Mormon scripture
includes this promise and challenge about the Holy Ghost
being your constant companion:
D&C
121 45-46:
"Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men,
and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish
thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax
strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the
priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from
heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion,
and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness
and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting
dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto
thee forever and ever.
2 Nephi 32:5
"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter
in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will
show unto you all things what ye should do."
Back in the late 1970's, my devout Mormon mother took
these scriptures to heart, especially after she read this
church Ensign article that in part, said:
"As we look at our own relationships with the Holy Ghost,
what do we find? A stranger, a visitor—or our constant
companion?"
"The gift of the Holy Ghost is not restricted to either
men or women; nor is it restricted to the General Authorities.
It is available to all of us as long as we obey the commandments
of God. With this gift we can experience for ourselves
direction, inspiration, comfort, wisdom, strength, and
testimony every day. In other words, we can receive revelation.
We are told by the Prophet Joseph Smith that “no man can
receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations.
The Holy Ghost is a revelator.” (History of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6:58.)"
"We must then listen to the promptings of the Holy
Ghost, the “still small voice” that may come naturally
as a thought or impression. The Prophet Joseph Smith
said, “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation
of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel
pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden
strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find
it fulfilled the same day or soon ... ; and thus by learning
the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into
the principle of revelation.” (Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, p. 151.)"
"When parents are trying to rear a family, each day brings
a hundred decisions, large and small. Some of these decisions
play a more important role in shaping the lives of our
children and naturally concern us more. While the Lord
has instructed us to use own wisdom and to search for
the answers to our problems, he has not left us alone.
He has provided a means whereby we may know if the decisions
we come to are the proper ones. Through the guidance
of The Holy Ghost: A Stranger, Visitor, or Constant Companion,
parents can be directed into the most effective means
of working with their children and may receive promptings
in their behalf."
"We can be guided, not only in times of crisis, but
also on a day-to-day basis. We may receive on-the-spot
guidance in little matters such as how to help a three-year-old
cope with the frustrations of learning to tie his shoes,
or perhaps in resolving conflicts between brothers and
sisters. The ideas we receive may often seem so natural
that we may not think of them as inspiration, but if we
respond, we will see a change take place in our homes."
- Sister Coleen Baird, “The Holy Ghost: A Stranger,
Visitor, or Constant Companion?” Ensign, June 1977, 20
This Mormon doctrine changed my mother's life forever.
After reading this and prayerful study, she says she consecrated
her life over to God. She totally turned her life over
to listening and obeying "the Spirit" AT ALL TIMES and
believed she received constant revelation, just as the
church promises. From 1977 until today, my mother believes
she is constantly guided by the "still small voice."
At first, she described feeling "the spirit" guiding her.
Then over the years she would describe it as her "radio"
and then simply "the voice" telling her what she should
do. Every decision she made was because of "the voice."
Even for simple things, like if I could go to a movie
with my friends, she'd say "I hear a no" or "the voice
says no." She would never say "I don't want you to" or
"I don't think that is a good idea."
It turned out that the voice was always telling her what
to do and what to say - no matter how inconsistent.
Isn't this the life the Mormon church promises?
"Nephi
taught this: “If ye will ... receive the Holy Ghost,
it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2
Ne. 32:5). What a remarkable privilege and promise!
Lorenzo Snow said that it is the “grand privilege of every
Latter-day Saint to have the manifestations of the spirit
every day of our lives [so] that we may know the light,
and not be groveling continually in the dark” (in Conference
Report, April 1899, 52). We have been promised the constant
companionship of the third member of the Godhead and hence
the privilege of receiving revelation for our own lives.
We are not alone!"
"Without
the presence of the Spirit, it is impossible to comprehend
our personal mission or to have the reassurance that our
course is right. No mortal comfort can duplicate that
of the Comforter. Said President Hinckley, “There is
no greater blessing that can come into our lives than
... the companionship of the Holy Spirit” (Boston
Massachusetts Regional Conference, 22 Apr. 1995;)."
"Elder
Bruce R. McConkie said, “There is no price too high
... no sacrifice too great, if out of it all we ... enjoy
the gift of the Holy Ghost” (A New Witness for the Articles
of Faith [1984], 253). What are we willing to do, what
weaknesses and indulgences will we give up, to have as
our personal protector and guide the constant companionship
of the Holy Ghost? It is a question worth asking,
for let us be clear: The adversary delights in separating
us, the sisters of this Church, from the Spirit."
- Sister Sheri L. Dew (Second Counselor in the Relief
Society General Presidency), “We Are Not Alone,” Ensign,
Nov. 1998, 94
As you can see, there's overwhelming support from the
church to follow the promptings of the spirit in ALL of
one's choices and irregardless of the consequences.
"The
gift of the Holy Ghost is a great blessing given to those
who have been confirmed members of the Church. If we live
worthy of His companionship, He will help us to successfully
complete our missions here on earth. He will do this
by guiding us, protecting us, comforting us, and otherwise
helping us in all areas of our lives. Seek the companionship
of the Holy Ghost in your daily life."
- Gospel Principles and Doctrines, Lesson 30: The Gift
of the Holy Ghost, page 223
"The
words of confirmation into the Church are an invitation:
“Receive the Holy Ghost.” And that choice must be made
not once, but every day, every hour, every minute.
Even when the Holy Ghost comes and inspires them what
they should do, doing it or not is a choice. Even when
they read the scriptures regularly, it takes a choice
to “feast upon the words of Christ.” And even the feast
is not nourishing without a choice to do what the words
of Christ tell them to do. With faith and obedience
practiced long enough, the Holy Ghost becomes a constant
companion, our natures change, and endurance becomes certain."
- Apostle Henry B. Eyring, “True Friends,” Ensign,
May 2002, 26
The church tells its members that the General Authorities
have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion and that the
members can receive this same constant divine guidance:
"I
have found in these Brethren seated before you the fulfillment
in their lives of the promise given to the Prophet Joseph
Smith “...let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly;
then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of
God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon
thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall
be thy constant companion." (D&C 121:45-46.)"
"I have watched them armed with the Holy Ghost as a
constant companion, taking on enormous work loads
at an age when most men would be confined to rocking chairs,
and engaging in strenuous travel schedules with great
enthusiasm to be anxiously engaged in building the kingdom
of God. Then by observation, the realization has come
to me that this great Spirit that blesses them in their
activities is not a special gift to them alone, but is
available to all mankind if they will but be partakers
and earnestly seek it and be humbly guided by it.
“The office of the Holy Ghost is to enlighten the mind,
to purify and sanctify the soul, to incite to good works,
and to reveal the things of God.” (James E. Talmage,
Articles of Faith, p. 167.)"
"Isn’t this spirit a constant companion you need in
your life? “Consider your ways.” Isn’t now the time to
follow the Lord’s direction and receive the divine assurance
that he is with you, guiding you in the paths that will
make your life meaningful, rewarding, and satisfying?"
- Apostle L. Tom Perry, “Consider Your Ways,” Ensign,
July 1973, 20
"But there is a companionship of great and eternal significance
over which we do have full and complete control. It is
a companionship that can be obtained and enjoyed by all,
regardless of age or sex. It is a companionship that
heals loneliness, motivates to excellence, and gives meaning
to life. It is the companionship of one of the members
of the Godhead—the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
the Revelator, the Sanctifier, the Spirit of the Lord.
It is a companionship that will assure us that we’re not
alone, and will never be alone."
"Would you like to obtain perfect peace and assurance
in all that you do? If so, make the Holy Ghost your companion
and you, too, may receive the type of assurance given
Nephi and Lehi: “Peace, peace be unto you, because of
your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation
of the world.” (Hel. 5:47.)"
"Mortal
men and women are endowed with marvelous abilities and
potential. But however great these mortal powers may be,
they are only a shadow of those powers that can be
claimed through a linkage with the Holy Spirit. I
hope you do not say to yourself that these words about
a companionship with the Spirit are for someone else,
not you. God is no respecter of persons. His blessings
and gifts are not reserved for a precious few. It matters
not whether you are an Apostle or a deacon, a Relief Society
officer or a Primary teacher. All of us have the promise
of gifts of the Spirit if we place ourselves in a position
to claim them."
- Elder Carlos E. Asay, “The Companionship of the Holy
Ghost,” Ensign, Apr. 1988, 15, also New Era, Aug. 1990,
33
"I
testify that as we mature spiritually under the guidance
of the Holy Ghost, our sense of personal worth, of belonging,
and of identity increases. I further testify that I
would rather have every person enjoy the Spirit of the
Holy Ghost than any other association, for they will
be led by that Spirit to light and truth and pure intelligence,
which can carry them back into the presence of God."
"I pray that the promise of the Lord will be fulfilled
for each of us, that “the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant
companion, and [our] scepter an unchanging scepter of
righteousness and truth; and [our] dominion shall
be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means
it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever” (D&C 121:46)."
- Apostle James E. Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A
Sure Compass,” Ensign, Apr. 1996, 2, also Ensign, May
1989, 31
"The
Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than
you hear. It is described as a “still small voice”
(see D&C 85:6). And while we speak of “listening” to the
whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes
a spiritual prompting by saying, “I had a feeling..."
The scriptures are full of such expressions as “The veil
was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding
were opened” (D&C 110:1), “I will tell you in your mind
and in your heart” (D&C 8:2), and “Speak the thoughts
that I shall put into your hearts” (D&C 100:5). The
voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what
to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you. Ignore
or disobey these promptings, and the Spirit will leave
you. It is your choice—your agency. I bear witness
of the power of the Spirit and thank God that this wonderful
gift is given to you, our youth, to guide you as you move
forward to a happy life."
- Apostle Boyd K. Packer, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost,”
Friend, July 1995, inside front cover
"After
we are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
by the laying on of hands. The Holy Ghost will be our
constant companion as long as we live righteously.
We can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost in different
ways. Sometimes we will hear a still, small voice; have
a feeling of peace; or have a warm feeling in our heart.
The Holy Ghost can help us understand sacred things
and will testify of the truth. As we listen to the Holy
Ghost, we can tell right from wrong and feel comforted
and loved.
- Family Home Evening Manual, 602, http://www.lds.org/hf/art/display/0,16842,4218-1-6-154,00.html
"Teacher
Presentation: Remind the young women that their ability
to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost depends
on their faithfulness to the Lord’s commandments. If
they listen to the Holy Ghost, his promptings can be their
greatest source of comfort and guidance, a constant companion.
We need never be alone when we are worthy to receive the
Holy Ghost. If you prepared cards, ask the young women
to take them home, hang them on a wall, and refer to them
before praying at night. Challenge class members to
actively seek the Holy Ghost to be their constant companion."
- Young Women's Manual 1, Living as a Daughter of God,
4: Seeking the Companionship of the Holy Ghost, Objective
13
"I
invite you to ponder individually in a humble and prayerful
manner and ask yourself: “Do I have the Spirit in my life?
Am I happy? Am I doing anything in my life that is
offensive to the Spirit and preventing the Holy Ghost
from being my constant companion?” Have the courage to
repent, if needed, and again enjoy the companionship of
the Holy Ghost."
"The gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to
receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, is
obtained only upon condition of faith in Christ, repentance,
baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands by authorized
servants endowed with the Melchizedek Priesthood. It
is a most precious gift available only to worthy members
of the Lord’s Church."
"We should spend more time at the temple and less time
in the pursuit of pleasure. We should lower the noise
level in our homes so that the noise of the world will
not overpower the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.
One of our greatest goals as parents should be to enjoy
the power and influence of the Holy Ghost in our homes.
We should pray and study the scriptures. We could sing
the hymns of the Restoration to invite the Holy Ghost
into our home. Regular family home evening will also help.
In these perilous times, we need this unspeakable gift
in our lives."
- Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Unspeakable Gift,”
Ensign, May 2003, 26
"Members
of the Church may have the blessing of the Holy Ghost,
the prompter, as a companion as well, and when the
Holy Ghost is really within us, Satan must remain without.
Study of the scriptures, prayer, faithful living of the
commandments of the Lord, the discharge of church obligations
and duties, being a considerate neighbor, and using the
heaven-sent program of family home evenings can provide
a basis for having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion
and protector, which will result in peace and happiness."
- Elder Ray L. Christiansen, “Power Over Satan,” Ensign,
Nov. 1974, 22
"In
our weekly sacrament meetings, we “partake of bread and
[water], in remembrance of the Lord Jesus,” to keep His
commandments that we may be worthy of the constant
companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is one of the choicest
blessings that we can receive. Faith in Christ, repentance,
baptism, and confirmation, followed by virtuous living
qualify us to receive the guiding companionship of the
Spirit of God. It is through the power and influence of
the Holy Ghost that the Lord keeps His promise to be with
us always and “not leave [us] comfortless.” As a caring
touch comforts a frightened child in the night, so the
warmth of the Holy Ghost can touch our hearts and calm
our fears. As the soothing voice of a loving parent can
quiet the crying babe, the whisperings of the Spirit can
hush the nagging worries of our lives."
- Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Valued Companions,”
Ensign, Nov. 1997, 32
"Another
personage is the Holy Ghost, whose enduring influence
transcends time. Scripture assures that “the Holy
Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter
an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and
thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without
compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever”
(D&C 121:46). Brothers and sisters, these Heavenly
Beings love you. Their love is as constant as is the greatest
love of earthly parents."
- Apostle Russell M. Nelson, “Constancy amid Change,”
Ensign, Nov. 1993, 33
The church does nothing but encourage this behavior. Taking
this Mormon teaching seriously has ruined my mother's
life. The harmful things my mother has done over the years
due to following "the spirit" are too painful, embarassing
and lengthy to describe here.
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