The Holy Ghost Can Be Loud Like A Bird

This is what I thought of when I was serving in the service cabin in July 2015. We had the girls place new shoelaces into the shoes for the people in Haiti. Also, this was the last year of camp for my oldest daughter. I thought of this while talking to the girls about service. A bird was being real loud at that time. This came into my mind but it really was the Holy Ghost that told me the below thought.

The Holy Ghost Can Be Loud Like A Bird
The Holy Ghost can be loud like a bird. The still small voice can be quiet, where you need to listen carefully to what you need to do.

© Barbara Pratt

President Nelson Tells Youth to Take a “Break from Fake” and Help Gather Israel

I was looking for how to be able to hear the Holy Ghost. I knew President Russell M. Nelson talked to the youth about this but I couldn't remember what it was. I found it. He had talked at a Worldwide Youth Devotional. This is that part I remember, "...Recently, his parents found things on his phone that were inappropriate for a follower of Jesus Christ. They insisted that he go off social media for a time." Another part I remember was, "Recently, his parents found things on his phone that were inappropriate for But if you are paying more attention to feeds from social media than you are to the whisperings of the Spirit, then you are putting yourself at spiritual risk—as well as the risk of experiencing intense loneliness and depression. You follower of Jesus Christ. They insisted that he go off social media for a time."

A summary of it is found at President Nelson Tells Youth to Take a “Break from Fake” and Help Gather Israel. The full Worldwide Youth Conference address can be located at: Hope of Israel.

Turning Off and Tuning In

This is a great article to read about turning off distractions to "have time for the most important messages available to me—the promptings of the Spirit." Make sure to read this article to find what others say.

D&C 25:2

In Doctrine and Covenants 25:2 it reads, "A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion." There is a footnote for the word "walk". It is found in Deuteronomy 30:16. There is also one for the words "virtue" and "inheritance". Go to Doctrine and Covenants 25:2 to find those footnotes and continue to learn more of the meaning of those words.

We need to keep all of the commandments of Our Heavenly Father. We need to live righteous lives so we can be worthy of all the blessings he has in store for us. If we live virtuous lives we will be able to feel the Holy Ghost and know what Our Heavenly Father wants us to do. It is those small thoughts we get everyday that will help us know what the Holy Ghost wants us to do. We may think it is our own thoughts but most of the time it is really the Holy Ghost. Make time to have quiet moments without any distraction so you can hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

As I think about the Holy Ghost, it reminds me a song I learned in Primary years ago. It is called The Still Small Voice. What a powerful song! You can listen to this song at the church website.

See: President Nelson's Challenge: Spiritual Treasures

Spiritual Treasures and President Nelson's Challenge

President Russell M. Nelson gave the women of the church a challenge to do before the next conference. It was his talk at the Women's Session of General Conference in October 2019 "As you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase." He gave some powerful words in this talk. He talked about Joseph Smith and the restoration of the priesthood power. He also talked about Emma Smith, Joseph Smith wife. This is part of what he said to the women, "The Lord instructed Emma to expound the scriptures, to exhort the Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, and to spend her time 'learning much.' Emma was also counseled to “lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better” and to hold fast to her covenants with God. The Lord concluded His instruction with these compelling words: 'This is my voice unto all.' ”

You can read and hear his talk at Spiritual Treasures. This is also the talk that President Nelson announced eight new temples around the world to only the women of church. Yes, to the women of the church. We must be very important to our Heavenly Father and our prophet. They love us very much.

Here are the challenges. Every member can take upon them these challenges that President Nelson gave the women.

1. "I invite you to study prayerfully section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you."

2. "I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with Doctrine and Covenants sections 84 and 107. Those sections will lead you to other passages."

Never, never postpone a prompting - President Thomas S. Monson

"Never, never, never postpone following a prompting." (Thomas S. Monson, "The Spirit Giveth Light", April 1985)