Lesson from Sunday June 21

June 21, 2015

Teaching of Presidents of the Church, Chapter 12

“Seek the Spirit in All You Do”

Mckell Allen

“We should strive for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost all the days of our lives.”

Having the holy ghost brings forth certain fruits, as the Apostle Paul said in Gal. 5:22-23. Think of a person in your life who you know without a doubt, has the constant companionship of the spirit. What are they like?

*Kind

*Calm

*Happy

*Not offensive

*Eager to serve

The scripture says “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.”

“Spirituality, being in tune with the spirit of the Lord- is the greatest need we all have. We should strive for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost all the days of our lives. When we have the spirit, we will love to serve, we will love the Lord, and we will love those with whom we serve and those whom we serve.”

Having the constant companionship is, indeed, a need we all have. So what are we doing to fulfill that need? To keep the spirit with us daily?

“When we earnestly and honestly seek for truth, this beautiful promise finds fulfillment: “God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by his unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost.” D&C 121:26

When I read this passage, I immediately think of missionary work. I have seen the Lord teach through the spirit with my own eyes. 

When I was 19, my best friend, Kisha was able to start taking the discussions. We had lived next door to each other for almost ten years by that point, but her dad had forbidden her to have much involvement with the church until she was 18. I came home for the summer from BYU and was able to sit through her first four discussions. I was so excited and was expecting deep, spiritual discussions and huge spiritual experiences, but to my surprise and a bit of disappointment, in walked two clumsy, very young and immature missionaries with flip charts. One was fresh from Italy and could barely speak English. I was worried. I thought, “we have one chance to teach her these very important principles and they’re going to ruin everything!” But as I sat and listened to these, what I thought, very awkward discussions, I watched the spirit teach Kisha. It was not the missionaries. They did not say anything profound but I saw the spirit teaching her heart. She felt it was true. And she accepted their invitation to be baptized.

Ezra Taft Benson says, "The Holy Ghost causes our feelings to be more tender. We feel more charitable and compassionate with each other. We are more calm in our relationships. We have a greater capacity to love each other. People want to be around us because our very countenances radiate the influence of the spirit. We are more godly in our character. As a result, we become increasingly more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and thus able to comprehend spiritual things more clearly."

Daily scripture study, including meditation on passages of scripture, invites the spirit.

What is the difference between reading the scriptures and meditating on a passage?

To me, reading the scriptures is more like reading a story. Getting to know the characters, and learning the history and the lessons in the books. Mediation on a passage gives you the opportunity to apply a certain scripture and/or principle to YOU. What does the Lord want to teach you? Try meditating on a scripture or chapter. Each of us can learn many different and unique lessons from a single scripture. Give the Lord the chance to teach you through the spirit.

“The more familiar you are with the scriptures, the closer you become to the mind and will of the Lord and the closer you become as husband and wife and children. You will find that by reading the scriptures the truths of eternity will rest on your minds.”

I have a testimony that these things are true. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is something I need in my life and try to keep with me always. I know that by obeying commandments, reading the scriptures, and taking time to be quiet and still, the spirit of the Lord can be with us and teach us. 

Amen.

Thank you McKell!  I think I can speak for all of the sisters and say that

we absolutely love your lessons and YOU!