Let the Holy Spirit Guide
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the role of the Holy Ghost in our lives according to Elder Rasband?
- How can we live worthy of the Spirit?
- What does it mean to recognize and act on the first prompting of the Spirit?
- How does Elder Rasband suggest we can be more receptive to the Holy Ghost?
Topics
Understand the Role of the Holy Ghost
Elder Rasband explains that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, distinct and separate from the Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, enabling Him to dwell within us and provide divine guidance and comfort.
From latter-day revelation we know that the Godhead is comprised of three distinct and separate beings: our Father in Heaven; His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost binds us to the Lord. By divine assignment, He inspires, testifies, teaches, and prompts us to walk in the light of the Lord.
- What are the distinct roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?
- How does the Holy Ghost help us in our daily lives?
- How have you felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life?
- What steps can you take to better recognize the Holy Ghost's guidance?
Live Worthy of the Spirit
To invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, Elder Rasband teaches that we must strive to live worthy of His presence. This involves obeying God's laws, studying the scriptures, praying, attending the temple, and living a life of honesty, benevolence, and virtue.
The Holy Ghost accompanies those who are "strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day."
We must "lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better," for "the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples."
- What does it mean to live worthy of the Spirit?
- Why is it important to "lay aside the things of this world"?
- In what ways can you improve your daily habits to invite the Spirit more fully into your life?
- How can you better align your actions with the teachings of the gospel?
Be Willing to Receive the Spirit
Elder Rasband encourages us to be open and willing to receive the Holy Ghost. He shares personal experiences that illustrate the importance of being receptive to the Spirit's promptings and acting on them, even when they seem unusual or challenging.
The Lord has promised, "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."
How grateful I am that I listened to the Spirit and stuck my foot in the door on that hot July day.
- How can we become more willing to receive the Spirit?
- What are some ways the Holy Ghost communicates with us?
- Reflect on a time when you acted on a prompting from the Holy Ghost. What was the outcome?
- How can you increase your sensitivity to the Spirit's promptings in your daily life?
Recognize the Spirit When It Comes
Elder Rasband teaches that the Spirit often communicates through feelings and impressions that are gentle and familiar. He shares scriptural examples and personal stories to illustrate how we can recognize the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.
My experience has been that the Spirit most often communicates as a feeling.
The voice of the Holy Spirit is still and small.
- What are some characteristics of the Holy Ghost's communication?
- Why is it important to recognize the Spirit's promptings?
- How do you differentiate between your own thoughts and the promptings of the Holy Ghost?
- What practices can help you better recognize the Spirit's voice?
Act on the First Prompting
Elder Rasband emphasizes the importance of acting on the first prompting from the Holy Ghost. He warns against second-guessing these impressions and encourages us to be confident in following the Spirit's guidance, sharing examples from his own life and ministry.
We must be confident in our first promptings.
First promptings are pure inspiration from heaven.
- Why is it important to act on the first prompting from the Holy Ghost?
- What can happen if we second-guess the Spirit's promptings?
- Recall a time when you acted on a first prompting. How did it affect you and others?
- What can you do to be more confident in following the Holy Ghost's guidance?
