Recognizing the Promptings of the Holy Ghost

Description

This one page handout has the list of 20 ways to tell when you are being prompted by the Holy Ghost according to Elder John H. Groberg:

Recognizing Promptings of the Holy Ghost

"How do you know when the Spirit is prompting you? Here is a short list, modified from a Seminary outline, of some ways to know. Of course, all the items won't apply all the time. We each have our ups and downs. But as general guides, you will find the list helpful":

When You Have the Spirit

You generally feel happy and calm.
You feel full of light.
Your mind is clear.
You feel love for the Lord and others.
You feel generous.
Nobody can offend you.
You are very forgiving and kind.
You feel confident in what you do.
You don’t mind others seeing what you are doing.
You want to be with those who love you—especially family members.
You are glad when others succeed.
You want to help others be happy, even those opposed to you.
You willingly perform Church work.
You feel like praying and reading the scriptures.
You wish you could keep all the Lord’s commandments.
You usually control your appetites and emotions. You are calm and control your speech; you feel no anger.
You generally feel a deep desire to help others—usually in a way no one else will know about.
You speak and think good about others.
You feel sorrow when others have problems and sincerely desire to help them.
You realize that your thoughts and your actions are open to God.

When You Do Not Have the Spirit

You may feel unhappy, depressed, confused, frustrated most of the time.
You may feel heavy, full of darkness.
Your mind may be muddled.
You may feel empty, hollow, cold inside.
You may feel selfish, possessive, self-centered.
You may be offended easily.
You may usually be on the defensive.
You may become discouraged easily.
You may become secretive, evasive.
You may want to be alone most of the time. You avoid others—especially family members.
You may be envious almost constantly of what others do and what they have.
You may want to get even and show others up.
You may feel hesitant, unworthy, and unwilling to perform Church ordinances.
You may not want to pray or read scriptures.
You may find the commandments of God and rules of the family bothersome, restricting, or senseless.
You may be a slave to your appetites. You give way to strong anger and outspokenness.
When you help others, your main desire may be to have your actions noticed.
You are critical of others, especially family members and those in authority.
You may often question others’ motives and secretly delight in others’ problems.
You may feel that what you do and think is only your business and no one else knows or cares."

John H. Groberg, “Investing for Eternity,” Ensign, Apr. 1986, 68

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