Leaving the Rearview Mirror: Pressing On Toward the Goal

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever felt like you’re hauling around a backpack filled with yesterday’s regrets—the moments you wish you could take back, the mistakes you keep replaying—I know that feeling. It’s heavy. It weighs down your testimony, it clouds your vision for the work, and it makes the callings feel insurmountable.

We talk so much about making covenants and keeping the commandments, and that’s vital. But sometimes, the sheer weight of our past actions—the things we’ve done when we weren't spiritually focused—can feel like it’s tethering us to the past. It can make us feel like we’re constantly catching up to where we need to be in our discipleship.

What I was pondering this week, after watching a talk that really struck a chord, is the power of simply *forgetting* what’s behind us. It’s not about pretending it didn’t happen; it’s about recognizing that Christ’s Atonement has given us a clean slate—a new creation.

The New Creation in Christ

When we accept the gospel, when we accept the Savior’s sacrifice, we are doing more than just saying words; we are claiming a new identity. We are becoming new creations in Christ Jesus. This truth is foundational to our journey as Latter-day Saints.

I was reminded of the scripture Paul cites in Philippians 3—that powerful declaration about leaving things behind. It’s a constant reminder, especially for us who are in the trenches of missionary preparation or who are newly returned missionaries. The world, and sometimes even our own hearts, can try to drag us backward into old patterns of thinking or living.

The message is clear, and it’s a beautiful, freeing thought: Forget what’s behind. Leave it in the rearview mirror. Focus your entire energy on straining toward what’s ahead—the goal, the prize, the Savior, and the Lord’s work.

Straining Toward What's Ahead

This isn't just a feel-good platitude, though it certainly feels that way! It’s a spiritual discipline. It means that when we are in our missionary discussions, we aren't worried about the one question we stumbled on last week. It means when we are studying in a Book Club, we aren't dwelling on the times we didn't study enough last month. It means that when we are out in the field, we are focused on the covenant path ahead, not the perceived failures of the past.

As we strive to be Internet missionaries, or even just disciples in our own homes, we must adopt this mindset. We are called to press on. We are called to be Christlike, which means we are constantly looking forward to perfecting our discipleship.

A Bite-Sized Skill for Today: The 'Thank You' Pivot

Here’s a small skill you can practice this week. The next time you catch yourself thinking about a past mistake or a lingering doubt, immediately pivot that thought into gratitude. Don't fight the thought; redirect it. Say to yourself, "I recognize that thought, but I choose to focus on the covenant I made today, and the blessings that await me." It’s a small act of spiritual redirection that honors the Spirit.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our focus must always be on the Savior and the eternal plan.

If this resonated with you, I encourage you to take a moment to check out the social scripture study layer inside LivingBook. Sometimes seeing how others are applying scriptures like this can give us the nudge we need to keep moving forward.

For those who are ready to deepen this study, I highly recommend diving into the teachings of Iron Rod authors on perseverance. If you want to discuss this further, let’s connect! I’m always ready to chat about how we can keep our eyes fixed on the prize.