I NEED Spiritual Guidance!

Elder Richard G. Scott's October 2009 conference address was probably given just for me (and everyone else like me who has struggles in life). It is entitled "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance."

"Throughout the ages," Elder Scott begins, "many have obtained guidance helpful to resolve challenges in their lives by following the example of respected individuals who resolved similar problems. Today, world conditions change so rapidly that such a course of action is often not available to us."

Because of this Elder Scott rejoices because "it create a condition where we, of necessity, are more dependent upon the spirit to guide us through the vicissitudes of life. Therefore, we are led to seek personal inspiration in life's important decisions."

So it appears he is saying I need to be grateful for those moments when I feel: "Ah, I don't know what to do!" These moments are opportunities to grow closer to God and learn from Him. These moments are blessings in disguise!

Then Elder Scott asks great questions, questions he knew I was asking: "What can [I] do to enhance [my] capacity to be led to correct decisions in [my] life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that [I] need to avoid?"

He then quotes President John Taylor: "Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: 'Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation' Then he told me never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during that day."

What awesome advice to remember! I want to stop taking the gift of the Holy Ghost for granted and I'm going to start dedicating myself each day to the Lord beginning this very day.

Elder Scott goes on to teach us that Heavenly Father knew we would need His help to make some decisions in our life and that he included in His plan of happiness a way for us to receive help. "That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness."

Yes, I definitely want to start using this assistance and power that Heavenly Father wants me to use! I'm just not sure how?

Elder Scott says: "there is no simple formula or technique...Heavenly Father expects [us] to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy son, Jesus Christ. Were [we] to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, [we] would become weak....essential personal growth will come as [we] struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit."

He says it gets easier as we "consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit.

"Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it ....That's why Nephi could say, 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.'"

Elder Scott gave a personal example of when he received personal revelation. After "prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn" he "began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by [a] humble instructor."

He "carefully wrote it down."

Also of interest to me, is that he received more inspiration even in a situation where the teacher was not humble and was more focused on impressing the class with his vast store of knowledge than in communicating gospel principles. This teaches me that as long as I am prepared the Spirit can teach me anywhere.

Elder Scott wrote the additional impressions down, even going so far as seeking a more private location to do so. Then he "pondered the feelings [he] had received to determine if [he] had accurately expresed them in writing. As a result, [he[ made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then [he ] studied their meaning and aplication in [his] own life.... he prayed, reviewing with the Lord what [he] thought [he] had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, [he] thanked [the Lord] for the guidance given.

That is quite the process, but that is not all! Elder Scott felt "impressed to ask, "Was there yet more to be given? [He] received further impressions , and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering , and praying for confirmation was reapeated. Again [he] was prompted to ask, 'is there more I should know?' And there was."

Wow, I would love to experience such an out pouring of answers from God! However, I recognize Elder Scott worked hard for this blessing. Am I willing to put forth such an effort?! I hope so, but I think am going to need to exert more faith than I have ever exerted before! I can feel the growing pains already!

I love what Elder Scott says next: " 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." I need to start paying attention to promptings, record them, and apply them, so I can receive more. Why have I neglected to do this for so much of my life? I shouldn't neglect such spiritual blessings any longer!

Alas, I know from personal experience that the Lord does not force us to learn. We "must exercise [our] agency to authorize the Spirit to teach [us]. " As we do so we "will become more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance...[we] will recognize it more easily."

Elder Scott warns: "the inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. " Sin is also spiritually deadening! Fortunately it can be overcome by repentance and righteousness! Satan also tries to convince us that we are not able to receive guidance from Heavenly Father.

And of course there is that horrid pornography that we must avoid at all costs in order to have the spirit guide us!

I really liked this metaphor Elder Scott used: "A feeling of remorse after a mistake is a fertile soil wherein repentance can flower."

He concludes by telling us: "Have patience as you are perfecting your ability to be led by the spirit....the Lord through the Holy Ghost, can speak to your mind and heart....I bear solemn witness that as you pray with all the fervor of your soul with humility and gratitude, you can learn to be consistently guided by the HolySpirit in all aspects of your life. I have confirmed the truthfulness of that principle in the crucible of my own life. I testify that you can personally learn to
master the principles of being guided by the spirit. That way, the Savior can guide you to resolve the challenges of life and enjoy great peace and happiness."

I am now making it my top priority in life to learn to be guided by Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Ghost.