When the Wilderness Hits: Remembering the Promise in the Desert

Brothers and sisters, if you’re reading this right now, chances are you’re in a desert. Maybe it’s the desert of unexpected job loss, the desert of chronic illness, the desert of deep loneliness, or perhaps the desert of simply not *feeling* the Spirit enough to feel like you’re making progress in the work.

I remember times, right after returning from my mission, when the spiritual wilderness felt endless. You’ve been taught the bright, clear paths—the structure of the temple, the rhythm of the ward callings, the certainty of the gospel. Then, life hits you, and suddenly, the landscape shifts. The desert arrives.

It’s easy, when we’re deep in the grit, to start believing that God has forgotten the itinerary. We start questioning if the promise—the promise of peace, the promise of revelation, the promise of Zion—is conditional. We might even start to doubt His love, thinking, *‘If He were really near, I would feel it.’*

But the Spirit, my friends, is a subtle teacher. Sometimes, the most profound lessons aren't delivered on a sunny day; they are whispered into the quiet desperation of the canyon floor.

Dio Era, È e Sarà: God Was, Is, and Will Be

I was struck by a recent message that echoed a powerful truth from Deuteronomy. Israel was supposed to cross the Jordan in eleven days. But they wandered for forty years. Forty years of complaining, forty years of doubt, and forty years of wandering in the wilderness. When they finally stood at the edge of the Promised Land, it wasn't a sudden, dramatic flash of light that got them there. It was a gentle, deliberate act of remembrance.

God didn't just *tell* them the promise; He *refreshed their memory* with the very words He had spoken to their fathers: “Behold, I have set the land before you…”

That’s the key for us as disciples today. When the desert hits—when the doubt creeps in, when the *feeling* of God’s presence seems miles away—we must remember that feeling is not the measure of reality. God’s covenant keeping is not contingent upon our emotional state. He was, He is, and He will always be there.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Desert: Trusting the Word Over the Feeling

If you are struggling to feel the Spirit right now, I want to challenge you to anchor yourself in the *Word* of God, not the *feeling* of God. This is excellent preparation for anyone who wants to become a more effective internet missionary or simply strengthen their personal testimony.

1. Identify the Doubt: Write down the specific fear or doubt that is troubling you right now (e.g., "I don't feel worthy," or "I don't know what to say").
2. Find the Scripture Anchor: Open LivingBook and search for a scripture that directly counters that doubt. For me, lately, it’s been scriptures about enduring faithfulness.
3. Re-read the Promise: Read the scripture aloud, speaking it as if you are reciting a covenant promise to yourself. This shifts the focus from internal feeling to external truth.

This process of scripture-discipleship is vital. If you want to dig deeper into this, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces—we have some fantastic groups studying the Book of Mormon right now!

We are all on a journey toward our own promised lands—whether that’s a temple dedication, a restored family unit, or simply a day of profound peace. The desert is not a sign of abandonment; it is often the very place where God prepares us to remember the greatness of His faithfulness.

I invite you to listen to this beautiful reflection, and let the words sink in: *“You are my source, you are my good. When I am lost, you take my hand. You lift me from the dust of the desert.”*

Keep resisting, dear disciples. You are on the path. Let’s keep gathering Israel, one faithful heart, one shared scripture, and one persistent prayer at a time. If you’re ready to talk through some of these hard questions—the doubts, the fears, the big "what ifs"—I highly recommend checking out Davee. He’s ready to walk you through the hard questions an investigator might ask, helping you sharpen your answers!