Having the Spirit With You Always. . .

[ruthiechan]

Okay, I need practical thoughts on how to get to the point where you always having the Spirit with you, every moment of every day.

I know the basics, read scriptures, pray, go to church. Okay sure, but what do you do to make sure that you not only get the basics done but that you also go beyond the basics?

I had a Dream, yes, a capitalized dream. I was leaning on the end of my kitchen counter, eating oatmeal, and a man was next to me, only, the man was not alive, he was a spirit, one who had already gone on I believe, but maybe not. I seem to recall that he had a mustache. . . Surrounding me were other spirits, who had already passed on, bustling about the kitchen and living room. I get the impression there were some upstairs as well though I did not see them.

The man was leaning on the counter next to me, close, but not touching me. He was speaking to me and looking at me intently, his lips seemed to be about six or seven or eight inches away from my ear. I couldn't hear him at first, and then I heard him. "Listen, you need to always have the Spirit with you. You don't have the Spirit with you enough. What you have is okay, but it's not enough. You need to always always always have the Spirit with you."

I was shocked into momentary wakefulness. When I tried to go back into that dream to find out more it was gone. This has been on my mind ever since. I had the dream before Christmas.

I read my LDS emails that have scriptures and quotes from leaders and such. This helps me read the scriptures since the first thing I do in the morning is get on the computer and check my email. I have learned that the best way to change your habits is to work with your habits, so instead of ignoring the itch I just check my email and boom, good stuff in my inbox.

I always have a prayer in my heart, and reach out with my thoughts, though I'll admit that sometimes in actual prayers I'm a bit quick.

I read scriptures with my daughter every night without fail. We say nightly prayers together. I frequently listen to hymns. I work to magnify my calling, some days are better than others.

I have been very slowly reading the Bible from start to finish, but I'm not consistent about it. It's not as engaging as other religious material. I'm still in Genesis. I am doing this because the Spirit told me to. I have been told also to study Preach My Gospel, but I've been inconsistent about that as well. I have read Job like I was told to, and I've done other things I've been told to do by the Spirit, but sometimes I get these daunting jobs. Oh yes, I'm also working on a Young Adult novel because the Spirit told me to write it, and then gave me extra reading material to help develop the novel.

I wish I had already finished the Bible at the very least because that was the next thing I was told to read after I finished reading Job. Then it was Preach My Gospel (yay, we're studying it in Sunday school starting next week! ). Now I have the novel and more reading material, plus my calling, and other duties. The personal command to read the Bible and Preach My Gospel still stands.

Okay I'm gonna stop now because I can very easily start explaining about how much I suck. It's far too easy for me to see all my flaws and lack of worth and begin falling into depression and despair even though I KNOW that's all a bunch of buffalo chips. I have to work really hard to silence negative thoughts.

I looked up the word "always" just to be sure I grasped it's meaning, and the Merriam Webster online dictionary says ( always - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary):

1 : at all times : invariably
2 : forever , perpetually
3 : at any rate : in any event <as a last resort one can always work>

Then I looked up invariably
: on every occasion : always

After that I looked up perpetually
1 a: continuing forever : everlasting <perpetual motion> b (1): valid for all time <a perpetual right> (2): holding (as an office) for life or for an unlimited time
2: occurring continually : indefinitely long-continued <perpetual problems>
3: blooming continuously throughout the season

Then for good measure I looked up forever
1 : for a limitless time <wants to live forever>
2 : at all times : continually <is forever making bad puns>

Which caused me to look up continually
1 : continuing indefinitely in time without interruption <continual fear>
2 : recurring in steady usually rapid succession <a history of continual invasions>

And that made me look up continuing
1 : continuous , constant <continuing poverty>
2 : needing no renewal : enduring <continuing fame>

Etc and so on and so forth in the various definitions (the logic train would make more sense if you saw the various links and such to the different words from the link provided above)

That seems a daunting task, but I know it's important. He only repeated the always four times. . .
So, yes, practical applications on how to always have the Spirit with you would be great. What do you do?

Wow, this got long. . .

[applepansy]

Yes it is a daunting task. First you do all you can and then you let the Lord take over. Try to be consistent in your effforts but don't beat yourself up either.

Prayer, reading the scriptures, go to church, renew your baptismal covenants, listen to conference, apply lessons in your life, are all important. I would like to add "ponder" and "listen." When you pray take time to let God speak to you. Stay on your knees for a few minutes. As you learn to hear the Spirit you will find that you are closer to the Spirit and you will feel it.

Another one to add is "service." When we serve others it brings us closer to the Spirit. This is another time to use ponder and listen. Sometimes we need to listen to know where we need to be of service. We most definitely need to listen to feel the Spirit when we are offering service.

How you will know if its working is that things of this world will start to fit into your life less and less. You'll become less tolerant of the content in movies and TV programs, also books and music.

Becoming closer to the Spirit is a process, a life long process. Just work on it a little each day.

applepansy

P.S. It becomes easier to be consistent as you progress.

[HiJolly]

Excellent!! Carry on!

You are receiving instruction; You are heeding it. Sounds to me like you are doing fine. What more is needed?

The Sacrament prayer tells us that to always have His spirit with us, two things are needful: 1--- Keep His commandments and 2--- Always remember Him. Having a prayer in your heart is awesome.

Mindfulness, or intent come easier to me as I contemplate. Be sure you are taking time to contemplate the Gospel each day. ...and Carry On!!


HiJolly

[Justice]

Now this is my kind of topic. I have been trying to do the same thing.

I have been studying this topic extensively the last two years or so. I'll briefly share some things that I have learned. Keep in mind, however, that there are many Gospel truths that are "caught and not taught," so many may seem not very significant.

There is a distinct difference between having the Holy Ghost with us and having Christ's Spirit with us always. Part of baptism is to receive a gift that we can always have the Holy Ghost with us. The Spirit promised us in the sacrament prayers is not the Holy Ghost, but "His Spirit," meaning Christ's. Christ can be our constant companion. For the sake of this discussion I'm going to talk just a little about how one can have Christ's Spirit with him/her because I feel this is the greater of the two.

The sacrament prayers are the best words we have in order to know how to do this.

1) Willing to take upon the name of Christ.
2) Always remember Christ.
3) Keep Christ's commandments.

The prayer is a covenant we make to do these three things, and His [The Father's] promise in return is that we will always have His (Christ's) Spirit with us. As I said, many suppose it is the Holy Ghost that is promised. But, a close reading will make it clear that it is not.

His name
remember Him
His commandments
results in...
His Spirit

I would make it a habit to read the sacrament prayers as often as you can. Read the bread and water prayers. Look for differences, and what those differences might mean.

Then, study the scriptures for what the above 3 things really mean. We cannot consciously make an effort to do them if we don't really understand what it is to do them. There are lots of examples in the scriptures of men who always had His Spirit with them. Some of the best examples I have found are:

1) Nephi, son of Lehi.
2) King Benjamin
3) The 12 Apostles conversion when Christ appeared to the Nephites.

Most of what we learn from Nephi is to read 1st and 2nd Nephi looking for Nephi's personality traits. Look for what he "loves, glories in, and finds joy in."

The story of King Benjamin appears in 3 books, Omni, Words of Mormon, and Mosiah. Read his story from all 3 books and get a feel for who he was. Study his words to the people as he gathered them around the temple.

The story of the 12 Apostles, or disciples, is an amazing example of conversion, being born again, and seeking the Spirit. As you read Christ's words to the people, pay particular attention to what He says to the 12 verses what He says to the multitude. It's easy to track and follow. Compare the difference intently. Then compare the differences in events, surroundings, their position, and the wording difference and promises made and blessings received during the 2 different times Christ gives them the sacrament.

This material is worthy of a lifetime study.

One more thing I'd like to point out is you said that prayer and scripture study are basic things. It is true, they are. But, most people don't say prayers or study scriptures the way it was intended. Those things are the beginning of faith when we are new in Christ, but they also become the end of our faith, and sustain us, as we seek to always have His Spirit with us. So, don't think because you are doing them that it is enough. Do all you can to improve in those areas.

You are familiar with Alma 32, where Alma and Amulek teach the poor and rejected among the Zoramites about faith and how it compares to a seed. I'd like to share a few things about this story.

Alam 31:
1 Now it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.

This is what led him to gather a group of powerful missionaries and travel to Antionum and preach among them. Look at the names of the companions he chose, or that the Lord had him take with him.

Ammon
Aaron
Omner
Amulek
Zeezrom
Shiblon
Corianton

If you study the conversion and missionary efforts of these men, you will see it was perhaps the greatest missionary group ever assembled.

When they arrived they found the Zoramites worshiping on the rameumptom. They preached in the synagogs, in people's homes, and on the streets, but didn't have a lot of success, until...

A group of people classified as poor approached them (32: 1-6):

6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.

This is when he gives the great sermon on faith and how it is planted in the heart as a seed.

After this sermon, something interesting happens. The people did not have a mighty change of heart like King Benjamin's people did. They sent a representative among them to ask Alma what his sermon meant. They had not been taught that a Christ would come their whole lives, like the people of King Benjamin had. They didn't understand about this "Christ," so they sent one to ask.

Alma 33:
1 Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith.

Remember Alma's answer?

He used the words of Zenos, the prophet:

3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.
9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.
10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.
11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

Pray always. Read or watch Elder Bednar's last 2 talks given in General Conference. Read them back to back as if they were one talk.

To always remember Him is a very hard thing to do in this world. There are so many things that distract us and take or divide our attention. I have a friend who literally stopped watching movies produced by anyone but the Church because of an experience he had. After one good wholesome family movie, he realized that he did not think of the Savior or His Gospel one time during that 2 hour movie. It scared him, and he thought it was one way Satan was keeping him from "always remembering Him."

We have to have expriences to help us along the way. So, my advice is to study the above 3 topics for a start, and desire what the 12 Nephite Apostles desired:

3 Nephi 19:
9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.

As they quickly matured, they realized that it being what they "desired most" wasn't good enough, but:

24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.

They were filled with desire, or filled with fire.

May God sincerely bless you in your search for these truths. I have been seeking for this myself, and I find it elusive. For some reason I seem to want to remain in captivity, or subject to the flesh. It has a strong influence on me. I desire to be born again, or led out of captivity. I have come to understand that being in captivity is the opposite of being born again, and that the choice is mine as to which I want to be.

2 Nephi 2:
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

I have found Nephi to be a powerful example of having the Spirit always. I love these words of Lehi, and believe it no accident that Nephi chose to put them in his book.

I would love to e-mail you, or talk some other way, as you progress and study these stories. I do not consider myself an expert, or spiritual advisor. But, I LOVE to discuss the words of eternal life, and what we can do to be born again. I would love to hear your thoughts and get deeper into this topic with you. My prayers are with you.

[Misshalfway]

Isn't having the Spirit with you about the basics? It is the promise of the sacrament. It is about the depth of our scripture study and our practicing that of pondering and prayer. It is attendance of the temple and magnifying our callings. It is applying the Spirit to every step of our walk and doing the things that invite it and preserve it. It seems to me that it isn't as hard as it seems. Having the Spirit with us always is rather simple. It is about the efforts of the adversary to disrupt the process and our willingness to fortify our lives against the influence. For me it has been scripture study and regular temple attendance that has most enhanced my Spiritual capacities.

BTW>........ I thank you for sharing this with us. I wish I could explain fully why but I feel blessed by it.

[Superbaldguy]

The simple answer, for me, is to make sure you avoid such activities that would offend the Spirit - if you have its presence, you'll know what they are. The Light of Christ is often enough to know this simple truth.

[Elgama]

thing that has helped me the most is paying close attention to general conference, I now order the audio CDs when I order my Ensign and have them on throughout my day for about 3 months of the year, when the Ensign comes I read the First Presidency message everyday for the first week. I have found being versed in what they teach and being able to use it in my everyday the most valuable thing.

Have also been rereading Buddhism for Mothers, which teaches us how to be prayerful with each activity and to start looking at the world around us with amazement.

-Charley

[Hemidakota]

Wow! A most impressive OP list Ruthie; not to forget, those who contributed to this thread. Nothing seems to amaze me on the level of Spiritual Maturity these days in the church.

A good friend, previous Mission President, Elder B. Gardner, something we fail to include in our daily lives, besides surrendering our will to GOD, our thoughts.

Let me paraphrase it; "When I left shopping with my wife at the grocery store, I remember after an hour of shopping, my thoughts communicant was not on the Godhead. It was a moment of repentance for me"

Our focus and attention should be on them from when we rise up in the morning until lay down at night. I do know, at times we are distracted by daily activities, we still need to be always in attuned to the Godhead.

Since most of what needs to be accomplished, what I can further add here, in our daily assessment and nightly review, we need to ensure that we at least feel the Spirit somewhere in between. Ruthie, this will be hard at first but overtime, you will know it on a daily basis and when it is missing. It always start with a feeling of emotional joyous rush from the crown of the head to finally; you begin to hear the voice of rushing waters. Later, when you are prepared, you will become a witnessed of Him.

Now, what I am going to say maybe more personally for you and not for all. Ruthie, when you begin to feel this event in your life, noting the collect pattern of those who reached this desire or feelings, you are a step away from that person who will taste the sweet fruit of the Tree of Life. In other words, you will be called and become a member of the Church of the First Born. Now, this is not for all in the church during in mortality and only can be reached when the Holy Ghost prepares you before the Godhead. Does it come at once? No. Looking at the classical model, even Prophet Joseph Smith took more than 12-years to reach this pinnacle level after the first vision, when the Godhead revealed themselves before Joseph and another person in the temple; with the fullness and called them 'friends'. Again, only the Holy Ghost can prepare us and only the Savior can call us in being member of such. We cannot choose it by ourselves; we must be prepared and called to it. All members of the church can achieve this but for one reason or another, whether not spiritual mature enough, or some character flaws, will not be called in this mortality but eventually call later through additional instructions across the veil.

Ruthie, it is the Spirit that is guiding you on this journey in aiding you to move to the next level. As I already stated, not all do receive this in the beginning, or in middle of life, perhaps at the latter portion of mortality. I humbly pray as your brother, when this does happen, there is no turning back and any sins that are committed cannot be washed away by the Atonement of Christ but you must be undergo your own repentance. Be careful when it does happen and be mindful every living moment of your life. Serve GOD to the point of “how can build the Kingdom of Christ in this part of the Vineyard. How can I serve the Master this day to bring souls unto Him? How can be a daily influencer to others that they may seek the living Christ?” I promise you, the peaceful joy will come that cannot be uttered in mere English will be felt. The veil will part and you will know personally the living GOD. You will be instructed on doctrines, principles, and truths that is not had in the church but for those who are of the First Born.

You are indeed a blessed soul and I am grateful to be your servant. God bless my friend.

[Tamrajh]

Wow. Thanks for pointing out how much I SUCK!
I agree with Superbaldguy, avoid doing what offends the Spirit. You're doing everything else already.

[ruthiechan]

I have found everyone's comments helpful. I am still percolating, pondering, but I thought I should post something so that you all would know that I'm paying attention.