Learn to Recognize the Promptings of the Spirit

Learn to Recognize the Promptings of the Spirit

The Spirit is always available to guide and direct you. However, the Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind. One great challenge for you is to recognize the quiet, subtle promptings of the Holy Ghost.

President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel. 5:30; D&C 85:6-7.) Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a ‘still small voice.’ (1 Kgs. 19:12.) “The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand.  Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?)

“Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam. 3:10.)” (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).

Many voices in the world compete for your attention, and they can easily drown out
spiritual impressions if you are not careful.

In answer to the question, “How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit?”
President Gordon B. Hinckley read Moroni 7:13, 16-17 and then said: “That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. . . .

“If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. . . . And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you.

“You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 260–61).

God answers your prayers through personal inspiration and revelation. Through the Holy Ghost He will guide you. Your task is to live worthily, pray fervently, and learn to recognize and follow courageously the Spirit’s guidance.

Preach My Gospel: Chapter 4

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

So I had a dream last night to look up "Twas the Night Before Christmas lds version" and put it on my blog.  Kind of a random thought, but it is a nice poem, so here it is:

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
With thoughts of St. Nicholas and what he'd bring there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
Without a moment of bowing their heads.

The scriptures were thrown on the shelves without care.
Little hope of remembering the precious words there.

And I with the tinsel and Ma with the lights
Had prepared for Christmas with no thoughts of Christ.

We had snowmen and elves and of course Santa Claus.
We thought we had decorated without any flaws.

For weeks we'd prepared with lots of traditions,
Cards of course and so much work in the kitchen.

We'd been to parties galore all dressed up in frills
And spent hours at stores to get the best deals

The lights on the house were all flashing with fun
Lots of presents under the tree; we thought we were done.

We thought not of the needy, nor help to a stranger,
We thought not of the poor, and not of a manger.

No angels were singing in our house that night
We hadn't invited them so none were in sight.

The real spirit of Christmas was absent as well.
For only Christ's spirit will make our hearts swell.

And I wondered that Christmas how it could be
That the Christmas spirit wasn't stronger in me

Why Christmas didn't seem as it was in the past
Why Christmas just came and went by very fast.

When out of my wondering mind did appear.
Some scriptures I'd learned as a child so dear.
Luke 2:4-7.
Of a loving kind Father who gave His own Son
John 3:16
God saw all our needs and chose Christ as the one.
Abraham 3:27
Christ has the power to serve us so well
Healing the things that can lead to spiritual jail

I could change if I wanted with eyes that could see
"Come Follow Me," was His only plea.

I decided to change and begged forgiveness please
And asked how to serve Him while down on my knees

Serve others and do it as if unto Him
Was the answer I heard in the sound of a hymn

I rushed from my bed and I got scriptures for all.
So we could start Christmas just right after all.

So Christmas day we planed for the months yet to come
Of people we'd serve and we talked of the fun

Now Angels are singing in our home today
We finally invited them to come our way.

And Christmas is lasting the whole long year through,
With scriptures, prayer and devotion His spirit grew.

May we all remember Christ in our Christmas and give him the attention he deserves!
Credits:
http://www.of-worth.com/christmasprogram.htm

Service in Action

Today we had the chance to work at a food bank in Butte.  It was fun to put into action the principle of service that we were reminded of at our zone conference.  We did several odd jobs like sweeping the floor, stacking pallets, and breaking down boxes, but the job that we all enjoyed the most was helping the people get food into their cars.  There was something in their eyes that you could tell they were tired and in need of assistance and it was neat to help them out.  We also enjoyed talking with the man in charge of the bank because he was a great guy.  You could tell by the way he acted that he was a great guy and really cared for these people.  The whole time we were working with these volunteers there was a great spirit of service there.  Everyone was eager to help out in any way that they could.  With all of the evil in the world today, it was nice to see people working together for others with cheerful hearts.  Service gives back to you more than you put into it.  I know this principle to be true and received a wonderful feeling for helping others today.