"...but the Lord was not in the wind"

The blessings of listening to the Holy Ghost are great, but how can we recognize those promptings? It takes obedience to God's commandments and a some practice. Learning to recognize and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost is part of our purpose here on earth. 

President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice 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." (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).

As we prayerfully seek the Lords help in recognizing the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can show faith by choosing to keep the commandments and staying close to the Lord. We must remove from our lives those things that do not draw us closer to our Heavenly Father. I testify that the Lord loves us and will give us personal direction or revelation through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I testify that reading the scriptures ( The Book of Mormon , and the Bible) and praying daily are simple but powerful ways to stay close to the Lord.

Know this, that every soul is free!

Each of us has been given the gift of agency from our loving Heavenly Father. Agency is our ability to choose between right and wrong and is an essential part of God's plan. 

"All of our choices have consequences, some of which have 

little or nothing to do with our eternal salvation and others of 

which have everything to do with it." Thomas S. Monson

The way we use our agency determines our happiness in this life and in the life to come. There is only one way back to our Heavenly Father and that is through keeping His commandments and by following the example of His son Jesus Christ. 

"When we don’t keep the commandments or follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, our opportunities are reduced; our abilities to act and progress are diminished. In my youth I learned an important lesson about how our actions may limit our freedom. One day my father assigned me to varnish a wooden floor. I made the choice to begin at the door and work my way into the room. When I was almost finished, I realized I had left myself no way to get out. There was no window or door on the other side. I had literally painted myself into a corner. I had no place to go. I was stuck.

Whenever we disobey, we spiritually paint ourselves into a corner and are captive to our choices. Though we are spiritually stuck, there is always a way back. Like repentance, turning around and walking across a newly varnished floor means more work—a lot of resanding and refinishing! Returning to the Lord isn't easy, but it is worth it." 

(Elder Robert D Hales)

I testify that as we use our God given agency to keep the commandments and follow the Savior we will find that we are truly free.

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."

2 Nephi 10:23 

What is the Light of Christ?

"The Light of Christ is what many people would call a conscience. But it is more than a psychological effect that takes place within people... It is the influence of God that pulls us, that influences us to be good and to do good." Elder David Bednar

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God,

receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24

Faith of a child: Learning to walk

 Life is full of ups and downs. There are times, the "downs", when I feel alone. Like I am just scrambling here on earth, trying to do my best, but failing. I know that God is there... I just can't feel Him like I do other times. But on the other hand, there are times I just want to sing..."I Feel My Saviors Love in all the world around me, His spirit warms my soul, through everything I see." I truly feel like He is leading me, guiding me, walking beside me and helping me find the way. I was having one of the "up" moments the other night as I was praying. I found myself pleading with Heavenly Father to help me keep that peace with me and to never let it leave. I felt His loving arms around me and I didn't want to move. I thought about some of the rough times I had experienced in the last few weeks and couldn't bear the thought of having to do it all over again. It was then the the Holy Ghost reminded me of a poem I once heard called "The Lesson" by Carol Lynn Pearson. It presents the analogy that we are each like a child learning how to walk. God places us on the other side of the room and then calls to come to Him. Though learning to walk is difficult for toddlers, parents know that it is possible and necessary for them as they grow. Similarly, God knows that the trials we will face will be difficult for us but that in the end they are essential for our growth and learning.

The Lesson

"Yes, my fretting, frowning child, I could cross the room to you more easily.  But I've already learned to walk, so I make you come to me. Let go now—There! You see? Oh, remember this simple

lesson, child. And when in later years you cry out with tight fists and tears "Oh help me, God—please."— Just listen and you'll hear a silent voice: "I would, child, I would. But it's you, not I, who needs to learn Godhood."

Though trials are painful, difficult, and even devastating, they are made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that God is not only aware of us during the "ups" and "downs" but that He is guiding us the whole way! We just need to have the faith of a child and put one step in front of the other!

Forget Me Not: Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.

From the talk Forget Me Not by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.

Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten.

And I know something else: as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you!

You are not forgotten.

Sisters [and brothers], wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom. The Psalmist wrote:

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes.

The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow.

You are closer to heaven than you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness."

I testify that the Lord loves each of us! I know that I recognize His love as I contemplate the many blessings He gives me. When you feel insignificant, remember, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)

Forget Me Not: Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel.

From the talk Forget Me Not by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Sometimes, in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much as one might overlook a beautiful, delicate forget-me-not. In our diligent efforts to fulfill all of the duties and obligations we take on as members of the Church, we sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long to-do list, as a block of time that we must somehow fit into our busy schedules. We focus on what the Lord wants us to do and how we might do it, but we sometimes forget why.

My dear [brothers and] sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.

While understanding the “what” and the “how” of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the “why.” When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.

Let us not walk the path of discipleship with our eyes on the ground, thinking only of the tasks and obligations before us. Let us not walk unaware of the beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround us.

My dear [brothers and] sisters, seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The “what” and “how” of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path. The “why” of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration."

I testify that remebering the "why" of the gospel helps us see with the eternal perspective. With that perspective, we aren't burdened but thrive off of commandments like prayer, daily scripture study, and serving others. I know that our Heavenly Father has a Plan of Happiness. I testify that by living the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that He leads and guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Forget Me Not: Third, forget not to be happy now.

From the talk Forget Me Not by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"In the beloved children’s story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka hides a golden ticket in five of his candy bars and announces that whoever finds one of the tickets wins a tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.

Written on each golden ticket is this message: “Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden Ticket … ! Tremendous things are in store for you! Many wonderful surprises await you! … Mystic and marvelous surprises … will … delight, … astonish, and perplex you.”

In this classic children’s story, people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket. Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands. In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.

So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry.

There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear.

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."

I know that Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and I know that being grateful is a great start! I know that as we take the time to see the beauty that surrounds us and to thank Heavenly Father for our many blessings, that a sense of peace will enter our lives. There is no need to wait, you can develop an attitude of gratitude today! As Harold Hill says in the "Music Man" "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays."