Learning Strategies

Recognize and Act on Promptings from the Holy Ghost

In speaking about the Holy Ghost, President Nelson stated, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”

The Holy Ghost’s influence is sometimes called “light” in the scriptures. Elder Bednar teaches receiving and perceiving the light of God in a video series called Patterns of Light. In this lesson, you will study each video to improve your ability to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost and increase your capacity to receive revelation.

(02:33 mins, The Light of Christ Transcript)

Ponder and Record

The first video centers on the properties of light and how the Light of Christ affects all men and women everywhere. As you watch this video, please consider the following questions and record some of your thoughts in your Learning Journal:

  • What is the Light of Christ?
  • How does the Light of Christ pull us together and influence us to be good?
  • How can we lose the Light of Christ?


(02:12 mins, Discerning Light Transcript)

Ponder and Record

The second video helps you recognize divine light and recognizing it in your own thoughts. As you watch this video, please consider the following questions and record some of your thoughts in your Learning Journal:

  • Why does the Holy Ghost use our memories and past experiences in His promptings?
  • How can you know if inspiration is coming from God or your own thoughts?
  • How does the Light of Christ lead us to seek the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Revelation?

 

(03:03 mins, Spirit of Revelation Transcript)

Ponder and Record

In the third video, Elder Bednar explains the patterns of light by which God communicates with us and how they lead to the spirit of revelation. As you watch this video, please consider the following questions and record some of your thoughts in your Learning Journal:

  • Why doesn’t God use the pattern receiving revelation all at once (like a light being turned on) more frequently? Have you received revelation in this way? What was it like?
  • Conversely, why does the Lord usually give us gradual revelation (like a sunrise or a foggy day)? Have you received revelation this way? How did it feel?
  • What is the Spirit of Revelation?
  • What promptings and feelings have you received as you’ve studied in your current program?

President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scriptures as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither…of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel. 5:30; D&C 85:6–7.) Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a ‘still small voice.’ (1 Kgs. 19:12.)…The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather, it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. Occasionally, it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. And most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening.”

Ponder and Record

  • What role do you feel the Spirit could play in your educational journey?
  • How might the Holy Ghost help you in your efforts in this and future courses?
  • Can you think of a way the Spirit is already helping you in your educational journey?