Lesson for October 25, 2015

Lesson for October 25, 2015 Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hansen on Teachings for Out Times, on a talk by Presudent Eyring titled “The Holy Ghost is Your Companion.” Maggie issued two challenges about self-worth and increasing our sphere of influence. If Kristine brought a present to someone would she take it and open it? Most sisters asked would open the present, but some people would save it, some until Christmas, because it has Christmas wrapping paper. The gift is like the gift of the Holy Ghost. How many of us open it up or hide it away. What happens when we open the gift of the Holy Ghost we find more gifts. Kristine asked that we look at it like the Gifts of the Holy Ghost. As we open that gift the gifts we find are many. President Eyring said when we are baptized, we are commanded to receive the Holy Ghost to be with us always. Some of them are constant companionship, faith in times of loss or trial, discernment and gratitude, comfort through personal revelation, and the gift of purification and sanctification. In Moroni 7:8 it says you receive the gift of charity. You gain knowledge. You gain a testimony. Understanding the truth of all things. We can be warned of danger. Kristine said on her mission, they were given an address. She and her companion were given a feeling that they should leave that place and not go there. Help us resist temptation. It makes what is good more attractive and makes sin less attractive. Has anyone lost the desire to do some things that are not good for us? Other gifts include the gift of understanding in dealing with other people and their feelings? We are given guidance and inspiration for what we need to do and know—also for our family or personal endeavors. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is possible by taking into account the sacrament prayers and remembering Christ always and keeping His commandments. How do you always remember the Savior? Every time you do something, in taking The Savior’s name on, try to do what the Savior would do or want you to do? Often we get our best inspiration by being busy and having a constant prayer in our hearts so we can be open to inspiration. The music and things we have in the background, such as pictures on the wall. Plan by preparing a scripture to take with us. Dressing modestly can help us be mindful that Jesus is our Savior and then we can have the Holy Ghost’s companionship. President Eyring told several stories, such as the one about his father. The elder Eyring prayed while on a trip to Australia to find an LDS church meeting and was guided as he prayed at every intersection. One sister said she and her companion prayed like that by putting away their maps and praying for direction in finding a person to teach. President Eyring’s father prayed often after taking just a few steps, so we can pray about all the little things in our lives. Very rarely does Heavenly Father tell us what to do for the next five years. He just tells us what to do now. Faith in times of loss and trouble is a real comfort. President Eyring’s father had that comfort when his wife died. He knew eternal truth because he had sought for it in the right places. Through the Holy Ghost we can see people as God sees them. President Eyring’s father thanked every doctor and nurse on the way out of the hospital after his wife’s death, but he could see their eternal nature. His father prayed to find out that his wife arrived in the spirit world to be greeted by someone and was told his mother was there to greet her. It’s good to know our loved ones will be there to greet us. With faith and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, we can have that knowledge. The companionship of the Spirit can change us and give us the purification the results in sanctification and justification. We come to Him and ask to be cleansed and He burns away the impurities. Sometimes the Lord needs to polish us and the trials we go through can sanctify us. Prayers can be answered when we’re slowed down, like in the middle of the night or when we’re first awake. Counsel has been to wake up early and lie there and ask for inspiration and wait for it to come as we ponder the gospel. Often we have prayers answered by reading the scriptures. Sometimes in the temple, we can have inspiration. It’s a great place to be quiet and in place where we can have inspiration. Most of us don’t like gifts with strings attached. This one does come with strings attached. We need to keep the commandments, pray for it, be worthy, and actually act on the promptings, so we qualify for more inspiration, let virtue garnish our thoughts, listen to the prophet, and trust the Spirit. Having the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is worth everything we have to sacrifice to get it. Kristine challenged us to make changes in our lives so we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.