Fruits of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance"

Galatians 5: 22

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"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.

"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.

"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."

Doc. & Cov. 9: 7-9

Too often, these of the Lord's instructions to Oliver Cowdery are quoted and promulgated as a universally applicable description of the way to receive any revelation from God. I do not believe this is the case.

I don't remember any time I've experienced what I'd call a "burning in my bosom." (Other than indigestion, perhaps.)

The point is, in those preceding scriptures, the Lord was talking to Oliver about how Oliver can recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost and receive divine confirmation of the rightness of his attempted translation of the Book of Mormon.

I don't believe this should be taken as a generally applicable teaching for all of us to live by in all circumstances when seeking to be led by the Lord. Certainly, we can learn important truths from it, but it ought not to form our complete understanding. It is irresponsible to directly apply these teachings universally.

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Different people experience the influence of the Holy Ghost in different ways.

For this reason, I avoid using the phrase, "Feeling the Holy Ghost/Spirit."

Instead, I emphasize the possible breadth of Godly contacts by referring to "the influence of the Holy Ghost/Spirit."

Not all communications from the Holy Ghost or by the Spirit are by feelings. Not every feeling we have is communicated to us by a divine spirit.

We can be misled easily by feelings.

Just because you "feel good" about something, doesn't mean it is a divine confirmation.

Many critics of Moroni's promise (Moroni 10: 3-8) are correct to hesitate when missionaries and other teachers overemphasize feelings as the singular hallmark of divine communication.

"The spiritual part of us and the emotional part of us are so closely linked that it is possible to mistake an emotional impulse for something spiritual. We occasionally find people who receive what they assume to be spiritual promptings from God, when those promptings are either centered in the emotions or are from the adversary."

—Boyd K. Packer

“I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly, the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself.”

—Howard W. Hunter

I myself have seen people who I judge to have been trying to manipulate others into believing they were speaking by the Holy Ghost, by feigning tears or a broken voice during their sermons. This ought not to be.

Speak the truth in plainness.

The Holy Ghost might cause you to feel strong emotion, but that feeling is not actually the Holy Ghost.

He is not a feeling! He is a God!

Instances where I have been influenced by the Holy Ghost include may things other than feelings.

The most prized feeling I think I've received from the Holy Ghost is peace which passes understanding. In times of great uneasiness and stress, I've been made to feel calm and secure, in spite of how the reality around me appeared.

Most often, I enjoy the influence of the Holy Ghost by receiving clarity and illumination in my thoughts, by making connections between experiences I've had, words I've read, and teachings I've received.

Sometimes I receive clear, specific understanding, like pure intelligence. It may come in a moment, but take much effort later to fully explain.

Sometimes I receive clear, specific words into my mind, like spiritual dictation. These instances have ranged widely in scope, encompassing everything between being called by my name and told, "I love you," to something that reads like an entire section of Doctrine and Covenants.

On occasion, a physical feeling in my neck and head causes me to sit up straighter when listening to someone preaching the Gospel, by which I am made to feel I must be very attentive.

A similar feeling has been something like a warm chill that makes me feel cleaner inside. This cleansing effect has come as I have taught the Gospel and borne pure testimony, leading me to believe I have been blessed with remissions of my sins from time to time. (See Doc. & Cov. 62: 3)

The Holy Ghost can give us thoughts and feelings that are not pleasant, but that lead us away from danger or to make decisions that benefit us or others. Not everything communicated thusly will make us feel safe, peaceful, or confident, but they will always edify and lead us closer to God.

Example: receiving an answer to prayer that is not what we want to hear, but which is right, may cause us to feel empty, confused, or stagnant. If this period of being left unto ourselves causes us to reach for God, it is of God. On the other hand, of course, dark discouragement is not of God.

When praying for guidance, you may be left feeling alone. Rather than abandonment, this might be an indication that you know enough, that God trusts you to make an acceptable choice.

You may be very uncomfortable at hearing something the Holy Ghost tells you, like stretching out of your "comfort zone" to go and minister to someone in need.

Such fruits of the Spirit can be bitter indeed, but they are still highly nutritious, nevertheless.

Like a reliance on nettles seen in former times, they might not taste good, but they can fill your belly with wholesome food.

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The Holy Ghost speaks according to one's own language, unto their understanding. (2 Nephi 31: 3)

Great treasures of hidden knowledge may be given to you, according to your readiness to receive. You may feel great desires to share these with others. I've learned that can be a very difficult thing to do. If you were inspired according to your own individual language by pure intelligence, how can you expect to easily translate this into common language for easy conveyance?

It can be very difficult, and sometimes impossible. Sometimes, it is inappropriate to try and share, for some of these things ought to be had only by personal ministrations, directly from heaven.

I encourage you to learn to listen, to follow and to magnify the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life.

You will be led alright, and find great benefit for yourself and others you influence by your godly walk and communication.

Stinging Nettles, a valuable food source, if one knows where to look

See also:

Receive the Holy Ghost, by the Author

The Other Spindle, by the Author

Contact and the Pursuit of Truth, by the Author

Telling or Teaching, by the Author

Know, Feel, Do, by the Author