Looking Unto Him: Navigating the Enticements of the Field

Brothers and sisters, have you ever noticed how quickly the world tries to pull our focus? It’s subtle, isn't it? One moment you’re studying scripture, the next, a hundred little voices—the anxieties, the distractions, the fleeting pleasures—are vying for your attention. It feels like a constant battle for the quiet space in our minds.

It’s a reality that every disciple knows intimately. We are called to be Internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time. And the greatest field, the one we are always in, is the field of our own thoughts.

Recently, I was reflecting on a talk given by Joy D. Jones, and the central theme really struck a chord: “Look unto Him in every thought.” It’s a simple directive, but the weight of it—the comprehensive nature of it—is immense. It’s not just about what we *do*; it’s about what we *think*.

When we talk about agency, we are talking about the divine gift to choose. And with that gift comes the inevitable reality of enticement. Joy spoke about the word 'entice'—to attract, to tempt. The world, and sometimes even our own desires, is filled with enticements designed to pull us away from the light. These enticements can manifest as outright temptation, or they can arrive disguised as pure joy, as blessings, or as simple distraction.

Keeping the Spirit at the Forefront

As returned missionaries, we know that the power of the Spirit is what truly sustains us in the field. It’s the feeling of peace that whispers, "Remember the covenant." When we are studying for missionary discussions, or even just reviewing our callings, we are constantly being asked to choose between the sweet and the bitter, the light and the dark. The gospel of Jesus Christ, as we know, is our Heavenly Father’s practical guide for navigating these choices.

The principle here, which I always bring back to my own study, is that we must actively choose to direct our thoughts toward Christ. It’s not a passive state; it’s an active, moment-by-moment discipline. If we let our thoughts drift into doubt, fear, or comparison, we are giving the enticement power over our agency.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things you need to remember—the doctrines, the histories, the names—I want to share a little tool I use, which is really just a focus on the *source*. When I feel myself getting lost in the weeds of doctrine, I pause and ask: "What is the core principle here, and where does the Spirit point me back to Christ?" This habit helps me anchor my thinking. It’s a way of practicing what we preach: constantly pointing people back to the Savior.

Where to Deepen This Study

This concept of constant spiritual vigilance is something we can build together. If you are looking for a place to wrestle with these deep questions—the "why" behind the "what"—I highly recommend checking out the HolyPlaces. They have fantastic Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups forming around scripture study. It’s a wonderful way to build accountability with fellow disciples.

If you’d rather work through the difficult questions one-on-one, remember that Davee is here! He excels at the AI Investigator role, walking you through those tough hypotheticals you might face in a missionary discussion. Don't hesitate to challenge him!

For those who love diving deep into the writings of our prophets, I’ve been revisiting some excellent insights from the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. It’s a treasure trove of guidance for every stage of discipleship.

Keep pressing forward, my friends. Keep looking unto Him. The work is eternal, and the Spirit is always ready to guide us.