Talk I gave in church January 10, 2010 4th & Final Section!

This is the 4th and final section of ‘Talk January 10, 2010’.
In the April 2007 edition of General Conference Elder Richard G. Scott gave an address entitled ‘The Supernatural Gift of Prayer’.
“You are asked to look for an answer to your prayers. Obey the Master’s counsel to “study it out in your mind.” Often you will think of a solution; as you seek confirmation that your answer is right, help will come. It may be through your prayers, or as an impression of the Holy Ghost, and at times by the intervention of others.” (paragraph 18).
In the ‘Preach My Gospel’ manual (Message me for questions!), for members as well as missionaries, on page 96 it says:
“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 Spirit speaks to all of us in the same general way: as a still, small voice. However, we each feel the Spirit in a different way. Some feel a warmth, some feel chilly, some feel happy, some feel content, some feel like they have goosebumps.
In the ‘Preach My Gospel’ manual, for members as well as missionaries, on page 97 it says:
“In answer to the question, “How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit?” President Gordon B. Hinckley read Moroni 7:13, 16–17 and then said: “That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. . . . “If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. . . . And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you.
“You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 260–61).”
In the April 2007 edition of General Conference Elder Richard G. Scott gave an address entitled ‘The Supernatural Gift of Prayer’.
“Often when we pray for help with a significant matter, Heavenly Father will give us gentle promptings that require us to think, exercise faith, work, at times struggle, then act. It is a step-by-step process that enables us to discern inspired answers.
“I have discovered that what sometimes seems an impenetrable barrier to communication is a giant step to be taken in trust. Seldom will you receive a complete response all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father’s capacity to respond. While sometimes it’s very hard, it results in significant personal growth.” (paragraph 13).
In the ‘Preach My Gospel’ manual, for members as well as missionaries, on page 89 it says: “Joseph Smith said,
“Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it” (History of the Church, 3:389). You will succeed in your work as you learn to receive and follow personal revelation. Joseph Smith also taught that revelation is vital for your daily work: “This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed” (History of the Church, 5:135). “God loves you and all His children. He is anxious to support you in your practical and specific challenges. You have been promised inspiration to know what to do and have been given the power to do it (see D&C 43:15–16). He will help you as you try to recognize and understand the Spirit through diligent scripture study.”
Heavenly Father will always be there for us, He’s just waiting for us to ask for His help.
In the ‘Preach My Gospel’ manual, for members as well as missionaries, on page 99 it says:
““If worthy, we are entitled to receive revelations for ourselves, parents for their children, and members of the Church in their callings. But the right of revelation for others does not extend beyond our own stewardship.” – PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST “COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT,” ENSIGN, MAR. 2002, 4”
This next story is from the January 2010 Ensign it was written by Sue Hirase and entitled ‘Healing my Homesickness’.
“I began college at age 18. After a short time, however, I transferred to another university and changed my major. My new university was only a couple of hours from my home, but I found myself terribly homesick and discouraged, wanting to give up and return to my family. Yet I knew if I did, I would be abandoning my chance to earn a degree.
“One weekend not long after the school year began, all of my roommates went home for a visit. I knew that if I went home too, I would not return. I couldn’t even call and speak to my family for fear I would break down and not be able to focus on my studies. I had been praying for the strength to overcome my homesickness, but now I was praying to know whether I should even remain at school and complete a degree.
“Early that Sunday morning as I walked slowly across the quiet campus on my way to church, I wondered how I could stay at school when I missed my home and family so deeply and couldn’t overcome my loneliness. But what would I do if I left school?
“When I arrived at church, the previous ward had just left the chapel. I entered, hoping for a moment to pray for direction. As I found a place to sit and slowly moved onto the wooden pew, I noticed a printed program from the previous sacrament meeting. There on the front of the folded paper were the following words:
“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.”
“At that moment I knew what I needed to do. The Lord had answered my prayers in such a simple way, but I could not deny that it was an answer just the same.
“It wasn’t long after that Sunday that my loneliness and discouragement left. As a result, I enjoyed my remaining years in school. I gained a degree, lifelong friends, and a stronger testimony by following the promptings of the Spirit.
“Now, more than 25 years later, I still recall that answer to my prayer, and I use those same words from that sacrament meeting program to commit myself to difficult tasks. I have shared my experience with close friends and family in hopes that they too might gain strength in difficult times.
“I know the Lord cares about our feelings and everyday choices, and I know He answers our sincere prayers.”
I, too, know that the Lord is always with us, even when we don’t realize that He is there and ready to catch us if we fall.
This last story was written by Margaret Fishback Powers in 1964. I keep a small bookmark of this story in my wallet. It’s entitled ‘Footprints’.
“One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking
Along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene,
He noticed two sets
of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to him,
and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life
flashed before him,
He looked back
at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times
along the path of his life
There was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened
At the very lowest
and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him
And he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, You said that once I decided
to follow You,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that
During the most troublesome times
in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed
You most you would leave me."
The Lord replied,
"My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
When you see only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
The Lord is there for us, all we have to do is open up and let Him in!
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. “
- Joshua 1:9