When the Lord Weeps and Satan Laughs: Finding Strength in the Struggle

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re standing on the edge of a canyon? One side is bright, full of the Spirit’s warmth and the promise of the gospel; the other side is shadowed, echoing with doubt, criticism, and the subtle whispers of the adversary. It can feel overwhelming, like you’re caught between two opposing forces.

It’s in those moments—when the spiritual battle feels most intense—that the scriptures shine like a beacon. Today, as we reflect on the study of Moses 7:26, 28, we’re looking at a passage that speaks directly to the heart of the covenant path: the reality that even when things are difficult, when the enemy seems to be having the upper hand, the Lord’s power and tears are more real.

This isn't about pretending the struggle doesn't exist. The gospel isn't a shield that blocks out all difficulty; it's the strength that allows us to walk *through* the difficulty while keeping our eyes fixed on the Savior. We learn that the Lord’s tears are not signs of weakness, but signs of profound, empathetic love for His children.

The Power of the Spirit in Battle

As we prepare for missionary discussions, or even when we're just trying to share our testimony with a friend who is skeptical, we encounter spiritual opposition. It can feel like the enemy is laughing while the Lord weeps—a perfect encapsulation of spiritual warfare. But remember who we are disciples of. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and He knows the battle. He has already overcome it.

When I was in my own mission prep days, I remember feeling inadequate. I thought I needed some perfect, polished testimony, a flawless recitation of doctrine. But the Spirit taught me that what the Lord needs is our willingness to be vulnerable, to admit we don't have all the answers, and to simply *keep showing up*. That’s the essence of being an internet missionary today—showing up consistently, even when the connection is spotty or the response is silence.

This study reminds me that our greatest strength isn't our eloquence or our knowledge of the Book of Mormon; it's our reliance on the Atonement. It’s knowing that when we feel the weight of the world, the Lord is weeping with us, and that tears are a promise of divine intervention and comfort.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Field: Acknowledging the Difficulty

Here’s a small skill I want to pass along to all of us, whether you are training for your mission, serving as a returned missionary, or just trying to deepen your personal study: When discussing a difficult doctrine or answering a tough question, don't rush to the "perfect" answer. Instead, acknowledge the weight of the question. You might say, "That is a very deep and important question, and it’s one that has challenged many Saints throughout history." This validates the investigator's struggle and shows that you, too, are learning and relying on the Spirit, rather than just reciting memorized talking points. It makes you more Christlike.

If you want to dive deeper into how to handle tough questions, I highly recommend checking out Davee's AI Investigator role. He’s excellent at walking you through those hard questions an investigator might ask and helping you structure a Spirit-filled response.

Listen to the full episode for more context on this powerful scripture study:

The gospel is a journey of constant refinement. It's not just about the big moments; it’s about the daily commitment to being a disciple anywhere, all the time. If you are looking for more structured study time, I encourage you to check out a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let's keep building up the Kingdom together!

For those who enjoy deep dives into scripture, I’ve been revisiting some foundational principles through the Iron Rod authors. If you haven't, I suggest picking up anything on discipleship from the collection available in LivingBook. It’s a wonderful resource for our ongoing journey to gather Israel.

What are you studying this week? Let’s keep the momentum going!