the Master, even into arenas filled with tears and trouble.

If you’re feeling the weight of this calling right now, don't let it feel overwhelming. Remember that we don't bear it alone. We have the Spirit, and we have each other. We are building a fellowship of disciples who support one another.

If you want to dive deeper into how to apply this principle—how to be Christlike in the mundane moments—I highly recommend checking out the latest readings on the Iron Rod. It always has something relevant to discipleship. For those who are ready to practice this week, I invite you to join our next online study session. We're diving into some beautiful insights from the Book of Mormon that really flesh out what 'following' looks like day-to-day.

If you're new to this concept, don't hesitate to bring your questions to Davee. He’s been trained in the AI Investigator role, and he can walk you through those tough, real-world questions an investigator might ask, helping you feel prepared for those missionary discussions, whether they happen across the street or across the digital divide.

Let’s keep living lives that are the symbol of our faith. Let’s keep moving forward, together, by the Spirit.