Remember, The Spirit is a Still Small Voice.

We were asked a question the other day by a recent convert of ours. "How do you recognize the spirit?" How do I explain this? Well, I read something in Preach My Gospel about the spirit. "That the spirit is quiet, a still small voice, a whisper and it can pierce the very soul (3 Nephi 11:3)."
Yes, scriptures help but I thought of a personal experience of mine.

Before coming on my mission I thought of somethings that I needed to do before I came out here. One particular thing I was very concerned about and to be honest was afraid of the answer. But, I needed to know what the Lord wanted me to do. No matter what the answer, I kneeled down, and I remember just pleading to the Lord of what I should do. I told Him I would do anything He wanted of me so that I could be prepared and ready to serve Him. After asking Him and just sitting there beside my bed pondering on this question, I had this feeling of this thing I needed to do. The next day, at work, I started having my doubts. I started asking myself, "is this something the Lord wants me to do? Did I really feel the spirit?" I believe we always have our doubts after we feel the spirit. Satan puts those doubts into our minds to make us think differently. He knows that we did indeed feel the spirit but he wants us to thing otherwise.

I took a minute to myself and asked Heavenly Father again if this was something that He wanted me to do. I can't really explain the feeling that I got, but it was just a calm peaceful feeling. The scriptures teach us that the Spirit gives feelings of peace and comfort. I thought about that moment I was beside my bed. I knew that the Lord told me what I needed to do. I did not know why but I told myself this is what I need to do. Later that night, I did what the Lord asked me to do. It was hard for me, because I didn't know why and later wondered if I made a mistake. I expressed to the Lord how I felt, that I was unsure about the decision I made. I felt that comfort feeling come over me and I knew everything would be OK. Now about a year later after this decision I realized that the Lord had something else in store for my life. I'm very grateful that I listened to that still small voice, I didn't know why at the time. Now, I do. (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9)
I invite you all to remember the feelings you have when you pray or read the scriptures. Pay attention to what the Lord is trying to tell you. I know that He speaks to us through the Spirit. "...Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good."
Remember who you are and what you stand for!

Remember, we all have "Challenging Times!"

I read a talk yesturday morning and this morning, that was really something that I needed. It was perfect for the way I have been feeling lately.
Yes, even though I am a missionary I still have my hard times. This past month I've just been stressing. I dont exactly know why, I'm just really trying to do my best as a missionary in serving the Lord.

I read this talk, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!" by Elder Allan F. Packer. One thing that really stood out to me in this talk was when he talked about football and his experience in high school. He said, "We practiced until the skills became natural and automatic. During one play against our biggest rival, I had an experience that has helped me over the years. We were on defense. I knew my assigned opponent, and as the play unfolded, he moved to my right into the line of scrimmage. There was a lot of noise from players and fans. I reacted as the coach had taught us and followed my man into the line, not knowing if he had the ball. To my surprise, I felt the ball partially in my hands. I gave it a tug, but my opponent didn’t let go. As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, “Packer, tackle him!” That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot.

I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked.

We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times."

How do we get to be acquainted with the promptings of the Spirit? I asked myself this question as I was reading it. There are several things we can do... 1 is to have the desire. "...He granteth unto men according to their desire..."  2 Study and learn, also to ponder. I feel like I have been doing alot of pondering lately and I find that those are the times when I find my answers in what I am pondering about. Its so important for all of us to be aquainted with the Spirit and to feel and understand when he is trying to help us, for it is the Lord speaks to us through the Holy Ghost.

I agree with what Elder Packer says at the end of his talk, "This is a great time to be alive! The Lord needs each of us. This is our day; it is our time!"

This is my time to serve Him here in California. Im so thankful for the Spirit to comfort me and guide me in the things that i need to do. I know that as long as I continue to study the scriptures and pray to my Father in Heaven I will come to be aquainted with the Spirit.

Remember who you are and what you stand for!