Elder Gary E. Stevenson
The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest spiritual gifts Latter-day Saints enjoy.
Exercising Spiritual Gifts
Elder Stevenson discusses how God endows His children with spiritual gifts, making them spiritually gifted people. Covenant-keeping members of the Church are bestowed with gifts of the Spirit, and the Lord invites us to seek these gifts earnestly.
“What are the fruits of exercising spiritual gifts? They include promptings from the Spirit that help us face our daily needs and show us what to do and say and blessings of peace and comfort.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Moroni 10:8: “And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 46:11: “For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.”
Stand with Holy People
Elder Stevenson discusses the universal longing to know how to invite and recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost, offering valuable insights from words of prophets. He emphasizes the importance of standing with holy people to invite the Spirit into our lives, sharing a memorable experience from a devotional honoring Joseph Smith.
“The Spirit cannot be restrained from attending a gathering of holy people. If you hope to feel the Spirit, be with people with whom the Spirit can easily dwell.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 20:51: “And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.”
Testify of Holy Truths
Elder Stevenson encourages individuals to testify of holy truths to invite the Spirit into their lives, sharing a personal experience of sharing a testimony with a taxi driver.
“As you seek and take opportunities to share your testimony with others, you will create moments to recognize the Spirit for yourself.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Doctrine and Covenants 42:17: “And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house.”
- Mosiah 18:9: “Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.”
Listen to the Holy Spirit
Elder Stevenson emphasizes the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and finding moments of stillness to hear His guidance, highlighting the subtlety of the Spirit’s voice.
“The noise, clamor, and contention prevalent in the world may overpower still, quiet impressions of the Holy Spirit. Find a quiet place, a holy space where you can seek to receive direction from the Spirit.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 1 Kings 19:11-12: “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
- Helaman 5:30: “And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul.”
Calls to Action:
- “Stand in holy places.”
- “Stand with holy people.”
- “Testify of holy truths.”
- “Listen to the Holy Spirit.”