President Russell M. Nelson made the following statement in the April 2018 General Conference. In the April 2019 General Conference this same statement was quoted three times.
“[I]n coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, General Conference, April 2018; see also the following from General Conference April 2019: Mathias Held, “Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit”; Takashi Wada, “Feasting upon the Words of Christ”; and Ronald A. Rasband, “Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection”).
If it is so crucial to our spiritual survival to know how to listen to, and recognize, the Holy Ghost how would one go about doing it? Answers can be found in the holy scriptures, in the words of our modern prophets and apostles, and through personal revelation.
Henry B. Eyring said the following, “The Prophet Joseph set an example for us of how to receive continual spiritual direction and comfort through the Holy Ghost" (Henry B. Eyring, "His Spirit to Be with You", General Conference, April 2018). President Eyring then explained the pattern. First, be humble before God. Second, pray with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Third, obey exactly. And fourth, "ask for inspiration, receive direction, and act on it" (ibid.).
Elder Richard G. Scott recounted a time when he was seeking for answers. He asked for help, received inspiration, expressed gratitude, and asked if there was any more. He received more. He repeated the cycle several times, and more was received each time. He then made this statement, "I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you" (Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", General Conference, April 2009).
A few examples from the scriptures show how applying the pattern to receive revelation can work. One example is recounted in the book of First Nephi. Nephi's father, Lehi, had just shared an amazing dream that he had, and Nephi wanted to know more about it. The pattern that Nephi followed may be familiar to some: desire, believe that the Lord can make it known unto you, and ponder (see 1 Nephi 11:1). This same pattern was followed by President Joseph F. Smith when he received the vision on the Savior's visit to the deceased spirits in the spirit world while his body was lying in the tomb. President Smith pondered, reflected, and desired to know. His vision is recorded as Doctrine & Covenants section 138 (see Doctrine & Covenants 138). Another example from this dispensation is the story of a young boy who desired to know which church to join. He read the scriptures, pondered on them, prayed in faith, believed the Lord would answer him, and was given a glorious vision of the Father and the Son appearing to him in a quiet grove in upstate New York (see Joseph Smith—History 1:10-17).
If we explore the first of those scriptural examples, Nephi desiring to know for himself, Nephi followed the pattern of desiring, believing, and pondering. He was caught away in the Spirit and was asked what he wanted. He replied, "to behold the things which my father saw" (1 Nephi 11:3). The Spirit then showed him the tree, and within 9 verses Nephi had applied the pattern of revelation and received what he had asked for.
Nephi, after receiving what he had asked for didn't say "amen" and stand up ready to move forward with his day. Nephi was listening.
I feel that the next verse is a key that can take us into a higher state of spiritual learning. A state where we can, "increase [our] spiritual capacity to receive revelation....[and] do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly" (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, General Conference, April 2018)
The Spirit asked Nephi, "What desirest though?" (1 Nephi 11:10). Because Nephi was listening, he was able to respond to these gentle whisperings. By taking the time to listen when the Spirit spoke to him, he was able to receive much, much more than he had asked for. In fact, the information he had received in the first 9 verses where expanded to 122 additional verses including many things that Nephi "saw [which] are not written" (1 Nephi 14:30).
What if each of our prayers were answered to such an extent? They can be, if we take the time to listen.
Elder David A. Bednar taught,
"The overarching purpose of Heavenly Father’s plan is for His children to become more like Him. Accordingly, He provides us with essential opportunities to grow and progress. Our commitment to learn and live according to truth is increasingly important in a world that is 'in commotion' and is ever more confused and wicked. We cannot expect simply to attend Church meetings and participate in programs and thereby receive all of the spiritual edification and protection that will enable us 'to withstand in the evil day'...
"If all you or I know about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel is what other people teach or tell us, then the foundation of our testimony of Him and His glorious latter-day work is built upon sand. We cannot rely exclusively upon or borrow gospel light and knowledge from other people—even those whom we love and trust" (David A. Bednar, "Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing, General Conference, April 2019).
We must come to know for ourselves.
