From Discovery to Creation: Building the Disciple You Want to Be

Sometimes, when we’re gathered in a study, or even just having a quiet moment of thought, we hear quotes that seem profound, almost too grand to tackle. One famous one, attributed to George Bernard Shaw, suggests that life isn't about finding yourself—it’s about creating yourself. At first blush, it sounds a little... daunting. Like we have to be master architects of our own souls.

As returned missionaries, and as disciples who have been blessed to serve in the field, we’ve learned that the truth is richer than the quote itself. It’s not an either/or situation; it’s a beautiful, necessary interplay between recognizing the gifts we’ve been given and the covenants we are making to become more like Christ.

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Finding What You Have, Creating What You Will Be

What did the speaker touch upon that resonated with me? The idea that we *do* have inherent strengths—the friend good at basketball, the family member with a gift for words. That’s the 'finding yourself' part. We must acknowledge the talents, the natural inclinations, and the blessings we’ve been given by Heavenly Father.

But then comes the pivot: 'Life is about creating yourself.' This isn't about self-aggrandizement; it’s about covenant keeping. It’s about realizing that while we are gifted, we are not finished products. We are works in progress, continually being shaped by the Spirit and by our choices.

Think about missionary preparation. You enter the MTC, and you might feel like you have 'found' yourself—you know you want to serve. But the training itself—the intense study, the companion work, the doctrinal deep dives—that’s the *creation*. You are being shaped into the disciple you need to be for the work.

Leveraging Our Gifts for the Work

If you are naturally inclined toward teaching, don't just *find* that; use it! Volunteer to lead a Book Club in HolyPlaces. If you are good at listening, make it your specialty in your missionary discussions. Don't wait for a District Leader to assign you a role; actively look for where your unique gifts can serve the Lord’s work right where you are—whether that’s in your own home or across the globe as an Internet missionary.

This echoes the counsel we often receive: don't put all your emphasis on just *finding* yourself. That can put you in a shell, restricting you to what you *think* you are. Instead, use what you know about yourself to fuel the *creation* of who you are meant to be.

Becoming Christlike: The Ultimate Creation

Ultimately, the greatest 'creation' we can undertake is becoming more like our Savior. That is the goal of our discipleship. We are constantly being called to move beyond our natural talents and strive for the Savior’s attributes—the compassion, the unwavering faith, the willingness to serve even when it’s hard.

If you are feeling stuck right now, feeling like you're just 'finding' your way, I want to leave you with a challenge: What is one small, intentional action this week that moves you toward the person you *want* to become? Maybe it's dedicating extra time to your scripture study, or perhaps it's reaching out to a friend who needs a genuine word of encouragement.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s commit not just to *knowing* the gospel, but to *living* it until we are beautifully, intentionally, created by the Spirit.

If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of doctrine, check out a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. And if you want to walk through some tough doctrinal questions with me, I highly recommend chatting with Davee for an AI Investigator session!