The Compound Effect of the Spirit: Building Habits That Last

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since returning from my mission—and honestly, since I started digging deep into the Iron Rod teachings—it’s that the biggest changes in our lives rarely happen in a single, dramatic moment. They are the result of the mundane, the consistent, the things we do when no one is watching.

We talk a lot about vision, about the calling, about the glorious work ahead. And those things are real! They are the destination. But what gets us to the destination? It’s the daily habits. It’s the small, quiet disciplines that build the muscle of our discipleship.

I was watching a talk recently—and it really struck me—about how habits shape who we become. It hit me because I’ve seen so many dedicated Saints, people who *want* to be better, who *want* to keep up the momentum after the initial excitement wears off. We read the scriptures, we attend the temple, we try to keep up with our callings, but sometimes the momentum stalls. We get caught in the cycle of good intentions that fade by the time we get to the next major life event.

Think about the prophets, the apostles, even the Savior. They didn't wait for the perfect mood or the perfect amount of free time. They had *habits*. The Savior never said, “I’m too busy with the crowds to pray.” He carved out time. The early disciples, even when they were frustrated with each other—and let’s be honest, sometimes we feel that tension in our own small groups—they were dedicated to the consistent habit of drawing near to the Spirit.

This isn't about self-improvement in the secular sense, though those principles are useful. This is about spiritual discipline. It’s about making the covenant keeping—the things that draw us closer to the Father—the *default* setting for our lives. It’s about making the temple visit a non-negotiable habit, making the daily scripture study a routine, and making the willingness to serve a constant posture of the heart.

The key shift, I realized, is moving from focusing only on the *what* (the goal—e.g., 'I want to be more like Christ') to understanding the *how* (the process—e.g., 'I will spend 10 minutes journaling my gratitude before I check my phone').

This is where our role as Internet missionaries shines. We can’t always be physically present in the field, but we can be consistent. We can make the small, daily commitments that build character. If you’re struggling with consistency, I highly recommend revisiting the principles of building good habits. It’s a powerful framework for understanding spiritual disciplines.

If you are feeling called to deepen your study, remember that the digital classroom is full of resources. Check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces, or join a Bible Study Group. These structured environments help turn good intentions into actual, shared habits. And if you need help wrestling with the theological 'how' when a tough question comes up, remember Davee! He’s ready to walk you through those hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you refine your answers so you can share the gospel with confidence.

My challenge to you this week, my fellow disciples, is this: Identify one small, manageable discipline—maybe it’s reading a specific passage from the Book of Mormon before you check social media, or spending five minutes in quiet reflection before bed. Don't aim for perfection; aim for repetition. Let that small, consistent action become the habit that builds you into the disciple you know you can become.

If you want to dive deeper into the mechanics of building positive habits, I’ve linked some great reading material below. For a more immediate spiritual challenge, consider joining our free weekly Disciple Challenge—it’s a great way to build momentum together!