How Do The Things I Say Affect Me And Those Around Me

"Private choices are not private; they all have public consequences...Our society is the sum total of what millions of individuals do in their private lives."
 ~Elder James E. Faust

(Sign in my living room)

Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." ~President Thomas S. Monson

"Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your character and your character, ultimately, becomes your destiny." (Rephrased pounded into my head by my dad--original quote seems to be attributed to half a dozen people)

These are some of my all-time favorite quotes.  Who can guess why? As I walk through life I am attempted to keep perspective.  These are all quotes that remind me of what's important and continue to inspire me to become the person Heavenly Father intends for me to be.  What are some of your favorite quotes?  Why are they important to you? (think about Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty, Alma 46:11-22) I can not imagine what life would be like without the daily opportunity to communicate with one another.  The written language and the spoken word are two of the Lord's greatest tools and blessings he has given us.  They enable us to do many great, influential things (teach, preach, love, testify, preserve, express/convey, sympathize/empathize, relate one to another, encourage, uplift etc.) for ourselves and those around us.
Examples of positive influences simply by using words:
Have any of you had any experiences with someone saying something that truly uplifted and inspired you?
Scriptures: Abinadi Alma 5:9–12, Alma the younger, Captain Moroni, Joseph Smith, Christ himself
Personal stories: Dad and my eyebrows/Grandma and my hair, Pat and George about raising kids in the gospel/what words really mean, patriarchal blessing/father's blessings, Mom "if they don't feel loved, nothing else matters"-changed my outlook on life

(On the board, write:)
Words we read. Words we hear. Words we write. Words we speak. Ephesians 4:29–32 How do you feel about the kind of language that you read, hear, and use? How do they affect you initially, and later on?  How do words invite or discourage guidance from the Holy Ghost?

How do our words affect us? (thoughts-actions/words-habits-character-destiny) We become the kind of person we are portraying.  We also dictate how we are perceived by others with the things we say.  What we say creates a tone and an attitude for our life.
How do they affect others?  We can either build up ourselves and those around us, or we can tear them down.  There are a millions way to accomplish each outcome, but the end result is the same.  We are either uplifting or tearing down. We either invite the spirit into our lives and the lives of those around us, or we send him packing and boot him out the door.  Proverbs 15:1–4; 16:24; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 3:2–10; Alma 31:5; D&C 25:12; 108:7 How does Heavenly Father feel about the words we use? We need to be very careful.  One day, we will be held accountable.
Exodus 20:7; Matthew 12:34-37; 15:11; Luke 12:2–3;1 Timothy 5:13; D&C 42:27 
How do they affect the Holy Ghost? Ephesians 4:29–32; 2 Nephi 32:2–3; D&C 63:61–64 

We live in a day and age where we can reach people in every corner of the earth at a moment's notice.  We can speak face to face, on the phone, in a video, in various forms of texts, in pictures, emails,blogs/forums, letters, packages etc.  In speech and written word, we have incredible forms of communication!  What a blessing the Lord has provided us.  Not only do we have the ability to communicate, but we can do it instantly and without physical constraints. Family members are never far from an "I love you", the gospel message can be taught to just about any human being in any place at any time, scriptures and the words of modern day prophets and apostles are always in our pockets, advice from a wise parent is only a dial away, memories are effortlessly recorded and shared, testimonies are shared in every form, and "happy birthdays" and compliments to friends have never been easier to give.
What ways do you POSITIVELY use your words ( and communication devices) on a daily basis?

UNFORTUNATELY, like most giant blessings the Lord has given us, Satan has figured out how to use them to accomplish HIS agenda too.  An age old problem has been the temptation to say and write regrettable things out of jealousy, anger, spite, ignorance etc.  But now, we have even more ways to say/write these thing and to reach more people with a greater frequency.

In what ways are we helping the Adversary with our words?  Do we have any control over this?  (Absolutely!  Not only can we practice controlling our thoughts AND the words coming out of our mouths, we can also refuse to take offense to the things other people say/write)
Examples: Gossiping, name calling/insults/stereotyping, speaking in anger, telling secrets (the kind that keep people "out of the loop" on purpose, those that spread gossip, etc.), foul language, sarcasm (let's be honest, sarcasm is an art many people never learn to master-they always hurt feelings.  It's safer not to use it, especially if you don't really know/understand your audience) and any other thing that makes the SPIRIT WITHDRAW and/or hurts another one of God's children in any way

What are some less obvious ways our language can hurt us/those around us?
-When we are negative or abrasive it makes it hard to make and keep friends
-It also makes it hard to get and keep jobs
-You become less approachable, both to children and adults
-People around you feel like they can't trust you with their thoughts/feelings/personal things
-The spirit withdraws quickly and becomes very hard to invite back
-We miss opportunities with all kinds of people to do endless amounts of activities
-The way we are remembered is less than flattering
-People won't know the real you because it's too hard to get through your fence of words
-Respect and trust is nearly impossible to earn if your language does prove you worthy of it.
-Communication makes or breaks marriages and families all the time.  Again, it's not just what we say, but HOW we say it...and WHY we say it...and how often we say it.
-Poor communication can make us unreliable, even if unintentional
-Obviously, you can hurt others to the point of tears.  But you can seriously cripple someones personal development for years to come(story of my 'friend' in the third grade who said, "You're too fat to be my friend.")
What kinds of things can we do to fight the adversary and keep written and spoken language clean and uplifting?
-Start with your thoughts (back to my favorite quotes-thoughts become deeds/actions)
-Pick friends very carefully
-Choose music (and other entertainment) that invites the spirit-or at the very least, doesn't detract from it!!!
-Be willing to politely walk away or change the subject when those around you use inappropriate language.
-Speak kindly and positively about others. Choose not to insult others or put them down, even in joking. 
-Avoid gossip of any kind
-Avoid speaking in anger. When you are tempted to say harsh or hurtful things, leave them unsaid. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)
-"The willingness to see through each other’s eyes will transform “corrupt communication” into “minister[ing] grace." Elder W. Craig Zwick, What Are You Thinking?
-Use your opportunities to speak (both in your head/to yourself and out loud to others) to spread not only a positive message, but a positive ATTITUDE 
-Focus on the positive"I have often thought that Nephi’s being bound with cords and beaten by rods must have been more tolerable to him than listening to Laman and Lemuel’s constant murmuring. ⁸ Surely he must have said at least once, “Hit me one more time. I can still hear you.” Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
-Age old trick-hum you favorite hymn
-CHOOSE NOT TO BE offended
-Remember you are an EXAMPLE to others.  When we remember that the things we say/write carry farther than our own heads and the four walls around us we can find the motivation we need to carry on and be wise."Joanna was one of only three members of the Church in her high school and the only young woman in her ward. She committed to herself and the Lord that she would never use bad language. When she was paired with a young man for a school project who had not made the same commitment, she did not lower her standards. She asked him to respect and honor her values. Over time, with many gentle and some not-so-gentle reminders, her friend formed new habits and used cleaner language. Many people noticed the difference, including his father, who thanked Joanna for being a good influence in his son’s life." Ann M. Dibb, Arise and Shine Forth
-Practice TACT.  This is an art form.  We can not always say nice things.  Sometimes we HAVE to fix problems in order grow and progress.  The key is to be kind and tactful.  
-For every one criticism, come up with five compliments
-Paul put it candidly, but very hopefully. He said to all of us: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but [only] that which is good … [and] edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God. …

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you. …

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29–32.

The things we say are a good indicator of the character we are developing

Mosiah 4:40 "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.  And now, oh man, remember, and perish not." 

"Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, The Tongue of Angels 

I challenge you to choose at least one way you can be more positive and communicate more effectively, uplifting and inspiring others.  This week, I want you to wake up each morning with your goal in mind.  See if you can be a force for good with something as simple as your words!  (Don't worry, I'll be following up with you! ;) ) 

Favorite Quotes (found while studying for this less)

“The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today.” Harold B. Lee 

"Like all gifts “which cometh from above,” words are “sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” ^"Jeffrey R. Holland

“The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.”  Elder Orson F. Whitney

"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

How Do The Roles of Men and Women Complement Each Other in Families?

Our lesson last week in Relief Society (General Women's Meeting) was wonderful.  We discussed so many vital principles of the gospel that there simply wasn't enough time to go into enough detail.  One comment I didn't have time to make I still feel like I want to share with you ladies today.

Every now and again I have these "ah ha!" moments.  One day in my under grad I was sitting in Bro. Bott's class when he walked in the room dressed in giant glasses and a clown nose (and probably other various silly items that I simply can't remember).  He talked about who knows what for five or ten minutes and then asked, "Did anyone hear what I just said?"  The answer was obvious.  No, No, and No.  We just sat there wondering why he was dressed the way he was. I was waiting for the punch line, others might have thought it was time for him to retire, or maybe he got dressed in the dark.  Either way, we weren't focusing on the words coming out of his mouth.  We just stared blankly at him.

Here's the moral of his story...was he wearing anything immodest (which is what we often focus solely on)?  No.  Was there anything suggestive or immoral about his attire?  Not even a little bit.  BUT WE WERE STILL DISTRACTED.  "Anything that distracts from the message you are trying to send is inappropriate."  Talk about a light bulb moment for me at age 18.  It's not just about modesty.

Fast forward to a week and a half ago.  I was spending probably a little too long on Facebook when I came across an article by Glennon Melton titled Your Body is NOT Your Masterpiece. She likens our bodies to a paintbrush.  "Stop spending all day obsessing, cursing, perfecting your body like it's all you've got to offer the world. Your body is not your art, it's your paintbrush. Whether your paintbrush is a tall paintbrush or a thin paintbrush or a stocky paintbrush or a scratched up paintbrush is completely irrelevant. What is relevant is that YOU HAVE A PAINTBRUSH which can be used to transfer your insides onto the canvas of your life -- where others can see it and be inspired and comforted by it.

Your body is not your offering. It's just a really amazing instrument which you can use to create your offering each day. Don't curse your paintbrush. Don't sit in a corner wishing you had a different paintbrush. You're wasting time. You've got the one you got. Be grateful, because without it you'd have nothing with which to paint your life's work. "
Think about that for a moment...My paintbrush has gotten thick, and kind of warn over the years.  Now, I could spend my time whittling it to size (as if I could determine a 'correct' size), adorning it with color and putting it on display. OR I could wash it, dry it, condition it and use it appropriately to help me perfect the canvas before me.  I could die with a perfect paintbrush that everybody coveted (but will ultimately whither away in the ground) and a perfectly blank canvas, OR I could die with an average paintbrush lying next to a colorful image of a life well lived.  Everyone might not like my paintbrush, but at least they'd see what it accomplished and they'd know WHO I AM and WHAT I STAND FOR.

Between Brother Bott's lesson and Glennon Melton's article, I think I've had a complete "ah ah!" moment... One I definitely had to share.

Now, let's chat about about this paint brush and canvas in another way (holding up a paint brush and canvas).  Let's say I decide I want to paint a masterpiece.  Can I pick up my paintbrush, put it to the canvas and have at it?  What else do I need (grab the Tupperware of paint).

Can anyone tell me how the paintbrush and the paint relate to each other?  Is one more important than the other?  Do you value one over the other? 

What if we say you're the paintbrush...and your future husband is the paint. How would you feel about that? Now do you value one over the other?  

(On the table I'll have a display of many items...) Just as the nail needs the hammer, the pencil needs the sharpener, and the shoe needs the lace, the paint brush needs paint.  One is NOT better than the other. They were simply made for a different purpose.  And when they are used the way their creator intended, they come together to create a master piece that neither one could have accomplished on their own. 

What are some of the ways men and women compliment each other (generally-Heaven knows there are always exceptions)?  Here are just a few:

-Women tend to be gentle and kind.  Men tend to be rough and tough

-Men are crazy adventurous (that's me trying to be tactful), while women tend to understand the concept of self preservation

-Women want to talk things out while men want to find a solution

-GENERALLY speaking, women gravitate towards children.  They love them and have a desire to nurture them.  And men, GENERALLY, have the desire to provide and protect.  These traits are not accidental.  They are part of the design of our Heavenly Father.  

We know for certain that the Lord expects men and women to embrace these traits and use them to our advantage both as couples and as families. "We worked together, through the divinely inspired council system that operates even at the highest levels of the Church, to craft a proclamation that would make the Lord’s position on the family so clear that it could not be misunderstood." -Elder M. Russel Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood (Hand out their own copies of The Family: A Proclamation to the World) 

Who can point out what the proclamation says about the relationship between and the responsibilities of men and women (paragraphs 4-7)?  

" Men and women joined together in marriage need to work together as a full partnership. However, a full and equal partnership between men and women does not imply the roles played by the two sexes are the same in God’s grand design for His children. As the proclamation clearly states, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other. Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God’s spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel truths. These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination. Each stewardship is essential for the spiritual progression of all family members, parents and children alike." Ballard, Sacred

How is this different than what the world teaches? (to each their own, eat, sleep and be merry, etc.) "You need only to read a newspaper or turn on the television to see how openly and viciously the war against the family is being waged. Gender is being confused, and gender roles are being repudiated. Same-gender marriage is being promoted in direct opposition to one of God’s primary purposes—for His children to experience mortality." Ballard, Sacred

Why is it important for us to understand this concept?  (How we feel about ourselves, our spouses, and our children.  How we vote, conduct ourselves, teach our children etc.)

"The family is not just the basic unit of society; it is the basic unit of eternity." Ballard, Sacred

"When you stop and think about it from a diabolically tactical point of view, fighting the family makes sense. When Satan wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he doesn’t poison the world’s peanut butter supply, thus bringing the Church’s missionary system to its collective knees. He doesn’t send a plague of laryngitis to afflict the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He doesn’t legislate against green Jell-O or casseroles. When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attempts to confuse gender and he attacks God’s plan for His children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and a mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical. That’s all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord’s work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home." Ballard, Sacred

What are father's supposed to do?

Provide, preside (in love and righteousness), teach their family the gospel, lead in kindness following the counsel found in D&C 121, perform priesthood ordinances/give priesthood blessings, prayer for and with their family, set an example of respect and love for their eternal companion/mother of their children, seek to be worth of His name and His blessing and seek constantly for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, serve the family and the church in the spirit of love and enthusiasm, protect their family physically and spiritually, AND "On a day-to-day basis, fathers can and should help with the essential nurturing and bonding associated with feeding, playing, storytelling, loving, and all the rest of the activities that make up family life." Ballard, Sacred 

What are mother's supposed to do?

"Nurturing refers to parenting behaviors such as warmth, support, bonding, attachment, recognizing each child’s unique abilities, and attending to children’s needs. Nurturing in and of itself is more important in the development of a child than is any particular method or technique of child rearing. It hardly needs saying that nurturing is best carried out in a stable, safe, family context.

A mother’s nurturing love arouses in children, from their earliest days on earth, an awakening of the memories of love and goodness they experienced in their premortal existence. Because our mothers love us, we learn, or more accurately remember, that God also loves us." Ballard, Sacred

Who can remind me of the details of the 2,000 stripling warriors?  

-Alma 53:21; 56:47-48

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

Sister Julie B. Beck wrote an article for the Liahona entitled "Mothers Who Know".  Let's break her talk up and discuss what it means to be a mother who "knows." (physically cut the talk into sections, hand them out to the girls and ask them to read them and be ready to discuss them)

Mothers who know: Bear children, Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants, Are Nurturers, Are Leaders, Are Teachers, Do Less, and are strong and immovable. (We'll discuss each other these points) 

How do each of these things compliment the roles of husbands and fathers?  Could we do all that we are asked to do without the help of these men?

Women and Men are BOTH so valued and loved by our Heavenly Father.  They are equal, but different. This is by DIVINE DESIGN.  I know this at the core of who I am.  I am so grateful for a father who loves me and has a plan for me; a father who gave me talents to share and goals to accomplish. I am thrilled to know that I am an individual of great importance and uniqueness and that the Lord has high expectations for me. I'm also eternally grateful for the wisdom of having a helpmate in this experience we call life.  

I want to share a clip from a man who I miss very much.  It's called, "The Women in our Lives."

"Their duality is His design.  One is incomplete without the other...Every woman is a daughter of God.  You can not offend her without offending him.  The women in our lives are endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities to cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them...How thank I am. How thankful we all must be for the women in our lives. God bless them."

(If there is time, we'll define duality in your own words..."The quality or state of having two parts")

You young women are destined for great things. "Be of good cheer.  God did no place you on earth to fail, and your efforts as parents (I would add student/sibling/missionary etc.) will not be counted as failure unless you give up."

I love you, your parents love you, and the Lord loves you.  I hope we all recognize what great value we have, and what added value our eternal companions will add to our lives if we choose wisely and work together.

Receive the Holy Ghost

(Prior to beginning the lesson, follow through with last week’s goal/experience and encourage discussion about what they learned-this week should be about going to the temple)

Receiving the Holy Ghost

Let’s start by reviewing the basic, yet profound, characteristics of the Holy Ghost.  What do we know about him?

-He’s a third member of the God Head (D&C 130:22)

-He is a “personage of the spirit”

-He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

-He helps us live righteously and receive the blessings of the Gospel

-He witnesses of the Father and the Son (2 Nephi 31:18)

-He reveals and teaches the truth of all things (Moroni 10:5)

-He is the only way you can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

-He will show unto you all things that you should do 2 Nephi 32:1–5

-He will guide you in your decisions

-He will protect you from spiritual and physical harm

-Through him, you can receive gifts of the spirit D&C 46:9–11

-He is the comforter John 14:26

-He can fill you with hope and perfect love Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2

-Through His power, you are sanctified as you repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to your covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

-He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26). In this capacity, He confirms that the priesthood ordinances you have received and the covenants you have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on your continued faithfulness.

-Everyone can feel the Holy Ghost, but to have him as a constant companion and to receive the full blessings of the Holy Ghost one must be baptized and then confirmed members of the Church by the laying on of hands, by someone with proper authority. (The difference between the influence of the Holy Ghost/light of Christ and the GIFT of the Holy Ghost)

-“The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (History of the Church, 5:499). We were baptized by immersion in water for the remission of sins. We must also be baptized by and immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, “and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Ne. 31:17).” (Bednar, That We)

My Favorite Analogy

The stop light! (Show a picture of a stop light)

Red: Stop! Don’t do that! Physical/spiritual danger, repent

Yellow: Be careful! Warnings of all kinds

Green: Go, do!  Testify, teach. Act!

No matter what analogies we use, no matter what blessings we focus on, the Holy Ghost is simply one GIANT blessing.  If we take advantage of this priceless gift our lives will only be better than they would have otherwise been.  And chances are, the lives of those around you will also be affected in a positive way.

 “The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).” (Bednar, Receive)

But the question remains: Once you are conferred a member of the Church and are given the Holy Ghost how exactly to you RECEIVE it?

That phrase at the end of the blessing demands, “RECEIVE the Holy Ghost”.  It doesn’t simply say, “The Holy Ghost is now yours” or “Enjoy the Holy Ghost”.  It doesn’t even say, “Utilize the Holy Ghost”.  Why does it say RECEIVE?

-It is a call to ACT

-It is recognition of the need for us to do our part

-It is a declaration that while we are entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, that he will always be near, but that he CAN NOT help us if we do not CHOOSE to accept him; if we do not INVITE him.

The Do’s and Don’ts

“If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. “ (Bednar, That We)

-As teens we often focus on what we CAN’T (or shouldn’t) do.  The Word of Wisdom.  The Law of Chastity.  The Sabbath Day. It probably seems like there are oodles and oodles of additional, compounding “restrictions”.  Lying, cheating, stealing, etc.  Some of them are not even temptations, while others are true struggles.  Gossiping, being selfish with our time/resources, coveting. Everyone is different when it comes to the focus of their struggles.  But we ALL STRUGGLE.  And, if you’re like me, we all need motivation to keep going, to keep trying!  

That’s when the light bulb went on for me!  While listening to Elder Bednar’s talks (Receive the Holy Ghost, and That we May Always Have His Spirit To Be With US) it finally hit me!  The ever important WHY!  Why do we do/not do all these things?  Is it to make us happy? Yup. Is it to help us stand out? Yeah.  Is it to make us better people? Yeah.  Is it to be obedient? Absolutely.  But the core reason we ACT in accordance to the things we have been taught is to be worthy of, to invite, and to embrace the Holy Ghost! “Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.” (Bednar, Receive) The other reasons we behave as we do are all fine.  They are all good.  But those are mere consequences, positive as they may be, of obedience.  The true, most important purpose behind all these instructions from the Lord is to give us every tool he has to keep us and our homes filled with the Holy Ghost!  We can DO anything, we can BECOME anyone, we can SERVE everyone when we listen to and obey the Holy Ghost. Why do we follow the teachings of the Gospel?  So we can RECEIVE the Holy Ghost! Mind Blown!

Mosiah 3:19 (We will always be an enemy to God as natural men unless we have the Holy Ghost)

Now let’s focus on the DO’s.  These are the most important.  I’m of the opinion that if we submerge ourselves in the DO’s there won’t any time for the DON’Ts, and soon they aren’t even temptations (While I'm fully confident in this theory, don't for a minute think that I've perfected this.  I'm just as human as the next person).  So what shall we DO to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost?

“These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.” (Bednar, Receive)

PRACTICE!

-Seek first for a sincere desire (3 Nephi 19:6, 9), “Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts? Receiving the Holy Ghost starts with our sincere and constant desire for His companionship in our lives.” (Bednar, Receive)

-“We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).” (Bednar, Receive)

-Put yourselves in situations where you: serve, hear/play music, watch wholesome church videos etc., enjoy the outdoors, participate in various forms of art, etc.

-Thoughtfully act each day, focusing on how you treat other people and how you spend your time

-Strengthen appropriate relationships with family members and friends

-Seek virtuous thoughts, actions, and language

-Worship in your homes, at church and in the temple

-Follow the commandments

-Meaningful personal and family prayer

-Study/feast upon the words of Christ

-Diligent and exacting obedience

-Faithfulness and honoring of covenants (through virtue, humility, and service)

-Worthily partake of the sacrament each week

-Have a positive attitude

-Act when you think you’re being prompted

*How do we know if it’s a prompting from the Holy Ghost?  Practice.  Only GOOD things come from our Heavenly Father.  If we ever feel like we are prompted to do something but are unsure if we’re just fooling ourselves into thinking it’s a prompting or if it actually is one, act (so long as it’s a positive prompting, what’s it going to hurt)! You’ll find out from what happens next if you were prompted or not.  From those trial and error opportunities you’ll be able to learn what’s a prompting and what’s not.  Never hesitate to do something positive; something the Lord would be pleased you had done.  Whether it was a prompting, or an idea of your own making, you’ll be serving Him and can’t go wrong.  

“Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.” (Bednar, receive)

“In February of 1847 the Prophet Joseph Smith appeared to Brigham Young in a dream or vision. President Young asked the Prophet if he had a message for the Brethren. The Prophet Joseph replied: “Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom” (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 41; emphasis added). Of all the truths the Prophet Joseph might have taught Brigham Young on that sacred occasion, he emphasized the importance of obtaining and keeping the Spirit of the Lord.” (Bednar, That We)

Several years after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, he appeared to President Brigham Young and shared this timeless counsel: “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and [be] sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach [you what] to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will whisper peace and joy to their souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 98).

*As a mom I have learned that each person feels the spirit differently.  Some feel it best through music, others through service, silent reflection/prayer, personal study/reading, various art mediums, physical experiences outdoors (hiking and other athletic occassions) or simply by being outside.  Just as we all have a way we learn best scholastically, we all have ways we hear and recognize the spirit better than others. (Ensign Article)

“…the Holy Ghost often teaches our children in the ways they learn best. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the Spirit talks to us in our language and in ways we can understand. The Holy Ghost adapts His language to be understood by all, even little children. “Our Heavenly Father is always available to us. He adapts to our level of understanding. ‘If He comes to a little child, He will adapt himself to the language and capacity of a little child’ (Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 3:392).” (Boyack, Helping Children)

“We also learned that people “hear” the Holy Ghost in a variety of ways. I was teaching a Sunday School lesson to relatively new converts, and I asked the question, “How do you feel the Spirit?” Their answers were very enlightening. One said, “I feel clarity in my thoughts.” Another said, “I have a warm feeling inside,” while another shared, “I feel a deep sense of peace.” A woman who had been a member for a few months said, “I feel prickles all over!” And several stated that they occasionally would “hear” a voice speaking to them or that new ideas would come to them.” (Boyack, Helping Children)

” As we gain experience with the Holy Ghost, we learn that the intensity with which we feel the Spirit’s influence is not always the same. Strong, dramatic spiritual impressions do not come to us frequently.” (Bednar, That We)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “In its more familiar forms, revelation or inspiration comes by means of words or thoughts communicated to the mind (see Enos 1:10; D&C 8:2–3), by sudden enlightenment (see D&C 6:14–15), by positive or negative feelings about proposed courses of action, or even by inspiring performances, as in the performing arts. … ‘Inspiration comes more as a feeling than as a sound.’”²

(If we have time to delve into scriptures and talk about analogies etc.)

The Liahona: A Type and Shadow for Our Day

1 Nephi 16:14-29 (How the Liahona worked) Small and simple things

1 Nephi 18:8-22 (Liahona failed until they repent and Nephi is in charge again) pride, wickedness, contention

Alma 37:38-46 (How the Liahona worked, comparison to the Holy Ghost)

Testimony
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who never leaves us stranded.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the blessings of the Holy Ghost are eternally ours if we but desire them and invite him into our lives.  Our Father in Heaven is waiting to bless us and guide us back to Him.  He has given us our own individual Liahonas.  It's our turn to act; to reach out and embrace it. I know that if we do this, our lives will unfold in ways we could never imagine possible. We can become the kind of people our Heavenly Father knows we can become if we allow the Holy Ghost to show us how.  

Applicable Cop Stories:
-"What did you think was going to happen?"
-Prompting to approach the car from the passenger side