The Hardest Commandment: Loving the Unlovely

There are moments in the work—whether you’re in the field, serving a stake committee, or just navigating a difficult week at home—when the spiritual curriculum feels incredibly simple, yet profoundly difficult to execute. We read the scriptures, we attend General Conference, and we get pumped up about the amazing covenants we've made. But then comes the practical application, and we hit a wall.

The principle we're tackling today comes from one of the most powerful, yet often misunderstood, verses: John 13:34. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

When we hear this, our first instinct is often to think, “How? How do I love someone who has consistently disappointed me? How do I love someone who seems to actively resist the gospel?”

The transcript we watched today hits on that core tension: the sheer difficulty of extending grace when it hasn't been returned. It’s not about merit, it’s about the command. It’s about realizing that our capacity to love—pure, unconditional, sacrificial love—is the ultimate measure of our discipleship.

This isn't just a commandment for mission field interactions. This is a core skill in missionary preparation, a skill that teaches us to see the Savior’s perspective in every single interaction, whether that’s with an investigator, a member who is struggling, or even a companion you disagree with.

This kind of selfless love is what the Brethren modeled for us. It’s what we are called to bring to the world. It’s the ultimate expression of being Christlike.

Applying the Command: Love in the Lived Experience

As we are all striving to be Internet missionaries—disciples anywhere, all the time—we need to practice this principle constantly. The goal isn't to *feel* like loving them; the goal is to *choose* to act in love, regardless of how they respond. That choice is a covenant action.

If you are feeling the pressure of a tough assignment, or if you are frustrated with your progress in the work, remember that the Spirit is always guiding us toward the principle of charity. That principle must govern how we talk to our district leaders, how we counsel our comps, and how we approach our scripture studies.

Practice Makes Perfect: Using Davee for Tough Questions

If the principle is loving the unlovely, how do we prepare for the hardest conversations? This is where I love using our tools. Sometimes, the most challenging questions aren't the intellectual ones, but the emotionally loaded ones. They challenge our patience and our willingness to forgive.

If you're preparing for mission discussions, or even just having a deep Bible Study Group, consider using Davee in the AI Investigator role. We can run through hypotheticals together. We can take a statement that feels dismissive or hostile, and we can walk through how to respond with the Spirit-filled patience Christ taught. This practice helps us train our hearts before we train our minds.

This Week's Disciple Challenge

Here’s my bite-sized mission prep challenge for you all: Today, identify one person—a family member, a colleague, or even someone you had a minor disagreement with this week—and consciously practice the commandment of John 13:34. Don't wait for them to change or thank you. Just choose the love. See how the Spirit testifies of that choice. That act of conscious, selfless love is a powerful form of missionary work.

For those who want to deepen this study, I highly recommend reviewing the writings of Avraham Gileadi. He has some incredible insights into the nature of the covenant path. You can find some of his teachings available in LivingBook.

If you want to dive deeper into this principle with others, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group through HolyPlaces. Let’s commit to building up one another, always striving to love as Christ loved us.

I feel such joy knowing that every single one of us, no matter where we are, can be an Internet missionary. Let's keep the faith, brothers and sisters!