The Center Point: Where True Discipleship Always Leads

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to gather in the work, whether we’re in the intensity of MTC, deep in the field, or right here in our living rooms doing our own sacred study, we keep running into the same theme. It’s the theme of *centering*. Centering on the Savior.

It’s a beautiful, sometimes uncomfortable, realization that hits you when you’re doing the deep work of missionary preparation. You start talking about the restored gospel, about the Atonement, and you realize that everything—every doctrine, every ordinance, every feeling of the Spirit—points back to Him. There is no detour, no side quest, no alternative center point.

I was thinking a lot about this the other day, and it brought to mind a talk I watched recently. It really resonated with the core truth of our covenant path. It makes you pause and ask, "Where am I placing my focus? Where is *my* center?"

The Center Point: Where True Discipleship Always Leads

The message from that video, stripped down, is profound: If Jesus Christ isn't at the center, then nothing else is. It’s a powerful reminder that the gospel isn't a collection of good feelings, or a set of rules we follow to *earn* worthiness. It’s a relationship with the living Atonement.

When we talk about being an internet missionary, it’s easy to get bogged down in the *techniques*—the perfect talk track, the best social media post, the flawless doctrinal explanation. But the Spirit whispers that the technique is secondary to the *focus*. Our focus must always be Christ.

“If there is a Jesus, You're not Jesus, you are not at the center and neither is anybody else. He is firstborn among the dead, and the rest of us, we're all lined up before the throne as sinners.”

That line—*“all of us just one congregation before him”*—that’s the picture I want us to hold onto. It’s humbling. It means that whether we are seasoned returned missionaries who have seen it all, or if you are just starting your journey through the preparatory steps, we are all standing together, reliant on the same Savior.

Mission Prep Skill: Shifting the Focus

Here’s a little something for your mission prep today. Next time you are in a missionary discussion, or even just talking with a friend about religion, I want you to practice the "Pivot Statement." If the conversation veers into something personal, political, or something that distracts from the core message of Christ, gently pivot it back. You could say something like, “That’s an interesting point, and it makes me think of how the Savior taught us that even in times of confusion, we must always look back to the core principles of the gospel.”

It’s not about winning an argument; it’s about guiding the conversation back to the center. It’s about being Christlike in the discussion itself.

Let's Keep This Conversation Going

The best way to solidify this understanding isn't just through reading, but through doing it together. If you’re feeling the pull to deepen your study, I highly recommend diving into the Iron Rod. I found some incredible insights in the recent articles on covenant keeping. If you haven't, check out the Book Club in HolyPlaces—it’s a wonderful place to wrestle with these big concepts alongside other disciples.

For those who are ready to practice this week, I’m hosting a free weekly Disciple Challenge this Thursday evening. We’ll be role-playing some tricky questions using Davee’s AI Investigator framework, focusing specifically on pivoting conversations back to the Savior. You can sign up and details are linked below.

Remember, we are all disciples, and we are all called to keep the center point fixed on Him. Keep pressing forward with faith!