Choosing Every Day Or Your Faith Turns To Ash - Elder Chase Lindsey

This episode features Elder Chase Lindsey, who is preparing to depart for the Scotland Ireland mission. Shawn and Chase share a unique connection rooted in their enthusiasm and faith, seeing themselves as "brothers in Christ". Their initial spark of friendship four years prior involved a debate over favorite bands and music, a playful rivalry that still persists concerning Rush, U2, and the Pogues.

The core theme of the episode is an expansion of Principle number one: "Choose ye this day again and again". This focus was inspired by recent events, including Elder Brown’s talk in General Conference.

The Fire of Faith and Constant Choice

They discuss how agency—the power to discern and choose between right and wrong—requires constant exertion. Chase uses the powerful analogy of faith as a fire. While the fire requires a spark (the initial choice) and air (God’s power/providence), it requires fuel—our daily choices—to burn brighter. Without constantly adding fuel, faith "recedes," "starts becoming ashes," and is no longer a fire.

The emphasis on choosing "again and again" is essential because of mortality; the "hot all the time" zone doesn't exist, even for inspired leaders. Everyone needs to re-choose and recommit. Elder Brown pleaded for listeners to "take charge of your testimony", while Elder Bednar stressed that repentance must be done "over and over again with real intent". Just as Samuel the Lamanite had to make a choice of faith with "every single step up that wall," we must daily choose righteousness. Repentance is not a one-time event; it is a daily, constant process.

Three Key Commitments

Chase shared three specific choices he has committed to making over and over again:

1. Deliberately Partaking of the Sacrament: Chase strives to view the sacrament as an altar, recognizing the suffering and death of the Savior. This deliberate choice fosters godly sorrow, which "worketh repentance to salvation". By making this choice weekly, we renew covenants and allow our sins, though "red as scarlet," to become "white as wool".

2. Surrounding Yourself with the Right People: Chase notes this is a "constant day-to-day decision". He values surrounding himself with "good Christlike people", particularly those in mission prep classes and his friend, Izzy Bueler. Izzy is cited as an example of consistently choosing to go to the temple and feasting upon the words of Christ. This choice fosters camaraderie and knits hearts together in unity and love.

3. Scripture Study and Journaling: (Briefly mentioned as an important commitment).

The episode concludes with the encouragement that as Chase serves his mission, he should follow the instruction to serve with all his "heart, might, mind, and strength," a commitment that will guarantee joy and success.