The Unexpected Blessings of 'Just Because' Obedience

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt like you were asked to do something—to study a doctrine, to serve in a capacity, or even to make a personal sacrifice—and you couldn't articulate the precise, perfect reason why, you know the feeling. It can feel like standing in a garden, everything is perfect, and then suddenly, the assignment is given, and you just... obey. You don't know the full picture.

It’s a pattern I keep returning to, especially when I think about the early days of our faith, or even just navigating the complexities of modern missionary work. We are taught to be prepared for the hardest questions, the theological deep dives, and the unexpected cultural hurdles. But sometimes, the most profound lesson isn't about *knowing* the answer; it's about *trusting* the process even when the answer seems to be, 'Because the Lord commanded it.'

The Power of Faith Over Understanding

Dr. John Hilton’s recent discussion on Genesis 3-4 and Moses 4-5 really hit home with this. He pointed out that Adam and Eve, after their initial experiences, were commanded to offer sacrifices—the firstlings of their flocks. And when questioned, Adam’s response, as relayed through the scripture, was, “I know not. Save the Lord commanded me.”

Take a moment with that. *I don't know why.*

For us as disciples, especially those of us in the thick of missionary preparation or serving in the field, we run into this constantly. We are asked to do the work, to share the gospel, to live the covenant path, not always because we can map out the perfect, step-by-step logical progression for every single investigator. Sometimes, the Spirit prompts you, the District Leader suggests a new approach, or the Lord simply directs you to a specific person, and the only thing you can do is say, "I'm going to do it because I feel the Spirit, and because I trust the Lord."

The greatest acts of faith often require us to suspend our need for immediate comprehension. They ask us to trust the pattern, even when the reason seems obscured by the dust of the fallen world.

This isn't to say we should ever settle for intellectual laziness. We must study, we must prepare, and we must be ready to discuss the doctrine of the Atonement until our voices are hoarse. But when the Spirit guides us into an area where the 'why' is bigger than our current understanding—whether it’s in a complex Book Club discussion in HolyPlaces, or when you’re deep in your own personal scripture study—we must emulate that profound obedience.

It reminds me of the power of the testimonies we share. Sometimes, the most powerful testimonies aren't the ones that trace a perfect, linear path from A to Z. They are the ones that testify, "I didn't know why I was doing it, but I did it, and the Lord blessed me."

Your Next Step as a Disciple

If this concept of trusting the unseen guidance resonates with you, I invite you to join us this week for a deep dive into this principle. We are holding a free weekly Disciple Challenge focused on 'Trusting the Process.' It’s a low-pressure way to test your faith muscles and share insights with fellow disciples from all corners of the globe.

For those who love digging into scripture, I highly recommend revisiting the concept of expectation setting. If you haven't already, check out the latest Iron Rod writings on LivingBook. The depth of study available in the Social Scripture Study layer can really help frame these big, life-altering questions.

Remember, whether you are in the MTC, actively serving, or simply at home, you are called to be an Internet missionary. Be willing to obey the promptings, even when the divine instruction feels like a mystery. The Lord is faithful, and He blesses those who follow the pattern of obedience.