Reading time: 5 minutes.

Hi Friend,

I hope you are keeping well. You probably know that some patches are easier than others. When they get hard, remember that you have what it takes to get through this. Even when you feel tossed about, know that there are better days ahead.

Indulge me with this little story: On your journey, you start meeting people along the way. After some time, you connect enough that they offer to take you on a ride with them. They may even suggest that the journey is much easier if you join them. It seems tempting—they’re driving a comfortable bus with lots of passengers. Surely there must be something good happening there for so many people to join.

Not only that, they seem to have some good answers you’re looking for, and your journey has felt pretty lonely so far.

To make matters more confusing, others that you’ve known have continued to reach out, reminding you of all you’ve had prior to your journey. They recommend that you get back on the bus that takes you back home. That’s where you belong. You know the driver and are familiar with the roads you’ve traveled.

As you’re considering this, not quite sure what to do, I pull up in a car. You tell me about these inviting offers from others, and how tired you’ve become.

In response, suggest that it’s time for you to drive yourself. I pull out keys from my pocket and hold them up for you. if you’re tired, you can take my car for part of the journey. And more importantly, you’re in the driver’s seat.

That’s right—you get to decide where you’re going, how fast or slow you want to travel, where to stop along the way, and who you bring along for the ride. You take the keys; they are yours.

This might surprise you. Where would you go?

Perhaps you’re not feeling confident in your driving abilities anymore. You may even question your driving skills. You’d like more guidance before venturing out on unfamiliar roads. You want a teacher.

As you take the keys in your hand, I have one recommendation: choose your teachers wisely.

This advice comes from the heart. Like you, for many years, I thought I was driving my own path, but on closer examination, I realized the map I was following had already been drawn in detail—one street, one direction at a time.

So, when I sat down behind the wheel for myself, I wish someone had told me how important it was to be in the driver’s seat and seek out thoughtful guides.

For years, you’ve likely focused on a particular set of driving instructions or let someone else drive entirely. Those places you’ve gone and experiences matter—they’re part of your story—but now you have an opportunity to widen your perspective.

So, choose your teachers wisely, and widely.

How wide is for you to decide. But here’s something I’ve learned: God loves all people. Because of this, I believe Divine wisdom has touched every land, culture, people, and tradition. There is wisdom to be found in unexpected places, in voices you might not have been taught to trust. Truth isn’t confined to any single corner—it shines through many spaces and people.

You can choose to listen to various teachers, both within and outside the LDS tradition, and find what resonates most deeply with you.

As you choose, think about looking for those who:

• Love truth but can live with certainty
• Live with humility—not claiming they have all the answers
• Speak with compassion, not contempt or anger
• Encourage growth, not fear
• Don’t spend time criticizing your other teachers
• Invite you into deeper love for God, yourself, and others

Don’t be afraid to learn from diverse thoughts and perspectives—even if this feels uncomfortable at first. Sometimes that’s where the most profound growth happens.

In my own journey, I’ve found much truth in many areas. One of the most rewarding has been the Buddhist tradition. I’m not Buddhist, and I’m not suggesting you become one either. Instead, I appreciate the Dalai Lama’s approach, who said, “Do not try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist. Use it to be a better whatever you already are.” You can use that approach with anything that you learn whether spiritual or secular: “use it to be a better whatever you already are.”

This is your road now. Choose your teachers thoughtfully, and then drive forward with a full heart, courage, and curiosity.

Look in that rear view mirror for a moment. I’m standing there cheering for you, and I can’t wait to see where you go.

With warmth,

Your Friend

P.S. If you’re still wondering how to approach the idea, here’s a metaphor that’s been helpful to me: the drawing compass. This builds on a concept I’ve heard from several people including Michael Wilcox, an LDS institute of Religion teacher who has been featured on the Faith Matters podcast (BTW, I can’t recommend the podcast enough).

Remember that two-point drawing compass from your school days? Its two points serve different functions: a fixed foot that anchors in one spot, and a searching foot that draws a circle as wide or narrow as you choose.

At one time, my circle of spiritual beliefs was anchored firmly in the center of my LDS beliefs, and my searching foot drew a circle that almost perfectly overlapped those same beliefs.

Now, my fixed foot remains anchored in core beliefs about God and love, but I recognize those beliefs aren’t as comprehensive as I once thought. There’s much more to explore. My searching foot now draws a much wider circle, encompassing so much more.

This approach has been exciting. I’ve discovered many insights that enhance and build upon my existing beliefs. It’s thrilling to find something that resonates deeply and incorporate it with what I already hold true.

This has brought me a new sense of peace and sincerity, helping me engage more meaningfully with some LDS beliefs while also expanding beyond them.