Okay, back online. (Insert MoTab singing Hallelujiah Chorus here.)
This week’s talk, “Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit” was given by Sister Vicki F. Matsumori during the Saturday morning session of General Conference. I really liked this talk when I heard it because, as a mother, I feel like this is one of my greatest responsibilities– to teach my kids what to listen to when I’m not around to teach them or influence them. Anyway, there’s some great stuff in here that reminds me how to teach, but also how to keep myself in line.
“We can help others become more familiar with the promptings of the Spirit when we share our testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives.”
“One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into the lives of our family members.”
“When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us …”
You can read the talk here, listen to it here, or watch it here. It’s also on page 70 of the November Ensign. (Go here for GCBC information.)
Thanks to those of you who already commented about this talk on the previous post. Rest assured your insights have been read, but feel free to cut and paste them into this post if you want them to be part of the comment thread.
Diapers and Divinity 
Sorry about the mix-up and getting this post up too late in the week.
Anyone there? (tapping microphone) Oh well.
Anyway, one of my favorite parts of this talk is when she quoted Joseph Smith as saying that “When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas.” I love that because this is how the Spirit most often communicates with me– Ideas, a plan, and a certainty that it’s a good thing, a dose of confidence to act on it.
We had an experience today with the bearing testimony part. Matt lost his keys and looked for about an hour. We have no spare, so we were worried. We called the children together and Grant offered up the prayer. Then we sat for just a couple minutes trying to discuss where we did and did not look. Matt mentioned his shirt pocket, I asked a question about it, and then got up and went and looked. There it was. We both quickly testified of how Grant’s prayer had opened the door for the Holy Ghost to put ideas in our mind of where else to look. We reviewed that “in your mind and in your heart” principle and Grant got it. We all knew the prayer worked because of faith and the Holy Ghost.
Two other favorite points: 1) Making quiet time to ponder things of the Spirit. So hard, but so important. 2) I have a testimony of Elder Scott’s declaration that it’s one of the most important things we can teach. I think often that when my children (or any child/youth I teach) is grown and alone, their love of the scriptures and knowledge of the Spirit will guide them. They are KEY to spiritual self-reliance.
Sorry, I’m chiming in a bit late…..but I did read this week, (sorry I fell off the wagon for a couple of weeks before that)!
Thanks for your comments on the talk Stephanie. I think sometimes it’s hard for me to remember to stop and take the time to explain to the littles things like how the spirit feels. This is something I will have to try harder with.
Also for me one of the most important parts of the talk was making sure to have quiet time. In a society where there is constant noise and distraction ALL the time, (how many people do you know who aren’t comfortable with silence…..have to have the TV or radio on when alone) it really takes effort and a change of perspective to ensure this happens every day. I felt like this was a constant theme throughout conference and not just this talk.
Just thought I’d let you know I DID listen to this talk! It was a few days ago, but it made me realize that we need to re-instate Quiet Time around here! There’s ALWAYS something electronic on in our home… I’m working on changing that!
I just listened to /read this talk. What a gem. I loved all the different descriptions of how we can feel the Holy Ghost – like a warm blanket, confidence, intelligence, peace, hope and joy, a sensation of light, sunshine, warmth, etc.
I also enjoyed how she pointed out that everyone can feel the Spirit of Christ, and baptized members feel the Holy Ghost. I am going to challenge myself to “be still, and know that I am God” this week. Too often, I am plugged in, music is playing or the TV is on.
Read it. Check. I too needed the reminder to establish regular quiet time. For me, the electronics aren’t necessarily the problem (we’ve limited those pretty well, except for the computer…) It’s the constant stream of thoughts going in my mind that can be so distracting – you know, the running list of things to do, people to call, deadlines to meet (like dinner), etc. Too often, I let the constant “inner noise” get in the way of hearing and feeling the Spirit.