Always have His Spirit to be with them!

Hello! 

I always love zone conference weeks! It's always such a spiritually uplifting and great day! It was especially special, due to the fact that Elder Goodey and Elder Carroll were there! So in one room all of my mission companions were there. It was a good reunion talking to them all! (I am sad to say that I didn't take a photo of us.... Missed opportunity)

During our zone conference the main focus was on the question "What can I do to always have His Spirit to be with me?" There were several points that were brought up, and granted that I can't write 7 hrs of discussion, I would like to mention a few that stood out to me. 

What can I do to always have His Spirit to be with me?

1) To have the spirit we must invite Him into our lives. We can do this through prayer. Each morning and throughout the day we can pray to have the spirit with us. As we open our hearts to accept Him into our lives, to guide, direct, and comfort us, He will enter in. The scriptures promise that as we pray we will receive the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. 

2) We must be obedient to the commandments of the Lord. As we obey these commandments and honour our covenants, then we open the door and give access to the Spirit to enter our lives. However, if we live in such a way that offends the spirit, we close the door to Him. 

3) We must have a soft heart. Continually ask yourself, "Am I humble enough to accept the will of the Lord, even if it is different or contrary to what I want?"

4) Council with the Lord. There are two parts to counseling together: speaking and listening. I often feel that listening is much more important than speaking. The Lord knows our heart; as we approach Him openly, and listen intently for an answer, it will come at the right and needed time. It may not be immediate, but it will come as we continually listen. 

5) Analyse yourself to see if there is anything distracting you or hindering you from hearing the spirit. We live in a world full of distractions! And to find true silence is nearly impossible. Due to the world we live in, it is crucial that we take the time daily to listen for the Holy Ghost. Remember He speaks in a still, small voice. If we are too busy with life, we may be missing out on many grand, spiritual experiences. Take time to listen. 

6) Number six is a promise. The Holy Ghost speaks to us in multiple ways. The more we follow this pattern and strive to have the Holy Ghost, we will become more familiar to how He speaks. We will be more observant to His words. We will be more in tune with the Spirit and guarded from temptation. 

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This whole experience helped me to review myself and what I do to have the Spirit with me. I know how important He is throughout our entire lives, and especially as a missionary. I have to rely fully on Him as a representative of Jesus Christ. It is a night and day difference between days where I rely on the Spirit and days that I don't. 

It is powerful to think about that we do or can have the gift of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead! Think about that. One that continually works side by side with, communes with, and is in 100% unity with God. It is amazing to me! 

Invitation of the Week

Review these six principles and any other things you can do to always have the spirit to be with you. 

I promise you that you will see an increase of spiritual light in your life. You will receive a heightened ability to resist temptations, and you will feel a closer and more personal connection with your Heavenly Father. 

I love you all!

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom