The Enduring Love That Transcends the Veil

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to press forward in the covenant path, there are moments—moments of profound joy, moments of deep longing—that test the very core of our hearts. We talk so much about the joy of the reunion, the glorious day we will all see the Savior again. And those moments are real, they are glorious, and they are the promise that fuels our daily efforts in the field.

But today, I was reflecting on a talk given by Elder Nelson, and it struck me with a clarity that felt like a gentle whisper from the Spirit. He spoke about death, about separation, and about the deepest, most abiding sorrow. It’s a heavy topic, but I think it’s one we need to wrestle with, especially as we prepare for the day we might one day be called to depart.

The Antidote to Sorrow

The core message, the one that resonated so deeply, was this: the only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of it. Think about that for a moment. It’s not about avoiding the sadness of parting; it’s about *what* we fill that space with while we are here.

This hits right at the heart of what it means to be a disciple, whether you’re in the MTC, serving in a mission field, or right here at home. Our lives are becoming practice grounds for this eternal principle. Every missionary discussion, every time we counsel a friend who is struggling, every time we share a scripture passage—we are practicing the art of enduring love.

It’s easy to focus only on the *success* of the conversion, on the "gathering" aspect. And that is vital! But we cannot forget the *process*. The process is built on deep, sacrificial love. It’s the love that makes us weep for those we know are struggling, the love that compels us to keep showing up, even when the Lord seems quiet, even when the Spirit feels distant.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of separation—say, leaving home for your first mission, or saying goodbye to a dear companion—you know that feeling. It’s a bittersweet ache. But the Savior reminds us that the love we build *now*, the covenant love, the love that teaches us to see the divine in the struggles of others, is what carries us through the veil.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Internet Missionary

So, what’s a practical takeaway for us as we continue to be Internet missionaries? It’s about shifting our focus when we feel discouraged. Instead of focusing on the *outcome* (the conversion), let’s focus on the *quality of the interaction* (the love). When you’re preparing for your next missionary discussion, or even just texting a friend who is questioning their faith, don't just prepare your answers. Prepare your *heart*. Prepare to listen with the intent to love, not just the intent to teach.

This week, I encourage you to use your time in LivingBook. If you’ve been studying the Book of Mormon, try focusing on the Book Club feature or even just browsing the Social Scripture Study feed. See how others are applying the principles of enduring love to their lives. Let those shared insights build you up.

Let's Keep the Love Flowing

The work is ongoing, and the greatest resource we have is each other. If you feel the Spirit prompting you to deepen your study, I highly recommend checking out the latest Iron Rod author piece available in LivingBook—it always has a fresh perspective on covenant keeping.

For those who are feeling the call to connect with other disciples, we are hosting a virtual fellowship this Thursday evening. It’s a chance to share testimonies and lift each other up before we head back into the field. Details are in the community feed, but please consider joining us!

Remember, we are disciples everywhere, all the time. Let’s live today in such a way that when we face separation, we are filled with the pure, enduring love of Christ.