In the ever-changing journey of modern life, making critical decisions correctly is a great skill that can help determine one’s future, according to John Fisher, the BYU-Idaho devotional speaker. For students who are beginning to reach these important points in their lives, the ability to navigate hard choices is essential, he said.
Students have questions like, “Is my major correct for me?” or “Am I meant to go down this career path?” or have even more personal questions such as “Is this person who I’m meant to marry?” Fisher, who works at BYU-Idaho as the associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, explained just that: how to make critical decisions correctly.
“Most of you are at a point in your life where you are making decisions that will forever change the trajectory of your life here upon the earth and in the eternities,” Fisher said. “I remember being at this critical juncture myself. Soon after returning from a mission to the Philippines, I found myself being lost, not knowing what path that I should take educationally and personally.”
Drawing from personal experiences and spiritual insights, Fisher helped come up with four key pillars that can help guide individuals in making these important decisions. The four pillars are preparing to receive personal revelation, studying decisions thoroughly, praying for confirmation and proceeding with trust.
The path to making sound decisions first begins with preparation. Fisher shared how creating an environment that is clean, neat and quiet, similar to the environment within the temple, invites the Spirit. Fisher explained how people can become distracted by the chaos that surrounds them, which makes them less able to perceive spiritual revelation. So going to the temple, or just having a clean bedroom, can help students be more prepared to receive divine guidance, Fisher said.
“The first pillar of making correct decisions is preparing to receive personal revelation. This involves learning to recognize spiritual communication. The Holy Ghost communicates with us through our spirit. It is important to learn how this communication is detected by our physical bodies,” he said.
The second pillar in Fisher’s address emphasizes the importance of thoroughly studying the decision at hand. This can involve extensive research such as creating a pros/cons list, reflecting on different options, seeking advice from others and, most importantly, reviewing patriarchal blessings. He said studying decisions and letting them marinate in your mind allows individuals to understand their implications fully and align their choices with their goals.
“So, studying it out in your mind, I think it’s probably the most important pillar of all the pillars of making critical decisions,” Fisher said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “Our Father in Heaven has given us great minds with powerful capacities, and I don’t think that He wants us to be told everything that we should do. Instead, He wants us to learn how to think reasonably for ourselves and then consider reasoning and try to develop faith to trust in the process.”
After a decision has been made, the next step is to seek divine confirmation through prayer. Fisher quoted President Russel M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints saying to follow the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith by finding a quiet place to pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Once that has been done, there are various ways that answers may come like a burning in the bosom, a stupor of through or sometimes even a lack of an answer. Each type of answer requires careful interpretation and a willingness to align one’s will with Heavenly Father’s guidance.
“This idea that answers don’t come, or you don’t feel that an answer has come, these ones are difficult,” Fisher said. “Recognize that Heavenly Father trusts you. He trusts you, and that you’ll make the right decisions. At that point, when you receive that type of guidance, you need to take steps towards the path that you feel is the most correct way. It will build confidence in you as you do this time and time again that Heavenly Father trusts me and I’m going to make good decisions.”
The final pillar Fisher taught is to proceed with trust. Regardless of the type of answer that was received, taking these steps of faith are necessary. Fisher explained that it might be scary to move forward when one’s path isn’t fully illuminated, but students must walk in faith and trust this is where they’re meant to be.
In his conclusion, Fisher explained how these pillars not only help in making sound choices but also help students strengthen their faith. As tough as some of the choices will be, Fisher encouraged students to trust in themselves and in their Heavenly Father, having faith that He wouldn’t lead them astray.