Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to be "quickened" by the Spirit?
- How did Ensign Frank Blair's faith and actions during a typhoon demonstrate the power of the Holy Ghost?
- What are the key principles Elder Wilson outlines for receiving the Spirit's guidance?
- How can we become more spiritually self-reliant according to Elder Wilson's talk?
Topics
Understanding Spiritual Quickening
Elder Wilson explains that to be "quickened" means to be made alive, both physically and spiritually. Just as Christ's Resurrection brings our bodies back to life, the Holy Spirit can quicken our inner selves, bringing us spiritual vitality.
Just as God "raised up Christ from the dead [so] shall [He] also quicken [our] mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in [us]."
[Adam] was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.
- What does it mean to be "quickened" by the Spirit?
- How does the Holy Spirit give us "life in Christ"?
- How have you experienced spiritual quickening in your life?
- What steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to quicken your inner self?
Living a Faithful Life to Receive Guidance
Elder Wilson shares the story of Ensign Frank Blair, who, through his faithful living, was able to receive specific guidance from the Holy Ghost that saved his ship and crew during a typhoon. This illustrates the importance of living a clean and obedient life to be worthy of divine guidance.
Had he not been obedient, he would not have had the spiritual confidence necessary to pray as he did for the safety of his ship and to receive such specific guidance.
Repentance and obedience are the way to achieve clear communication again.
- Why is it important to live a clean and faithful life?
- How does obedience affect our ability to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost?
- What changes can you make in your life to better align with God's commandments?
- How can you improve your spiritual confidence to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost?
Proactively Seeking the Lord’s Help
Elder Wilson emphasizes that we should not just ask the Lord to solve our problems but seek to be part of the solution. By asking what we can do and committing to act according to the Spirit’s guidance, we can receive more proactive and specific help from the Lord.
Instead of just listing our problems in prayer and asking the Lord to solve them, we ought to be seeking more proactive ways of receiving the Lord’s help and committing to act according to the Spirit’s guidance.
Lord, what do I need to do to be part of the solution?
- Why is it important to ask the Lord what we can do to be part of the solution?
- How can being proactive in our prayers lead to more specific guidance?
- How can you change your prayers to be more proactive?
- What actions can you take to be part of the solution to your current challenges?
Developing a Pattern of Receiving Revelation
Elder Wilson highlights the importance of consistently seeking the Spirit's guidance in all aspects of life. By developing a pattern of receiving revelation in calm times, we can be prepared to receive clear guidance in times of crisis.
The arrival of a typhoon is no time to dust off the gift of the Holy Ghost and figure out how to use it.
We need the Holy Spirit as our guide in calm waters so His voice will be unmistakable to us in the fiercest storm.
- Why is it important to develop a pattern of receiving revelation?
- How can consistent spiritual practices help us in times of crisis?
- What daily habits can you develop to better receive the Spirit’s guidance?
- How have past experiences with revelation prepared you for current challenges?
The Necessity of Spiritual Self-Reliance
Elder Wilson stresses the importance of being spiritually self-reliant by learning to hear the Lord's voice through His Spirit for our own lives. He warns against relying solely on others for spiritual direction and encourages personal revelation.
Being spiritually self-reliant is hearing the Lord’s voice through His Spirit for one’s own life.
Following the feet of the people ahead of you on the path is not enough.
- What does it mean to be spiritually self-reliant?
- Why is it important to seek personal revelation rather than relying solely on others?
- How can you become more spiritually self-reliant?
- What steps can you take to better hear the Lord's voice for your own life?
