The Ordinary Battlefield: Finding Divine Power in Everyday Temptation

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve been in the field, you know that the dramatic moments—the intense doctrinal debates, the sudden, overwhelming Spirit-filled testimony—those are powerful. They feel like the big showdowns we read about in the scriptures. But after spending time in the wards, in the mission field, and studying the covenants, I’ve come to realize something vital: the most crucial battles are often the quiet ones.

We tend to look for the flashing lights, the obvious signs of spiritual warfare. We get caught up in the drama. But what Father Dan Reehil’s discussion highlighted for me was that the 98% of the devil’s tactics are actually quite ordinary. They are temptation.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the concept of demonic oppression or possession, and while those are real dangers, the constant, grinding work of the adversary is often just whispering doubts, nudging us toward complacency, or tempting us with the easiest path that deviates from the covenant path. That’s where the true work of the disciple is forged.

The Subtle Art of Authority

When we hear about spiritual warfare, we often picture a grand battle. But when we talk about the daily grind of discipleship—the temptation to skip the scripture study, the temptation to let comparison sour our gratitude, the temptation to settle for "good enough" instead of striving to be more Christlike—that's the battlefield. And the antidote, as Father Dan mentioned, isn't always a dramatic exorcism; it’s taking authority.

It’s about recognizing that what we feel—the intense anger, the deep anxiety, the sudden, irrational passion—isn't always *us*. It can be an inflaming force. The key, the actionable step for us as disciples, is to pause, identify the source (or at least the feeling), and declare our allegiance back to the Spirit and the covenants we have made.

This reminds me so much of what we practice in our personal study. When we are doing our social scripture study in LivingBook, and a passage challenges our preconceived notions, that’s a small act of spiritual resistance. When we wrestle with a difficult doctrine in a book club setting, we are exercising that same authority. We are choosing to follow the path of truth, even when it feels inconvenient or difficult.

Grace in the Falling Apart

Perhaps the most humbling lesson was about how grace works. Father Dan spoke about how one can become a saint quicker when things are falling apart than when everything is perfect. This resonates deeply with the journey of the returned missionary. We think we have the perfect testimony, the perfect knowledge from our time in the field, and we feel secure. But life—the job, the family, the unexpected trial—hits, and suddenly, we are back in the "falling apart" stage.

It’s in that vulnerability, when we are forced to rely on the pure, unearned gift of the Spirit, that the funnel of grace opens up. We stop *trying* to be perfect and start *accepting* the continuous outpouring of the Savior’s grace. That is the hallmark of a true disciple.

Being an Internet Missionary Today

If this feels too abstract, let’s make it concrete. You don't need to be standing on a street corner to exercise this. You can be an internet missionary right now. When you are in a discussion online, when you are reading the news, or when you are talking to a friend, ask yourself: "What is the temptation here? Is it the temptation to judge? The temptation to assume? The temptation to remain silent when I should speak the truth in love?"

Let’s keep practicing this vigilance. I encourage everyone to join a Bible Study Group this week. If you're feeling the weight of the world, let's anchor ourselves together in the Word. If you’re new to this, don't hesitate to bring your questions to Davee. He’s ready to walk you through those tough investigator questions.

For those who want to deepen their understanding of spiritual resilience, I highly recommend revisiting the writings of Abraham Gesner, particularly his insights on covenants, available through the Iron Rod collection in LivingBook. It’s a powerful reminder that our strength comes not from our own willpower, but from the covenants we keep.

Keep pressing forward, my brothers and sisters. The Lord sees our effort, even in the quiet moments.