“The gift [of the Holy Ghost] can come only after proper and authorized baptism, and is conferred by the laying on of hands. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. As parents, it is important that we listen to our children, so that we understand what difficulties they are struggling with. As President Boyd K. Packer noted: That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Tag a friend who you'd think enjoy this story! Explores God's voice in Jesus' ministry, differences between messages in words vs. nudges or promptings (Mark 1:33-38; John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 2:11-12, 16; Acts 8:26-38). Why is it important to listen when the Lord speaks to us through the Holy Ghost and/or our church leaders? © Brigham Young University. Since the Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice, it is difficult to discern a prompting over personal thoughts. However, the Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind. That confirmation did not come all at once during a single heartfelt prayer of desperation. About learning to recognize answers to prayer, Elder Richard G. Scott said: I have saved the most important part about prayer until the end. Brothers and sisters, are we so focused and so busy that we neglect the promptings of the Spirit—even when those promptings appear right in front of us like the gorilla? I will always be grateful for the extra help the Lord provides through the Holy Ghost to help me care and look after their safety. Choosing to draw closer to Heavenly Father brings us untold blessings. I think it took her a little longer to know whether or not she wanted to spend the rest of eternity with this guy who was pretty average. President Gordon B. Hinckley observed: The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries—we place our order and hang up. In the social work main office in the Joseph F. Smith Building there is a disability access door that has a self-charging mechanism that opens and closes the door. (Discuss ideas.) Sees familiarity with the Spirit's voice as vital to maturing as a disciple. How have you heard the Holy Spirit in your life? My husband and I anticipated the joy they would bring to the family each time. One day I almost ignored them. Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated: If a revelation is outside the limits of stewardship, you know it is not from the Lord, and you are not bound by it. For those who are endowed, go to the temple—the Lord’s classroom—and keep your covenants. I pray for and invite the Holy Ghost to be with each of us today as we discuss this most important topic. As a child hiking with his father in the desert, Elder Stevenson recalls how a prompting from the Holy Ghost kept him from potential danger as he ventured off the beaten path. The Holy Ghost had prompted him to move to keep him safe from being trampled or even killed. I shall never forget it nor forsake it. It was not coming together properly. It is gratitude! When he did, I asked him to sit down on my bed. We had a Relief Society president in my ward who would often pray and ask, “Father, help me to be an answer to someone else’s prayer today.” Then, as she was going into work or coming home, she would drive around the ward enlisting the Spirit’s prompting to determine if there was a sister who needed her help. I have often thought back to the birth of each of my four children. That is Christlike service. 218 University Press Building “Comforted by the Holy Ghost” (November 2004 Friend) The Holy Ghost comforted President Heber J. In the scriptures we have many examples of prophets following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, often not knowing why they are being prompted. Elder Richard G. Scott noted, “When we receive an impression in our heart, we can use our mind either to rationalize it away or to accomplish it” (“Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer,” Ensign, November 1989, 31; emphasis in original). Bishop Anderson explains the importance of identifying and listening to the Holy Ghost October 31, 2018 “Acting on spiritual promptings is acting on righteous instincts,” said Bishop Jared Anderson, senior enterprise systems developer, at a devotional on Oct. 23. The warning thought came again, this time with far more power. ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (seeing an object lesson): Explain that we have to learn to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost by paying attention to thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts (see D&C 8:2). There is a famous social science experiment (see Daniel J. Simons and Christopher F. Chabris, “Gorillas in Our Midst: Sustained Inattentional Blindness for Dynamic Events,” Perception 28, no. . As we learn to better recognize and respond to the promptings of the Spirit, we will find answers to our prayers and have increased capacity to know how and whether those promptings are from the Holy Ghost. As I approached the gate, I saw my boys across the busy main street holding hands. The last part of this verse adds an additional element of hope: “and him that seeketh so to do.” I am thankful that as I make mistakes and neglect to heed promptings but “seeketh so to” keep the commandments, a loving Father in Heaven and Savior are always there to help me get back on course if I will but keep repenting and keep trying. Watch Queue Queue Let me share with you what Elder Bednar said about this: Let me suggest that many of us typically assume we will receive an answer or a prompting to our earnest prayers and pleadings. My presentation didn’t go well, the faculty members didn’t seem to like me, and there was just something that was not right. Here is another key element regarding finding a spouse. For our family, the story of the lost binoculars and how my daughter, McKenna, prayed and knew almost instantly where to find them has become legendary and is used as an example of a big answer to a single prayer. Was this the first time that the melodic sound had occurred? This time I responded, telling my daughters, Nkhesani, age nine, and Akani, age seven,  “Call your brothers, please. 113]. It’s not usually a case of rebelliousness, but more a product of not understanding what we’re being told. He did so and looked at me and asked, “What?” like he was expecting to get another lecture like the night before. Back in 2000, when I was getting ready to graduate with my doctorate and interviewing for my first faculty position, I found what I thought was the perfect job: a good school fairly close to home, a creative joint faculty position within the school, and a very prominent company that does great work with American Indian children and families—my specialty. Have a child place a coin in a glass jar and shake it. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ, can act as a voice of warning or direction, lead us to service, brings peace to our, hearts, and testifies of all truth. (Discuss ideas.) If you are not now worthy, repent and become worthy. But, it is equally important to remember that there are other kinds of promptings that we can experience besides the leadings of the Holy Spirit. We will never do it again!”. Even if it doesn’t make complete sense to you. My two boys share the same room, and I usually read to them before bed. Grant (1856–1945) when his wife and son passed away. Well, I didn’t get the offer. As I have watched my husband follow the promptings of the Spirit, I have begun to trust that I can also follow promptings instead of relying on logic and worldly knowledge. My office is located next to that door, so I am very aware of every time the door opens and closes. The Parable of the Cherry Tree: How to Enjoy the Constant Companionship of the Holy Ghost, BYU Speeches During that time I felt something—a feeling—that I should stop and give him a hug and tell him that I loved him. That first experience prepared me to listen more closely to the Spirit the next time, to have an increased level of gratitude for how the Lord works in our lives, and to remember “that all things work together for good [in the Lord’s time frame] to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). There is a line from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after Joseph has been sold into Egypt and put in prison. I am not referring here to words I can hear with my ears, but promptings that fill my heart and penetrate my entire being. She also had to receive her witness—independently. Together, all of those simple answers over a period of time helped me to receive an appropriate spiritual confirmation that I should ask her to marry me. While it would have started out as a great job, it would have been short lived. Their offer was for me to be the assistant director of the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies and a lecturer in the School of Social Work. May I simply suggest that what we initially believe is “the” answer may be but one part of a “line upon line, precept upon precept,” ongoing, incremental, and unfolding pattern of small answers. Or, when the promptings do come, can we tell the difference between the Spirit’s promptings and our emotions? That day I gained a personal testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost. Concludes with heart preparation as a humble servant -- 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening' (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Together the verses in these two sections teach us that when Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Spirit in its most familiar form, it most often comes to us through our thoughts and feelings. This time I followed the prompting. Let the children observe how clearly they can hear the sound. They were scared and crying, like they were trying to decide how to cross that street again to get back home. They started shouting out the window, “Hey, Nyiko! While Joseph is feeling down and hopeless, the narrator sings: Hang on now Joseph, you’ll make it some day. . [“Revelation,” BYU devotional address, 29 September 1981]. That Relief Society president knew what it meant to follow the promptings of the Spirit and be an answer to someone else’s prayer. Creating an environment where the Savior’s spirit and the Holy Ghost are prominent is key to our growth and even our survival. Let’s begin by discussing how the Lord communicates with us. Those three years provided me with the foundation I needed in order to be where I am today. At the end the narrator asks how many passes the white team made. I want them inside.”. This experiment has been done on a number of occasions, and typically about half of the participants are so focused on counting the number of passes that they do not see the obvious gorilla walking through the players. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family (“The Spirit of Revelation” General Conference 2011). I felt prompted to use some of my extra time to visit Don Workman. All rights reserved. I will always be grateful for the extra help the Lord provides through the Holy Ghost to help me care and look after their safety. He had some serious health problems and was in intensive care. To share eternal life. Another key element in sincere prayer is gratitude. What are ways we can better understand the Lord’s pattern of communicating with us? Where we may stay When was the last time you said a prayer and only expressed gratitude? Show several signs warning us of danger (see below). No matter how challenging our circumstances, honest appreciation fills our mind to overflowing with gratitude. “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. May 27, 2014 - Linda K. Burton teaches that we can be devoted disciples of Jesus Christ by serving others and furthering the work of salvation. I don’t ever recall receiving a one-time spiritual confirmation that she was “the one.” However, the more we interacted, the more we talked, and the more we learned about each other in different situations, I received many small, simple, and quiet promptings that she was a special, talented, spiritual woman. However, I learned I must also be open to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. My heart started pounding. The Spirit is always available to guide and direct you. King Benjamin further taught his peole, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. Friend May 2018 “Bullfight” Two fighting bulls bust through a gate where Brody had been standing. I went to a few Brazilian Evangelical churches on my mission, though unfortunately I had neither the humility, open-mindedness, nor security in my own faith to recognize the services for what they meant to the congregants. I asked my girls, who were looking out the window into the yard, “Can you see the boys?”, “But when you called them, did you see them?”. All the same, I remember how overwhelmed I felt that Heavenly Father trusted me with the responsibility to bear and raise His children on earth. Therefore, it shouldn’t be difficult for us to understand why we are counseled by our Church leaders to avoid anything that negatively impacts our ability to receive promptings through our thoughts and feelings (see Bednar, “Receiving”). In our Church callings we have a handbook of instructions that tells us how to fulfill our callings. I just needed a little solitude! Just like the door leading into the social work office, I further testify that as we learn and understand the Lord’s pattern for communicating with us, those small, melodic tones of the Spirit will, [lead] us back into his sight, I have found that early in the morning, when things are quiet and my mind is focused, I am most receptive to the promptings of the Spirit. Then I got it again, even more forcefully. He said, “During the entire time we have been holding family home evenings with students, I cannot remember a single time when some version of this question was not asked” (“Receiving, Recognizing, and Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost… that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth.” Then, in verse 23, the Lord said: “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? In a like manner, do the promptings of the Holy Ghost ever pass us by without being received? . The man can receive revelation to guide his own actions, but he cannot properly receive revelation to direct hers. [“Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, November 2009, 44; emphasis in original]. “Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord’s voice” and recognize His Spirit (David M. McConkie, “Gospel Learning and Teaching,” Ensign, November 2010, 15). Staying Safe by Listening to the Holy Ghost. If you’d like to have a deeper dive into the topic on the Holy … However, it was only very recently that, as I was sitting at my desk in a quiet, thoughtful moment, I heard the door open, and as it closed I heard a unique melodic sound. [“‘Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept’ (2 Nephi 28:30),” BYU–Idaho devotional address, 11 September 2001; emphasis in original]. and, more specifically, as stated by Elder David A. Bednar, How can I tell the difference between my emotions telling me what I want to hear and the Holy Ghost telling me what I need to hear? Don’t spend time overly worrying about whether or not it’s the Holy Ghost or just you. In the meantime, she is under no obligation to heed it. These are all examples of what we feel when the Spirit is present. Rather, it came more in a line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept manner (see Bednar, “Line upon Line”). As we think about things we can do to increase our capacity to follow the Spirit, let me suggest a few ways I have found to better receive and respond to the promptings of the Spirit. I don’t visit other congregations now, primarily for lack of time. Fourth, service invites the constant companionship of the Spirit. Thus we tend to believe the Lord will give us a big answer quickly and all at one time. In my mind this job was made for me. Page Facebook de l'interrégion en français. In Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 the Lord states, “Behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.”. The quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost can teach us valuable lessons, especially if we listen to them. I was excited. As we practice listening, we will have opportunities to help them recognize the Holy Ghost in their lives. Some things we can do that will allow us to be more receptive to the messages and influence of the Holy Spirit, include: a) Be clean - (in thought, word, and deed) I will remember my baptismal covenants and listen to the Holy Ghost. Listening to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost. I said, “Hayden, I sure love you and am grateful that you are my son.” I then gave him a big hug. The next morning, as I was lying in bed getting ready to get up and start the day, I felt that same prompting: give your son a hug and tell him that you love him. Provo, Utah 84602. Learning how to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost can bring great blessings, but it also can be hard. In living the gospel, our handbooks of instruction are the scriptures and the revealed word of God through His prophets. we engage are reflective of our understanding of the Holy Ghost and the degree to which we obey His promptings. I prayed, felt good about it, and was moving forward. Just because I received a witness to marry my wife, that was not enough. Eddie Brown is probably the most influential American Indian social worker in the country, and during those three years we were able to travel throughout the country working with Indian tribes and tribal organizations. It is clearly the case that the Lord did not change His mind; rather, you and I must learn to better recognize the Lord’s pattern as a series of related and expanding answers to our most important questions. How will listening to the Lord affect our lives? Elder Bednar gave a great CES fireside talk entitled “A Reservoir of Living Water” (4 February 2007)—that I highly encourage you to read or reread—in which he talked about feasting on the word by searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and themes. Brothers and sisters, what are the influences in your life and mine that negatively impact our ability to feel the Spirit? I was so taken aback that I got up from my desk, walked out of my office, opened the door, and listened again to the melodic tone as it closed. Some can be good promptings, while others can be bad: Your heart can “prompt” you to give (Exodus 25:3). I’m grateful I listened to the promptings from the Holy Ghost” John H., age 9, Suffolk, England. Scriptural immersion provides us with a unique insight into how others have received and responded to the promptings of the Spirit. And I did not come all at once during a single heartfelt listening to the promptings of the holy ghost of desperation he did I! 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