🌿 What Happens When the Messenger Falls?

🌿 What Happens When the Messenger Falls?

There is something I've noticed over the years.

People come.

People go.

Teachers come.

Teachers go.

Authors come.

Authors go.

Movements rise.

Movements fall.

Sometimes a person teaches us something beautiful.

Sometimes they help us find a scripture we never noticed.

Sometimes they help us see Jesus more clearly.

Then one day...

They disappoint us.

Maybe they make mistakes.

Maybe they change.

Maybe we discover things about their past.

Maybe we simply realize they are human.

And suddenly people begin asking:

"Was it all false?"

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The older I get, the more I think that may be the wrong question.

The better question might be:

Did it bring me closer to Jesus?

If it did, then I can be grateful for the good without pretending the messenger was perfect.

After all, almost every messenger in scripture had flaws.

Noah got drunk.

Moses lost his temper.

Jonah ran away.

Peter denied Christ.

Alma persecuted the Church.

Paul admitted he was the chief of sinners.

And yet God still used them.

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The danger comes when we stop following Christ and start following people.

That can happen in churches.

That can happen in movements.

That can happen on YouTube.

That can happen in books.

That can happen with our favorite teachers.

Soon we are defending a person instead of seeking the Lord.

The Savior warned:

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm."

— 2 Nephi 4:34

Notice He didn't say we couldn't learn from people.

He said we shouldn't place our trust in them.

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The Iron Rod in Lehi's dream was not a man.

It was not a church.

It was not a movement.

It was not a famous speaker.

It was the word of God.

And ultimately, that word points us to Jesus Christ.

When people help us find Him, be grateful.

When they teach truth, receive it.

When they make mistakes, remember they are mortal.

And if they fall?

Keep walking.

Keep holding the rod.

Keep following Christ.

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One of the most freeing lessons I've learned is this:

I don't need every messenger to be perfect.

I only need Jesus to be perfect.

The messenger may stumble.

The Savior never does.

The messenger may disappoint.

The Savior never will.

The messenger may leave the path.

The Savior remains the path.

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Maybe that is one reason the Lord keeps reminding us:

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

— Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

Not:

"Look unto your favorite teacher."

Not:

"Look unto your favorite author."

Not:

"Look unto your favorite movement."

Look unto Him.

Always Him.

🌿 Walking With Jesus

If someone has helped you come closer to Christ, thank the Lord for the gift.

Then keep your eyes on Jesus.

Because in the end, He is the only messenger who never fails.

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