Lesson 12- Seek the Spirit in All that You Do

Teachings of Presidents

Ezra Taft Benson Lesson 12

"Seek the Spirit in All That You Do"

"And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

1 Nephi 4:6

Quote 1  “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. He is the Comforter, who the Savior promised would teach His Followers all things and bring to their remembrance all things that He had taught them.” Preach My Gospel Manual, pp 90.

Quote 2 Revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The Holy Ghost is a revelator,” and “no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 132).

Quote 3  “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel.” …

Quote 4 “We as members of the Church tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes His work. The very “simpleness of the way” (1 Nephi 17:41) of receiving small and incremental spiritual impressions that over time and in totality constitute a desired answer or the direction we need may cause us to look “beyond the mark” (Jacob 4:14).”     

Quote 5: President Bednar stated “ The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives.” (Emphasis added)

Quote 6: In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26), and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45).

As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will “walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5; 2 Nephi 12:5). Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding (see Alma 5:7; 32:28), and direct and protect you and your family.

Light in the Wilderness; Explorations in the Spiritual Life by M Catherine Thomas

Excerpt pp 101-102 “No matter how much a particular truth compels us, it must be internalized, it must be repeatedly kneaded into the mind, both in quiet time as well as in the active minutes and hours of our day…..Part of such a practice is learning to let one’s mind slow down and experience the richness… and subtlety of the spiritual activity in and around us… We think on the word receive. The Lord says ‘For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.’ D&C 132:22.”

Excerpt from President Benson manual on WoW: The temporal promise for obedience [to the Word of Wisdom] is: They “shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; … [they] shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” (D&C 89:18, 20.)

I have always felt, however, that the greater blessing of obedience to the Word of Wisdom and all other commandments is spiritual.

Listen to the spiritual promise: “All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, … shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89:18, 19; italics added.)

Link to Conference Address:

April 2011 General Conference Address by David A Bednar. "The Spirit of Revelation"

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng