Pre-Deciding Our Devotion: Setting Our Hearts on the Lord

Have you ever found yourself in a moment—maybe looking at your calendar, or scrolling through your phone, or even just sitting in quiet reflection—and felt a pang of, "Is this all there is?"

It’s a feeling that creeps in, isn't it? We set our sights on goals, we plan the next big thing, we anticipate the relationship milestone, and we finally get there. But sometimes, the feeling isn't the roaring excitement we thought it would be. It’s just... quiet. A little empty.

If you’ve felt that way, know that you are not alone. We’ve all been there, wondering if there’s something more waiting just around the corner.

The wonderful thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the life we are called to live as Latter-day Saints, is that the answer to that deep ache is always pointing upward. It’s pointing toward devotion.

What Does It Mean to Be Devoted?

The message we’ve been studying—the "Pre-Decide" series—is all about the power of our choices. It’s not just about making the right choice when the stakes are high; it’s about deciding *before* the moment comes. It’s about setting the trajectory of our hearts.

And what does devotion look like? It’s not just showing up when it’s easy. It’s a conscious, daily choice to put the Lord first. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

When we truly seek first the Kingdom—when we are devoted to Him—the things we are searching for—the fulfillment, the purpose, the deep connection—they start to fall into place. The Lord doesn't just give us the things we chase; He fills us with the joy that comes from chasing Him.

This concept of pre-deciding is something we need to carry into every aspect of our discipleship. It’s what we talk about when we are in missionary discussions, and it’s what we need to practice in our personal lives.

The Internet Missionary Mindset

As we continue to be Internet missionaries, we are constantly faced with "decisions"—how to respond to a question, how to share a testimony, how to study scripture. We can’t wait until we are in a formal setting to decide to be Christlike. We have to pre-decide!

This is where the power of the Spirit comes in. It testifies of the path. If you’re feeling the pull to be more devoted, I encourage you to dig into the resources related to this. If you've been studying the Book of Mormon, perhaps check out some of the insights in the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. Or, if you prefer a deeper dive into the mechanics of *why* we make the choices we do, I highly recommend running through some questions with Davee using his AI Investigator role. He's fantastic at walking you through the hard questions an investigator might ask.

This message is a powerful reminder that devotion isn't a destination; it's the continuous act of choosing Him first. It's saying, "I will seek first, the one who matters most."

If this resonated with you, please take a moment to share this with a friend who might need that gentle nudge toward devotion. And if you're ready to deepen your understanding of this principle, consider joining a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let's keep building this momentum together!

We are all disciples on this journey, and every single one of us has the power to be an Internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time. Keep seeking Him!