What God *Did* Promise Us: Keeping Our Focus on the Eternal Gifts

Do you remember the sting of a childhood disappointment? Maybe it was the baseball glove when you were dreaming of a goalie set, or the pool table when all you wanted was a toboggan adventure. We all have those moments where expectation collides hard with reality.

It’s easy, isn't it, to get caught up in the "what ifs" of our lives—the things we *wish* were true, or the comforts we *thought* were guaranteed. But as we gather here in the fellowship of the rogue disciples, preparing for the great work, we need to be crystal clear on what the covenants truly promise.

I was recently pondering this after watching a devotional on expectations. It hit me: our biggest spiritual pitfalls often come when we confuse what God *promises* with what we *want* from Him. When we get discouraged, are we mourning a failure of the covenant, or are we mourning the absence of a temporary earthly comfort?

Focusing on the Eternal Promises

The message is profoundly reassuring, yet it requires us to be diligent in our study. The Lord promised to be with us—that's the anchor. He promised to provide what we *need* to keep following Him, which is a different conversation than what we *want* for a perfect life.

Think about it through the lens of our discipleship. We are taught to be Christlike, to endure, and to keep the commandments. But sometimes, the journey *is* hard. The Savior didn't promise that the path to exaltation would be easy; He promised that He would walk with us through it.

This principle rings so true when we think about the power of the Spirit. The Spirit doesn't promise to remove all temptation or all struggle, but it *does* promise guidance, comfort, and the strength to overcome. That promise is infinitely more valuable than any temporary ease.

When we are out in the field, or when we are studying for missionary discussions, or even when we are just having a quiet moment in the temple, it’s easy to get bogged down in the small disappointments—the transfer delays, the tough questions from an investigator, or the feeling of inadequacy. But if we anchor ourselves to the core promises—eternal life through Christ, the power of the gospel, and the companionship of the Spirit—those small disappointments lose their sting.

This is the heart of being an internet missionary and a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our focus isn't on a perfect mission experience; it's on building eternal covenants. Our focus isn't on an easy life; it's on becoming more like Christ.

A Little Prep Skill for the Week

As you prepare for your next teaching opportunity, or even just your next conversation with a friend, I want to give you a quick tool. When you sense someone getting discouraged or disappointed, don't immediately jump to solving the problem. Instead, gently guide them back to a core promise. You might say something like, "It sounds like you're feeling let down by X. Have you remembered that the Lord promised Y? That promise is what sustains us." This redirects the focus from the temporary disappointment to the eternal promise.

If you're looking to deepen your study on this, I highly recommend revisiting the Book of Mormon passages that speak to endurance. If you're ready to dive deeper into how to handle these difficult conversations, check out Davee. He’s been working on some excellent scenarios for the AI Investigator role lately—it’s perfect for practicing these kinds of gentle redirects!

We are building something eternal here, brothers and sisters. Let's keep our eyes fixed on the gifts that *are* promised.

If you feel the Spirit prompting you to connect with others who are also wrestling with these deep truths, please consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with the scriptures together.

For those who love a good read, I’m currently reading a fantastic chapter from the Iron Rod concerning covenant keeping. I'll drop a link to the recommended reading in the comments!