In the recent General Conference, Vicki F. Matsumori gave a talk about recognizing when the Spirit, or Holy Ghost speaks to us. The examples and descriptions she gave of how the Spirit “whispers” are exact and true. One of the descriptions given was from the words of President Henry B. Eyring, where he said, in effect, “Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light.” 1. The description that immediately followed was the experience by an eight-year-old boy, “It felt like sunshine”.2
All of the descriptions I recognize, having experienced the Holy Spirit many times. The latter two descriptions given by Ms. Matsumori as the experience of “light”, like “sunshine”. The mind is enlightened, gaining clarity of understanding and perception, being able to understand and perceive the scope and breadth of the subject, topic, matter or issue at hand. All doubt is erased and sureness of thought is accomplished. So long as one moves within that frame of sureness, once moved by the Holy Ghost, peace and success is assured. To some, this may also describe the experience of “being in the spirit” or “feeling enlightened”. The experience that seems to be like a bright light that has shined brightly within the mind and heart. Hand in hand with this is the feeling of peace or how peace exists in it. Such is quite distinct and in contrast to having a “sudden idea”.
Vicki Matsumori was correct when she said that it can be hard to discern these “sunshine” moments. The inability to recognize these moments is because of the lack of experience and knowledge of the Holy Ghost or worst, from a disbelief that these experiences and feelings are from the Holy Spirit.
Resistance to these truths about the Holy Spirit will undoubtedly shut the person off from receiving anymore, and in contrast, the expectation that any particular experience must occur or should occur, will also prove disappointing and this is because the Holy Ghost does not abide in our personal dictates. When the Holy Ghost experience comes, it is always by surprise, when we “least expected” it, but once received, the experience feels noticeable. Vicki Matsumori explains,
I was the first member of my family to join the Church. As an eight-year-old, I waited to feel somehow different because of my baptism. To be honest, the only thing I felt when I was brought out of the water was . . . well, dripping wet. I thought something more profound would happen when I was confirmed. However, after receiving the Holy Ghost, again I felt happy but certainly no different than I had just a few minutes before.3
Disappointment from personal expectations have been the cause of disheartened feelings or disbelief to many members, who may think soon after, “I have never experienced the feelings of the Holy Ghost, so the Mormon scriptures must be false and the Church must be false also” (or something similar). A fact that many members never take into account is that God gives us tests to our faith and if we already carry the seed of doubt in our hearts, he will certainly test our faith against that doubt, to see what we shall follow. It is the old “which master shall we abide in” story. Doubt or disbelief has never promoted Holy Ghost experiences. The reason being is that doubt and disbelief are contrary to faith and belief. To expect the experience of the Holy Ghost when in doubt and disbelief, will always result in disappointment and the likely statement of, “you see what I mean, there is no Holy Spirit!”. The environment being created around you and most importantly, within always requires serious review and contemplation. Vicki Matsumori spoke of providing an environment that invites the Holy Ghost, both outwardly and inwardly and she gave some simple examples of what effects this environment,
One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into
the lives of our family members.
Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice, it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to
“be still, and know that I am God.” If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.4
Recognizing the Holy Spirit can be difficult at times, especially with little or no experience of him. Doubt and disbelief only serve to darken the heart and mind. Seeking things or people that only discourage, muddle or confuse these experiences of the Holy Ghost are like seeds of doom to your faith and spirituality. Perseverance in faith in the Church and study of both the scriptures and of good articles from the Church and its advocates about the workings of the Holy Ghost are like precious jewels as they do help us to understand the Holy Ghost better. One such article is found in Gospel Link (www.gospelink.com/? — an account is required), entitled, “No Apparent Sin, But the Spirit Still Won’t Answer” by Errol R. Fish, Promptings of the Spirit (1990) (Link: http://www.gospelink.com/library/document/35266). Supporting the knowledge and teachings that the Holy Ghost does communicate with us serves to show God that you want to recognize and recieve his truth and enlightenment.
The Holy Spirit also teaches us. When we ask through prayer to Heavenly Father about something that is concerning us, the Holy Ghost may take the opportunity to teach us something and through this teaching, knowledge and understanding about revelation and inspiration increases. In other words, the Holy Ghost reveals more about his manner of works the more we open to him. I believe this is where some members have fallen in regards to their belief about the Holy Ghost. To believe that no further learning is wanted or needed and expecting something from the Spirit are two things that can make for the ill spirit of arrogance. The Holy Spirit does not respond to such persons or spiritual natures. The subsequent silence from the Spirit is wrongly interpreted as justification that revelation has ceased all together or God does not speak to us aside from the scriptures.
When God told us to be as a little child, which is open to learn and obey, he meant it. We must always be in teaching mode for the Holy Ghost and for Heavenly Father. This is to advance our understanding and knowledge and most importantly, advance us through spiritual experiences.
The Holy Ghost does not communicate to a prideful heart and mind, this is because in pride a person will always think that he/she is the maker of the insightful thoughts when they are not. Humbleness, modesty, giving glory and praise to the single source, Heavenly Father, is what the Holy Ghost seeks. Whispers from the Holy Ghost will enter a persons mind when they are out of pride or out of any selfishness state of mind. A person will be open to recognize that the power of the Holy Ghost has touched them and given to them knowledge, clarity, understanding and peace. When we see a person who speaks and acts in a prideful manner, who also claims to be a Christian, be assured that he/she does not have the Holy Ghost behind them or sustaining them. Any inspirations they claim to have, within this pride and selfishness, did not come from God. It likely first, came from their own minds or secondly from evil influences. The support of pride or selfishness in any form or manner are NOT good works from God.
Footnotes
- Eyring, Henry B., “Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times,” Ensign, June 2007, p18.
- Matsumori, Vicki F., “Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit”, General Conference, October 3, 2009.
- Ibid
- Ibid
Comments