How Does the Holy Ghost Communicate with You? - by Bjorn

Bishopric Message – August 2017

How Does the Holy Ghost Communicate with You?

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is an amazingly wonderful and generous gift from a loving Heavenly Father who knew that we would need this help to navigate through mortality and successfully return to Him. A common concern I see in the Church, and specifically as I talk with youth and other ward members, is understanding HOW the Spirit communicates with us personally.

My own experience is that as we make a personal decision to do our best to understand the spirit and make that commitment to follow what we perceive as its promptings, then the Lord sees that sincere effort and will reward us with additional and more clarified guidance. Its just like learning any language—the more we apply ourselves and put ourselves in situations where we can hear it, and practice and use it often, the better we become at understanding it.

The first, and most important piece of the formula for learning how the Spirit communicates with us is to put ourselves in situations where we can hear the language. That means spending time daily in prayer, and regular study of the scriptures. It means attending church weekly and participating in youth activities. It means serving others. One of the best ways I have found to keep the Spirit in my life is through temple attendance. The Spirit is present at an increased level in the temple and as we go there often we gradually become more expert in the language of the Spirit.

As we regularly do these things we start to understand, “Oh, this is how the Spirit communicates with me!” Maybe its subtle impressions, maybe its joyful feelings, maybe its tears, maybe its laughter, maybe its peace, maybe it’s those “A-ha!” moments, maybe its simply the feeling that says, “Yes, this is right and true.”

The wonderful thing to realize is that the Lord WANTS us to figure it out and He is just there waiting patiently and lovingly, and He will nudge us and help us along gently, but we need to put ourselves in those places where we will hear the language of the Spirit and thus become better at understanding, and then in time, better at speaking that language in a way that allows us to help others feel it and learn for themselves how the Spirit communicates with them. Isn’t God’s plan beautiful?!

Favorite Quote

The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people. — Elder Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1992, p. 20

YW Secretary testimony

Three years ago when this YW presidency was first called. Jean A. Stevens spoke in General Conference and said “The gospel is not weight; it is wings.” Sister Clements used that phrase as a spiritual thought in one of our meetings back then and we incorporated it into some of what we did with the Young Women. That phrase has really stuck with me and has become part of me. The full quote from Sister Steven’s talk was “The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to do; rather, it lives in our hearts. The gospel “is not weight; it is wings.”4 It carries us.” Sometimes, especially in our callings the gospel can start to feel like a checklist, or the calling itself can feel like a weight, but I know that it is through these inspired callings in our church that we are given the ability to grow and progress. We learn to be more like Jesus Christ and we are lifted and carried and given wings to fly.

I have the easy and fun job of secretary in the Young Women, and I love it, it really hasn’t been a weight at all, but it has been WINGS to me as I think about ALL that I have learned from this wonderful presidency. It has been an honor to be there as they have sought inspiration and planned activities and experiences for the young women of our ward. It has been a privilege to sit in their Sunday lessons and feel the spirit. It is also always a wonderful experience to be around the Young Women and to feel of their testimonies and their excitement about the gospel. I’m so grateful for the past three years with these wonderful women and also for this new opportunity to continue in this calling with a new presidency. I feel blessed to get another chance to learn from some great women and to be around the wonderful Young women of our ward a little longer.

I know that this gospel can be our wings because it is true. I know that Our father in heaven has an amazing plan of happiness for each one of us and I know that it is sometimes through our callings in His church that he blesses us with opportunities to fly higher and become more. I’m so grateful for the Young Women program that is so inspired and that blesses me and my girls every day.

Ellie's Testimony

When I was four or five I was at my friend Kelly's house and we were in her backyard playing on her swing-set. She was swinging on one of the swings and she didn't see me but I walked behind the swing and the swing hit me right in the head!! I started crying really hard so Kelly went and got her mom and her mom took me inside. My mom came and took me to the doctors office and I got stitches in my head right by my eye and I didn't even cry!! I didn't cry because I knew that the Savior was there and that He was comforting me. 

Holy Ghost

As I thought about what I would like to share about the Holy Ghost, the very first thing that came to my mind was a time when the Holy Ghost testified of an eternal truth to me personally.  Maybe it wasn’t a prompting to save my physical life, but it helped me save my spiritual life … It was such a strong feeling and impression, that I can never deny it.  I remember the exact moment and where I was and what I learned!  That is a defining moment in my life that I can look back on whenever I need strength.  I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and the way He helps us know what is true and for the very personal way that he can touch our hearts. 

In Moroni 10:5 it says, “and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”  I often feel the Holy Ghost in church testifying to me that what I am hearing is true,

I know he is here testifying of truth.  For example, whenever I hear someone say that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father, I feel the Holy Ghost testifying of that truth.  Whenever I hear someone say that families can be together forever, I feel the Holy Ghost testifying of that truth.

         A lot of times we hear about the Holy ghost prompting someone to do something which ends up saving their life or the life of someone else.  I really believe that the moments that I have had when the Holy Ghost testified to me of the truthfulness of this gospel has saved my life in spiritual way as well as the eternal life of my family.  So what I would like for you to remember, is that those little feelings that you have that something is true, that is the Holy Ghost teaching and witnessing to you.  That is something to be grateful for!  Write it down! Appreciate it!  It’s a big deal and it is saving your life spiritually!

The Shepherd

Isaac gave the lesson this week!  He read us the definition of "Shepherd" and read to us the synonyms of it.

synonyms:

usher, steer, herd, lead, take, escort, guide, conduct, marshal, walk;

He figured out that lead, guide, and walk are all synonyms of Shepherd and then he said the words to the song "I am a Child of  God."  Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me ... and that is the way that Jesus Christ is our Shepherd!

We talked about how the Shepherds who were there at Christ's birth went and testified of Him afterward.  The family activity that we plan to do this week is to testify like the Shepherds.  We are going to share our testimonies on Social Media with the Young Men and Young Women in out ward on Wednesday night.

The Angel

For the next 7 weeks we will be having our FHE lesson revolve around the people in the Nativity.  We each drew one out of a hat and Auriana started us off by teaching a lesson about the ANGEL.  She went through the Christmas story with us and we talked about some of the different reactions people had to their visits from angels: Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds.  Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds all believed, but Zacharias didn't.  The results of their reactions was a good lesson to us.  Like Zacharias when we don't believe or heed the spiritual promptings that we get, we are left feeling "dumb".

It was a wonderful lesson and a great reminder to know that there are those on the other side who are helping us and rooting for us.  It was also a wonderful reminder of the angels we have all around us in each other.  We can also be reminded to be supportive angels for each other. We went to Auriana's concert the next day together as a family as our activity for the week.  We supported her like Angels.  She played the mandolin beautifully with the Bluegrass group at BYU.  It was a proud moment for us as parents as people around us in the crowd were obviously amazed at her talent.  We went to the creamery afterward and overheard someone say, "that mandolin player is a freshmen and she's only 18."

Good Lesson from a future missionary

Isaac gave the lesson on something good...I can't remember what exactly, but he really taught well and he is going to be a wonderful missionary in 3-4 years. We have a new weekly tradition, right after FHE every Monday we watch Studio C on BYUTV.

Conference Highlights

We asked the kids to share their favorite themes of conference… they looked at their notes and these are a few of the things that they said.

Isaac: Speak with a still small voice of perfect mildness.
The environment of the home, hastening of the work, missionary work, Faith, and Repentance.

Enoch: Elder Claytons, “watch and learn” talk
Elder Holland, “Lord I believe!”
Favorite talk, Fallabella, “Shake everyone’s hand!”

Ellie: Savior, Lord, Jesus Christ

Auriana: Rise up and be the person you were meant to be.
Boyd K Packer, “We won’t be safe from the adversary, even at home.”
Richard G. Scott, “Stay on the Lord’s side and you will win every time.”

Miriam: Favorite talk, about the tomato plant.
President Monson, dedication of temple, obedience, commandments

Natalie: Center life on the light of Christ
Home, it will be a refuge.

Becky: Faith is Power
Obedience is Power

Happy Easter!

We are starting our activities this morning by each reading something about Easter, writing in our journals, and then sharing what we learned. I am reading a portion of the Living Christ and I was reminded that we will be judged of Him according to our works AND the desires of our hearts. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. I am so thankful for my knowledge of Him, for the foundation that he provides in my life, the life of my family and our Church. I am grateful that we can look forward to His return and eternal life. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world, my family, and me.

Be Prayerful

For FHE Natalie gave the lesson about Faith. She said Faith is like a canoe and belief and action are the oars. If we row with only one oar, we will only go in circles. We need both oars to move forward.

We are focusing on one "BE" each week. This week it is "Be Prayerful"! I have been enjoying the kids prayers this week as they have tried to make them more thoughtful and meaningful. This morning in our scripture study we read of Christ asking the people to cease praying, but to never cease praying in their hearts.

Expressions of Thanks!

We were asked to make an extra effort to find things to be thankful for over the past several weeks and then take 3 minutes to share our thoughts in Sacrament meeting today.

Ellie
I’m thankful for the world and Heavenly Father. When I walk home from school, I notice the plants and the grass, because they are shiny and pretty.

Miriam
I’m thankful for my Home, if I didn’t have a home, where would I go?

Enoch
I am thankful for blankets to keep us warm and trees to give us oxygen.

Natalie
I’m thankful for Joseph Smith and being able to read the scriptures and know about the gospel.

Isaac
I am thankful for seminary because now that I can go on a mission earlier, it will play a bigger part in preparing me for it.

Auriana
I thought it was neat to be able to set aside a day to focus on being grateful for Young Women’s and Personal Progress. It helped me realize what a big part they play in my life.

Becky
One thing I personally noticed through doing this experiment is how easy it is to change my mood through gratitude. I’ve learned that focusing on my blessings can instantly improve my outlook, it’s almost as if one tiny thought of gratitude has the power and magnitude to chase away any number of negative thoughts.

Last night, I asked the kids what their favorite thing to be grateful for was. I was happy to hear them say, Personal Progress, Activity Days, Seminary, friends, and family. The day we focused on being thankful for family was probably the most memorable of all the days. We just happened to do family pictures that day and so we had extra time to be together and appreciate each other. As we commented about our gratitude that evening, these were the comments that were made. Family gives purpose to life and makes it joyful. Family is the source of the best memories and the motivation for living righteously so that we can all be together. Gratitude for family eliminates contention in the home. My family helps me all the time. Family makes things more fun. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t be happy. If I didn’t have a family, I would be lonely. If I didn’t have a family I wouldn’t be alive!

FHE: by Ellie

Last munda we did fothrs blesygs my dad did

FHE: by Becky

The week before school was out we had the assignment to clean the church with another family in our ward. We had them and five of their 8 kids over for dinner and a lesson afterward. This week we went to the cabin all day on Monday. We spent the day cleaning & fixing it up and then hiked to Pendleton Rock. On the way home we stopped at the BYU Creamery for ice cream.

FHE Report: By Becky

Last week for FHE we were lucky that Jenny and her two girls were passing through and joined us. Bjorn told about his slot canyon hiking experience and made some great gospel parallels. Jenny told a childhood story about getting stuck in the canal. We had popsicles and cookies and played in the backyard with cousins.

FHE Report-by Mom

Last night's family night was one of those that I cherish. We all gave Miriam advise about the Holy Ghost and the spirit was strong in the room. It's wonderful when the kids feel like being reverent and seem to enjoy it. In shorter words than they used, these are the different bits of advice that everyone game Miriam about the Holy Ghost. Enoch said, "Use it or lose it." Auriana said, "Act on it." Isaac said, "Don't talk yourself out of it." Natalie said, "Trust your feelings." Bjorn said, "Recognize it and understand it." Becky said, "Remember it and be grateful for it."

After Family night the older kids started doing a group practice as usual, but Bjorn was making cookies for our treat, so I let the younger kids stay up. Pretty soon, the younger ones were joining the older ones in the music making and they were all having such a great time: Miriam and Ellie on fiddle and Enoch on bass. They played for an hour. It was so much fun!

Advice from Great-Grandpa Young

Return things better than you found them.
You should never miss church.
The Bishop is the judge and decides the needs of his ward.
I've made it a matter of prayer...
Who's winning the battle?
A mission will change your life if you let it.
Be a good sport.
Work will win when wishing won't.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Keep learning.
A true professional never IS, but is always becoming.
I'd rather enjoy the animals alive than eat them dead.

Courageous

For FHE last week we watched the movie "Courageous". It was VERY good, but it little intense at times, so we waited until after Miriam & Ellie were in bed. I was impressed with the message of fatherhood and responsibility and being courageously good in the world today.

FHE Report-by Mom

Miriam gave a wonderful lesson about agency and making good choices. She gave everyone a present with a slip of paper inside that said agency on it, because agency is a very special gift from our Father in Heaven. We also sang the new song in the friend called, "As a Child of God."

I came to Earth with power to choose,
good choices bless me in my family too.
As a child of God I receive special light,
the Holy Ghost helps me to know what is right.

I feel so safe and happy because
Such feelings of peace come from family love
As a child of God I receive special light,
the Holy Ghost helps me to know what is right.

In my own home I'll happily serve.
I'll strengthen my family by my good works.
As a child of God I receive special light,
the Holy Ghost helps me to know what is right.

Isaac made Oreo cream salad for dessert and then we all watched part of the Presidential debate.

Funeral Tid Bits

...From Grandma Dora Young's funeral on Jan. 7, 2012.

True greatness comes when one rises above the loud mediocrity of the world and finds happiness in quiet EXCELLENCE at home. --G Farrell Young

"What you lack in capability, you can make up for in dependability." --Dora Young

"You never miss visiting teaching." --My Grandma said this to her sweet Visiting teacher who spoke at the funeral and who had missed visiting her during one busy December. She told of showing up in January to find a wrapped Christmas gift waiting for her on the table. My Grandma had a 100% visiting teaching record.