Friends who build up your testimony
I have a friend called Victoria. We’ve known each other for less than a year but she has quickly become one of the best friends I’ve ever had. In about ten minutes she’ll be set apart and blessed as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the most important things I’ve learned from our friendship is that no matter where you are or by what means you’re communicating you can bring the Spirit to someone by sharing Gospel truth. A friendship where this is a regular occurrence is precious and rare. If you’ve got a friend like this, cherish them. Because there’s a good chance you’ll have to go 18 months to two years without them. ;) The upside is that there are always letters. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
When I was Sharing and teaching the Gospel it felt like I was home.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not
Just because something is “not technically a sin” or directly breaking a commandment of God does NOT mean it’s a good idea or that there won’t be spiritual/temporal consequences. The goal is to be edified, to be nourished, uplifted, and filled with the Holy Spirit, not just to be within the lines. Obedience requires living the spirit of the law, not just the letter.
Listen to the Spirit
I had a memorable experience with the spirit this week. I was driving home from a YSA gathering on Sunday night and I just had a feeling that I should take a different route than I normally would. I always take the most direct path home but something just felt terribly ominous about it. I felt the spirit telling me something was wrong so I went a different way.
I didn’t think too much about it at the time. But the next day it was made very clear to me that due to car troubles we’ve been having (I share a car with Ben.), we would not have made it home okay if I’d taken the road I usually take.
I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life. I am so grateful to be able to heed the promptings of the spirit, and that I have a heavenly father who loves me enough to communicate with me this way. I am so grateful for the gift of repentance, which allows each of us to be worthy of the spirit even after we transgress.
I just want to take a moment to remind everyone to really listen to the spirit and not to delay acting upon its promptings. Heavenly Father loves you and he has a plan for you but it depends on your obedience to his will. He knows what he’s doing. Trust him. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I tried to write a brief tumblr post but it morphed into the talk I’m supposed to give next Sunday. Whoops? Thanks, Holy Spirit.
So I guess I’ll share those thoughts with you all in a few days.
(Insert comment about being unsure about everything because I’ve never given a talk before and I’ve only given my testimony during sacrament meeting once and it was over a year ago. [!!!])
Follow promptings.
just… do it, okay?
And don’t put it off either! That’s one I’ve learned the hard way.
The difference in a member’s relationship with living prophets is that we have bound ourselves, through covenant, to hearken to their messages. To hearken means not only the obligation to listen, but to DO — or quite literally, follow their instruction.
An understanding that the words of living prophets are applicable to all people should create a desire in each of us to invite others to listen to their counsel — General Conference is an excellent opportunity. The other key element in the member relationship with living prophets is the right to have the Holy Ghost confirm to us that the words they speak are inspired of God. This does not mean, however, that members can simply pick and choose which counsel they are comfortable following. And of course, this is where faith and trust enter this most unique of earthly relationships.
Let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion, and then let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do. That growth in power to serve may come slowly, it may come in small steps that are difficult for you to see, but it will come.
12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.
This piece is really special to me for a lot of reasons but I’m going to leave it at the fact that it has always helped me to feel the Spirit, even long before I knew what that was.
