When We Feel Lost: Finding Purpose Beyond the Illusion of Free Will

Have you ever felt that deep, nagging sense of drift? Like you’re floating downstream, watching the current pull you in a direction you didn't choose, and the question echoes in the quiet moments: *What is the point?*

It’s a question that has haunted thoughtful people for millennia. We look at the world—at the sheer complexity of human behavior, at the forces of biology and society—and it can feel overwhelming. It can lead us down rabbit holes questioning everything, including the very notion of personal choice.

Recently, I was listening to a conversation with the legendary biologist Robert Sapolsky. It was a masterclass in intellectual challenge, tackling the concept of free will head-on. He presents a view that is undeniably rigorous, suggesting that much of what we perceive as autonomous choice is, in fact, deeply rooted in our biology and prior circumstances.

It’s easy to get lost in the weeds of determinism. If everything is determined, where does that leave our capacity to improve? Where does it leave the beautiful, persistent work of the gospel?

What struck me most wasn't the conclusion—though it is certainly thought-provoking—but the *pivot*. Sapolsky, while dismantling the common understanding of "free will," ultimately points toward the necessity of *change*. He notes that people often mistakenly conclude, "I chose to change," when in reality, the change itself is the product of prior stimuli and biological readiness.

Reclaiming Agency in the Spirit

As Latter-day Saints, we are taught that we *do* have agency. We are taught that we can choose good, even when the odds are stacked against us. How do we reconcile the profound biological insights of a scientist like Sapolsky with the doctrines we hold dear? This is where the Spirit, and the teachings of the restored gospel, become our essential framework.

The gospel doesn't ask us to be philosophers who can prove free will with a grant-funded lab. It asks us to *act* as if we have it, because in that action, we are building the very capacity for change that the Spirit helps us access. The focus shifts from proving the mechanism of choice to diligently exercising the potential for choice.

Think of it like this: Our biology gives us the raw materials, the environment gives us the stimuli, but the restored gospel provides the blueprint and the divine power source. We are taught to be *changed* by the truth, to be influenced by the Spirit, and then to respond to that influence by making better choices.

A Mission Prep Skill: Thinking Like a Disciple

This conversation is a perfect example of what I mean by being an internet missionary. We aren't just passing out pamphlets; we are engaging in deep, thoughtful discussions that challenge the investigator's deepest assumptions. When you encounter a challenging idea—whether it’s neuroscience or a difficult doctrinal question—don't panic. Instead, treat it like a study session.

I encourage you to take this concept of 'change' and apply it to your own mission prep. Don't just memorize answers; understand the *process* of becoming. What circumstances—what teachings, what scriptures, what companions—are currently changing you? How are you allowing yourself to be changed by the Spirit?

This week, I want to focus on a small, tangible skill: **The 'Why' Follow-Up.** When someone asks a question that feels too big or too philosophical (like the free will question), don't try to solve the entire problem. Instead, gently guide them back to the *personal* application. Try asking, "That’s a huge topic. When you think about that, what does it make you feel about your own choices this week?"

Keep the Conversation Going

The best way to wrestle with these big ideas is together. If this conversation resonated with you, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod authors' work on these topics, especially anything touching on agency or the nature of truth. If you’re looking for a structured way to dig deeper, join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let's keep these conversations flowing!

For those who want to practice navigating these deep waters with expert guidance, I invite you to use Davee. He’s ready to walk you through the hard questions you might face, helping you craft answers that are both theologically sound and deeply empathetic.

Remember, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let’s keep building our capacity to be changed for the better!