Finding the Good News When the World Feels Like Bad News

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve been in the field, you know what it feels like to be saturated. You’re out there, sharing the gospel, and you hear it all day: economic woes, political division, global sickness. It can feel like the pervasive message echoing from every corner of the world is, 'This is it. This is the end.' It’s easy, I promise you, to get sucked into that current of anxiety and fear.

I’ve been there. I’ve found myself getting emotionally on edge, discouraged, wondering if we can ever rebuild to a time that felt meaningful. It takes effort, true effort, to fight for a perspective of faith when the evidence around us screams otherwise.

But as returned missionaries, as disciples who have been taught to look for the good, we know better. Our hope isn't based on what we see on the headlines; it has to stem from what God has already revealed in the scriptures and in the temple covenants.

Optimism Rooted in the Gospel, Not Denial

The message we received from Pastor Groeschel echoes something we’ve talked about in our own missionary discussions: Optimism isn't putting our heads in the sand. It’s not denying the reality of the challenges we face. It's not blind faith that requires no action.

What *is* it? It’s a deep, confident assurance—a belief that despite the current storm, the good news of the restored gospel is more powerful, more eternal, and more certain than any bad report.

Think about it. When we study the Book of Mormon, or when we dig into the covenants, what is the consistent thread? It’s the promise of Christ. It’s the promise that even in the darkest valley, the Lord is still working. That’s where our positive outlook must anchor itself.

A Disciple’s Skill: Finding the Good

This requires a deliberate, almost spiritual discipline. It’s like learning to see the *social scripture study* layer of life—you have to actively look for the highlights, the related insights, the scripture that points upward, even when the feed is filled with negativity.

I remember talking with a few young disciples recently, and they were wrestling with how to keep their hearts buoyant. We talked about how the *work* itself is a source of good news. When you are called to be an internet missionary, you are given a stake in the eternal progress of souls. That mission—that calling—is the ultimate good news.

If you are feeling the weight of the world right now, I encourage you to lean into the foundational truths. Don't let the noise drown out the quiet, powerful message of the Restoration. Keep studying the scriptures, keep gathering your strength in your local ward, and keep remembering that we are part of something infinitely good.

A Little Prep Skill for the Field

Here’s a small piece of missionary preparation I want to leave you with: When someone brings up a difficult, negative topic—be it politics, health, or the economy—don't try to argue them out of their worry. Instead, pivot gently. You might say, "That sounds incredibly stressful. When I feel overwhelmed by the world's problems, I always turn to the Savior. He taught us that our focus needs to be on the eternal, right? What scripture comes to mind for you when you think about eternal hope?"

That simple pivot redirects the conversation from the immediate crisis to the enduring covenant.

If you want to deepen this conversation, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. There are some excellent talks on faith and perseverance that will nourish your spirit.

For those of you who are feeling the pull toward deeper study, remember that HolyPlaces has fantastic Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups forming. It’s a wonderful place to anchor your understanding in community.

Stay positive, my friends. Fight for faith. The good news is always available if we know where to look!