Following the Guidance of the Holy Ghost

Never postpone promptings because one of the greatest blessings in life is to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

~Thomas S. Monson, Consider the Blessings, Conference October 2012

It is through the repeated process of feeling impressions, recording them, and obeying them that one learns to depend on the direction of the Spirit more than on communication through the five senses

~ Richard G. Scott, Helping Others to Be Spiritually Led” CES fireside, Aug. 11, 1998

Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done,” create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time… We remove the pavilion when we feel and pray, “Thy will be done” and “in Thine own time.” His time should be soon enough for us since we know that He wants only what is best.

~Henry B. Eyring, Where is the Pavilion? Conference October 2012

We all have an inner braking system that will stop us before we follow Satan too far down the wrong road. It is the still, small voice within us. But if we allow ourselves to succumb to Satan’s tempting, the braking system begins to leak brake fluid and our stopping mechanism becomes weak and ineffective.

~James E. Faust, The Forces That Will Save Us, First Presidency Message, January 2007

In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon, and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. 

~David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, Conference April 2011

If you want to obtain and keep the guidance of the Spirit, you can do so by following this simple four-point program. One, pray. Pray diligently. … Second, study and learn the gospel. Third, live righteously; repent of your sins. … Fourth, give service in the Church

~President Marion G. Romney , Guidance of the Holy Spirit, Ensign, Jan. 1980, 5.

There is no greater blessing that can come into our lives than the gift of the Holy Ghost—the companionship of the Holy Spirit to guide us, protect us, and bless us, to go, as it were, as a pillar before us and a flame to lead us in paths of righteousness and truth. That guiding power of the third member of the Godhead can be ours if we live worthy of it.

 ~Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 259.

There is indeed such a thing as absolute truth—unassailable, unchangeable truth. This truth is different from belief. It is different from hope. Absolute truth is not dependent upon public opinion or popularity. Polls cannot sway it. Not even the inexhaustible authority of celebrity endorsement can change it.

~ Deiter F. Utchdorf, What is Truth, CES fireside 2012

Seldom will you receive a complete response [to a prayer] all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father’s capacity to respond. While sometimes it’s very hard, it results in significant personal growth.

~ Richard G. Scott, Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer, Conference April 2007

Revelation from our Father, in its most familiar form, comes through the Holy Ghost as thoughts to our minds and feelings to our hearts. Thus, God communicates with us through our very thoughts and feelings! It should not be hard to understand why we are counseled to avoid polluting our minds with pornography, watching R-rated and inappropriate movies and television programs, and taking into our bodies harmful and addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol. These tools of the Adversary can restrict and eventually destroy our ability to recognize and respond to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

~David A. Bednar, Receiving, Recognizing, and Responding to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost, BYUI Devotional, August 1999


My Own Thoughts and Testimony;

One of the great blessings that is received when we get baptized is the companionship of the Holy Ghost. 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. It often speaks with a still and quiet voice or just an impression on our hearts or minds and therefore we must be living worthily and put ourselves in an environment where we are able to hear it. The more we practice listening to the Spirit, the more we are able to recognize it and the more it will speak to us. If you are unsure if it is the spirit or just your own thoughts, if it is a good thing and causes you to serve God then just do it. As you show your willingness to listen and obey you will become able to identify more easily the voice of the spirit and will be greatly blessed.