How do I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

After we are baptized, we receive the ordinance of confirmation. As part of this ordinance, we are told to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This means the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion if we desire and invite His presence in our lives and faithfully keep the commandments.

Resources to Help You Prepare

These resources are to help you prepare for the “Learn together” section of the meeting.

Acts 8:14–17; Doctrine and Covenants 33:15; Articles of Faith 1:4 (The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed by the laying on of hands)
1 Nephi 2:9–20 (Nephi’s example of being receptive to the Holy Ghost)
1 Nephi 15:1–11 (Disobeying the commandments prevents us from receiving the Holy Ghost)
1 Nephi 16:14–29; 18:8–22; Alma 37:38–46 (Example of the Liahona)
Doctrine and Covenants 20:77 (By partaking of the sacrament, we renew our covenants and can always have the Spirit with us)
Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46 (If we are virtuous and charitable, the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion)
Henry B. Eyring, “The Holy Ghost as Your Companion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 104–7
Henry B. Eyring, “His Spirit to Be with You,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 86–89
“The Gift of the Holy Ghost,” True to the Faith (2004), 121
“Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Hymns, no. 143

Questions to Ponder before You Teach

How has the gift of the Holy Ghost comforted or helped you personally? When have you felt close to the Spirit? What experiences can you share with the young women?

Do you know of any experiences the young women have had with the gift of the Holy Ghost? Do they understand what they must do to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost?

What can the young women do to prepare to learn? For example, they could read a talk, watch a video, or study a scripture related to this doctrine.

Meeting Outline

1. Counsel Together and Share Experiences

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Lead a discussion about items such as the following:

Our class: Who is missing today? What visits do we need to make? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity? Who needs our help and prayers?
Our responsibilities: What assignments do we need to make? What assignments have we fulfilled? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?
Our lives: Remind the class of the discussion from the last meeting. What experiences have we had with applying what we learned? What experiences have we had in the past few weeks that strengthened our testimonies of the gospel?

If possible, discuss these items beforehand in a class presidency meeting.

2. Learn Together

Led by a leader or teacher or a member of the class; approximately 25–35 minutes

After studying the above resources and following the inspiration of the Spirit, you may select one or more of the activities below to help class members understand the doctrine.

Invite the young women to search President Henry B. Eyring’s talk “The Holy Ghost as Your Companion,” looking for statements that help them understand how they can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost more often. Encourage them to think about why we need the companionship of the Holy Ghost and how we should respond when we receive His promptings. How do the things the young women see, think, and do each day affect their ability to feel the Spirit? Ask them to ponder any changes they need to make in their lives. Invite them to share some of their thoughts if they feel comfortable doing so.
Ensure that each class member has a copy of For the Strength of Youth. Invite each young woman to choose one of the sections in For the Strength of Youth, read it, and mark things they must do and not do in order to receive the Holy Ghost. Invite them to share what they learn about the Holy Ghost from what they read. How will this help them receive the Holy Ghost in their lives?
Ask the young women to read nine paragraphs in President Henry B. Eyring’s message “His Spirit to Be with You” beginning with “The experiences of the Prophet.” Invite them to look for what Joseph Smith did to receive revelation, and list what they find on the board. Ask the young women how doing these things can help them receive revelation. What do they feel impressed to do to receive revelation for themselves? Invite them to write a specific change they will make this week to better qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Show a picture of Lehi and the Liahona (see Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 68), and ask the young women to share what they know about the Liahona. Invite half of the class to read 1 Nephi 16:14–29, and invite the other half to read 1 Nephi 18:8–22. Ask them to look for answers to this question: “How is the Liahona like the Holy Ghost?” Invite them to share their thoughts. What do the young women learn from the experiences of Lehi’s family that can help them receive the Holy Ghost? As part of this discussion, read together Alma 37:38–46.
As a class read Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46. Ask if there are any words in these verses that the young women do not understand, and help them define those words (for example, bowels means “the innermost part”; garnish means “enhance” or “improve”; wax strong means “become stronger”). What do the young women learn from these verses about how to receive the Holy Ghost?

3. Plan to Act

Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 5–10 minutes

Ask the young women to discuss any feelings or impressions they had during the meeting. What was meaningful to them? Is there something they can do personally or as a class to apply what they have learned?
Give the young women a few minutes to record what they will do in the coming weeks to act on their impressions. Invite them to share their ideas.
Remind the young women that they will have the opportunity to share their experiences at the beginning of the next meeting.

Related Youth Activities

Plan a Mutual activity that will help the young women apply what they learned in this lesson.