Learning the Language of The Spirit
As we receive the Holy Ghost, we begin to learn a new language; the language of the Spirit. It is a language that I think we already know but we have to learn to remember. Like any other language that we learn, we need to use it daily, immerse ourselves in it, to truly learn it.
Unlike other languages, the language of the Spirit speaks to everyone in a way that speaks to them as an individual. It can be different for each person. Thus, learning the language of the Spirit is a deeply personal journey that occurs mainly between you, the Holy Ghost, and your Savior Jesus Christ.
So how do we recognize the Spirit when it speaks to us? In 1 Kings 19:12, the prophet Elijah found that the voice of the Lord was “a still small voice”. It is not loud and boisterous, it is not forceful, it is mild and still. It takes making space and time when you can in order to hear it.
We need to do as Psalm 46:10 says, and “be still and know that I am God.” Stillness creates the space where the Spirit can speak to us. It creates the space where we can hear it. We have the space and time to be tutored by the Spirit so that we may learn how it speaks to us.
The Spirit speaks to different people in different ways. For some it is feelings spoken to their heart, a warmth or a peace when a decision has been made or a path is being considered. For others it is thoughts and ideas spoken to the mind. Still others the Spirit speaks through the scriptures as they read or study. Problems and challenges they are handling suddenly become clear how to handle as they read the life and experiences of the Saints that lived long ago. I had a friend who the Spirit spoke through the lyrics of songs that she would listen to. The prophet and apostles have each spoken of their experience in learning the language of the Spirit and how it speaks to them. Here is the link if you are interested https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/collection/hear-him?lang=eng .
Among all the many ways that the Spirit speaks to us, one thread is common to all. In D&C 11:12 -14 we are told that we will know the Spirit because, “it leadeth you to do good… to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously. It will enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.”
As President Gordon B. Hinkley said, “…Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is the Spirit of God… if it invites to do good it is of God. If it invites to do evil it is of the devil.”
Because you know the fruits of the Spirit, you can recognize it, no matter where you are. Each week when we take the sacrament, we are promised that His Spirit will always be with us. To me that means we are always living in the Spirit. Sometimes when something is so normal to us it can be difficult to pick it out, hear it, and recognize it as a moment, an inspiration, or revelation. Sometimes I think we wonder if that was us or the Spirit. In knowing the fruits of the Spirit if what we are prompted to do, or what we think we should do is good, does it really matter?
If we follow it. If we do good, then that is a good thing. The principle taught in 1 Nephi 4: 6-7 is one we need to remember when learning to recognize the Spirit. Nephi and His brothers have gone back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates. They have tried the tradition of casting lots and failed. They have tried the logic of trading their possessions for the plates and failed. Nephi decides to go into the city, to try again. In verses 6 and 7 it says, “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth.”
Nephi acted even though he didn’t really know what to do. Many times we need to act in faith, trusting the Lord will give us the next step. Things may be challenging in your life. That first step may seem impossible to take. I know. I have experienced this. As of the time I’m writing this, I was told to focus on writing for the blog and let go of everything else. I was told He would take care of me. I just needed to write daily. We moved recently and money is tight. I planned on getting a job to help with expenses. But the Lord told me to write daily and trust Him to take care of my needs. So I started writing daily. I took the step in faith, and my son came down to tell me he just got a bonus.
The Lord will take care of you but we need to act, to take the first step and then the next. More revelation will be given, more instruction will come.
A final thought. Record the revelation and promptings that you receive. I have a temple journal. I write in it everything I receive when I attend the temple. Not only does it help me remember and know what I am supposed to focus on and do, but oftentimes when I am writing I receive more than I had already been given.
