How Latter-day Saints Seek and Apply Personal Guidance from God
Latter-day Saints believe God offers individualized direction through the Holy Ghost, helping them navigate life's decisions and challenges.
- Latter-day Saints believe God communicates personally through the Holy Ghost.
- This guidance often comes as feelings, thoughts, or impressions, not usually audible voices.
- Seeking it involves prayer, scripture study, righteous living, and listening.
- Applying it requires faith, discernment, and often, prompt action.
Latter-day Saints believe that God actively communicates with individuals today, offering personal direction, comfort, and insight. This guidance is primarily understood to come through the influence of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead. It's not about grand pronouncements for the whole church, but specific, individualized help for daily life, decisions, and understanding, often called personal revelation.
The Holy Ghost as the Divine Messenger
Latter-day Saints teach that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, a personage of spirit who acts as a messenger for God the Father and Jesus Christ. After baptism and confirmation, members are given the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” which is the right to His constant companionship if they live worthily. This companionship is key to receiving personal revelation. The Holy Ghost communicates in various ways, often described as a “still, small voice” or feelings of peace, warmth, clarity, or urgency. This guidance is typically felt in the mind and heart, rather than heard audibly.
Seeking Guidance Through Prayer and Study
The process of seeking guidance typically begins with sincere prayer, where an individual asks specific questions or expresses needs. This is often coupled with studying scriptures and the words of modern prophets, which are seen as general guidance from God. Members are taught to prepare their minds and hearts by living according to gospel principles, which fosters an environment conducive to spiritual promptings. Quiet reflection and meditation are also important parts of listening and creating space for divine impressions.
Discerning and Acting on Impressions
Not every strong feeling is necessarily divine guidance. Latter-day Saints learn to discern true promptings from personal desires or outside influences. This often involves checking impressions against scriptural teachings, the counsel of church leaders, and seeking confirmation through additional prayer or righteous counsel from trusted individuals. Once an impression is felt to be from God, acting on it with faith is crucial. This active application often brings further clarity and strengthens one's ability to receive future guidance, deepening trust in the process.
- Does it align with scripture and prophetic counsel?
- Does it bring feelings of peace, clarity, or warmth?
- Does it encourage good, kindness, and spiritual growth?
- Is it consistent over time, or does it fade quickly?
- Are you willing to act on it, even if it's challenging?
This personal guidance matters because it provides a direct, accessible connection to divine wisdom, helping individuals navigate complex ethical dilemmas, make significant life choices (like career, marriage, education), find comfort in sorrow, and deepen their understanding of spiritual truths. It empowers individuals to feel God's love and involvement in their personal lives, fostering resilience and a sense of purpose. It applies constantly, from small daily decisions to major life transitions.
Sources
- General Conference talks by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Holy Ghost and personal revelation.
- Gospel Topics essays on personal revelation from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
