Introductory Materials

Learning by the Spirit

“By the Power of the Holy Ghost”

Throughout the Book of Mormon, prophets emphasized the important role of the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire for you to know Them and to learn truth “by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:5). This lesson can help you identify key roles of the Holy Ghost, which are essential for your spiritual growth and progression.

Spiritual communication

Think about the many different tools of communication that exist in the world and how your life might be impacted by them. One important tool that has greatly enhanced communication worldwide is the smartphone.

• What role can a smartphone play in helping people stay connected?

• How could it help a person obtain knowledge and understand more about the world?

Even more important than any physical communication tool, Heavenly Father knew perfectly how essential spiritual communication would be for us during our mortal journey. He has provided the Holy Ghost to help you stay connected to Him and understand all that is necessary for happiness now and your salvation hereafter.

Think about moments in your life when you have experienced the influence of the Holy Ghost and how His influence has blessed your life. Perhaps you might wonder if you have been taught by the Holy Ghost or felt His influence at all. As you study and identify essential roles of the Holy Ghost, consider how His influence can bless your life, and ponder the following questions:

• How well do I understand the roles of the Holy Ghost?

• How can I better invite the influence of the Holy Ghost into my life?

• How have I felt and recognized the Holy Ghost in my life so far?

Two roles of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost serves many purposes and has a variety of roles. Read the following sets of scriptures, looking for two essential roles of the Holy Ghost.

• Role 1: 2 Nephi 26:12–13; 3 Nephi 28:11

• Role 2: 1 Nephi 10:19; Moroni 10:4–5

• What did you discover?

Read the following statement by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth, especially that of the Savior. Without the Holy Ghost, we could not really know that Jesus is the Christ. His seminal role is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and Their titles and Their glory. (Quentin L. Cook, “The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 98)

• What truths can be identified from the scripture references you studied and the statement by Elder Cook?

One important truth you may have identified is the Holy Ghost teaches truth and testifies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Consider recording this or similar truths in your scriptures or study journal. Regularly recording truths can strengthen your spiritual memory and allow the Holy Ghost to bring them to your remembrance when needed (see John 14:26).

• How can understanding these two roles of the Holy Ghost benefit your life?

Silently ponder any experiences you may have had with the Holy Ghost and how you have noticed the Holy Ghost working in your life.

• How has the Holy Ghost helped you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• When have you felt the Holy Ghost testifying of truth?

• What should you do if you don’t feel you have had experiences with the Holy Ghost?

Feeling and inviting the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost can communicate with us in many ways. The Spirit can enlighten your mind, help you experience peace and joy, and lead you to do what is right (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–13; Galatians 5:22–23). The scriptures often describe His influence as a “still small voice” that we “feel” (see 1 Nephi 17:45).

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared some of the ways the Holy Ghost can communicate with us:

My experience has been that the Spirit most often communicates as a feeling. You feel it in words that are familiar to you, that make sense to you, that prompt you. …

… The Spirit speaks words that we feel. These feelings are gentle, a nudge to act, to do something, to say something, to respond in a certain way. If we are casual or complacent in our worship, drawn off and desensitized by worldly pursuits, we find ourselves diminished in our ability to feel. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 94)

If available, watch the video “Feeling the Holy Ghost” (3:17), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to learn more about how the Holy Spirit can communicate with you.

Feeling the Holy Ghost

• What are some ways you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost?

• How can recognizing when you feel the Holy Ghost be a blessing in your life?

The scriptures contain many examples of individuals who diligently sought the influence of the Holy Ghost. Nephi and the sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon are some of them.

Read 1 Nephi 2:16–17 and Alma 17:2–3, looking for righteous actions that invited the Holy Ghost.

• Based on these verses and your own ideas, what are some ways we can invite the Holy Ghost into our lives?

1. Complete the following:

   Make a plan to better invite and learn from the Holy Ghost as you study the gospel in seminary, at home, and at Church. Include specific ways you can invite the Holy Ghost into your life and what you can do to recognize the influence of the Spirit in your life.

   Consider sharing your plan with a trusted family member or friend, and regularly discuss your progress with him or her.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can I prepare myself to receive and follow guidance from the Holy Ghost?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught some ways we can prepare ourselves to receive personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. Watch the video “The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives” (14:10) from time code 10:08 to 11:42.

The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives

Elder Cook teaches that prophets continue to receive revelation to guide the Church and that we can receive revelation to guide our lives.

How can I tell if I am feeling the Spirit or just having random thoughts and feelings?

Learn from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Susan Bednar as they explain how to feel and recognize the Holy Ghost. Watch the video “Elder and Sister Bednar—Recognizing the Spirit” (8:12).

Elder and Sister Bednar- Recognizing the Spirit

What if I lack confidence in my ability to learn from the Holy Ghost?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance

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. (Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 7)

How else can the Holy Ghost help me?

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught:

Pray to Heavenly Father to bless you with His Spirit at all times. We often call the Spirit the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is also a gift from Heavenly Father. The Holy Ghost helps you to choose the right. The Holy Ghost will protect you from evil. He whispers to you in a still, small voice to do right. When you do good, you feel good, and that is the Holy Ghost speaking to you. The Holy Ghost is a wonderful companion. He is always there to help you. (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Children of the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1989, 82)