The Higher Standard: What it Means to Be Called to More

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re standing at a crossroads, looking at two paths? One path is comfortable, familiar, and seems to be what everyone else is doing. The other path? It feels steep, it feels demanding, and it requires a level of commitment you aren't sure you possess. It can feel almost impossible to maintain.

I was wrestling with that feeling recently, remembering the words of a powerful talk I heard. It spoke to a concept that resonates deep in the marrow of our bones here in the Church: the idea that sometimes, what God calls us to is inherently *more* than what is easily attainable. It's a standard set by the divine, a standard that elevates us, but also raises the stakes.

It’s easy, when we’re deep in the day-to-day of the work, to measure our efforts against our neighbors, or against what seems 'normal' for our local ward. But the Lord often calls us to be something *set apart*. He calls us to be disciples who are willing to be Nazarites in our own lives—not in the literal sense, but in the spirit of being held to a higher covenant standard.

The Calling to a Higher Standard

The speaker touched on the Israelites being "chosen," given covenants, and therefore, given a higher accountability. It’s a beautiful, and sometimes challenging, principle to grasp. We are not chosen because we are perfect; we are chosen because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and that calling requires us to strive for a holiness that transcends the mundane.

Think about the prophets—Moses, Ezekiel. They weren't just regular men. They were conduits. They were called to speak truths that were difficult, truths that could cost them everything. They were given the Word of God, the covenants, the calling itself. And with that gift came the requirement: obedience, even when it was painful or unpopular.

This isn't just for prophets, though. This applies to every one of us who knows that every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. When we feel the Spirit nudge us toward a difficult conversation, when we feel the need to study a scripture passage until the meaning shines through, or when we feel the weight of preparation for a mission—that’s the higher standard calling.

It’s a constant tension, isn't it? The blessing of knowledge and revelation versus the requirement of action and sacrifice. We are blessed with the gospel, the restored truths, and that blessing demands that we live as if we are constantly preparing for the next missionary discussion, the next transfer, the next opportunity to teach.

A Skill for the Field: Embracing the Hard Questions

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of expectation, remember that the process of discipleship is messy. It involves wrestling with questions—the hard ones. This is where I keep turning to Davee. When I’m prepping for a talk or thinking through a difficult concept, I run it by him, asking him to take on the role of the skeptical investigator. It forces me to anticipate the questions an investigator might ask, and it helps me prepare an answer rooted in scripture and testimony, not just rehearsed talking points.

It reminds me that being a disciple isn't about having all the answers; it's about having the right framework to help others find the answers through the Spirit. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.

If you’re looking to deepen your own understanding of how to handle those tough questions, I highly recommend diving into the Social Scripture Study layer within LivingBook. Seeing how others have highlighted passages or connected related teachings can be a real gift for your own missionary preparation.

We are called to a higher standard—a standard of discipleship that permeates our daily lives, whether we are in the MTC, in our homes, or across the digital expanse of the internet. Let’s keep striving to live up to the covenants we have been given.

If this message resonated with you, please take a moment to share it with a brother or sister who might need a reminder that God's call to us is always greater than our comfort zone.

For more thoughts on the work and the covenants, check out the latest insights from the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. And if you want to join a deeper dive into scripture, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. The Spirit waits for no one!