The Heart of It: Giving Jesus All Your Heart in the Work

Brothers and sisters, sometimes I find myself reflecting on the sheer weight and joy of the covenant path. We talk so much about preparation—mission prep, studying doctrine, knowing our scriptures inside and out. And those things are vital, truly. But after spending time studying the scriptures and listening to how the Lord guides us, I'm reminded that the most crucial element isn't the *what*, but the *how*—the heart with which we approach the work.

It’s easy, when we’re deep in the routine of missionary discussions or getting ready for transfers, to focus solely on the mechanics: the perfect talk, the right scripture reference, the flawless testimony. But the Spirit, that divine companion, whispers that the Lord isn't looking for perfection; He's looking for *devotion*. He's looking for us to give Him *all* of our hearts.

The Power of the Whole Heart

When we think about what it means to give Jesus all our heart, I immediately think of the covenant commitment. It’s not a piece-meal effort; it’s total surrender. It’s what we strive for when we try to be Christlike in every aspect of our lives, whether we are in the MTC, serving alongside our companions, or simply doing our morning study.

The podcast we were listening to recently focused on deep scripture study, and while the mechanics of studying Moses were excellent, the underlying message resonated deeply: our efforts must flow from a place of genuine, all-consuming love for the Savior. This isn't just for the missionaries, though. This is for every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, everywhere.

“Every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.”

That statement, which feels so big, becomes manageable when we anchor it in the simple principle of giving our whole heart. If we approach our daily scripture study—whether it’s a Book Club session in HolyPlaces or just reviewing the highlights in LivingBook—with that full commitment, the Spirit will guide us. We stop performing for the *appearance* of discipleship and start living it from the core.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: The 'Why' Behind the 'What'

Here’s a small skill I want to pass along to the next wave of disciples. When you are studying for a talk or preparing for a missionary discussion, don't just memorize the scripture or the doctrinal point. Instead, ask yourself: *Why* does this matter to my heart? What personal experience connects me to this truth? When you can articulate the *why*—the personal testimony that anchors the doctrine—that is where the Spirit moves most powerfully. That's the difference between reciting facts and sharing the gospel.

It requires vulnerability, and vulnerability is always a gift we give to the Savior first.

Keep the Momentum Going

The work doesn't stop when we leave the field, and it certainly doesn't stop when we leave the mission. We are called to be disciples in our homes, our workplaces, and online. If you are feeling the call to deepen your study, I highly recommend checking out the Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful way to connect with others who are also striving to give their whole heart to the Lord.

For those who want to dig deeper into the principles of discipleship, I’ve been revisiting some of the teachings of Avraham Gileadi. If you haven't, I suggest looking through the Iron Rod collection in LivingBook—there are gems waiting for us there.