What Do *You* Want Jesus to Do For You? Finding Our Own 'What'

Brothers and sisters, friends in the covenant path—have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a question so simple, yet so profoundly challenging, that it forces you to stop everything and truly *think*? It’s the kind of question that echoes long after the conversation ends, the kind that makes you look up at the heavens and whisper, “What do I actually want?”

I was recently reflecting on a conversation, and a specific question kept circling back to me: “What do you want me to do for you?”

It’s easy, isn't it, to focus on what the Savior *can* do for us. We know His power, His grace, His ability to redeem us. We are blessed to know that He *has* done so much. But when the question is flipped back—when we are asked what *we* want Him to do—it shifts the entire weight of the conversation. It moves the focus from receiving blessings to defining our own deepest needs and desires in Christ.

I immediately thought of the scriptures, and I thought of the blind man on the roadside. The record points to a moment of profound personal revelation when that man was asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 11:29, or similar accounts depending on the specific context being referenced, but the principle holds true!).

The difference between a general desire and a covenant desire is everything. A general desire might be comfort, or ease, or a quick fix. But the desire that comes from a heart prepared by the Spirit—the desire that comes from a disciple who has spent time in the preparatory work, who has been through the crucible of the MTC, or who has wrestled with the hard questions in a missionary discussion—that desire is always aligned with the will of the Lord.

Defining Our Desire: Beyond the Immediate Fix

As we continue in the work, whether we are serving in the field, preparing for transfers, or simply navigating our callings as returned missionaries, we are constantly being asked this question, sometimes directly, sometimes implicitly. Are we asking the Savior to solve our problems, or are we asking Him to help us become the kind of disciples who *can* solve our own problems through Him?

When I think about this, I think of the concept of agency. We are given the incredible gift of agency, and that gift requires us to define what we value. What do we want Jesus to do for us? I believe the answer, after much study and much prayer, is always: I want Him to help me become more like Him.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill: Asking the Right Question

Here is a little skill I wanted to share with you all today, especially those of us who are currently in mission prep or preparing for future service. When you are talking with an investigator, and you sense they are struggling with a deep question—a question that seems to challenge the core of the Gospel—don't rush to the answer from the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants. Instead, try to gently guide them back to the question itself. You might say, “That is a huge question. Before we answer it, can we pause and ask ourselves, what do *we* want the Lord to do for us in this moment?”

This technique shifts the focus from proving doctrine to cultivating discipleship. It helps them realize that the answer isn't just *out there* in the scriptures; it's something they must work to discover *within* themselves.

Where to Deepen This Study

If this concept resonates with you, I highly recommend digging into the teachings on covenant keeping. If you’re looking for more deep dives into scriptural principles, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces. We have some wonderful discussions going on right now that touch on the nature of eternal progression. For those who prefer self-study, I’ve been reading some excellent material by an Iron Rod author—I’ll link a recommendation in the comments!

And for those who want to practice this skill with me, I’m available to walk you through some challenging hypothetical questions. If you’re ready to put this into practice, let’s connect with me, or feel free to use Davee to role-play an investigator asking you the hardest questions!

Remember, the greatest gift the Savior can give us is not a life free of struggle, but the strength and the knowledge to face every struggle *with* Him. That is what we are called to become.