I’m not in the mood to think celestial

I love the prophet and I loved watching him give his October 2024 General Conference talk. It’s fun seeing a 99 year old sharing their life wisdom – they’ve had a lot of life to think! Since that talk, the “think celestial” framework has been a focal point for many members of my ward. Women in my Relief Society meetings have gushed about how important it is to “think celestial.” It’s been mentioned repeatedly over the pulpit in Sacrament Meeting. It clearly touched a lot of people.

That’s great for all the people that were able to take comfort in those words and who can feel an increased sense of joy as they try to apply the “think celestial” principle into their lives.

Spoiler Alert: I don’t feel the same way. Living in the present is more motivating and comforting to me than thinking celestial.

For some reason, I (at this point in my life) am not in the mood to think celestial. It doesn’t feel the least bit motivating. Yes, I believe in a celestial afterlife. But, life after death just feels so far away. The details of what it will look like are super hazy. I can’t imagine making choices today based on my hazy imagination of what might be to come. I can’t imagine facing challenges based on that hazy picture in my mind. And I certainly can’t imagine seeking God’s comfort based on what I imagine might occur after I die. 

For me, it is much more motivating to think about what’s happening now and act accordingly. 

For example, when I see suffering in the world, I want to do what I can now to alleviate that suffering. That’s my motivation. The idea of thinking about some far off afterlife scenario and then choosing to alleviate suffering now because of how that’ll help me fare after death seems…ridiculous (maybe too harsh of a word? But I’m lacking a better word). When I make choices for my family, I want to do what’s best for my children as they grow now. Maybe even what’ll be best for them as they grow. But that’s as far as my imagination can handle. Thinking about what’ll be best for them in the eternities feels overly daunting and…impractical (again, I may be too harsh with that word choice, but it kinda feels that way).

Maybe I don’t have enough real faith in what the afterlife looks like? Maybe it just feels too hazy of a concept? Maybe it feels too far off? But whatever the case, it has never been my motivation.

And if it’s sounding like I’m a nonbeliever…I don’t think that’s the case either.

I’m someone who regularly tries to follow the Savior. I built my entire family life and career based on the personal revelation I received. But even my relationship with the Savior isn’t motivated by Celestial thoughts. When I repent, I’m not thinking about an afterlife. Instead, I’m thinking about making things a little bit better right now. I’m thinking about the comfort Christ gives me today. I’m thinking about the peace I currently feel in my heart. I’m thinking about trying to be a little bit better today than I was yesterday. I’m thinking about the love I’m allowing to freely flow in my home. I’m drawing near to God and feeling Him draw near to me in the moment. “Healing begins gradually when we first open ourselves to the possibility that we are already in the embrace of a love greater than any we have known” (All Things New by Fiona and Terryl Givens p. 146). I’m motivated by feeling that embrace now.

I’m not writing this post to convince people who were touched by President Nelson’s talk that they’re wrong. Not at all! If you were touched by President Nelson’s admonition to “Think Celestial,” awesome! Keep living it. But I wanted to put this out there for the people who might be more like me – confused and unsure how “thinking celestial” is helpful. Maybe you just need permission to think about today.

Honestly, I bet if we sat down and had a conversation with President Nelson, we’d find that my feelings are pretty much in line with his. That when I’m motivated by God’s love today, that is a piece of what he calling “thinking celestial” – but for me it’s just easier to think in the moment. And maybe that is how I think celestial. Maybe for me, thinking celestial means thinking about God right now.

I chose this picture that I took while on a hike because it represents so many different things one could focus on while hiking – the trees, the sky, the clouds, the fog, the broken limbs, the towering greens, or the heavens above – and I don’t think any of the options are wrong. But different people may choose one aspect over another