You Can't Bring Me Down - Mission Prep Series Class 6

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In the Mission Prep Series Class 6: "You Can't Bring Me Down," we tackle the universal topic of mental health and coping with hard things, offering insights for aspiring missionaries. This episode emphasizes two core principles for navigating life's challenges, with a strong focus on the powerful spiritual solution.
While acknowledging the pragmatic need to advocate for oneself and address personal challenges before a mission, as demonstrated by Lauren's experience of delaying her mission to become "mentally solid", the episode truly shines a light on the profound spiritual principles that underpin resilience.
The Spiritual Solution: Understanding Your Divine Identity
The most powerful principle for coping with any hardship, from anxiety and depression to difficult circumstances, lies in understanding your true identity:
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Divine Identity as a Son or Daughter of God: Elder Christofferson suggests that "spiritual rebirth" can make "depression... evaporate and any anxiety... quite manageable". Elder Boyd K. Packer adds that "principles of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve". The foundation of this spiritual strength is the knowledge that you are a child of God.
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Moses 1:1-22 provides a powerful example: God repeatedly emphasizes to Moses, "thou art my son," highlighting his true identity before all else. Immediately afterward, Satan attacks Moses's identity, calling him "son of man," but Moses, grounded in his divine sonship, rebukes Satan "in the name of Christ". This teaches that knowing "who you are" is the most potent tool against challenges.
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Your worth is constant: Drawing from Sister Rooney's General Conference talk, the episode clarifies that "Your worth is not tied to your obedience. Your worth is constant. It never changes. It was given to you by God, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to change it." While obedience brings blessings, your inherent worth is always great in God's sight.
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The Atonement of Jesus Christ: Internalizing this divine identity is deeply connected to understanding Christ's Atonement.
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1 Nephi 21:16 states, "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands," signifying that Christ thought of us and our potential even during His suffering. This powerful truth helps missionaries understand that the gospel's very first principle, "God is our loving Heavenly Father," is built upon love.
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D&C 6:33-37 reinforces this: Christ invites us to "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the print of the nails in my hands and feet." This scripture underscores Christ's personal suffering and boundless love for us, cementing our identity as etched into His very being.
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Feasting on the Words of Christ: To build this deep understanding of your divine identity, it's essential to "feast on the words of Christ" through diligent scripture study, prayer, and allowing the Holy Ghost to teach you. This personal knowledge, combined with your agency, is key to navigating anxiety and depression.
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Elder Holland's BYU speech, "Lessons from Liberty Jail," is recommended for gaining "more ammo" to cope with struggles by understanding how to turn personal "Liberty Jails" into "temples" through the gospel.
The episode culminates with a powerful invitation to read 3 Nephi 11, described as the "pinnacle of the Book of Mormon". In this chapter, the resurrected Christ invites the multitude to come forth "one by one" to feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. This deeply personal interaction emphasizes Christ's individual relationship with each of us, teaching that despite our unworthiness, through Him, we become worthy and can proudly embrace our identity as a "son of God" o