The Simple Standard: What Does the Lord Truly Require?

Sometimes, when we’re deep in the field, or even just navigating the complexities of our own lives, the weight of expectation can feel immense. We look at the sheer scope of the covenant path—the commandments, the callings, the eternal progression—and we might feel like we’re standing before a divine courtroom, facing charges we don't even know we accrued. We worry, "What *is* it? What is the one thing I keep missing?"

It can feel like the standard is impossibly high, like we need a perfect score on every assignment to earn the Spirit’s favor. We might look at the great prophets, the dedicated missionaries, or even seasoned returned missionaries, and think, "How do *they* do it?"

But the Savior knows our hearts, and He knows the pattern of our striving. The scriptures, and the Spirit, keep pointing us back to a beautiful, profound simplicity. It’s a standard that doesn't require us to exhaust ourselves trying to earn favor, but rather to align our hearts with the Father’s grace.

What the Lord Actually Requires

I was recently pondering Micah 6:8. If you’ve seen the devotional on this, you know the context: Israel was on trial, feeling overwhelmed by what they thought God demanded. They were ready to offer up the impossible—thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil—anything but admitting they didn't know the answer.

And what was the Lord's reply? It wasn't a list of impressive feats, or a catalog of perfect actions. It was this: “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

It’s so clean. It’s so accessible. It strips away the performance anxiety that can creep into our discipleship. This isn't a mystery to be solved with more study or more service hours; it’s a posture of the heart.

Do Justly: Fairness in Action

To do justly means treating our neighbors, our ward members, and even our adversaries with fairness. It means seeing the inherent dignity in every soul, regardless of their current beliefs or how comfortable they make us feel. As we become internet missionaries, this is our daily practice: presenting the truth with unwavering integrity and fairness.

Love Mercy: Compassion in Spirit

And to love mercy—this is where the heart comes in. It’s not just about *showing* mercy when it’s easy; it’s about cultivating a deep, abiding love for the capacity to forgive and extend grace, even when we feel wronged. It’s giving the measure of mercy we ourselves desperately need.

Walk Humbly: The Anchor

But I think the key, the anchor that holds the other two in place, is to walk humbly with our God. This isn't self-deprecation; it's accurate self-assessment. It’s knowing our limits, acknowledging the constant need for the Spirit, and remembering that we are always being guided. When we walk humbly, we are teachable. We are receptive.

This principle is vital whether you’re preparing for your own mission, knee-deep in scripture study in HolyPlaces, or simply having a quiet moment of devotion. If we anchor ourselves in humility, the ability to act justly and love mercy flows naturally from that place of divine dependence.

If you’re feeling the weight of the work, or if you’re unsure how to apply this standard in a tricky missionary discussion, I highly recommend running through the principles with Davee. He’s trained to walk through those tough questions an investigator might ask, helping us frame our answers with grace and truth.

For those who want to deepen this study, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces, or dive into the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook to see how others are applying this principle. Remember, every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time.

Let's keep watching each other, keeping our focus on that humble walk.