Spiritual Strength: Seeking the Spirit
What would
Heavenly Father have me do today?
INTRODUCTION
Nourishing yourself
daily is absolutely central to your well-being. As you work to develop
Spiritual Strength and maturity you will gain a greater understanding and
appreciation of the Atonement as well as gain or strengthen your testimony that
you are a child of God.
“Joseph
stepped toward me, and, looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly, said, “Tell the
people to be humble and faithful, and to be sure to keep the Spirit of the
Lord, and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the still,
small voice, it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the
fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to
conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them their hearts will be
ready to receive it. They can distinguish the Spirit of the Lord from all other
spirits: it will whisper peace and joy to their souls: it will take malice,
hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts, and their whole desire will be
to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell
the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right. Be
sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and if they will, they
will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in heaven before
they came, into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family but
they are all disorganized and in great confusion…” Joseph again said, “Tell the
people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, and to follow it, and it will
lead them just right.” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young 1846-1847,
Teachings of Presidents of the Church Joseph Smith p. 98)
POINTS TO PONDER
- Having and keeping the Spirit in
my life is vital to my progress in mortality. I can seek the Spirit and
enjoy its constant companionship.
- Prayer is a means to receive the
guidance and influence of the Spirit into my daily life. Fasting should
sometimes accompany prayer.
- Scriptures are provided to me as
great reservoirs of spiritual water that I might be spiritually fed.
- Testimony is confirmed to me by
the gift of the Holy Ghost and brings spiritual strength into my life.
SUPPORTING
SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES
Having and keeping the Spirit in my life is
vital to my progress in mortality. I can seek the Spirit and enjoy its constant
companionship.
“Receive the Holy Ghost,
it will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5)
“And blessed are they who do
hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy
Ghost” (3 Nephi 12:6)
“I
want to see men and women breathe the Holy Ghost in every breath of their
lives, living constantly in the light of God’s countenance” (Discourses of
Brigham Young 31; TPC p. 33)
“When
you get the Spirit of God, you feel full of kindness, charity, long-suffering,
and you are willing all the day long to accord to every man that which you want
yourself. You feel disposed all the day long to do unto all men as you would
wish them to do unto you.” (John Taylor, Deseret News, 24 Dec 1862; Teachings
of Presidents of the
Church p. 21)
“We call upon the members of
the church … above all to seek to have the fellowship and union of the Holy
Ghost. Let this Spirit be sought and cherished as diligently within the
smallest and humblest family circle as within the membership of the highest
organization and quorum. Let it permeate the hearts of the brothers and
sisters, the parents and children of the household, as well as the hearts of
the First Presidency and Twelve…Let it unite young and old, male and female,
flock and shepherd, people and Priesthood in the bonds of gratitude and
forgiveness and love, so that [we] may feel approved of the Lord, and that we
may all come before Him with a conscience void of offense before all men. Then
there will be no disappointment as to the blessings promised those who
sincerely worship Him. The sweet whisperings of the Holy Spirit will be given
to them and the treasures of Heaven, the communion of angels, will be added
from time to time, for His promise has gone forth and it cannot fail.” (Wilford
Woodruff, Messages of the First Presidency, 3:242-44; Teachings of Presidents
of the Church p. 181)
“Who
is going to be prepared for the coming of the Messiah? [Those] who enjoy the
Holy Ghost and live under the inspiration of the Almighty, who abide in Jesus
Christ and bring forth fruit to the honor and glory of God. No other people
will be.” (Wilford Woodruff, Deseret News, 4 Feb 1873; Teachings of Presidents
of the Church p. 258)
“
[Faith is] that principle which draws our spirit into communion with the Higher
Spirit which will bring all things to our remembrance, show us things to come,
and teach us all things. To acquire that Spirit is the responsibility of the
Latter-day Saint who would know truth.” (David O McKay, Conference Report Oct
1906; Teachings of Presidents of the Church p. 203)
“Seek
the Lord and He will be with you. If we fail to seek the Lord there is no
security for any of us. No man or woman who seeks God’s Spirit and follows its
promptings can fail.” (Heber J Grant, 22 Nov 1924; Teachings of Presidents of
the Church p.183)
“The
Holy Ghost causes our feelings to be more tender. We feel more charitable and
compassionate with each other. We are more calm in our relationships. We have a
greater capacity to love each other. People want to be around us because our
very countenances radiate the influence of the Spirit. We are more godly in our
character. As a result, we become increasingly more sensitive to the promptings
of the Holy Ghost and thus able to comprehend spiritual things more clearly.”
(Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Apr 1988, 4; Teaching No Greater Call p. 13)
Prayer is a means to receive the guidance and
influence of the Spirit into my daily life. Fasting should sometimes accompany
prayer.
“Ask
the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall
have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient”
(Doctrine & Covenants 18:18)
“Ye
receive the Spirit through prayer” (Doctrine & Covenants 63:64)
“Some
guidelines and rules are necessary if one is to be the recipient of revelation
and inspiration. They include (1) to try honestly and sincerely to keep God’s
commandments, (2) to be spiritually attuned as a receiver of a divine message,
(3) to ask God in humble, fervent prayer, and (4) to seek answers with
unwavering faith” (James E Faust, Communion with the Holy Spirit, Ensign, Mar.
2002, p. 5; The Gospel and the Productive Life p. 9)
“No divine
commandment has been more frequently repeated than the commandment to pray in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Marion G Romney, Ensign, Nov. 1976, 16)
“No
one can know of spiritual truths without prayer. In answer to our prayers, the
Holy Ghost will teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts. Feelings that
come from the Holy Ghost are powerful, but they are also usually gentle and
quiet” (Preach My Gospel p. 39)
“This
course [prayer] is essential if men are to be saved; there is no salvation
without prayer. How could a man set his heart on righteousness, so as to work
out his salvation, without communing by prayer with him who is the author of
righteousness.” (Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 581)
“I
have had prayers answered. Those answers were most clear when what I wanted was
silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wanted. It is then that the
answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still
small voice and can be written on the heart” (Henry B Eyring, Conference
Report, Oct 2000)
“To those … who are struggling with challenges
and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength;
it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our
Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the
answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer.” (Thomas S Monson, Ensign, May
2008, 68)
“Fasting,
with prayer as its companion, is designed to increase spirituality; to foster a
spirit of devotion and love of God; to increase faith in the hearts of men,
thus assuring divine favor; to encourage humility and contrition of soul; to
aid in the acquirement of righteousness; to teach man his nothingness and
dependence upon God; and to hasten those who properly comply with the law of
fasting along the path to salvation.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 276)
“Failing
to fast is a sin…rich promises are made by the Lord to those who fast and
assist the needy. Freedom from frustrations, freedom from thralldom, and the
blessing of peace are promised. Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come
with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father. To omit to do this
righteous act of fasting would deprive us of these blessings.” (Spencer W
Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, 98)
Scriptures
are provided to me as great reservoirs of spiritual water that I might be
spiritually fed.
“Search
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of me” (John 5:39)
“We
ought to draw near to the Lord, and labor to obtain the Holy Spirit, so that
when we read the revelations of God we may read them by the same Spirit by
which they were given. Then we can understand their [meaning] when given to the
children of men.” (Wilford Woodruff, Deseret News, 6 Jul 1880; Teachings of
Presidents of the Church p. 117)
“The
Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every
day. The words of the scriptures invite the Holy Spirit… With daily study of
the scriptures, we can count on this blessing… We treasure the word of God not
only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be
nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them
treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters
of scripture.” (Henry B Eyring, Conference Report, Oct 1997)
“We
have been prone in the last while to be more concerned about reading
commentaries about the scriptures. But there is nothing quite so vital as
taking those scriptures in our hands and reading them… [T]here is something
that’s more electric, more spiritual, something that is more deeply meaningful
when I read from the scriptures themselves.” (Teachings of the Presidents of
the Church, Harold B Lee, p. 61)
“Another simple
thing to do, which allows God to give us strength, is to feast on the word of
God: read and ponder the standard works of the Church and the words of living
prophets. There is a promise of help from God that comes with that daily
practice. Faithful study of scriptures brings the Holy Ghost to us.” (Ensign,
May 2004; Book of Mormon Student Manual p. 111)
“We
are in the service of the Lord. We have the right to spiritual direction, if we
live worthily. God grant that we may so live and study the scriptures, and let
this be a reading habit that we indulge in daily, that we not fail of the high
appointments for which we have been called in our Father’s kingdom.”
“I
am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the
scriptures for ourselves – and not just discover them once, but rediscover them
again and again.” (Spencer W Kimball, How Rare a Possession – the Scriptures!,
Ensign, Sep 1976; Teaching No Greater Call p. 206)
“Just
as water was and is today essential to the physical life… just so is the gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ essential to the spiritual life of God’s children…
Great reservoirs of spiritual water, called scriptures, have been provided in
this day and have been safeguarded that all might partake and be spiritually
fed, and that they thirst not. That these scriptures have been considered of
great importance, is indicated by the words of the Savior in John 5:39…Through
these generations the messages from our Father have been safeguarded and
carefully protected, and mark you likewise that in this day the scriptures are
the purest at their source, just as the waters were purest at the mountain
source; the purest word of God, and that least apt to be polluted, is that
which comes from the lips of the living prophets who are set up to guide Israel
in our own day and time.” (Harold B Lee, Conference Report, Oct 1943; Teachings
of Presidents of the Church p.59-61)
“Every
Latter-day Saint should make the study of [the Book of Mormon] a lifetime
pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which
could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a
difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the
Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not” (Ezra Taft
Benson, A Witness and a Warning, 1988)
“If
we desire to avoid the evils of this world, we must feed our minds with the
truth and righteousness found in the scriptures. We will grow closer to God and
to each other as we read and ponder the scriptures together. As we read, ponder
and pray about the scriptures and ask God for understanding, the Holy Ghost
will bear witness of the truth of these things. We will each know for ourselves
that these things are true…We can receive the same feelings expressed by Nephi
when he said, ‘My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart
pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard’ 2 Nephi
4:16. (Gospel Principles, Scriptures, Chapter 10, 49)
“The
years have taught me that if we will energetically pursue this worthy goal [to
study the scriptures] in a determined and conscientious manner, we shall indeed
find answers to our problems and peace in our hearts. We shall experience the
Holy Ghost broadening our understanding, find new insights, witness an
unfolding pattern of all scripture; and the doctrines of the Lord shall come to
have more meaning to us than we ever thought possible. As a consequence, we
shall have greater wisdom with which to guide ourselves and our families.
(Spencer W Kimball, Ensign, Sept. 1975, p. 3)
“Let
us not treat lightly the great things we have received from the hand of the
Lord! His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given us. I urge you to
recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them
daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings.
Read them in your families and teach your children to love and treasure them.”
(The Power of the Word, Ensign May 1986; Teaching No Greater Call p. 15)
Testimony
is confirmed to me by the gift of the Holy Ghost and brings spiritual strength
into my life.
“I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John
11:25-26)
“This
is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw
him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that
he is the Only Begotten of the Father – that by him, and through him, and of
him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten
sons and daughters unto God” (Doctrine & Covenants 76:22-24)
“Our
most important spiritual nutrient is a testimony that God is our Eternal
Father, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and that the Holy Ghost is our
Comforter. This testimony is confirmed to us by the gift of the Holy Ghost.
From this testimony we derive the spiritual nutrients of faith and trust in
God, which bring forth the blessings of heaven.” (James E Faust, Ensign Nov
2006, Spiritual Nutrients)
“We
need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to
practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic.
These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies
keep us happy and safe in troubled times.” (Allan F Packer, Ensign, May 2008,
17)
“[Your
own personal faith and testimony] is how you avoid the mistakes of the past and
take your spirituality to the next level. If you are open and receptive to the
whisperings of the Holy Spirit in your lives, you will understand the lessons
of the past, and they will be burned into your souls by the power of your
testimonies…Testimony comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and
service. That is why the teachings of the prophets and apostles, past and
present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been.” (M Russell
Ballard, Ensign, May 2008, 34)
“Spiritual
things can be understood only through the Spirit. It must come through the
heart and that is where the testimony is lodged.” (Teachings of the Presidents
of the Church – Spencer W Kimball, p. 72)
“A
testimony is a spiritual witness and assurance given by the Holy Ghost. To bear
testimony is to give a simple, direct declaration of belief – a feeling, an
assurance, a conviction of gospel truth. Sharing your testimony often is one of
the most powerful ways of inviting the Spirit and helping others feel the
Spirit.” (Preach My Gospel p. 198)
“Simply
stated, testimony – real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the
Holy Ghost – changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It
changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you
make… To bear testimony is ‘to bear witness by the power of the Holy Ghost; to
make a solemn declaration of truth based on personal knowledge or belief’.
Clear declaration of truth makes a difference in peoples lives. That is what
changes hearts. That is what the Holy Ghost can confirm in the hearts of Gods
children.” (Book of Mormon Student Manual 2009 p. 176)
APPLICATION
- What truths has the Holy Ghost testified
of to you?
- How can you know when you are
being influenced by the Spirit?
- What can you do each day to
increase the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life?
- Is your testimony strong enough
to see you through challenges and hard times? What can you do to
strengthen your testimony?
- How do you personally feel about
the scriptures? Do you feast often from their pages?
GOALS AND IMPRESSIONS
Use
this space to set goals that will help you gain greater spiritual maturity.
Record any notes or impressions you may have had as you pondered the quotes and
references.
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SOURCES
· The
Standard Works
· The
Gospel and the Productive Life Student Manual Religion 150, 2004
· Preach
My Gospel 2004
· Book
of Mormon Student Manual 2009
· Gospel
Principles 2009
· Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F Smith; Heber J Grant; Spencer W Kimball;
Harold B Lee; David O McKay; Wilford Woodruff; John Taylor; Brigham Young;
Joseph Smith
· Mormon
Doctrine, Bruce R McConkie 1979
· The
Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W Kimball
· Conference
Ensigns and Church Magazines
· Teaching
No Greater Call 1999
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