I saw a notice on one of the social networks about November being the month of THANKSgiving and challenging us to tell what we are thankful for each day of the month. So, I thought I would blog about this each day. They will be smaller than normal posts and will contain this same header.

It's certainly not that I don't have anything to be thankful for for, it's my new job that started on Monday and getting acclimated with things has my time taken. So, I hope to get back on the daily thing, but no promises.

I am grateful for the Holy Ghost and it's promptings. As was previously mentioned in other blog posts, the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. It's main purpose is to testify of truth and of the Savior. However, I know we can also be prompted in times of danger. In order to hear the promptings, one must be tuned in and living their life in a manner that invites the Spirit. The spirit cannot dwell in unclean places. Hearing the promptings and heeding them should go hand in hand but many times do not. The "should have done this differently" comes in - usually after the fact.

I know I have gotten the impression to to something which didn't make sense, but was not something of evil or of malice either. It was just a spur of the moment thing. I heeded the prompting, but never knew why I needed to alter my course. I may never know. I sometimes wonder if it is part of the test to see if I will "do all things The Lord has commanded" even though it certainly was not a commandment. I often find that the decisions I make and then go to The Lord for His answer - this is when the Holy Ghost is felt very strong for me personally. Note, I said that I go to The Lord with my plan; not asking The Lord a multiple choice question. I guess I've had the scripture passage engrained in me:

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.

 (D&C 9:8,9)

I used this "tried and true" method for the better part of my life, and more recently when I was presented with a new employment opportunity. I made the decision and then went to The Lord to ask if it was the right thing for me to do. I did not get messengers from Heaven, or dreams about it, but, instead felt the sweet peaceful feeling of love from my Heavenly Father that this was what I was supposed to do.

Bishops and anyone else who have been given the gift of discernment, I believe have been given a "business class" upgrade with the Holy Ghost. Discernment is instant feedback on whether truth is being told. The Holy Ghost is there to assist in this task. And, dare I say that a Bishop, and his key of common judge in Israel also has (in my opinion) a greater portion of the Spirit when he sits in counsel and is judging. When a person who has had these gifts given them are released from their calling, it is said that the mantle has been lifted. I believe that the person who has been released can feel the loss of the spirit for those things they no longer have stewardship over.

I want to live my life so that I can have my eternal, spiritual gps on always and that I can receive direction for  my earthly sojourn. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost.


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