The Invitation to Be Touched: Letting the Spirit Work in Our Lives

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing we’ve learned on the journey of discipleship, whether we’re just starting out in the MTC, or if we’re seasoned returned missionaries who have seen the field change over the years, it’s that the greatest miracles don't happen by accident. They happen when we intentionally open the door.

I was reflecting this morning on some powerful words—a message about separation, about the Cross, and about the profound invitation of the Atonement. It really struck me how often we, even as dedicated Latter-day Saints, are masters at building walls around ourselves. We are so good at managing the 'good' parts of our lives—our callings, our temple attendance, our service—that we forget the parts that need the most divine touch.

The message was clear: separation cannot separate us from God. That’s the core truth we carry in our hearts, isn't it? No matter how deep the valley, no matter how far we feel from the warmth of the Spirit, the Savior’s love reaches us there. But the message also held a gentle, yet firm, challenge: are *we* letting Him touch everything?

Think about it. We know the doctrine—we’ve studied it in our Book Club sessions, we’ve discussed it in missionary discussions, we’ve read about it in our scriptures. We know *that* we are saved by grace. But knowing it intellectually is different from allowing it to reshape the deepest, most private corners of our hearts. It’s like the man who had to bring his crippling weakness to the Messiah to be healed, or the leper who had to approach, against all odds, to receive healing.

Sometimes, we keep a part of our past, a habit, a relationship, or even a deep-seated fear, in an 'untouchable' zone. We think, 'This part is mine to manage; this part is too complicated for Him to fix.' But the Spirit whispers that resistance is the greatest barrier. The invitation is always there—the chance for a new birth, a spiritual rebirth, that requires us to say, 'Yes.' A genuine, vulnerable, 'Yes, Lord, touch me there.'

This isn't just about big, dramatic moments, though those are glorious. It’s about the daily discipline of inviting the Spirit into the mundane. It’s about being willing to let the Lord guide us, even when His path seems counter-intuitive to our worldly plans. It’s about recognizing that our capacity to receive the Spirit is directly proportional to the space we clear out for Him.

If you’re feeling that pull—that sense that you’re being called closer, that something needs to be removed or opened—I encourage you to take that invitation seriously. Don't wait for a crisis to prompt you to vulnerability. Be proactive in your discipleship. Use the tools at hand. If you're looking for deeper study, dive into the social scripture study layer in LivingBook, or perhaps join a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces with some brothers and sisters who can lift you up in prayer.

Remember, the power of the gospel is that it is always available, but we must always be available to receive it. Let’s commit this week to identifying one area—one corner of our lives—that we’ve been keeping 'untouchable' and consciously invite the Savior to touch it. That willingness is where the miracle begins.

If this message resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear this reminder. And if you haven't already, check out some thoughts from the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook—they always have a timely word for our journey.