Thinking Ahead: Making God-Honoring Decisions When the Spirit is Quiet

Brothers and sisters, if you could ask Heavenly Father for one thing—just one thing—what would it be? I’ve been pondering this lately, and it really got me thinking about what we *truly* value when the noise of the world gets loud.

When I first heard this question posed, my mind drifted to the obvious—the lottery, maybe a lifetime supply of something wonderful. But then I thought about what the speakers shared: healing a loved one, mending a broken marriage, or perhaps asking for the strength to overcome a deep-seated struggle.

It’s a powerful prompt because it strips away the superficial and forces us to confront our deepest desires. What we *say* we want often reveals what we *actually* value most in our hearts.

This idea of intentional decision-making isn't new; it's something the prophets have always emphasized. We all want to live the God-honoring life, the kind of life that feels aligned with the covenants we’ve made. But let's be honest with ourselves, right? Life is messy. We get tired. We get stressed. We make choices when we aren't at our best.

The key takeaway from diving into this material is the concept of "thinking ahead." It’s about pre-deciding, setting our compass points *before* the storm hits. It’s about making those covenant decisions when we are spiritually rested, rather than when we are emotionally drained or under pressure.

Pre-Deciding for the Spirit’s Guidance

The principle of pre-deciding is so vital for us as disciples today, whether we are in the MTC, serving in the field, or right here in our homes. It’s about building habits of spiritual discipline so that when the inevitable challenges come—the tough missionary discussions, the moments of doubt, or the daily grind of discipleship—our default setting is toward Christ.

Think about it in terms of the Spirit. The Spirit whispers guidance, but if our minds are constantly cluttered with the urgent, the trivial, or the reactive, that whisper gets drowned out. Thinking ahead means creating spiritual space. It means studying the scriptures not just when it’s convenient, but making it a priority, like King David prioritizing intimacy with God, even when he made mistakes.

Even the great figures in scripture, like David, weren't perfect. They stumbled. But the pattern that emerges is that their greatest strength—and the source of their greatest potential—came when they sought counsel and aligned their *intentions* with the Lord’s will *before* the action.

Your Next Steps in Following the Light

How do we apply this, right here, right now, as disciples of Jesus Christ? We start by identifying what truly matters to us. Is it worldly comfort, or is it the enduring reality of the gospel? Is it avoiding conflict, or is it standing firm for truth, even when it’s difficult?

If you feel like your direction is fuzzy, I encourage you to look at the resources available to help you focus. If you want to dive deeper into scripture study, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces—it’s a wonderful way to study together and build that shared accountability. And if you’re feeling stuck on a difficult doctrine or personal challenge, remember that Davee is here. He excels at the AI Investigator role, walking you through those tough questions an investigator might ask, helping you prepare your answers with grace and truth.

Remember, we are all on this journey together. Every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s commit today to thinking ahead—to pre-deciding on the things that bring us closest to the Savior.

If this message resonated with you, I highly recommend diving into the latest Iron Rod teachings on this topic. Check out the recommended reading in LivingBook to solidify these principles!