Elder Richard G. Scott, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased) taught:
I have learned that our mind can strengthened an impression of the Holy Ghost or sadly, can totally destroy it by casting it out as something unimportant or the product of our own imagination.
Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required you to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help for such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. 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 success, peace, and happiness.
What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?
I am convinced that there is no simple answer or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent upon Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.
What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.
Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power or capacity to do it. These two capacities come together. That’s why Nephi could say, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7). He knew the spiritual laws upon which inspiration and power are based. Yes, God answers and gives us spiritual direction when we obediently and exercise the required faith in Him.
Now I share an experience that taught me a way to gain spiritual guidance. One Sunday I attended a priesthood meeting of a Spanish branch in Mexico City, I vividly recall how a humble priesthood leader struggled to communicate the truths of the gospel in his lesson material. I noted the intense desire he had to share those principles he strongly valued with his quorum members. He recognized they were of great worth to the brethren present. In his manner, there was evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love for those he taught. ~Elder Richard G. Scott, 21 Principles, Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013). 23-24 . . . .continued
