"Do I Need to be Perfect to Feel the Holy Ghost?"

“I’m confused about the Holy Ghost,” a sister admitted during Sunday School. “I’m still figuring stuff out and learning about things that I need to do. When can I have the Holy Ghost with me?”

I thought about this and felt prompted to answer.

“I think what you’re asking is, ‘Do I need to be perfect before I can feel the Holy Ghost?’”

She smiled a little and nodded.

I continued, “The answer is, no, you don’t have to be perfect to feel the Holy Ghost. You just need to be sincerely trying.

“But there’s a word that we need to discuss here, and that word is ‘rebellion’. Rebellion happens when a person knows what God wants them to do, and then they turn and walk another way.

“The Holy Ghost will not come when we are in rebellion. He can’t. But, no matter where we are on the path, as soon as we turn back to God and begin sincerely to follow Him again, the Spirit will come.

“We don’t need to be perfect, we just need to be facing toward God and sincerely trying.”

She considered that, then nodded. “Thank you, that feels right.”

It felt right to both of us. Two imperfect women, facing God and sincerely trying, felt the Holy Ghost confirm those words.

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The influence of the Holy Ghost can be felt from time to time by every person on earth who is seeking the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the gift of the Holy Ghost gives a person the priviledge of recieving its influence all the time, every day.

How can this gift be given?

After baptism by proper priesthood authority, the Gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands. The newly-baptised and gift-given member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has the capability of having the spirit with them all the time, if they live worthy of it.

The Holy Ghost is very sensitive to the desires of our hearts and to our surroundings. As I noted before, it leaves when we are not acting in accordance with Jesus Christ’s gospel. It comes when we are humble and quiet inside-- it is a ‘still, small voice’ and if we are being loud or even just distracted, often we can miss its gentle nudges and promptings.

This gift is the ultimate teacher. I have felt the Holy Ghost confirm the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, offer comfort when I’m sad or worried, and guide me in important day-to-day decisions. I would be lost without this very real influence and keeping it in my heart is worth every price of discipleship.

-Jenna