Measuring Up: Finding Our True Standard in the Work

Sometimes, when you’re deep in the work—maybe you’ve just finished a tough missionary discussion, or perhaps you’re wrestling with a challenging scripture study in HolyPlaces—the sheer magnitude of the gospel can feel overwhelming. We look at the standard set by the Savior, and we think, “How am I even going to get there?”

It’s a feeling every single one of us, whether we’re fresh out of the MTC, or if we’ve been ministering in the field for decades, have felt. The Lord asks, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” And then, Christ answers that question, setting the bar at the highest possible point: “Even as I am.”

It sticks in the throat, doesn't it? It feels grandiose. We look at where we are, and we look at the distance to perfection, and we can feel the anxiety creeping in. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to our neighbors, or even comparing ourselves to who we were yesterday. We start measuring our progress against the crowd, or against some arbitrary, self-imposed standard.

But as we talked about in the recent podcast episode, we need to remember Paul’s counsel. We can’t just compare ourselves to the people around us, no matter how good they are. We must look up. We must look to the ultimate measure: Jesus Christ.

This isn't about achieving some unattainable perfection overnight. It’s about understanding *where* our measure is set. It’s about realizing that the gap between where we are and the Savior is not something we close by sheer willpower or by looking sideways at our companions. The plan for closing that gap is through Him.

Think about it like Roger Bannister setting the four-minute mile record. He wasn't racing against the other runners on the track; he was racing against a specific, measurable goal—the clock. That goal was his standard. For us, that standard is Christ.

This week, as you engage in your own discipleship—whether that’s diving into a Book Club, or working through those deep questions with Davee in an AI Investigator session—I want you to shift your focus. When you feel the pressure to *be* perfect, redirect that energy. Instead, ask: “How can I move my focus back to the measure of Christ today?”

We are not meant to stretch ourselves beyond our measure, but we *are* meant to keep our eyes fixed on the standard He has given us. That standard is the Savior. That is the best course of all human endeavors.

If this has given you a little lift, I encourage you to listen to the full episode of the “Stand Forever” podcast series. It really helps frame this concept beautifully.

As you continue your journey as a disciple, remember that every member can be an Internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's keep leaning on the Spirit and keeping our eyes fixed on the ultimate measure.

For those who want to dig deeper into the scriptures and build that foundation, I highly recommend checking out the latest insights on the Book of Mormon in LivingBook. Sometimes, a good study session is exactly what we need to recalibrate our focus.

If you’re feeling the call to deepen your knowledge, consider joining a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with these big questions together!