Seeing the Pattern: Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on the Eternal Work

Brothers and sisters, when the world throws a stream of events our way—a passing here, a historical coincidence there—it’s natural for our minds to try and fit it all into a neat little spreadsheet. We look for patterns, we draw lines connecting dots, and sometimes, those lines feel overwhelmingly important.

It’s easy, especially when we’re deeply engaged in the study of the scriptures or thinking through the covenants we’ve made, to get lost in the details. We might find ourselves tracking dates, noting anniversaries, or comparing seemingly disparate events. It can feel like we're decoding a divine timetable.

Recently, there have been discussions—and I know some of you have been digging into the details, just like I have—comparing the timings of leaders’ passing, noting the recurring ‘sevens,’ or observing the synchronicity of dates. It’s fascinating, truly. It makes you pause and wonder what it all means.

When we look at these patterns, we are doing good investigative work. We are trying to be diligent students of the gospel and the lives of those who have served in high capacities. And that diligence is a gift. It shows a deep desire to understand the Lord’s plan.

The Eternal Perspective: Where Do We Anchor Our Focus?

But here’s where I want to gently guide us, my fellow disciples. While pattern recognition is a valuable tool for study—and I commend anyone who is using the LivingBook for deep dives into scripture or historical context—we must be careful not to let the *analysis* of the pattern become the *focus* of our discipleship.

The greatest pattern we can focus on, the one that never changes, is the pattern of the Atonement. It is the pattern of Christ’s infinite love, which transcends any earthly timeline, any political moment, or any specific date on a calendar. Our focus, as disciples, must always be on keeping our hearts aligned with the Spirit and continuing the work.

Think about what President Nelson taught in April 2024. He spoke of history, of continuity, and of the covenant path. The message was always rooted in the enduring power of the gospel, not in the chronology of leadership changes. The priesthood keys, the doctrines, the core commandments—those are the unchanging anchors.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: Shifting Focus

If you find yourself spending too much time analyzing historical timelines, try this small mental shift. Before you open your notes or your spreadsheet, take a moment to pray, and then immediately pivot your thoughts to a specific person you know who needs to hear the gospel. Don't think about the *grand* pattern; think about the *next* small act of kindness, the *next* simple invitation to study, the *next* chance to bear testimony of the living Christ.

That shift—from the macro-analysis of history to the micro-application of the Spirit in our daily lives—is what keeps us moving forward. It’s what makes us effective rogue disciples, wherever we are.

We are called to be internet missionaries, yes, but more importantly, we are called to be disciples *anywhere, all the time*. Let the study of history inform our reverence, but let the Spirit direct our action.

I invite you to join me for our next study session! We’re diving into the Book of Mormon next week, and we’ll be using the HolyPlaces feature to explore how scripture study can connect us to the covenants of the past and the needs of the present. If you're feeling the pull to study, sign up for the Book Club!

And for those of you who love digging into the hard questions, I highly recommend running your thoughts by Davee. He’s been trained on the best ways to answer tough investigator questions, and it’s a real blessing for missionary discussions.