Keeping Our Focus: Recognizing the Spirits in Our Modern World

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to be called to be disciples everywhere, all the time—whether we are in the MTC, in a mission field, or just running errands in our own neighborhoods—we are constantly being exposed to the world’s deep currents. Sometimes, the things we encounter, even in seemingly secular conversations, touch upon the deep, underlying questions of humanity: What is real? What is divine? And what are the forces at play?

Recently, I was pondering a talk by Jonathan Cahn that really made me pause and think about the foundation of our own beliefs. He dove deep into the concept of ancient entities—the *shedim*—and how the pagan world viewed the supernatural. It was a powerful reminder that the spiritual realm is not a quaint subject for history class; it is an active reality that requires our full attention and our constant vigilance.

What struck me most was the consistent pattern: where humanity has turned its focus away from the Savior, there is a tendency to give themselves over to other powers—to other spirits. The core message, which echoes so strongly in our own missionary discussions, is that there is a clear distinction: the Spirit of God, which is good, and the spirits that are against God, which are malevolent.

This isn't meant to scare us into fear, but rather to ground us in truth. Think about it: the scriptures teach us that our God is the ultimate source of light and truth. When we study the Book of Mormon, when we study the restored gospel, we are learning about the true source of life and power. We are learning to distinguish between the authentic, purifying influence of the Spirit and the deceptive whispers of the darkness.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Internet Missionary

If we are to be effective internet missionaries, we must be spiritually discerning. One skill I want us to focus on this week is **Source Verification in Testimony Building**. When you are sharing your testimony online or in a group setting, don't just share *what* you believe; be ready to share *why* you believe it, referencing foundational, restored sources. If someone asks a tough question, don't panic. Remember the principles of the *Preach My Gospel*—be prepared to teach, but always let the Spirit guide the depth of the answer.

It’s easy to get caught up in the cultural noise, the myths, and the intriguing theories floating around online. But our calling is to bring the pure, unadulterated light of the restored Gospel. We are disciples who know the source of the light, and that knowledge gives us confidence.

I highly recommend diving into some of the teachings on spiritual warfare and the nature of good versus evil. If you want to deepen your understanding of how the Lord has protected His covenant people, check out some of the recent readings on the covenants in LivingBook. Sometimes the most profound truths are found when we are willing to look at the deepest mysteries revealed by the Lord.

If this message resonated with you, please consider joining our next online gathering. We’ll be discussing how to apply principles of spiritual discernment to our daily lives. You can find details for the next session in the comments below, or if you prefer a more structured study, I encourage you to join a Book Club in HolyPlaces this week. Let’s keep the momentum going!