A Willing Mind

Having a willing mind as we walk the path of discipleship can sometimes be challenging. At times we
may feel resistant to the enticing voice of the Spirit. This resistance might be because we question aspects

of the gospel, or perhaps we may fear that others might view us as “blind followers.” At times, our egos
or pride in our ability to reason can interfere with the Spirit, making it harder to trust without having
complete understanding.
Developing a willing mind begins with intellectual humility—a readiness to acknowledge that we don’t
have all the answers but are open to learning. Some may wrestle with doubts about certain gospel
principles or aspects of church history or may even feel uncomfortable articulating why they have chosen
faith. These types of feelings can create a sense of distance from our Heavenly Father. However, during
seasons of doubt or confusion, He would have you draw even closer to Him. His love for you is not
dependent on your ability to understand His ways. He is a patient God and is willing to walk with you
while you are learning about Him.
If you are in a season of questioning, don’t hesitate to turn to those who have the truth. Seeking this truth
from our prophets and Church leaders, and those who offer inspired counsel can help us navigate our
challenges with faith. To some, this may seem to further the idea of being a blind follower. That ideology
is a tactic of Satan. He wants you to be distanced from the truth and will mock or degrade the sources of
pure knowledge that Heavenly Father has provided for you.
If you were struggling in a math class, you wouldn’t hesitate to receive help from your teacher or the
class aid. If someone offered to tutor you, and you found that they hated math and thought it was
worthless, you would avoid that person and their “help.” That principle is true for the Gospel of Jesus
Christ as well. Seeking tutoring or truth from someone who thinks the gospel is worthless and hates it,
would be a waste of your time. Don’t let Satan or “the world” tell you that learning from spiritual experts
is naive or juvenile.
What are some practical steps we can take to cultivate a willing mind? First, seek guidance from
Heavenly Father through prayer, and then take time to study the words of the Savior and His servants. It’s
also important to give yourself grace as you navigate this journey of creating a willing mind. Remember that giving up our way for His way is a vulnerable thing to do.