Seeking and Listening to the Holy Ghost

This week I have been interested to learn more about truly seeking the Holy Ghost in my life, and then how to listen to those promptings.  There were a few scriptures that really hit it home with me but I’ll keep it to just one, Moroni 7:13 , “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”

Along with this scripture I watched a few videos by Elder Bednar and his wife, I think that the videos of the church are amazing and can explain things 120 times better than I can.  During one Face to Face devotional with Elder Bednar he said that we first need to be WORTHY of the Spirit, or be “good boys and good girls” and the Spirit will speak to us.  We need not worry if it is from God or our own mind so much, if it is a thought/feeling to do good then it is automatically from God or the Spirit.

I find that so amazing, so simple.  To know that we shouldn’t worry!  We can receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost whenever and about whatever as long as we are being good.  If we look back the doctrine that the Holy Ghost is a constant companion is evident throughout our lives, I mean how many times have you had a flashback of your mom telling you to say your prayers?!  THAT is the Holy Ghost, using your mothers voice and that memory already in your head to guide you in the right direction.

I think this is so necessary to understand in our lives today, especially while we are bombarded by so many other channels of communication nowadays.  There are so many distractions and people competing for our attention and focus, that if we lose perspective we can become farther and farther out of tune to the promptings of our Father in Heaven, even that still small voice.

I want to strive to be a “good boy” so that I too can have those subtle promptings as I take steps to become closer to my Father in Heaven.  

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

HIS redeeming power...

During my scripture study I came across a verse that really stuck out to me, it is found in 2 Nephi 2:3.  It states; “3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.”  

Here Lehi is speaking to Jacob, his son, and to me it looks just like a normal fathers blessing stating that he will continue following in his brother's footsteps and prosper upon the land. As I read it again and again and finally found it in the book “Following Christ” it began to take on another meaning.  Lehi states, “wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer…” what a powerful statement, to me he is saying that Jacob is redeemed because his Savior was righteous, not because Jacob was righteous.

As I studied and read more and more the doctrine that I learned from this passage of scripture is that salvation or the redeeming power ONLY comes from our Savior Jesus Christ.  

As we follow the principles of the gospel including; faith, repentance, baptism, and reception of the gift of HG we take upon us Christ Himself.  We become joint partners, and in the book “Following Christ” Robinson explains it as a husband and wife who become one after marriage (last name).  This means that it is Christ's ultimate perfection and righteousness that determines the “new creature” we become therefore it is him that gives the verdict.  All we have to do is remain faithful to this contract we enter into upon baptism and we will be declared clean in the end.  I love how Lehi in this verse doesn’t tell him all the things he has to do and make a list for Jacob but knows that he will remain faithful because he has committed himself to the covenant with God.  

Each of us can take a step back and stop thinking we are going to mess up or become unworthy of this redeeming power.  Christ can take all our faults, sins, mistakes as long as we hold up our end of the contract.  He loves us and I know that 100%.  I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.