When Belief Meets the Unforeseen: Finding the Resurrection Power in Our Lives

There are days when the weight of loss feels so immediate, so absolute, that it threatens to snuff out the light of hope. We gather, we grieve, and we try to make sense of the silence where a voice—a laugh, a comforting word, the sound of footsteps—used to be. It’s in those moments that the core of discipleship is truly tested, isn't it?

I was thinking a lot this week about the story of Lazarus. It’s a powerful narrative, a touchstone for any of us who have felt the grip of seemingly insurmountable sorrow. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Think about that weight—the physical reality of decay, the finality of death, and the people gathered around, their hearts broken.

Marta and Maria were there, representing different facets of faith. Marta, so articulate, so quick to reason with the Master: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” It’s a perfectly understandable, human complaint. We all have those "if only" moments, those moments where we point to a circumstance and say, “If only you had been here.”

But then comes the profound declaration that cuts through the logic and the grief: “I am the Resurrection and the life.”

This isn't just a miracle story; it's a blueprint for how we live as Latter-day Saints. It teaches us that while our best efforts, our perfect planning, and even our deepest faith can sometimes feel insufficient in the face of tragedy, the power of the Atonement—the power of Christ—is always greater. It transcends the timeline, the circumstance, and even our best arguments.

The Difference Between Knowing and Believing

Marta, after her initial intellectual plea, had to come back to Maria, and then, when she saw Jesus, she had to make a deeper leap. She had to move from the reasoned argument to the simple, profound statement: “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.”

Friends, as we continue in the work—whether we are preparing for missionary discussions, serving in a stake setting, or simply trying to help a neighbor understand the restored gospel—we often find ourselves in a place where logic and feeling collide. We can *know* doctrine from the Iron Rod, we can *read* the scriptures in LivingBook, but sometimes, we need that leap of faith, that moment where we trust beyond what our current circumstances can prove.

Being Christlike in the Field

The disciples present in the story—those who were there when Jesus wept, when He was moved by their grief—they saw the Savior’s humanity. They saw Him grieve with them. Being a disciple today, whether you are a returned missionary helping new converts or a lifelong disciple teaching in a Book Club, means learning to meet people where they are—in their grief, in their confusion, in their "if onlys."

It means not just reciting doctrine, but sharing the *feeling* of the gospel. It means being willing to feel the Spirit alongside them, even when the answer isn't immediately visible. It’s about showing them that even when the tomb seems sealed, the power of the Savior is at work.

A Small Challenge for Our Week

For our weekly Disciple Challenge this week, I want us to focus on identifying one area where we are relying on our own strength or intellect, and consciously choosing to pause and invite the Spirit instead. When you feel the urge to *explain* everything, pause. When you feel the need to *prove* something, pause. Just breathe, and ask, “What does the Spirit want me to feel right now?”

If you are feeling the call to deepen your study, I highly recommend revisiting the concept of covenants. If you're looking for something to ponder, check out the latest readings on covenants in LivingBook—it’s a wonderful way to layer your scripture study.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s keep sharing the light!