Taming the Mind: Keeping Our Thoughts Aligned with the Spirit

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing we learn in the field—whether we’re in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or right here in our own living rooms—it’s that the work of the gospel isn't just about our actions; it’s about the landscape of our minds. It’s about what we allow to occupy our thoughts when we’re driving, washing dishes, or just sitting in quiet reflection.

Sometimes it feels like our minds are a chaotic marketplace, filled with random worries, regrets, and distractions. We can get caught up in dwelling on past hurts or getting lost in anxieties about the future. But the Spirit whispers a profound truth that echoes through the scriptures: we have agency over our focus. We can, and we must, learn to direct our thoughts toward the eternal.

I was recently reflecting on some counsel that spoke directly to this. It reminded me so much of what we discuss in missionary discussions—the constant need to refine our testimonies and our understanding of the Plan of Salvation. If we aren't actively studying and bringing the gospel principles into our consciousness, those 'bad thoughts' can take root and become habits.

The Power of Thought: A Spiritual Skill

The principle is clear, and it’s beautifully stated in scripture: "As man thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7). This isn't meant to suggest we can achieve everything through sheer willpower—that would be leaning on our own strength, which is insufficient for the covenants we’ve made. But it *is* a divine warning and a powerful invitation to discipleship. It means that our thoughts are the soil in which our actions and feelings grow.

The beautiful thing, the miraculous part, is that we aren't passive recipients of every passing thought. We have the ability to intervene! We can take those thoughts—the ones that pull us toward comparison, doubt, or bitterness—and subject them to the law of Christ. Paul taught us to take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Think of it like spiritual mental reps. We have to practice catching those thoughts before they build into patterns.

A Daily Mental Practice for the Disciple

If we want to feel that profound, lasting peace—the kind that nothing can shake—we have to make this a routine, like brushing our teeth or preparing for our morning devotional. I’m talking about creating a "thought routine." When you wake up, take five minutes. Don't just let your mind wander to your to-do list. Instead, consciously ask: *What does the Book of Mormon teach me about my worth? What does the Atonement teach me about forgiveness?* Make it a habit to bring the principles we learn in our Book Club or our Bible Study Group into that quiet time.

This isn't just intellectual study; it’s spiritual reprogramming. It’s about taking responsibility for the inner person—the heart and the mind. As we prepare to be internet missionaries, we need minds that are disciplined, focused, and filled with the Spirit, not the noise of the world.

A Word from Davee on Thought Patterns

Speaking of disciplined thinking, I wanted to loop in Davee. He’s been working with some members who are wrestling with the "what if" scenarios—the doubts that pop up when they are studying for their mission interviews. Davee reminds us that the key isn't *never* having a doubt, but knowing the scriptural framework to address it. He helps walk people through those hard questions, showing them how to pivot from fear-based thinking to covenant-based thinking. It’s all about redirecting the focus back to Christ.

My challenge to you this week, as we all strive to be disciples anywhere, all the time, is to notice your mental drift. When you catch yourself dwelling on something negative or worldly, pause. Take a breath, and deliberately replace that thought with a scripture verse or a promise of the gospel. That small act of redirection is a transfer of power from the adversary back to the Spirit.

Keep yourselves connected to the source! If you want to deepen this study, I highly recommend checking out some of the insights shared in the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. And don't forget to join a local Book Club—it’s the perfect place to practice this together!