From Carthage Jail to the Plains: Adapting Our Faith When the Circumstances Change

Have you ever felt like you were praying for your circumstances to change? Maybe it's a job situation, maybe it's a relationship, or maybe it's just the Wi-Fi signal in the middle of a crucial study session. We all do. We naturally look to the heavens and ask, 'Lord, can you send us something better? Can you change this?'

It’s a natural human inclination, and I’ve found myself leaning into that tendency lately. But listening to the recent *followHIM* podcast episode, I was struck by a profound shift in perspective—one that moves us from asking for change to asking for the strength to adapt.

The Shift from 'Change It' to 'Change Me'

The story shared focused on Dan Jones, a man who was present during some of the most pivotal, and difficult, moments in Latter-day Saint history. He was there near the martyrdom, and he was part of the trek west through unimaginable hardship. When the company faced starvation on the plains, and all the palatable food was gone, they were faced with raw hides—something that, frankly, sounds awful to modern ears.

The natural reaction, the one we might default to, is to complain, to ask for manna, to pray for a rescue. But look at what Dan Jones did. Instead of focusing his prayers on changing the *circumstance*, he prayed that the Lord would change *him*—that he and his companions would be able to adapt to what they had. He didn't ask for better meat; he asked for the ability to process what was before him.

This is the heart of what I feel the Spirit prompting me to share with the Rogue Disciples right now. We are so quick to focus on the monumental figures—Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, the prophets we study in our Book Club settings. And those stories are vital. But the Spirit whispers that the deep, enduring discipleship is often found in the thousands of 'Dan Jones' moments. The moments when the Wi-Fi goes down, when the study material seems confusing, or when the missionary discussions get tough because the investigator is resistant.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill

If we take one thing away from this, it’s this: When the 'perfect' answer isn't immediately available, or when the situation feels too difficult to fix with a single testimony, pivot your focus. Instead of trying to *solve* the problem for the investigator, focus on asking the Lord to help *you* adapt your testimony, your patience, or your understanding. That ability to adapt your spirit—that’s the real gospel skill we need to hone.

It’s a beautiful reminder that being a disciple isn't about having all the answers; it’s about trusting the process, no matter how raw the 'hides' of the day feel.

I highly recommend listening to the full podcast episode to hear the context of these incredible accounts. It really brings the weight and the grace of their perseverance home.

Keep the Spirit Flowing

As we continue this journey together, remember that every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. If you’re feeling the weight of the work, or if you want to practice wrestling with some tough questions, I encourage you to use Davee. He’s excellent at walking us through those hard questions an investigator might ask, giving us a chance to practice our answers in a safe space.

For those of us who love digging into the scriptures, don't forget to check out the Social Scripture Study layer inside LivingBook. Sometimes seeing how others are highlighting verses related to perseverance can give us the nudge we need.

What are you adapting to this week? Share your thoughts below!