If improving yourself starts with a question, are you willing to experiment it out?
Some of the most profound shifts in our lives begin with a simple question. It’s like unlocking a new pathway in our minds, opening us up to possibilities we hadn’t even considered. Sister Wendy Nelson, the wife of President Russell M. Nelson, and a brilliant psychologist, shared an experiment that we can also follow. She revealed that a single question, when sincerely asked and acted upon, can bring about incredible light, truth, and joy in our lives.
The One Question: What Will A Holy Young Adult Do?

Sister Nelson, with her background in psychology, understands the incredible power of questions. She put this to the test, inviting 30 young adults, just like you and me, to try an experiment for three days. The task was simple: in just one situation a day, ask themselves, “What would a holy young adult do?”
The results were truly inspiring! These young adults, facing all sorts of daily scenarios—from the mundane to the important—began to see their lives through a new lens. They realized this question wasn’t about rigid rules, but about connecting with their divine potential and inviting more of the Spirit into their everyday choices. It helped them prioritize what truly matters, make changes they deeply desired, and even experience profound repentance.
How This Question Can Help Young Adults
This one question, “What would a holy young adult do?”, is so much more than a prompt; it’s an invitation to elevate every aspect of your life. Here are five powerful ways it can help you, as observed by Sister Nelson’s “experimenters” and from my own reflections:
Increased Clarity and Focus
In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to feel pulled in a million directions. This question acts as a spiritual filter. When faced with a choice about what to watch, listen to, or how to spend your time, asking “What would a holy young adult do?” helps cut through the noise. It brings immediate clarity, allowing you to focus on what truly nourishes your spirit and aligns with your deepest values. Imagine exchanging time-consuming social media for uplifting talks, or prioritizing prayer before a tough assignment—it truly recalibrates your focus.
Enhanced Confidence and Decreased Anxiety
One young adult in Sister Nelson’s experiment shared how being a “chronic people pleaser” led to immense stress. By asking this question, her perspective shifted completely. She gained newfound confidence, realizing that her actions were no longer about pleasing others, but about aligning with God’s will. When you strive to live holily, your confidence comes from within, from knowing you’re doing your best to follow the Lord. This significantly reduces the anxiety of seeking external validation.
Greater Gratitude and Joy
It’s amazing how this question can open your eyes to blessings you might have overlooked. From crunching carrots with more gratitude to replacing negative thoughts with counting small victories, the focus on holiness cultivates a spirit of thanksgiving. When you actively seek to live as a holy young adult, you become more attuned to the beauty around you—the goodness in others, the hand of the Lord in your life—and that naturally brings more joy and peace.
Strengthened Resistance to Temptation and Deception
We live in a world where our values are constantly tested. When faced with difficult situations, or even subtle temptations, this question provides an immediate guide. “What would a holy young adult do?” empowers you to make choices that protect your integrity and spiritual well-being. It helps you detect deception by aligning your choices with truth and light, making it easier to resist influences that would pull you away from what’s sacred.
Profound Spiritual Growth and Connection
Ultimately, this question is an invitation to draw closer to the Savior. It reminds us of His command to “practice holiness continually” and His promise, “I am able to make you holy.” As one young adult discovered, watching General Conference as a holy young adult wasn’t about pleasing others, but about a genuine desire to learn because of the truth they felt. This simple question can put you in touch with the Spirit of the Lord, help you reclaim or increase the sacred in your life, and allow you to experience the abundant love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in a more profound and unforgettable way.
Your Invitation to Experiment
Sister Nelson shared a powerful metaphor: just as a decommissioned temple has its sacred elements removed during renovation, we too can sometimes let the sacred be removed from our lives through poor choices or worldly influences. But the beautiful truth is, you can reclaim or increase the sacred in your life, starting now.
I invite you, just as Sister Nelson invited those 30 young adults, to try this experiment. For just three days, in one situation each day, ask yourself: “What would a holy young adult do?” And then, bravely, follow through with the answer that comes to your heart.
I truly believe that as you live your life in crescendo, striving to be a little more holy each day and quickly repenting when you stumble, you will find joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come.
What’s one situation you could apply this question to today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!