Leaving the Past Behind: Walking Forward in the Spirit

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re standing at a crossroads, looking back at a stretch of road that just won't let you move past? Maybe it’s a mistake you made last week, a relationship that ended painfully, or even a pattern of thought that keeps cropping up when you try to focus on the Savior.

It’s so easy to get stuck. We can build little emotional roadblocks using memories—memories of times we felt hurt, times we failed, or times we just weren't enough. We clutch at those moments like they are anchors, thinking that if we just analyze them enough, we can finally understand them, or perhaps, finally fix them.

But the Spirit whispers something vital to the heart, something that rings so true when you’re deep in missionary preparation or right after a tough transfer: It’s time to move forward.

The teachings we receive in the temple, the insights we gain in a Book Club, and the constant refinement we undergo in the field—they all point us toward a future built on Christ. We cannot build a temple of discipleship on the ruins of yesterday. We have to leave the past in the dust.

The Promise of the Day After

The speaker shared a powerful concept today: we are meant to be people of hope, not people dwelling in regret. When we focus too much on what went wrong, or what we lack, we lose sight of the divine promise—the promise of the Savior’s Atonement and the blessings that await those who keep the covenant.

This isn't about forgetting; it's about refocusing. It's about realizing that while we must learn from our experiences—and yes, those lessons are vital for our missionary discussions—we cannot let the *feeling* of the experience dictate our *current* devotion. We have to learn to think differently, to speak differently, and to *feel* differently—a feeling of eager anticipation for the Lord’s promises.

Trusting What We Can’t See

What really gets us going, what keeps us going when the applause fades and the visible rewards aren't there, is the belief in the Lord’s unseen hand. We all know that sometimes the greatest service—the kind that requires quiet endurance, like being a consistent helper in the Sunday School room for years—doesn't get the fanfare. No one sees the quiet faithfulness.

But the Savior knows. The Lord sees the diligent heart, the one who keeps showing up even when the feedback is just a sigh or a complaint. He sees the hours spent studying scriptures in the quiet of your home, the times you choose to pray for someone who never knows you exist. He sees it all.

This is a wonderful reminder for all of us—whether you are preparing for your mission, serving as a returned missionary, or simply living your daily life as a disciple. We must learn to expect the Lord’s reward, even if it comes in the smallest, most unexpected way. It might be a quiet moment of clarity, a timely word from a companion, or a sudden, deep feeling of peace that settles over your soul.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Field: The Pivot

If you are heading into the field, or even just having a challenging discussion with an investigator, remember the "Pivot." If the conversation gets bogged down in a negative or a past difficulty, don't dwell there. Acknowledge the weight of what they are carrying ("I hear how much pain that memory causes you"), and then gently, but firmly, pivot back to the eternal hope. Guide them back to the Atonement, back to the covenants, back to the *now* that Christ offers.

My dear disciples, we are called to be beacons of hope. We are called to look past the temporary struggles and point always toward the glorious Day of Judgment—the day when our faithfulness will be fully rewarded by our Heavenly Father. Let’s leave the weight of the past where it belongs, and walk forward with enthusiasm, knowing that the Lord sees our hearts.

If you're looking for more ways to strengthen that spiritual muscle, I highly recommend diving into the writings of Iron Rod. Check out the latest readings available in LivingBook!

If you're ready to put this into practice with others, join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let’s build each other up together!