Becoming a Saint: Finding Our Focus in the Midst of the Work

Sometimes, when we’re deep in the work—whether it’s preparing for a mission, studying for a temple recommend interview, or just having a quiet moment with the scriptures—it can feel overwhelming. We look at the sheer scope of what it means to follow Christ, and the weight of covenants can feel immense. You start to wonder, 'What does it *actually* look like to become a Saint?'

It’s easy to get caught up in the *doing*—the hours spent studying, the meetings attended, the comps completed. But as I was listening to Dr. Jennifer Platt discuss Mosiah 1-3, a profound truth kept echoing back to me: it’s less about the grand pronouncements and more about the *focus*.

King Benjamin, in his remarkable speech, wasn't focused on his own kingdom or his own labors. He understood that true kingship meant pointing people away from themselves and toward the Heavenly King. He taught that salvation comes through faith in the name of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship Isn't a Destination; It's a Daily Focus

This really struck a chord with me. We often treat discipleship like a checklist—a series of milestones we must hit to prove we are worthy. But the message seems to be that it’s a constant act of *re-centering*. It’s about asking, 'Where is my focus pointing today?'

Dr. Platt highlighted that King Benjamin understood that the Lord is omnipotent, and that salvation is found through faith. That’s the anchor, isn't it? When we feel scattered—juggling work, family, service, and our own personal spiritual growth—it’s easy to let our focus drift to the immediate, the tangible, or the temporary.

This week, as we study the scriptures, I’m thinking about that concept of 'anchoring yourself in the scriptures' (as mentioned in the show notes). It’s not just about reading the words; it’s about letting those words *re-calibrate* your internal compass. It’s about remembering that our ultimate goal, our exaltation, is rooted in the covenants we’ve made with our Heavenly Father.

The Power of the Right Question

This brings me to how we can apply this as we all strive to be better Internet missionaries and disciples anywhere, anytime. When we are preparing to share the gospel, or even just having a deep discussion in a Book Club, the hardest part isn't knowing the doctrine; it's knowing the *right question* to ask, or the right way to frame the answer.

This is where our AI Investigator, Davee, shines. He’s perfect for helping us practice navigating those tough moments. Instead of just reciting answers, we can role-play the investigator asking those challenging, deeply personal questions—the ones that make us pause and think, "Oh, I hadn't considered that angle."

My challenge to you this week, my fellow rogue disciples, is to take one passage you've been studying—maybe a verse from Mosiah, or perhaps a passage from the Book of Mormon that speaks to covenants—and use it as a prompt for a conversation with Davee. Let him walk you through the potential sticking points. Let him help you practice turning a doctrinal answer into a personal testimony.

Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Remember, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The strength of the quorum, the ward, and this community is in our shared willingness to keep asking questions and keep pointing each other back to the Savior. If you've been feeling that pull to deepen your study, I highly recommend checking out the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. Seeing how others are highlighting and connecting passages can be incredibly inspiring!

For those who are ready to put this into practice, I invite you to join our next online gathering. We’ll be discussing how to keep that focus sharp as we move forward in the work. Details are in the pinned comments below!

Until then, keep your hearts humble, keep your focus high, and keep testifying of the Savior.