Choosing God: A Lesson in Prioritization for the Disciple's Heart

There are times when the weight of the world—or perhaps the weight of our own commitments—feels like it’s pressing down on our shoulders. We get so caught up in the day-to-day logistics of running our lives, building our careers, or even just managing our families, that we risk letting the Lord’s voice get muffled by the noise.

I remember a time, early in my own missionary journey, when I felt like I was failing at everything except keeping up appearances. I was trying to be the perfect companion, the perfect student, the perfect friend, all while feeling like I was forgetting the core lesson: that everything else must come second to the Spirit and to the Lord's commandments. It wasn't until I slowed down and truly focused on *choosing* God that the pieces started falling back into place.

This week, as we study the Book of Exodus, we get a powerful, almost stark, look at a foundational principle for every single one of us who wants to follow the Savior: choosing God over everything else.

The Divine Priority: What Comes First?

The narrative in Exodus 1:15-17 speaks to a moment of immense pressure, a time when the stakes were incredibly high. While the specifics of the passage are rich for study, the principle it illuminates is universal: when faced with competing loyalties, where do we anchor our deepest devotion?

As returned missionaries, we talk a lot about the "work"—the effort, the hours, the sacrifices. But sometimes, the preparation for the work, or the *doing* of the work, can become the focus, rather than the *source* of the strength. We can become so focused on our own readiness—our study hours, our callings, our temple attendance—that we forget to simply pause and ask: Is this choice, this commitment, this *thing*, truly drawing us closer to the Savior?

It’s a constant process of realignment. It’s not about doing *more*; it’s about directing our focus *better*. It’s about remembering that the covenants we make are not just suggestions; they are the architecture of our eternal lives.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill: The 'Why' Check

Here’s a small skill I want to share with you all as we continue to be Internet missionaries. When you are preparing to talk to someone—whether it’s a friend in your ward, a neighbor, or someone you meet online—don't just rehearse *what* you will say. Instead, pause and ask yourself: "What is the *one* core truth I need this person to grasp about the gospel that will change their perspective?"

If you can boil your testimony down to one powerful, Spirit-filled sentence, you’ve done the heavy lifting. That singular focus is what keeps the Spirit flowing and what makes your message resonate beyond the surface level. It’s about the heart, not just the eloquence.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode of this podcast. As you listen, keep the principle of "choosing God over everything else" at the forefront. Where in your week—your schedule, your spending, your deepest anxieties—are you finding yourself giving a fraction of your focus when you should be giving your whole heart?

Keep the Learning Going

This journey of discipleship is never complete. It’s a lifelong process of refinement. If you are feeling the tug to deepen your understanding of these principles, I highly recommend diving into the scriptures with a Book Club. Check out the Book Clubs in HolyPlaces; they are fantastic for wrestling with these deep truths alongside other disciples.

For those who are ready to wrestle with the tough questions head-on, remember that Davee is here. If you've been pondering how to answer a difficult question an investigator might ask about the Plan of Salvation, throw it at him. He’s trained in the AI Investigator role and can walk you through some excellent, Christlike responses.

Remember, we are all called to be disciples *anywhere*, *all the time*. Let's keep striving to put the Lord first, always.