37 10-9-23 Our Greatest Need

37 10-9-23 Our Greatest Need

 Here we are approaching the middle of October already. I can’t believe that I am turning 50 this week. Time really does go too fast. Psychologically 50 has been a hard one for me to swallow. It feels a little like a slippery slope lies ahead :) 

This past week I was asked to speak on the Holy Ghost at a new converts baptism coming up on the 21st of this month. This young man is 18 yrs old, and is taking the discussions at his girlfriend’s parent’s house. Graham and I were invited by the missionaries a couple of weeks ago to attend one of his discussions and to help fellowship him in the ward. As I’ve thought about this upcoming assignment it has made me think about the role of the Holy Ghost in our Heavenly Father’s plan. 

Sometimes we hear something repeated so frequently that we stop hearing what is being said. The following quote from the prophet is repeated over and over again, and this past conference was no different. I think at a  minimum three of the apostles repeated it by quoting President Nelson:

 "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

How does that make you feel when you hear it? Do you unintentionally shut down because it so familiar, or do you pause and consider what is being said and why it is being repeated so often?

We live in a world and time where media of all forms bombard us 24/7. I think there is a danger for things of spiritual importance to be taken lightly as we see people quickly turn them into memes, tag lines, or jokes. They become so familiar so fast that we can forget that they are given to us as prophetic warnings through a prophet of God.

Re-read this statement, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." 

I hope we each really let that sink in. Three of the Holy Ghost’s roles are stated clearly here.

1. Guiding- Through pondering, sincere prayer, and scripture study the Holy Ghost can guide us in our daily choices. Spiritual, or temporal, we are promised his quiet and powerful influence to lead us forward.
2. Directing - To me this is different than guiding. When I think of guiding, I feel like I move forward making the best decisions I can and if I am running into a stumbling block I will feel prompted to head in a different direction. God expects us to use our best judgement as we act in faith moving forward, but He will guide us in these decisions. Directing to me seems more in His hands than mine. A clear directive to not make a particular choice, or a clear directive to do something specific. We need to act on these directed and specific promptings immediately.
3. Comforting - What more can be said then the feeling of peace, assurance, safety, and calm in the midst of any decision or life storm we face.

Now consider your “coming days”. None of us know what lies ahead for us as individuals, or as a group of Saints, or even as a nation or people. But a prophet, who God has given power to see into the future, has emphatically warned that the spiritual dangers ahead are devastating to those who don’t know how, or have not developed a pattern of feeling and leaning on the power and influence of the Holy Ghost in their daily lives. 

The small and simple things are the only answer to this consistent covenantal companionship of the Holy Ghost. Daily prayer, meaningful daily scripture study, time devoted to pondering on spiritual things, obedience to God’s laws, and honoring our covenants are the answer. There is no substitute. 

I have a testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can understand. That His plan is perfectly designed so that if we choose, we can be safely guided and directed home. He has given the Holy Ghost this authority to influence our lives for this exact purpose. I also knot that the Holy Ghost testifies of all truth, and especially of the truth that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  

Let us not be hard on ourselves if the small and simple daily things have slipped from our routine. Let us just repent and change course, building these daily patters of discipleship into our lives once again.

So my invitation this week is a self evaluation. Ask yourselves, How is the Holy Ghost guiding, directing, and comforting you each day? Look for these gifts, express gratitude in daily prayer for them specifically, and seek for them as you make the large and small decisions in your lives. I know we will each be blessed as we do. 

I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week. Love, dad