The Heart of the Matter: Giving Our Whole Hearts to Christ

Brothers and sisters, when I hear talk about covenants, my mind immediately goes to the temple. The sacred covenants we make there—they feel so profound, so weighty, like they change the very architecture of our souls. But what does it *mean* to give our whole heart to the Lord? Is it just about showing up on time for the ordinance, or is it something deeper?

It’s easy, especially when we’re deep in the preparatory work—whether that’s studying for missionary discussions, preparing for transfers, or just trying to be more Christlike in our daily lives—to focus on the *actions*. We focus on the obedience, the sacrifice, the study. But Shima Baughman’s talk really brought the focus back to the source: the heart itself.

I was struck by how she connected the covenants to the heart. It’s not just a checklist of things we *do*; it’s a purification process that happens *within* us. Think about the covenants we make in the temple—the Law of Obedience, the Law of Sacrifice, the Law of the Gospel, and so on. Each one, she taught, helps purify that inner core, helping us love Him wholeheartedly.

The Heart as a Central Distributor

It got me thinking about our own lives. We are taught to be diligent in our studies, to prepare for the field, to be ready to share the gospel with sincerity. But are we giving our hearts to the Lord in the same way our hearts pump blood without us even thinking about it? It’s constant, reliable, and life-giving.

“I can safely say that our hearts were in the right place.”

That line hit me. Our intentions matter. It’s not always about the perfect execution, but about the direction of the heart. This is such a powerful reminder for us as we all strive to be Internet missionaries—that our discipleship isn't confined to a specific location or time. It lives in the *intent* behind everything we do, whether we are in the MTC, in a Book Club, or just navigating a tough conversation with an investigator.

Making It a Practice

For those of us who are newly returned missionaries, or even those of us who have been disciples for decades, it’s easy to get caught up in the *doing* of the work. We see the assignments, the goals, the next conference talk. But Shima reminds us that the ultimate goal is eternal union, and that starts with the heart being pure enough to see God. It’s about developing that consistent, deep desire to keep Him at the center of our lives.

If you’re feeling the pull to deepen your personal study—maybe you’ve been meaning to dive into some Isaiah studies or spend more time in the social scripture study feed in LivingBook—this is your nudge. Don't just read the scriptures; let them interact with your heart. Use the tools available to help you wrestle with the questions. If you’re unsure how to answer a tough doctrinal question, remember that Davee is here! He’s excellent at walking you through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you articulate the gospel with both grace and truth.

This isn't just for those preparing for missions; it's for all of us who want to live as disciples anywhere, all the time. Let's commit this week to checking our hearts—are we giving them fully to Christ, allowing the covenants we keep to purify us and guide us?

Where to Go From Here

I encourage everyone to take a moment this week to reflect on one covenant you feel you need to renew your heart toward. Maybe it’s being more diligent in prayer, or perhaps it’s committing to a specific scripture study. If you’re looking for fellowship to help you do that, check out the next gathering details below. If you're just looking for a quiet place to ponder, I highly recommend revisiting the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer in LivingBook—it’s a beautiful reminder of what we are working toward.