The Path to Wholeness: Finding Perfection in the Process

Sometimes the weight of the gospel feels immense. We hear words like "be perfect," and it can make us feel like we are constantly falling short—like we need to achieve some flawless state before we are worthy. If you've ever felt that pressure, know that you are not alone. It's a pressure that the gospel of Jesus Christ itself helps us understand.

In our recent study of the Sermon on the Mount, we touched upon this idea. It’s easy to treat the command to be perfect as a distant, impossible finish line. But as the scriptures remind us, the Master wasn't just speaking about a future state; He was pointing us toward a pattern, a way of life, and a continual journey. He was speaking about being *made whole*—about being on the Covenant path right now.

When we talk about being "made whole" (or "complete"), we are talking about the ongoing, daily process of keeping our covenants. It’s about the commitments we make to God—the covenants—and following the pattern Christ laid out for us. This doesn't mean we're flawless; it means we are actively, humbly, and joyfully moving forward.

The Covenant Path: Where We Are Right Now

Think of the Sermon on the Mount not as a rulebook for a perfect life, but as a map for the journey. It outlines the spiritual topography of discipleship. It shows us how, through loving God and loving our neighbor, we spiral ever closer to Him. This idea is so crucial for every member—whether you are newly returned from the MTC, preparing for your mission, or have been a disciple for a lifetime.

The gospel doesn't require us to be perfect; it requires us to be *Christlike*. It asks us to be engaged, to be repentant, and to keep showing up day after day. That continuous effort is the work. It is the process of being restored and made whole through the Savior's Atonement.

A Practical Skill: Embracing the Imperfect Covenant

If the idea of "perfection" feels overwhelming, let's reframe the goal. Our goal is simply to be a disciple who is diligently *on* the Covenant path. This week, I want to challenge you to practice identifying one area where you feel you are slipping back into old habits—maybe it’s a missed scripture study, a forgotten prayer, or a slight impatience with a companion. Don't beat yourself up over the slip. Instead, use it as a point of focus. Ask yourself: "What covenant am I breaking right now, and how can I immediately correct that course?"

“The goal is not flawlessness; the goal is faithfulness.”

This mindset shift—from "I must be perfect" to "I will keep moving forward"—is the heart of missionary preparation and lifelong discipleship. It allows us to embrace the beautiful, messy reality of the gospel.

If you want to deepen this understanding of covenant keeping, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod chapter on covenant theology. It's an incredible read that will ground you in the doctrine of continuous discipleship. You can find it in LivingBook.

Ready to practice this skill? Join our free weekly Disciple Challenge this Saturday! We'll be focusing on finding the "Covenant Path" in our own lives. Details are in the pinned post.

Let's Keep Moving

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. We are not waiting for a perfect moment; we are living in the process of being made whole, by the grace of our Savior.