Promptings of the Holy Ghost

[Sunday21]

Is there anyway to become better at evaluating the veracity of promptings? Bro Hale's talk 'holy ghost' in the most recent conference says that if you are obeying the commendments you will not be lead astray, well I am still having trouble ascertaining the veracity of promptings. I am not allowed to fast which I am sure would be helpful any suggestions?

Edited August 11, 2016 by Sunday21

[zil]

Sunday, this is something I wrote in another recent post, but I think it's just as applicable.  The important part here is to compare the prompting to what you know to be true through other sources (prophets, scripture):

In the Gospel Library app (if you don't have it, let me know and I'll try to find the links online - or you can try), there's a seminary document called "Doctrinal Mastery Core Document" (Seminaries and Institutes > Seminary > last item in the list).  In there, is a chapter called "Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge".  A part of that is about going to "divinely appointed sources" (such as prophets and apostles).  It's pretty short and might give you some ideas.  In the same section (Seminaries and Institutes > Seminary), you will find "Doctrinal Mastery New Testament Teacher Material" which has the same chapter, with more details on the same topic.  Again, it may be of use to you.

[Sunday21]

9 hours ago, zil said:

Sunday, this is something I wrote in another recent post, but I think it's just as applicable.  The important part here is to compare the prompting to what you know to be true through other sources (prophets, scripture):

In the Gospel Library app (if you don't have it, let me know and I'll try to find the links online - or you can try), there's a seminary document called "Doctrinal Mastery Core Document" (Seminaries and Institutes > Seminary > last item in the list).  In there, is a chapter called "Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge".  A part of that is about going to "divinely appointed sources" (such as prophets and apostles).  It's pretty short and might give you some ideas.  In the same section (Seminaries and Institutes > Seminary), you will find "Doctrinal Mastery New Testament Teacher Material" which has the same chapter, with more details on the same topic.  Again, it may be of use to you.

Dear Zil, thank you for responding. The type of promptings that I may or may not get involve things like working with specific people or on specific projects. Or how to structure my time. To retire at a certain age and go and serve in a certain location where I have no family. These are things that scriptural knowledge will not help to illuminate. 

Edited August 11, 2016 by Sunday21

[zil]

1 hour ago, Sunday21 said:

Dear Zil, thank you for responding. The type of promptings that I may or may not get involve things like working with specific people or on specific projects. Or how to structure my time. To retire at a certain age and go and serve in a certain location where I have no family. These are things that scriptural knowledge will not help to illuminate. 

While you may not be able to compare "retire at age 67" to anything specific in the scriptures or GC talks, you can:

* Increase the Spirit in your life by studying scripture and GC talks with real intent (to do what you learn you ought to do); and by otherwise generally living the gospel

* Compare your motives, feelings, and risks against what has been taught (e.g. about self-reliance and the value of work vs serving the Lord on a senior mission vs your health and current responsibilities to your family, etc.)

And then remember that the Lord has told us to be anxiously engaged of our own free will - if in the end multiple available options all balance out as far as feasibility and risk are concerned, I'd say pick one.  If you aren't sure whether the Lord approves of the one you've chosen, despite sincere prayer asking for confirmation, start off down that path, trusting that the Lord will either help you finish, or show you soon that it was the wrong choice: check out the video "Wrong Roads" linked in this youth lesson.

[Sunday21]

10 hours ago, zil said:

While you may not be able to compare "retire at age 67" to anything specific in the scriptures or GC talks, you can:

* Increase the Spirit in your life by studying scripture and GC talks with real intent (to do what you learn you ought to do); and by otherwise generally living the gospel

* Compare your motives, feelings, and risks against what has been taught (e.g. about self-reliance and the value of work vs serving the Lord on a senior mission vs your health and current responsibilities to your family, etc.)

And then remember that the Lord has told us to be anxiously engaged of our own free will - if in the end multiple available options all balance out as far as feasibility and risk are concerned, I'd say pick one.  If you aren't sure whether the Lord approves of the one you've chosen, despite sincere prayer asking for confirmation, start off down that path, trusting that the Lord will either help you finish, or show you soon that it was the wrong choice: check out the video "Wrong Roads" linked in this youth lesson.

Thank you! Personally, being risk adverse I would prefer to: 1) retire later 2) stay in the same area and work part time for my current employer but...I have a feeling that our Father would prefer that I retire earlier and move to a particular location in my country. Do you remember the story about the sister missionary who received a 'yes' to her question of whether or not she should go on a mission while she was on the plane to the mission field? In my line of work, once you quit, that is it. In fact projects are planned 5 years in advance. I need to know 5 years before retirement if I am going! 

[Sunday21]

Yes I did read the very funny commentary, 'I will go want me to go, unless it is inconvenient' but I am sure that this does not apply to single sisters. I could even add a few verses. I will go..unless the humidity there makes my hair all funny, or they don't have Ben & Jerry's, or ...

[Sunday21]

11 hours ago, zil said:

While you may not be able to compare "retire at age 67" to anything specific in the scriptures or GC talks, you can:

* Increase the Spirit in your life by studying scripture and GC talks with real intent (to do what you learn you ought to do); and by otherwise generally living the gospel

* Compare your motives, feelings, and risks against what has been taught (e.g. about self-reliance and the value of work vs serving the Lord on a senior mission vs your health and current responsibilities to your family, etc.)

And then remember that the Lord has told us to be anxiously engaged of our own free will - if in the end multiple available options all balance out as far as feasibility and risk are concerned, I'd say pick one.  If you aren't sure whether the Lord approves of the one you've chosen, despite sincere prayer asking for confirmation, start off down that path, trusting that the Lord will either help you finish, or show you soon that it was the wrong choice: check out the video "Wrong Roads" linked in this youth lesson.

Thank you. I will ponder this!

[zil]

Sorry more people aren't replying, @Sunday21.  I agree, your decision is a hard one, and it's not always (ever?) easy to receive guidance.  I wonder if we don't have to overcome fear of the answer before the answer will come (i.e. our fear blocks us from all answers).  Certainly the scriptures teach that we have to be willing to do whatever the Lord asks, regardless of what it is, and that's really hard when it's something big and scary (like leaving stable employment and ice cream behind, and going to a place that's sticky and frizzy and bug-infested ).

[Sunday21]

41 minutes ago, zil said:

Sorry more people aren't replying, @Sunday21.  I agree, your decision is a hard one, and it's not always (ever?) easy to receive guidance.  I wonder if we don't have to overcome fear of the answer before the answer will come (i.e. our fear blocks us from all answers).  Certainly the scriptures teach that we have to be willing to do whatever the Lord asks, regardless of what it is, and that's really hard when it's something big and scary (like leaving stable employment and ice cream behind, and going to a place that's sticky and frizzy and bug-infested ).

Right on! Fear factor definitely! At least I get to stay in my own country! I was working in another country for a week and I really missed people apologizing to each other for any reason what so ever! There is a very funny commercial which has athletes trying to compete and constantantly apologizing to each other. Should raise a lot of money for our Olympic team!

Edited August 12, 2016 by Sunday21

[tesuji]

23 hours ago, Sunday21 said:

Is there anyway to become better at evaluating the veracity of promptings? Bro Hale's talk 'holy ghost' in the most recent conference says that if you are obeying the commendments you will not be lead astray, well I am still having trouble ascertaining the veracity of promptings. I am not allowed to fast which I am sure would be helpful any suggestions?

Elder Scott gave some great talks about this. 

How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal ...

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance - Richard G. Scott

Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer - Richard G. Scott

You can find them here: https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&domains=general-conference&q=Richard+G.+Scott

In my experience, when I'm trying to make an important decision, I study, learn and think about it until I decide what seems best. Then I pray about it, and ask if my decision is right. I'm not very good at getting answers, not like my wife is. I usually don't hear an answer. But I pray anyway; at least I tried. If I feel like I get a prompting about a direction then of course I follow the prompting If not, I proceed to do the thing that I prayed about, that I think is best.

Edited August 12, 2016 by tesuji

[Guest MormonGator]

16 minutes ago, tesuji said:

Elder Scott gave some great talks about this. 

How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal ...

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance - Richard G. Scott

Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer - Richard G. Scott

You can find them here: https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&domains=general-conference&q=Richard+G.+Scott

In my experience, when I'm trying to make an important decision, I study, learn and think about it until I decide what seems best. Then I pray about it, and ask if my decision is right. I'm not very good at getting answers, not like my wife is. I usually don't hear an answer. But I pray anyway; at least I tried. If I feel like I get a prompting about a direction then of course I follow the prompting If not, I proceed to do the thing that I prayed about, that I think is best.

What great advice. I really miss him. He was one of  the greatest.  

[Sunday21]

21 minutes ago, tesuji said:

Elder Scott gave some great talks about this. 

How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal ...

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance - Richard G. Scott

Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer - Richard G. Scott

You can find them here: https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&domains=general-conference&q=Richard+G.+Scott

In my experience, when I'm trying to make an important decision, I study, learn and think about it until I decide what seems best. Then I pray about it, and ask if my decision is right. I'm not very good at getting answers, not like my wife is. I usually don't hear an answer. But I pray anyway; at least I tried. If I feel like I get a prompting about a direction then of course I follow the prompting If not, I proceed to do the thing that I prayed about, that I think is best.

Thank you. This seems like very sensible advice.

[Sunday21]

7 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

What great advice. I really miss him. He was one of  the greatest.  

Yes. He was a very kind and caring man. I am sure that his family misses him.

[Guest]

@Sunday21  

Read the three stories I wrote here:

http://lds.net/forums/topic/58447-is-revelation-from-the-lord-or-satan-or-me/#comment-847593

I hope it helps.

EDIT: I just realized that you were a part of that other thread already.  Did it help?

 

Edited August 16, 2016 by Guest

[Jane_Doe]

On August 10, 2016 at 7:20 PM, Sunday21 said:

Is there anyway to become better at evaluating the veracity of promptings? Bro Hale's talk 'holy ghost' in the most recent conference says that if you are obeying the commendments you will not be lead astray, well I am still having trouble ascertaining the veracity of promptings. I am not allowed to fast which I am sure would be helpful any suggestions?

Scientist here :)

The way you tune any instrument (such as your is-this-the-Spirit-detector) is that when a positive occurrence happens, immediately record what your detector is doing (doesn't have to be on paper, but at least make a mental note).  Repeat again and again.  Eventually you will notice a pattern in "when there is an occurrence, my detector does X".  You can than reverse the process: when "my detector is doing X, is this an occurrence?".  Be patient: it takes time and tuning to properly get any instrument working.

Note: when it comes to detecting the Spirit, it doesn't have to be a burning in your chest.  The Spirit speaks in all sorts of ways.  For me, it's calm- like the moment the Lord calms the raging tempest.  

Edited August 16, 2016 by Jane_Doe

[Sunday21]

9 hours ago, Carborendum said:

@Sunday21  

Read the three stories I wrote here:

http://lds.net/forums/topic/58447-is-revelation-from-the-lord-or-satan-or-me/#comment-847593

I hope it helps.

EDIT: I just realized that you were a part of that other thread already.  Did it help?

 

Yes, it did help. I realize that understanding the spirit is a process that takes time. People literally grow up learning how to read the promptings. Adult converts have a steep learning curve. 

[Sunday21]

8 hours ago, Jane_Doe said:

Scientist here :)

The way you tune any instrument (such as your is-this-the-Spirit-detector) is that when a positive occurrence happens, immediately record what your detector is doing (doesn't have to be on paper, but at least make a mental note).  Repeat again and again.  Eventually you will notice a pattern in "when there is an occurrence, my detector does X".  You can than reverse the process: when "my detector is doing X, is this an occurrence?".  Be patient: it takes time and tuning to properly get any instrument working.

Note: when it comes to detecting the Spirit, it doesn't have to be a burning in your chest.  The Spirit speaks in all sorts of ways.  For me, it's calm- like the moment the Lord calms the raging tempest.  

Thank you. I will work on this.

[Guest]

14 hours ago, Sunday21 said:

Yes, it did help. I realize that understanding the spirit is a process that takes time. People literally grow up learning how to read the promptings. Adult converts have a steep learning curve. 

That's not really true.  I'm afraid that the greatest cause of people falling away is that they never felt or recognized the Spirit while growing up.  That was true of me.  I had to learn as an adult just like you.  It took time for me.  It will take time for you.  Just be patient and keep working at it.  It will come.

Remember Pres Hinkley's statement.  He mentioned how old each prophet of old was when they were translated or pronounced perfect.  They were all very old.  Then he concluded:

Quote

Brothers and Sisters, I rest my case.  Perfection takes time.

 

Edited August 17, 2016 by Guest

[Jojo Bags]

On ‎8‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 7:20 PM, Sunday21 said:

Is there anyway to become better at evaluating the veracity of promptings? Bro Hale's talk 'holy ghost' in the most recent conference says that if you are obeying the commendments you will not be lead astray, well I am still having trouble ascertaining the veracity of promptings. I am not allowed to fast which I am sure would be helpful any suggestions?

The best way to understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit is to gain correct knowledge.  The Spirit will "bring all things to your remembrance," but it cannot bring something back to your mind if you never learned it in the first place.  Joseph Smith said that knowledge is power and knowledge is salvation..  You will work out your salvation in part through gaining correct knowledge.  With correct knowledge, you will be able to tell the difference between the promptings of the Holy Spirit and a false spirit.  Anything you are "prompted" to feel or think that is contrary to the correct knowledge you gain will obviously be from a false spirit.  Joseph Smith wrote an editorial in the Times and Seasons titled, "Try the Spirits."  I highly recommend you read this.  It talks all about false spirits.

[Sunday21]

4 hours ago, Jojo Bags said:

The best way to understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit is to gain correct knowledge.  The Spirit will "bring all things to your remembrance," but it cannot bring something back to your mind if you never learned it in the first place.  Joseph Smith said that knowledge is power and knowledge is salvation..  You will work out your salvation in part through gaining correct knowledge.  With correct knowledge, you will be able to tell the difference between the promptings of the Holy Spirit and a false spirit.  Anything you are "prompted" to feel or think that is contrary to the correct knowledge you gain will obviously be from a false spirit.  Joseph Smith wrote an editorial in the Times and Seasons titled, "Try the Spirits."  I highly recommend you read this.  It talks all about false spirits.

Thank you. This is very helpful. I will look for this article. Thanks