No Neutral Ground: Keeping Our Hearts and Minds Sanctified for the Work

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re standing in a place where every direction seems to pull you—a place where the lines between right and wrong feel dangerously blurred? It can feel like there is no neutral ground left to stand on.

It’s a feeling I know well. When I was first getting my bearings in the field, the sheer volume of information, the constant cultural noise—it was overwhelming. You start to think, "Just keep the commandments, right? That should be enough." But then you realize that keeping the commandments isn't just about *what* we do; it’s about *where* we place our focus, *what* we allow into our minds, and *how* we govern our desires.

Elder Holland’s message, "Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you," hits us right where we need to be today. It’s a powerful reminder that our spiritual readiness isn't a passive state; it requires active, daily effort. It requires us to be vigilant.

The Battleground is Internal

What struck me most while listening to this talk was the emphasis on the mind and the morals. It’s easy to think that if we are faithful in our temple attendance or our tithing, we are safe. But the Lord knows that the battle for the heart and the mind is waged constantly, and the enemy is crafty. There is no corner of our lives—not our leisure, not our private thoughts, not our digital consumption—that is immune to influence.

This isn't meant to be a source of fear, but a call to radical self-reliance in our covenants. If we are going to be effective missionaries—whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or simply sharing the Gospel with a neighbor—we must be prepared. We must be ready for the Lord to do wonders through us.

The Power of Self-Control

The counsel here is clear: "The only real control you have is self-control." This isn't just about avoiding obvious sins; it’s about the cumulative effect of small choices. It’s the little things—the videos we watch, the conversations we engage in, the habits we let slip—that erode the spiritual capital we need for the work.

If you are feeling the tug of temptation, if you find yourself struggling with what you look at or listen to, please, do not try to wrestle with it alone. That's where the Spirit whispers, "Talk to your mom and dad. Talk to your Bishop." Seek counsel from the good people around you. Don't let the problem perpetuate itself in isolation.

Remember the power of repentance. The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers everything. He wept and bled for us. If we feel unworthy, we are not too far gone. We can always start again through Him.

Our Calling as Disciples

Ultimately, this message points us back to our divine calling. We are called to be physicians to the Church. Whether you are a seasoned returned missionary who has seen the field firsthand, or if you are just starting out in your own home, you are equipped for this. We are all internet missionaries, all the time.

If you feel called to deepen your understanding of these principles, I highly recommend diving into the teachings of Abraham Gesimer or reading up on the principles of sanctification within the Iron Rod curriculum. For a deeper dive into scripture-discipleship, check out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with these big questions together.

If you want to practice wrestling with tough doctrines or hypotheticals, I encourage you to utilize Davee. He’s ready to walk you through the hard questions an investigator might ask about purity or neutrality, helping you craft answers rooted in the Spirit.

We are stronger together. Let’s keep sanctifying ourselves so that when the Lord does His wonders, we are ready to bear witness!