Just as a smartphone must be connected to a network in order to quickly and efficiently find information, “we need to connect with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to receive guidance from heaven, so we survive in this complex world we are living in,” said Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Roughly 900 Ensign College students and faculty gathered in the Conference Center Theater in downtown Salt Lake City on a frosty but bright winter morning to be taught by Elder Soares during the weekly campus devotional on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Elder Soares reminded listeners that the Holy Ghost is a gift from God. “Being a conduit of the power of the Lord in our life, the Holy Ghost performs a special mission as He blesses and inspires all of us as God’s children. If we are connected with Him, the Holy Ghost can and will reveal to us what we need to do to stay on—and progress along—the path to happiness in this life in order to inherit eternal life.”
He then shared five principles to remember while learning to receive and recognize the promptings and guidance from the Holy Ghost.
1. God loves His children and is eager to communicate.
“Our Heavenly Father is filled with an infinite and perfect amount of holy, pure, and indescribable love for each of His children,” Elder Soares taught.
God is concerned about individuals’ upward progress. “He knows which decisions we must make and which actions we must take so that we may fulfill our divine potential as the sons and daughters of God. More than we could ever imagine, He wants us to achieve our destiny—to return with honor to our heavenly home. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost, His love encompasses us completely. He has promised that we can turn to Him for help and guidance anytime.”
2. Strive to be prepared and worthy.
In order to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, individuals need to be worthy and cleansed through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, Elder Soares taught.
While obedience to the commandments, willingness to follow God’s will and sincere prayers in faith will open individuals to revelation, failing to strive to live a clean life weakens the promptings of the Spirit.
“Those who are trying their best to be worthy and prepared for the whisperings of the Spirit can enjoy the spiritual gift that can help us to have greater understanding and enrichment and guidance in all aspects of life, both spiritual and temporal,” Elder Soares said, adding that individuals do not have to be perfect to receive guidance.
“Worthiness is a process, and perfection is an eternal trek,” he said.
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