The other night, I headed out on a solitary road trip, one of those journeys where you find yourself alone in the car for over four hours, driving late into the night. It was during this time that I decided to make the most of it by catching up on my goal to listen to each April 2023 General Conference talk again. As I hit play on my Gospel Library App, I found myself immersed in the words of Elder Neil L. Andersen, Brother Camargo, and Sister Bonnie Cordon–each sharing profound insights on nurturing a closer connection with Jesus Christ.
From these talks, I found three spiritual mindset truths that can help us draw closer to the Savior:
"We pray and rehearse in our mind experiences that have brought us closer to Him. We welcome into our mind divine images, holy scriptures, and inspired hymns to gently cushion the countless daily thoughts rushing through our busy lives." ("My Mind Caught Hold Upon This Thought", April 2023 General Conference)
Elder Andersen emphasized the importance of keeping our minds focused on Jesus Christ. He encouraged us to pray and reflect on experiences that have brought us closer to Him. Additionally, he suggested that we fill our minds with divine images, holy scriptures, and inspired hymns. By doing so, we can gently cushion the countless daily thoughts rushing through our busy lives. This practice helps us maintain a spiritual connection and keeps Christ at the forefront of our minds.
"Could I suggest that you begin by making the words of Christ, found in the scriptures, a daily part of your life? There is no prescribed formula for perfect scripture study. It could be 5 or 10 minutes each day—or more if you can. It could be a chapter or a few verses a day." ("Focus on Jesus Christ", April 2023 General Conference)
"I have attended the temple many times, but when I worship in the house of the Lord, it changes me. Sometimes while fasting, I find myself simply going hungry, but other times, I feast on the Spirit with purpose. I sometimes have mumbled prayers that are repetitive and routine, but I have also come eager to receive counsel from the Lord through prayer. There is power in making these holy habits less of a checklist and more of a witness. The process will be gradual but will grow with daily, active participation and purposeful experiences with Christ. As we consistently act on His teaching, we gain a testimony of Him; we build a relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father. We begin to become like Them." ("Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ", April 2023 General Conference)
I loved this personal example from Sister Bonnie Cordon–I loved her genuine, real-life examples as she shared her personal journey, highlighting that not every day is the same in our spiritual endeavors, and that’s perfectly okay. She candidly admitted that sometimes her temple attendance was routine, while at other times, it was a time of deep worship. Similarly, her prayers ranged from repetitive and routine to moments of seeking divine counsel. Sister Cordon’s experience teaches us that it’s normal to have ebbs and flows in our spiritual life. What matters most is our commitment to daily, active participation and purposeful experiences with Christ. Over time, this consistency builds our testimony and deepens our relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father.
As we strive to draw closer to Jesus Christ, it’s essential to acknowledge the “small and simple” things we do daily to come unto Jesus Christ. The spiritual mindset truths shared by Elder Andersen, Brother Camargo, and Sister Bonnie Cordon remind us that our journey is unique, and progress often comes gradually. Embracing these truths can lead to a more profound and enduring relationship with our Savior.
What is the best spiritual mindset nugget of truth you have received? Share your thoughts; I’d love to hear from you!
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Identify your learning styles and find joy in your scripture study
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