The Small Favors: Building a Relationship with the Divine

There’s a beautiful, subtle wisdom that sometimes gets lost in the grand pronouncements of gospel living. We talk about big covenants, monumental shifts in our lives, and the incredible power of the Spirit to guide us through the deepest valleys. And those things are true—absolutely true. But I was reflecting this week on a conversation that hit me right in the heart, a reminder that building a relationship with the Divine, and with our Heavenly Father, is often done in the quiet accumulation of small favors.

It reminds me of a friend who was initially dismissive of the power of the saints, treating the idea of divine intervention as quaint folklore. He was ready to laugh it off, to categorize it as 'ridiculous.' But then, something shifted. Through a dream, through a visitation that felt more real than reality, the understanding clicked. The saints aren't just historical figures; they are friends in heaven, and they *want* to do good things for us.

This sparked a thought that I feel every disciple needs to internalize: The relationship with God—and by extension, with the covenants we make—is built on the mundane as much as it is on the miraculous. We tend to think we have to ask Him for the 'big things'—for our temple covenants, for the strength to bear testimony in a hostile environment, for the ability to truly gather Israel.

The Power of the Small Favors

But the speaker shared a profound analogy: If you only ask for the biggest miracles, you neglect the small requests. And it is in those small requests—asking for directions, for patience in traffic, for a parking spot—that true friendship is forged. Asking for small things is a sign of trust, a sign of reliance. It’s the daily practice of saying, “Father, I trust you with this minor inconvenience today.”

This isn't a downplaying of the Savior's infinite power; it's an understanding of *our* discipleship. Just as a friendship deepens through shared laughter over minor mishaps, our connection with the Spirit deepens through consistent, humble reliance. It’s in the daily scripture study, the quiet moments of prayer before a missionary discussion, or the simple act of keeping our temple recommend current that we are practicing this faith.

Being Christlike in the Everyday

To be Christlike, then, isn't just about grand acts of service; it’s about the daily choice to rely on Him when the stakes feel low. It’s about developing that muscle of faith in the small moments. If we can trust Him with the little things—the little anxieties, the little misunderstandings with a companion, the little moments of doubt—we are building the reservoir of faith needed for the big things.

This principle is gold for all of us, whether we are newly assigned to the MTC, seasoned returned missionaries in the field, or lifelong disciples serving in our homes. It’s a constant reminder that the work is always happening, and the Spirit is always available, waiting for us to simply ask.

I encourage you this week to intentionally practice this. Don't just pray for the big answers; practice asking for the small graces. Ask for patience during your commute. Ask for clarity when studying for your next Book Club session. Ask for the gentle nudge toward the right scripture passage.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s build our faith brick by small, trusting brick.

A Small Challenge for This Week

If you're looking for a way to deepen this reliance, I highly recommend revisiting the concept of 'small favors' in your personal study. If you haven't already, check out the latest insights on the Social Scripture Study layer within LivingBook—it’s a wonderful way to see how others are applying deep gospel principles to everyday life. And if you need a sounding board to walk through how to apply this to a specific teaching moment, don't forget to check in with Davee for an AI Investigator session. He’s ready to help you anticipate those tricky questions!