“Chapter 4: Seek and Rely on the Spirit,” Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2023)
“Chapter 4: Seek and Rely on the Spirit,” Preach My Gospel
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Liahona, by Arnold Friberg
Chapter 4
Seek and Rely on the Spirit
Consider This
What can I do to have the power of the Holy Ghost in my life and missionary service?
What is the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion?
How can I help the people we teach feel the influence of the Holy Ghost?
How can I make my prayers more meaningful?
How can I learn to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost?
Seek the Guidance of the Holy Ghost
The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts that God has given His children. It is vital in your work as a missionary. You need the guiding, revelatory power of the Holy Ghost as you help people be baptized, confirmed, and converted.
Having the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your life requires spiritual work. This work includes fervent prayer and consistent scripture study. It also includes keeping your covenants and God’s commandments (see Mosiah 18:8–10, 13). It includes worthily partaking of the sacrament each week (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79).
You face different needs and circumstances every day. Promptings from the Spirit will help you know what to do and say. As you seek and act on these promptings, the Holy Ghost will magnify your abilities and service to far exceed what you can do on your own. He will help you in every aspect of your missionary service and your personal life. (See 2 Nephi 32:2–5; Alma 17:3; Helaman 5:17–19; Doctrine and Covenants 43:15–16; 84:85.)
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President Russell M. Nelson
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96).
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Light and Truth, by Simon Dewey
The Light of Christ
The Light of Christ “is given to every man, that he may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:16; see verses 14–19; see also John 1:9). The Light of Christ is enlightenment, knowledge, and influence that are given through Jesus Christ. This influence is preliminary to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. It will guide those who are receptive to learn and live the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Ghost
The Personage of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit and does not have a body of flesh and bones (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). He is the Comforter, who the Savior promised would teach His followers all things and bring to their remembrance what Jesus had taught (see John 14:26).
The Power of the Holy Ghost
The witness that comes to sincere seekers of truth before baptism comes through the power of the Holy Ghost. All people can receive a testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel through the power of the Holy Ghost. “By the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as we are worthy. We receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after we are baptized by water. It is conferred through the ordinance of confirmation.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 97).
It is by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost that we are sanctified—made more holy, more complete, more whole, more like God. It is through the redemption of Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost that we can be spiritually born again as we keep the covenants we make with God (see Mosiah 27:25–26).
The Holy Spirit of Promise
The Holy Ghost is also referred to as the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:3). In this capacity, the Holy Ghost confirms that the priesthood ordinances we receive and the covenants we make are acceptable to God. Those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will receive all that the Father has (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:51–60; Ephesians 1:13–14; Guide to the Scriptures, “Holy Spirit of Promise”).
All ordinances and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to be valid after this life (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:7, 18–19, 26). That sealing depends on our continued faithfulness.
Gifts of the Spirit
The Lord gives us gifts of the Spirit to bless us and to use in blessing others (see Doctrine and Covenants 46:8–9, 26). For example, missionaries who learn a new language may receive the gift of tongues to give them divine help to teach others in their native language.
Several gifts of the Spirit are described in Moroni 10:8–18, Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–33, and 1 Corinthians 12:1–12. These are only some of the many gifts of the Spirit. The Lord may bless us with other gifts depending on our faithfulness, our needs, and the needs of others.
What can you learn from this experience about your own work?
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group praying
The Power of the Spirit in Conversion
Conversion occurs through the power of the Holy Ghost. Your role is to help bring the power of the Spirit into a person’s life. Some ways you can do this are suggested below.
Seek to have the Spirit with you through prayer, searching the scriptures, and keeping your covenants.
Teach by the Spirit about the Savior and the message of the Restoration. Follow the guidance of the Spirit in adapting your message to each person’s needs.
Testify that you know by the power of the Holy Ghost that what you teach is true. As you testify, the Holy Ghost can bear witness to others.
Invite people to act, and support them in keeping their commitments. As people keep commitments, they will feel the power of the Holy Ghost more strongly. See chapter 11.
Follow up by asking people about their experiences as they acted on an invitation. Their faith will grow as they repent, obey the commandments, and keep their commitments. Help them recognize the Spirit working with them.
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President M. Russell Ballard
President M. Russell Ballard taught: “True conversion comes through the power of the Spirit. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. When individuals … feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases. These experiences with the Spirit follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word [see Alma 32:27]. This is how we come to feel the gospel is true” (“Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 75).
Personal or Companion Study
Study one or more of the following passages. As you read, seek to understand what a person feels in the process of conversion. Record your impressions in your study journal. Discuss your insights with other missionaries and members.
Study one or more of the following passages. As you read, consider how you can better teach with the converting power of the Spirit. Record your feelings and impressions in your study journal. Discuss your ideas with other missionaries and members.
To help others become converted, you need to teach by the power of the Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–14, 17–22). The Lord said, “And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14).
As you pray for help in your teaching, the power of the Holy Ghost will carry your teachings “unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). As you teach by the Spirit and others receive by the Spirit, you will “understand one another” and be “edified and rejoice together” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:22).
Use language that conveys a loving, worshipful relationship with God. In English, use scriptural language such as Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine rather than the more common pronouns you, your, and yours.
Always express gratitude. A conscious effort to be grateful will help you recognize how merciful God has been in your life. It will open your heart and mind to inspiration.
Pray “with all the energy of heart” for charity to be bestowed upon you (Moroni 7:48). Pray for others by name. Pray for those you are teaching. Seek inspiration for how you will invite and help them to come unto Christ.
Personal Study
Study the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9–13. Ask yourself the following questions, and record impressions in your study journal.
How does your current responsibility as a missionary influence your prayers?
In what ways are your prayers seeking to bless the lives of others?
How are you praying to be able to overcome temptation?
How do you pray for help in fulfilling your spiritual and temporal needs?
How do you give glory to God when you pray?
When to Pray
When should you pray? The Lord said, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good” (Doctrine and Covenants 90:24).
Alma said, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God” (Alma 37:37; see also 34:17–27).
The Lord invites you to reserve quiet, private times to pray: “Enter into thy closet, and … pray to thy Father” (3 Nephi 13:6; see also verses 7–13).
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “Every morning … , missionaries should get on their knees and plead with the Lord to loosen their tongues and speak through them to the blessing of those they will be teaching. If they will do this, a new light will come into their lives. There will be greater enthusiasm for the work. They will come to know that in a very real sense, they are servants of the Lord speaking in His behalf” (“Missionary Service,” First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 11, 2003, 20).
Trusting God When We Pray
Having faith in God means trusting Him. This includes trusting His will and His timing in answering your prayers (see Isaiah 55:8–9). President Dallin H. Oaks taught:
“No matter how strong our faith is, it cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him in whom we have faith. Remember that when your prayers do not seem to be answered in the way or at the time you desire. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security and serenity in our lives” (“The Atonement and Faith,” Ensign, Apr. 2010, 30).
Concerning prayers that may seem to go unanswered, President Russell M. Nelson said:
“I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time” (“Jesus Christ—the Master Healer,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 86).
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Road to Emmaus, by Greg Olsen
Learn to Recognize the Promptings of the Spirit
It is important for you and the people you teach to learn to recognize communications from the Spirit. The Spirit usually communicates quietly, through your feelings, mind, and heart. The prophet Elijah found that the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire—but was “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). It is “not a voice of thunder,” but rather “a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,” and yet it can “pierce even to the very soul” (Helaman 5:30).
Communications from the Spirit can feel different to different people. Regardless of how these communications feel, the scriptures teach how to recognize them. For example, the Spirit will edify you and lead you to do good. He will enlighten your mind. He will lead you to walk humbly and judge righteously. (See Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–14 and the “Personal Study” box later in this section.)
In answer to the question “How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit?” President Gordon B. Hinckley read Moroni 7:13, 16–17. He then said:
“That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. …
“… If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. … And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you.
“You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 260–61).
As you seek and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost, your ability to discern and understand His promptings will develop over time (see 2 Nephi 28:30). In some ways, becoming more attuned to the language of the Spirit is like learning another language. It is a gradual process that requires diligent, patient effort.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost with full purpose of heart. If you are preoccupied with other things, you may not sense the gentle whisperings of the Spirit. Or He may wait to communicate until you seek His influence with a humble willingness to act on His promptings.
The voices in the world compete for your attention. They can easily crowd out spiritual impressions unless you give place for the Spirit in your heart. Remember this counsel from the Lord: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10; see also Doctrine and Covenants 101:16).
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Elder David A. Bednar
“God uses a variety of patterns to convey revelations to His sons and daughters, such as thoughts to the mind and feelings to the heart, dreams, … and inspiration. Some revelations are received immediately and intensely; some are recognized gradually and subtly. Receiving, recognizing, and responding to revelations from God are spiritual gifts for which we all should yearn and appropriately seek” (David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation in the Work,” 2018 mission leadership seminar).
Personal Study
Study the scriptures in the following table. Think of times when you have experienced any of the feelings, thoughts, or impressions described in these verses. As you study and gain experience, add other scriptures to this list. Think of how you can use these principles to help others feel and recognize the Spirit.
As the Lord’s servant, you are to do His work in His way and by His power. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “no man can preach the Gospel without the Holy Ghost” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 332).
Trust the Spirit to guide you in every aspect of your work. He will enlighten and inspire you. He will help you find people to teach and will bring power to your teaching. He will assist as you help members, returning members, and new converts strengthen their faith.
Some missionaries feel confident in themselves. Others lack such confidence. Humbly put your confidence and faith in Jesus Christ, not in yourself. Rely on the Spirit rather than your own talents and abilities. The Holy Ghost will magnify your efforts far beyond what you can do on your own.
Scripture Study
Study the following scriptures and consider how they answer these important questions that you should ask each day. How can you apply the teachings in these passages to your finding efforts, planning sessions, and personal and companion study? How can you apply these passages to your efforts to teach, invite people to make commitments, and follow up on commitments?
As you pray for inspiration, compare your spiritual impressions with the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets. Impressions from the Spirit will align with these sources.
Seek Revelation within Your Assignment
Be certain that the feelings you receive are consistent with your assignment. Unless you are called by proper authority, impressions from the Spirit are not given for you to counsel or correct others. For example, you will not receive revelation to tell a bishop what he should do in his calling.
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A Gift of Light
Discern the True Influence of the Spirit
President Howard W. Hunter counseled: “Let me offer a word of caution. … I think if we are not careful … , we may begin to try to counterfeit the true influence of the Spirit of the Lord by unworthy and manipulative means. I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself” (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter [1997], 184).
Do Not Try to Force Spiritual Things
Spiritual matters cannot be forced. You can cultivate an attitude and an environment that invite the Spirit, and you can prepare yourself, but you cannot dictate how or when inspiration comes. Be patient and trust that you will receive what you need when the time is right.
Keep Spiritual Experiences Sacred
As a missionary, you may be more aware of spiritual experiences than you have been earlier in your life. These experiences are sacred and are generally for your own edification, instruction, or correction.
Many of these experiences are best kept private. Share only when the Spirit indicates that you can bless other people by doing so (see Alma 12:9; Doctrine and Covenants 63:64; 84:73).
Use Your Own Best Judgment in Some Instances
Sometimes we want to be led by the Spirit in all things. However, often the Lord wants us to act using our own best judgment (see Doctrine and Covenants 60:5; 61:22; 62:5). President Dallin H. Oaks taught:
“A desire to be led by the Lord is a strength, but it needs to be accompanied by an understanding that our Heavenly Father leaves many decisions for our personal choices. Personal decision making is one of the sources of the growth we are meant to experience in mortality. Persons who try to shift all decision making to the Lord and plead for revelation in every choice will soon find circumstances in which they pray for guidance and don’t receive it. For example, this is likely to occur in those numerous circumstances in which the choices are trivial or either choice is acceptable.
“We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment. Persons who persist in seeking revelatory guidance on subjects on which the Lord has not chosen to direct us may concoct an answer out of their own fantasy or bias, or they may even receive an answer through the medium of false revelation” (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct. 1994, 13–14).
Scripture Study
Relying on the Spirit is so important that the Lord warns us not to deny or quench the Spirit. What do you learn from the following passages of scripture?
Divide a page into two columns. Label one column “What the Lord Did” and the other column “What Lehi or Nephi Did.” Read the story of the Liahona and the broken bow (1 Nephi 16:9–31) or the story of Nephi building a ship (1 Nephi 17:7–16; 18:1–6). List events from the story in the appropriate columns. Consider what the story can teach you about the nature of inspiration.
Look through your journal and find occasions when you have been led by the Spirit or have experienced a gift of the Spirit. Think about when, where, and why these experiences happened. How was the Lord’s hand manifest? How did you feel? Remembering these experiences can help you recognize the Spirit.
Study Alma 33:1–12 and Alma 34:17–31. What questions were Alma and Amulek answering? (Review Alma 33:1–2.) How did they answer these questions? What assurances did they give?
The Lord has promised that the Spirit will guide us in many important ways. As you read the following passages, identify aspects of your work that require the guidance of the Spirit. What do the principles in the following scriptures mean for your personal and companion study? for district council meetings, zone conferences, baptismal services, and other meetings?
Talk about the prayers you offer as companions. Are they guided by the Holy Ghost? How have you received answers to your prayers as a companionship? When you pray as companions, do you:
Believe that God will give you what you ask for in righteousness and according to His will?
Acknowledge and give thanks for answers to your prayers?
Pray for people by name and consider their needs?
Pray for each other and for the Spirit to guide you?
Recognize the answers to your prayers?
Pray with a commitment to act on the promptings you receive?
Discuss how you will seek the Spirit more earnestly.
Discuss the different ways that people describe the influence of the Holy Ghost. Keep a record in your study journal of comments that those you teach have made about their experiences with the Spirit. How can you help others recognize this sacred influence?
District Council, Zone Conferences, and Mission Leadership Council
As appropriate, have missionaries share a story or experience they heard in a recent testimony meeting, teaching experience, or other setting. The spiritual stories and experiences other people tell can help you develop faith and recognize that the Spirit’s influence is widely and frequently manifest.
Ask the missionaries to give talks about the mission and power of the Holy Ghost.
Discuss how expressing gratitude helps you see the small but very significant ways the Lord blesses you (see Ether 3:5; Doctrine and Covenants 59:21). Discuss ways to express gratitude.
Consider asking a new member to talk about how he or she was influenced by the Spirit when learning about the Church. Ask the person to share only experiences that he or she feels are appropriate.
Mission Leaders and Mission Counselors
You might ask missionaries to include appropriate spiritual experiences in their weekly letter to you.
In interviews or in conversations, occasionally ask missionaries about their morning and evening prayers. If needed, counsel with them about how to make their prayers more meaningful.
Ask missionaries how they help those they teach to feel and recognize the Spirit.