Listening to Spirits

Traveler · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 02:40 PM

The thread “talking to spirits” got me thinking – What influence do spirits have among us? Is everything we do associated directly or indirectly to our association with various spirits that we allow to encourage us? The concept of “agency” would apply that we are subject to (agents of) the spirits to whom we choose to listen.

The Traveler

jimuk · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 04:04 PM

The holy ghost has a tremendous influence over what we do concerning what is right and what is wrong, this is why we do indeed need this "spirit" residing with us. We need to do all we can to keep him there. Ok without him we do know right from wrong i know, but isn't it great when you feel that you have pleased your father in heaven and he is letting you know through the power of the holy ghost that he is well pleased.
I may be talking of the wrong spirit to which you refer, but a spirit non the less.
So yes a spirit can have influence over what we do.

I do think other spirits try to influence us, this is why we need the "extra" power of the holy ghost fighting in our corner, without him it is easier for bad spirits to influence/persuade us to make the wrong decisions.

Traveler · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimuk

The holy ghost has a tremendous influence over what we do concerning what is right and what is wrong, this is why we do indeed need this "spirit" residing with us. We need to do all we can to keep him there. Ok without him we do know right from wrong i know, but isn't it great when you feel that you have pleased your father in heaven and he is letting you know through the power of the holy ghost that he is well pleased.
I may be talking of the wrong spirit to which you refer, but a spirit non the less.
So yes a spirit can have influence over what we do.

I do think other spirits try to influence us, this is why we need the "extra" power of the holy ghost fighting in our corner, without him it is easier for bad spirits to influence/persuade us to make the wrong decisions.

I am asking a question if there is anything that happenes that does not have any spirit to influence that event - good or bad.

The Traveler

WANDERER · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 04:43 PM

I believe in the power of God. Faith in that I have.

jimuk · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 05:18 PM

Our own spirit guides us surely, we already know right and wrong, this is why it takes us so long to grow, Our own spirit drives this mortal body, this knowing right and wrong is our free agency, when we get baptized our spirit is made stronger when we recieve the Holy ghost.
If we have a strong spirit, then no, no other spirit can influence us.

Hemidakota · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 05:31 PM

There are two types of spirits that can guide us daily - good or bad. We choose our path daily on whom we listen too.

jimuk · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 05:46 PM

If a person has the holy ghost with them then there is no choices to make.

Misshalfway · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimuk

If a person has the holy ghost with them then there is no choices to make.

This is an interesting statement. As if having the holy ghost means smooth sailing in the agency department.

I won't deny that having and following and nurturing the influence makes life's decisions more sure, but I am not sure it means we have no choices to make. This life, at its very core, is a test in agency even for the most elect amongst us. I wonder if there are times when the HG is training us and then allows opportunities for righteousness to come from us independent of influence. I think righteous independence is the ultimate goal.....that whole no compulsory means idea.

jimuk · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 07:20 PM

Hi misshalfway, if our own spirit which already knows right and wrong can be made stronger with the gift of the Holy ghost, isn't it then feasible that our knowledge to interperate between good and evil, right and wrong, made so much easier for us.
Maybe i am putting to much emphasis on the spirit of god then, but i know this spirit is the most powerful witness that we can have with us, and the more we love our father and bare witness ourselves the more powerful the spirit becomes.
I am not for one minute saying that, once we have the Holy spirit with us then we dont need to carry on striving for the approval of our heavenly father, By showing love and kindness, compassion and forgiveness, to our fellow man, and most of all to himself. So no i do not think it is plain sailing.
This is just how i feel and i would hope others will understand what i am saying.

Hemidakota · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 08:27 AM

We are independent in a sense of making our own choices but still dependent on the Godhead for continous light. Elder McConkie remarked that we receive prophecy from this comforter and that the prophets are led by His influence.

Quote:

HOLY GHOST A REVELATOR. His mission is to teach us all truth. He partakes of the things of the Father and the Son and reveals them to those who serve the Lord in faithfulness. It was through the teachings of the Comforter, or Holy Ghost, that the teachings of Jesus Christ were recalled by the apostles. It is through the teachings of the Holy Spirit that prophecy comes.

--------

THE HOLY GHOST LED ALL THE PROPHETS

THE HOLY GHOST DURING CHRIST'S MINISTRY. While Christ was here in his ministry, his disciples did not have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He told them they could not have that Spirit while he was with them, but when he went, he would send the Comforter to be their guide. He was one of the Godhead, and while he was there in their presence, they did not have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

It is true that the Holy Ghost came to them on occasions while Christ was yet with them. But they were in the same condition as Cornelius. They had special manifestations of the power of the Holy Ghost, but did not enjoy the gift itself, that is, they did not have the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost did speak to Peter, right in the presence of the Savior, but the gift or power to have it with him constantly while he was there, the Savior clearly told them, was unnecessary.

THE HOLY GHOST IN A FUTURE ETERNITY. This does not mean that when we come into the presence of God after the resurrection or in the millennium, we will not have the gift of the Holy Ghost, although Christ is there. When things come to that perfect state, and especially after the resurrection, I think we will be in the presence of all three-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

ANCIENT PROPHETS HAD THE HOLY GHOST. There is another point which often arises from the fact that the Savior said the Holy Ghost could not come while he was here. Many people say that the ancients never had the Holy Ghost, that he could not come until after Christ had come and died and been raised in the resurrection. You do not find the term Holy Ghost in the Old Testament, as we now have it, but you do find the Spirit of God.

The fact is all the prophets had the Holy Ghost. They were led and directed by him. And without this power they would not have been prophets. Peter said that prophecy itself "came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The Book of Moses, which is the original and perfect record of a part of Genesis, speaks of the Holy Ghost; so do the Nephite prophets, including those who lived in the era before Christ.