“Learning by the Spirit: ‘By the Power of the Holy Ghost,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Learning by the Spirit,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
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.
Teaching by the Spirit. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth, testifies of Christ, and changes hearts. Only through the Holy Ghost can we accomplish the goal of gospel teaching—to build faith in Jesus Christ and help others become more like Him. Look for ways to invite the Holy Ghost to perform His roles.
Student preparation: Invite students to speak with a family member or Church leader about some of the ways the Holy Ghost communicates.
Possible Learning Activities
Spiritual communication
Consider showing students a picture of smoke signals, a telegraph machine, or a person using morse code, and ask them if they know what these were used for. Divide students into groups and invite them to make a list of innovations that have impacted, changed, or improved communication over the last 50 to 100 years. Identify the smartphone from their lists and consider asking questions such as those below.
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.
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What role can a smartphone play in helping people stay connected?
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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:
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How well do I understand the roles of the Holy Ghost?
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How can I better invite the influence of the Holy Ghost into my life?
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How have I felt and recognized the Holy Ghost in my life so far?
Two roles of the Holy Ghost
Consider dividing students into pairs or dividing the class in half. Each could study two of the scripture references and share with each other what they discovered.
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.
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Role 1: 2 Nephi 26:12–13; 3 Nephi 28:11
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Role 2: 1 Nephi 10:19; Moroni 10:4–5
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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)
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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).
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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.
Some students may not be able to think of a response to the following questions. If needed, remind them that if gospel truths make sense in their minds and feel good in their hearts, then the Holy Ghost is testifying of truth. Often, when a person feels prompted to mark a verse of scripture, it is inspired by the Spirit.
Consider inviting students to ask questions about the Holy Ghost.
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How has the Holy Ghost helped you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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When have you felt the Holy Ghost testifying of truth?
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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
Either through their own experiences, the experiences of others, or those they may have read about in the scriptures, many students will have learned various ways that the Holy Ghost influences someone. Consider inviting students to share some of these and list them on the board.
Encourage students to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings during seminary and while studying the gospel at home.
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What are some ways you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost?
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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.
As students respond to the following question, consider if any of these ideas would be helpful to mention: (1) striving to be obedient to the commandments, (2) repenting of mistakes, (3) praying for guidance, (4) actively participating, and (5) recording impressions. We can recognize the Holy Ghost by feelings that may include love, joy, peace, humility, gratitude, reverence, assurance, motivation, and warmth (see Galatians 5:22–23; Doctrine and Covenants 9:8–9).
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Based on these verses and your own ideas, what are some ways we can invite the Holy Ghost into our lives?
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.