Inspiration and Guidance

“I Want to Come Back”

Not long ago I was in South Africa visiting a home with Thabiso, the first assistant in the priests quorum in the Kagiso Ward. Thabiso and his bishop, who presides and holds the keys for the quorum, had been praying for quorum members who were less active, seeking inspiration about whom to visit and how to help them. They felt prompted to visit the home of Tebello, and they invited me to go with them.

Once we made it past the ferocious guard dog, we found ourselves in the living room with Tebello, a calm-spirited young man who had stopped attending church because he had become busy doing other things on Sundays. …

… The words of Thabiso … made the difference in the visit. … “I enjoyed so much talking to you all the time at church,” he said. “You always have kind words for me. And you know, our soccer team has basically disappeared now that we don’t have you. You are so good at it.”

“I am sorry,” Tebello answered. “I will come back with you guys.”

“That will be awesome,” said Thabiso. “And do you remember how we used to prepare to serve as missionaries? Can we start doing that again?”

“Yes,” repeated Tebello, “I want to come back.”

Adrián Ochoa, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency

Answers to Prayers

If you feel that God has not answered your prayers, ponder these scriptures—then carefully look for evidence in your own life that He may have already answered you. …

… Sometimes the discovery of what action to take may require significant effort and trust on your part. Yet you will be prompted to know what to do as you meet the conditions for such divine guidance in your life, namely, obedience to the commandments of the Lord, trust in His divine plan of happiness, and the avoidance of anything that is contrary to it.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Be of Good Cheer

Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction [see D&C 68:6]. The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Our Daily Question

Our daily question must be, “Do my actions place me in the Lord’s or in the enemy’s territory?” …

The Light of Christ together with the companionship of the Holy Ghost must help us determine if our manner of living is placing us in the Lord’s territory or not. If our attitudes are good, they are inspired of God, for every good thing comes from God. However, if our attitudes are bad, we are being influenced by the enemy because he persuades men to do evil.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Seventy

Why Ask?

One of the great lessons that each of us needs to learn is to ask. Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When Elder Richard G. Scott spoke about listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, it answered a question of mine: “What am I doing wrong that I can’t receive an answer to my prayer?” He answered it: fasting and feasting on the scriptures. I should have thought of that first, but I wasn’t looking with my spiritual eyes.

Taylor L., 17, Utah, USA

I really felt the importance of family, acting on promptings, and the blessings of the Holy Ghost if we strive to be righteous. I feel enlightened and excited at the prospect of things I can improve in my own life and a new determination to share the light of the gospel with others.

Marilla W., 17, Alberta, Canada

I noticed that a lot of the speakers mentioned prayer. Prayer is so powerful and necessary for us here on earth. We can communicate to God through it, and it will bless us tremendously.

Rachel A., 16, Arizona, USA