Why Mental Flexibility is So Crucial for Durable Discipleship

A fundamental moment in all good learning is that moment where we modify our assumptions about the world as a result of acquiring new and more accurate knowledge. This, in turn, primes us to make better decisions. On one level, it’s what learning is all about. Sounds pretty basic, right? Well, it is. But it isn’t always easy. Church history can teach us that modifying one’s assumptions can be a challenge for some when it requires them to rethink their ideas about God, prophets, and the church. In today’s episode of Church History Matters, Scott and Casey carefully look at this skill of humbly revising our assumptions in light of better or more accurate information, a skill we’re calling mental flexibility, and then take a look at key moments in the lives of a few people in our church’s history that show us why this skill is so crucial for durable discipleship.
This is the sixth episode of our 10-part podcast series on Good Thinking. For a full transcript of this episode, as well as show notes and additional resources, visit our website at doctrineandcovenantscentral.o...
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Originally published December 5, 2023
DISCLAIMER: While we try very hard to be historically and doctrinally accurate in what we say on this podcast, please remember that all views expressed in this and every episode are our views alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Scripture Central or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[@katiap45]

You two are so knowledgeable; strong testimony; have an amazing way to teach!
Wish I could take your classes and ask questions!
Even the background music is invigorating and pleasant!
Getting the good thinking book from the library. For sure!!!!!!
Keep it up guys! 👏👏👏👏
We’re so blessed by the 2 of you!

[@user-bq1wl1ml3s]

Guys - love every episode. Thank you. Can you guys address theCES letter in a future episode (maybe Salamander letter too). Would love your approach to these concerns!

[@cdeanneeckles]

Thanks for sharing

[@natalies4375]

Sadly wayyy too many members use the gotcha method in response to a sincere member who shares disappointing feelings of never knowing some newly found information…. by saying, “they’ve never hid anything, I knew all this since the 70’s”
(Even that person would have been 30 in the 70’s, so he didn’t always know the info either, as a lifelong member.)
Members themselves shun and shame other members. It’s deeply hurtful and I believe that’s why people may turn to even more outside sources, not feel safe to share honestly within their own group. Imagine the rejection and betrayal that one may experience.
And because one’s personal identity and unity had previously closely mirrored their friends and fellow members, they may feel super confused and partially want to reject their own honest feelings. Sadness and unspoken self-betrayal maybe as that person puts that item on a “shelf”. If they stay, it may be a less authentic or vulnerable version of themselves. The shame of personal integrity may result in more feelings of self-betrayal. Or not…. Many many people don’t think nearly as “deep” as I do.
Sending love to all! 💕

[@Glen.Danielsen]

I haven’t seen gotcha personally. I do think Latter-day Saints will want to do things that bring the fires of testimony, a prayer life, scripture life - the things that invite Light. Without that, a member of this Faith will be tossed like a rag doll with any petty jitter. Then listen to them blame the Church, or expect to be rescued while they stew in their goo.

[@natalies4375]

@@Glen.Danielsen yikes…. Guess I’m alone in this cuz that sounds like a Gotcha right there. I can tell I’m not welcome. It’s true I don’t really believe anymore, I just miss my tribe and my family and maybe think I can help others understand different views. I get it though. It’s super hard to see the other view when you’re in. There’s no way I could have.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

@@natalies4375 Wait Natalie! Not so! Return to the tribe! So sorry about sour notes! Please don't let those who lack keep you from coming back. Return to the cistern, to the chapel of love! Catch hold of the fold! Love is like a dove until you receive unwelcome dropping, but kindness and caring wait to compensate!
Love to you, cherished sister with blister! Latter-day Saintness is still in you. See your bishop - make appointment for ointment. We have beckoning heart; come make new start! 🤗

[@RyanMercer]

☺

[@Glen.Danielsen]

I don’t have ‘flexibility’ as a goal; it sounds like a path to becoming a wormy Latter-day Saint. A Saint will want to do the things that invite Light, seek Faithful Perspective, and crave a scripture life and a prayer life.
Scott, the Lord’s remedy of “out of the best books … by study and also by faith,” need not refer to academic sport. The _best books_ are our Four Amazing Volumes. “Study” = “sta-dē, a state of contemplation: reverie: careful or extended consideration,” _(Websters),_ which can mean meditation, pondering, lingering, talking with God, Holy Ghost, spiritual experience, spiritual learning, LIGHT. Not necessarily head-hobby.
Further, I haven’t seen ‘gotcha’ at all. I do think Latter-day Saints will need to do things that bring the fires of testimony, a prayer life, scripture life - the things that bring Light. Without that, a member of this Faith will be tossed like a rag doll with any petty jitter. Then listen to them blame the Church, or expect to be rescued while they stew in their goo. That’s when Liberals begin circling with sympathy and sophistry-their priestcraft. It’s why I’m not into scholar-worship.

[@natalies4375]

I’m disappointed, both examples are secondhand oppositional accounts, didn’t we learn that those kind of sources may not be truthful?
I think George A Smith may have had some serious cognitive dissonance reconciling the person who baptized and/or converted him now didn’t believe. That, or “playing with children” doesn’t mean how it was taken. That’s a leap in assuming, so I’m just curious about the statement altogether.
I feel you’re both very intelligent and I thought were teaching via humble and honest analysis without assumptions. To note, I’m only 30 minutes in, still watching.

[@crystallovesion]

The bank situation reminds me of how they were promoting vaccines. And believing the lies that the governments were telling everybody.