The Unexpected Lessons of Open Hearts: Finding the Gospel in Every Culture

If you’ve been in the field—whether that field is Argentina, rural Utah, or your own living room—you know that the gospel isn't confined by geography. It follows the Spirit, and it requires us to be adaptable, humble, and ready to laugh at ourselves.

When I was first out in my area, I felt like I had studied every protocol, every doctrinal point, and every possible objection. I was ready for the hard questions, the deep theological dives, and the serious discussions. But nothing, absolutely nothing, prepared me for the sheer, unexpected warmth of human connection.

It was a beautiful, confusing, and deeply memorable day. I had just finished a teaching session, feeling pretty fresh off the wagon, when a young woman approached me. She didn't ask me about the Book of Mormon or the Plan of Salvation. Instead, she offered a *beso*—a greeting of kisses on the cheek. I froze. My mind raced through the mission manual: *Is this appropriate? Should I address my district leader? What does this mean?*

My trainer was having a fit of laughter behind me, but the moment felt overwhelming. I realized, in that instant, that my understanding of 'greeting' was incredibly narrow. I was so focused on the *content* of the work—the answers, the teachings—that I forgot to focus on the *people*. I was so concerned with the protocol that I missed the beautiful, openhearted intention behind her actions.

I learned that day that culture is not a barrier to the gospel; it is simply a different language for love. The openness of the Argentinian people—greeting each other with such physical warmth, even men greeting men with *besos*—taught me a profound lesson in grace. The Spirit doesn't care if you are prepared for the *beso* or if you’ve memorized the answer to the hardest question. The Spirit cares that you are willing to meet people in their reality, with love and humility.

The Principle of the Open Heart

This experience crystallized for me a key truth for every member of the quorum: The gospel requires us to be culturally fluent in empathy. Our job as Latter-day Saints is to be Christlike, and being Christlike means adopting the heart of the Savior—a heart that is open, forgiving, and willing to learn from every interaction, no matter how strange or beautiful.

Beyond the Mission Field: Becoming a Disciple Anywhere

This is the core of the 'rogue disciples' life. When we think of 'the work,' we often picture the MTC or the field. But the truth is, the field is wherever you are. It’s in the neighborhood where you exchange a few words with a neighbor you’ve never met. It’s in the online forum where you help a friend struggling with a tough question. It’s in the Book Club where you discuss a scripture passage.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of being an 'Internet missionary,' don't worry about being perfect. Just focus on being present. Be observant. Be willing to laugh at your own cultural misunderstandings, because that humility is often the most compelling missionary preparation skill we can possess.

The most important lesson I took away was that adapting my heart was more important than adapting my lines. The work isn't about having all the answers; it's about sharing the source of life that answers everything.

Cultivating Cultural Humility

If you want to deepen this skill, I highly recommend exploring the material in the Iron Rod. Specifically, look for authors who discuss cross-cultural communication. Understanding how others communicate—what their traditions are, what they value—is part of being a truly effective disciple.

We are called to be disciple-makers, and that starts with us being willing to learn. If you’ve ever experienced a moment of cultural shock or profound connection while serving or simply living your life, I encourage you to share it. It might be the lesson the next disciple needs to hear.

As always, remember that the Lord provides the Comps, the Spirit, and the opportunities. Let’s keep sharing our stories and living as the pattern of Christ. If you want to dive deeper into the principles of scripture study and connection, check out the Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. It's a wonderful way to build community and continue the work right from your home.