Recognize the Spirit

Learn to Recognize the promptings of the Spirit.

This is the title of some of my study this morning.  I read my short chapter in the Book of Mormon and was then guided to read a Patriarchal Blessing of one of my troubled children.  What amazing blessings this girl has been given – based upon her faithfulness. 

As I read her blessing, I felt a sense of comfort.  There is a way back for her and she has been given the gifts to find it.  I must have the faith to trust in this plan. 

I studied from Preaching of My Gospel.  I’ve decided to start where I stopped.  That seems a smart thing.  The challenge posed was to think of times I have experienced any of the feelings, thoughts or impressions described in the scriptures mentioned.  I will never forget the first time I actively chose to fast and pray for the Spirit to bear witness to me of the truth of the gospel.  I’m not certain what I was expecting.  I did as a SS teacher had taught.  I went home after SS and had prayer for a witness.  I was fasting already.  I read scriptures and pondered and then fell asleep.  When I awoke, I was aghast that nothing had happened.  You see, I was scheduled to receive my own endowment in just three days!  Why had the Lord not given me my witness?  I intended to bear my testimony when I went to sacrament meeting later that afternoon.  How could I do so when I had not received my witness?  I sat in Fast and Testimony meeting feeling somewhat saddened, but when the time came, I could not stay off my feet.  I stood to bear my testimony and told myself to be careful of what I say because I had not received a witness, as I had supposed.  As soon as I stood up, I said “I know my Savior lives.”  As soon as I said those words, the most amazing feeling enveloped me that this experience has been my moment I return to as was spoken to Oliver Cowdery in D&C 6.  The Lord had spoken to me via a burning in my bosom that grew more intense with each thing I bore witness to as truth.  I cried.  I knew, and I knew the Lord had given me this witness.  I will never forget that feeling.  I have had this feeling since, but never as intense as that one time.  Whenever I become a little shakey in my faith, I return to this experience and am given courage to keep on keeping on. 

Did I feel feelings of love?  Absolutely!  I was in awe at how much the Lord loves me.  At that time in my life I was still quite fresh from having lived a life unbecoming a daughter of God.  Did I feel joy?  It was indescribable joy that nearly consumed me.  It was probably the shortest testimony of my entire life.  Has the Spirit given me patience?  Well, I get impatient, but I’m amazed at how patient I can be when I know I am being tested.  Meekness?  What is meekness?  Webster says: enduring injury with patience and without resentment.  Submissive, moderate (not violent or strong).  Okay, maybe it’s a work in progress.  I see improvement.  I would like to think I’m more gentle than I use to be.  I know my faith is strong and that I have hope.  It is that hope that grounds me in the troubled times we are going through.  I know life is a process and we are all processing – including my own children. 

So my instructions from my study this morning?  I need to listen more carefully for the Spirit to speak to me.  It is in the quiet of the morning and during the day.  I have prayed to be the answer to someone’s prayer today.  I need to listen carefully for that prompting.  Currently, I am so consumed with the cares of my own family that I don’t reach out as I use to and definitely as I should.  I will do better.