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Transcript

We would love to hear from our youth in Johannesburg, South Africa. Who has a question for our guests?

Please state your name and your question. [INAUDIBLE] I'm from [INAUDIBLE]. My question is, how can we distinguish between the Holy Ghost and other emotions or feelings we may have and mistaking it for the Holy Ghost? Well, I work on that one all the time, don't you? You and I have talked about that. We've talked about that. My feeling is this--it is hard. Let's be honest with you. It is hard, because we all have wants and we have feelings. And we sometimes then are thinking more of our own feelings and not trying to find out, "Is this a feeling that I'm getting from the Holy Ghost?" My little way of knowing is this--and it'll be interesting to hear your view on the thing. I have found that I do best in discerning that it's not just my want when, in fact, I feel a feeling of peace. When the Savior said, "My peace I give ... you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you," I'm sure that had many meanings. But for me, it's the feeling of when I'm wrestling with something and I go to the scriptures and I get a feeling or I hear someone like you or someone else or one of the Lord's anointed talking, if I hear it and I get a feeling--not just "It's true," but a sweet feeling of peace. That, to me, is--very often, for instance, I'll have things where I'm praying over and I have feelings of not peace. And I think that by and large, there is a feeling of comfort and peace that comes. And if that's not there, then it's probably something else. I'd agree. I think that's maybe the pivotal anchor point, I think, for that formula. I would add to that, which seems to me to flow from it, and that is, it would have to be pretty consistent with other revelations the Lord has given. That's why He's given us scripture. That's why He's given us leaders. That's why He's given us parents. We've got a way to kind of test our impressions, test our revelation. And it can be unique. It can be as personal as our personal relationship with Him. But it probably better fit with the other things He's said and the other revelations He would have given. And we'd be a little cautious if it didn't, because I don't think you'd be very peaceful if you seem to be going against virtually every other commandment He might have given. I think your point is a wonderful one. Probably the peace comes because it seems consistent with other things that you've been told, either in the scriptures or from living prophets. If it's not consistent there, you won't feel the peace. Exactly. I think those fit together. I'd also say to our friend in Johannesburg, too, that I think the Lord gives us line upon line and precept upon precept. And that might be just a little revelation at a time, and we need to keep moving. I think we can't be immobilized. We probably can't just wait. But we act on what we feel. And if we're honest and pure and trying to live the gospel and really respond to Him, He'll guide us and direct us as we go. But we ought to probably be on the move and trust what we feel. And then if it's wrong or needs adjusting, He can adjust us. By one of the consistencies, at least for me, that your comment made me realize is that if I get a feeling about something or get what I think is an answer, and it doesn't have in it a feeling of love of the Savior and love of the Lord's servants, I'm concerned. Do you see what I mean? That is, I think, "Well, that's just my opinion." And I worry about that. The question was, how do you know whether it's your opinion or not? I would think, by and large, for me it is--I'll feel better if I feel it's consistent with loving the Savior and loving the Savior's prophets. And if it doesn't fit there, I'd say, well, be careful, because that could be just your own-- Perfect. Perfect. That could be your own thinking, not what God's trying to tell you.

How can I tell the difference between the Holy Ghost and my emotions?

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A question from the March 4, 2017 Face to Face event. Watch this event in whole or in part here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/eyring-holland?lang=eng
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