Finding Your 'Why': Building a Life That Truly Reflects the Gospel

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt like you were running on a treadmill—doing all the right things, studying the scriptures diligently, serving with fervor, and yet still feeling this deep, quiet ache that something is missing—I want to talk to you today. It’s a feeling every disciple knows, isn't it? We pour ourselves into the work, we study for our missionary discussions, we try to be more Christlike, but sometimes the *feeling* of fulfillment just won't stick.

Recently, I was pondering some thoughts from a talk by Carrie Roberts, and it really resonated with the core principles we learn in our missionary preparation. She spoke about the journey of defining your 'why.' It’s a concept that feels huge, almost overwhelming, but I think it’s the most practical, actionable skill we can bring back to our homes and our lives as disciples, whether we are in the MTC, serving in the field, or right here in our own living rooms as internet missionaries.

What struck me was how much effort she put into things that *should* bring happiness—exercise, career success, even diligent gospel living—and how none of it provided lasting contentment. It was a pattern I recognized: chasing the *should* instead of knowing the *is*.

Knowing Your 'Why': More Than Just Goals

When we talk about 'knowing your why,' we aren't just talking about career goals or material desires. We’re talking about the deep, guiding principle that anchors your decisions. It’s the spiritual compass that points you back to the Savior. She mentioned her parents giving her two pieces of advice. One was, “If you don’t like it, change it.” That speaks to agency—the divine gift to act. But the other, the one from her dad, was more profound: "What do you want out of life?"

It’s easy to get caught up in the *what* (the job, the perfect relationship, the perfect testimony) without ever pausing to ask the *why*. When we skip that step, we are building our lives on shifting sand. We become reactive rather than intentional.

The Gospel as the Ultimate Why

For me, the breakthrough came when I realized that the happiness I was seeking wasn't found in *doing* enough good, or *achieving* enough success. It was found in the *source* of the power—the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we center our lives around knowing *why* we are here—to become disciples, to follow Christ, to help others find the truth—everything else falls into place with a natural, joyful momentum.

This is a perfect skill to practice, whether you are preparing for your own mission or simply trying to navigate a challenging week. It’s a constant refinement of our discipleship. If you find yourself frustrated with a situation, don't just complain about the situation; ask yourself, "What principle of the gospel am I currently failing to apply here? What is my 'why' in this moment?"

This echoes so much of what we learn when we study the scriptures together. I highly recommend diving into the social scripture study layer in LivingBook. Sometimes seeing how others are highlighting the same passages, or seeing related insights pop up, can help illuminate your own personal 'why' for that scripture!

If this resonated with you, I encourage you to take a moment this week to journal. Don't just write what you *want*; write what you *know* you want from the Savior. That's where the true power to change things, to build a life of purpose, resides.

If you are looking for a deeper dive into applying these principles, check out the upcoming Book Club in HolyPlaces. We're tackling some wonderful material that really helps solidify that foundational understanding. Come join us!