Heavenly Father loves you and has not left you comfortless. He has provided you a Comfortor (John 15:26,) who with a still, small voice can guide and direct you in all that you do.
You were sent here to be happy—to live life to its fullest and to reach your greatest potential. Each one of us is blessed with special skills and talents that if we can uncover and use them are sure to bless our lives and bring us added joy.
In an address given to students at Brigham Young University on January 23rd, 2001, Richard G. Scott said, “I will share a principle [which will enable] you [to] learn vital truths that will bring you greater, enduring happiness and make your life more productive and meaningful.” That principle is simply to consistently strive to learn by what you hear, see and feel—and then, write down the important things you learn and do them.
Most of us learn strictly by listening to teachers or reading from books. These are both legitimate and useful means of instruction, however we are missing a vital link to the vast storehouse of knowledge our Father in Heaven has laid up for us. There is another Teacher, who is constantly teaching, if we will but listen.
The Holy Ghost is a gift from God to help us keep our feet on the straight and narrow path. He can help us gauge every decision, every choice, whether it be for our good or not. Elder Scott suggests that we:
“Develop the skill of learning by what you see and particularly by what the Holy Ghost prompts you to feel. Consciously seek to learn by what you see and feel, and your capacity to do so will expand through consistent practice. Ask in faith for such help. Live to be worthy of it. Seek to recognize it. Write down in a secure place the important things you learn from the Spirit. You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life. Always, day or night, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, seek to recognize and respond to the direction of the Spirit. Express gratitude for the help received and obey it. This practice will reinforce your capacity to learn by the Spirit. It will permit the Lord to guide your life and to enrich the use of every other capacity latent in your being.”
The Holy Ghost reveals and teaches “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5.) His whisperings carry far more certainty and clarity than we can obtain through our natural senses. If you will pray for such a gift, and then strive to listen for it, you come to find you can rely on it and you will be blessed with greater happiness because of that gift.
I decided to write this article today because I needed the lesson it gave. In the past I’ve taken the challenge to listen to the Spirit and to write down—and follow—the promptings I receive. It really works! For a time I was happy doing what I knew to be right in my life. However, it’s easy to let life get in the way, and to forget what I know to be best for me.
Reading this has renewed my desire to put this counsel into practice. I can testify that taking the time to listen to the still, small voice and then to act upon the promptings you receive can truly bless your life with happiness and joy. It does take constant effort and practice, but it is worth it—and eternal joy is your reward.
