The Still, Small Voice

After reading from the Book of Mormon, I had time to study in Preach My Gospel.  I’m currently studying about the Holy Ghost and its ways.   There are many verses to describe the way the Holy Ghost works.  I will never forget my own first real experience.  I know now I had been prompted many times throughout my life and I had felt the joy that comes when it is present.  However, I did not have the help I needed to understand these feelings and to identify them as the Holy Ghost.  I had been raised in a good home where the Spirit was present.  To me, it was normal.  I learned after leaving home that it was a feeling that needed to be invited and would not stay if those dwelling in that home did not actively seek it.

When I actively started to seek for knowledge, I fasted for a manifestation that the church was true.  When I bore my testimony after fasting, the feeling that overcame me was one so overpowering I was reduced to tears.  I could never deny that feeling.  It felt as if warm liquid were being poured into my bosom and I could feel its warmth fill my breast.  I have no other way to describe it.  No time before or since have I felt it that strong, but I have felt it and recognized it as the spirit. 

Once I really wanted to know, truths of the gospel were made manifest to me.  I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost in my church callings and in raising my family – not to mention many times when I needed a little help to find something or someone.  I felt the dark veil being lifted and light came into my life.  It was such a pronounced feeling that I would do anything to keep from going into that darkness again.

Oh how I pray for this experience for my own lost daughter and any of my loved ones who have wandered.  The Word of Wisdom was never an issue for me, so I did not have the darkness that comes from addiction.  But I know if one of Heavenly Father’s children desires to leave the darkness, somehow He will provide the way.  There are many in her life that love her and will help her.  She must want it herself.  Much like King Lamoni when he was willing to give up all he owned to feel of that love.  Earlier in his life he was willing to give up half his kingdom to save his life.  (Alma 19)  Sometimes I feel like she is actively giving up all the good in her life so she might have the experience of entering back into the light.  I feel she’s quite close to that (giving it all up).  Like Elder Holland’s talk yesterday, she has many “long nights and empty nets” currently.  I would think the warmth of the Holy Ghost would be a welcome change.

So as I studied this morning, what do I feel I need to change?  For one, I need to make my home a place where the spirit can reside.  I work on that constantly.  I will continue to do so and pray that the warmth of that spirit might penetrate the hard shell that has created a pavilion between her and the Lord.