The Priesthood and The Holy Ghost

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there are a lot of perks and benefits. For instance, the second after you are confirmed a member, you get this guide called the Holy Ghost. This guide is always with you and is there to help... guide AND teach. It tells you what is right or wrong, it prompts you of what should be done or where your should go, and it helps other people who  may not be members understand what is trying to be taught to them. It is an amazing blessing to have this guide.

In church today we learned a few things of what having this guide really means. Not all people who have this guide understand how it communicates. It does not use a voice or even Morse Code, it uses the users own body and their emotions to communicate. Since this is the standard form of communication, many people get lost in translation or get mixed  signals. I know when the Holy Ghost is trying to talk to me by the feelings I get (usually a burning of the bosom) and the thoughts that "POP" into my head. I don't always trust these feelings because sometimes I think that I just might be feeling yesterdays dinner react with this mornings breakfast. Its normal to misunderstand and mistrust these feelings, especially when they don't make sense. The best advice that I can give to those that don't know what to do when this feeling arrives, whether your a member or not, is something that I heard in church today: Pray and ask Heavenly Father if the feeling you have is right and whether you should act on it or not. If you do not have time to pray then just do what ever your being told. The worst feeling one can possibly receive is guilt for not taking action when prompted.

The president and prophet of our church, President Thomas S. Monson, fequently shares a story of when he was bishop over a ward. To make it short, he received a prompting to visit a member, however, he received this prompting in the middle of an important leadership meeting. So naturally he said it didn't make sense and told himself it could wait. The consequence of him not taking action promptly was dire. I know that having the Holy Ghost can sometimes be a challenge due to the seemingly foreign language that it speaks, but I promise that through obedience to the Lord and practice, you will be able to understand the language and communicate fluently. I can testify that I have felt the spirit before and I know that when I act upon it, I never regret it, even if I don't immediately see the results. Although this gift of a guide is given to members, non members seeking to learn more about the gospel can feel it too and through prayer they can learn to understand it.

I also wanted to make a short paragraph to appreciate my husband Andrew. Today he was asked to join in a special ordinance: a baby blessing. Since Andrew is a worthy priesthood holder he was able to be there and support Uncle Sky in giving baby Henrietta her blessing. I know I felt the spirit there seeing my husband standing in the circle. I know the Holy Ghost was reminding me that I married the right man. I am so happy that I married in the temple and into such a valiant family. True happiness comes from being an active member in this church and I write this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

(See the full story about President Monson and other stories by clicking over here: Stories from President Monson's life)