Training the Mind: Keeping Our Thoughts Focused on the Spirit

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since returning from the field—and trust me, I’ve seen the highs and the lows of missionary discussions—it’s that the work isn't just about what we *say*; it’s about what we *think*.

We spend so much time learning how to articulate the gospel, how to handle tough questions, and how to point people toward the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We get so focused on the *outward* performance of sharing our testimony. But what about the inner landscape? What about the quiet work happening in our minds?

Watching this message from Joyce Meyer really brought home a principle that feels both ancient and brand new: our thoughts are the architects of our actions. The speaker emphasized that the Bible’s principles are life-changing, and that our focus determines our direction. It hit me, deep in my bones, that guarding our thoughts isn't just spiritual hygiene; it's mission-critical.

The Direction of Our Thoughts

It’s easy, when we’re busy with our lives—juggling work, family, temple attendance, and keeping up with our own discipleship—to let our minds wander toward self-centered worries or worldly distractions. But the scriptures are clear. As the speaker referenced from Romans 8, our thoughts dictate our feelings, and our feelings dictate our actions. If we let our thoughts drift toward what is merely natural or self-serving, that’s where our efforts will lead.

This isn't about suppressing thought; it's about *directing* it. It’s about actively choosing to let the Spirit guide our mental focus. Think about it when you’re studying scripture. Are you just reading the words, or are you pausing, asking, “How does this apply to my life right now? How does this help me understand the plan of salvation?” That active engagement—that’s where the real learning happens.

A Disciple’s Guide to Focus

As we continue to be Internet missionaries, we are constantly in the process of teaching, learning, and refining our testimonies. This principle is the perfect complement to our efforts in the field. If we want to be better disciples, we have to become better at directing our attention.

Here are a couple of things I’ve been focusing on lately, which I hope will help you too:

• Intentional Study: When you open up LivingBook for your Book Club or Bible Study Group, don't just skim. Pick one verse and spend five minutes doing a deep dive. Use the scripture_insight feed to see how others are connecting the dots.
• Pre-Missionary Skill: When you feel the temptation to let your mind wander into anxiety about the future, pause. Instead, mentally recite a key principle you want to share—maybe the Atonement, or the purpose of temple covenants. Redirecting your focus to the Savior is a powerful spiritual muscle builder.
• Embracing Expectation: The speaker encouraged expecting God’s power. In our discipleship, that means expecting the Spirit to prompt us when we need to share something, or prompting us to study something we need to know. Don't just wait for things to happen; expect the divine promptings!

We are called to be disciples *anywhere*, all the time. And that starts right here, in the quiet moments when we are learning to govern our thoughts.

If you want to practice this mental discipline, I highly recommend diving into the materials available through the Iron Rod. It's a constant source of refining truth.

For those of you who are ready to dig deeper into how to handle complex questions, I encourage you to check out Davee. He’s been excellent lately walking through the nuances of understanding modern challenges through the lens of the gospel. He’s a fantastic resource for anyone prepping for missionary discussions or just wanting to sharpen their doctrinal understanding.

Let’s keep our minds fixed on the eternal truths, knowing that our thoughts are the first step toward changed hearts and lives.