Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk on Spiritual Guidance, this past General Conference, was full of practical directions that even I can follow.  With the General Relief Society Presidency asking us to seek our own personal revelation as we strengthen our ward and stake Relief Societies, as well as ourselves,  I felt this was timely information.

One of the key doctrines that sets our church apart from any other is personal inspiration/revelation.  We have the Spirit as our guide for ANY concern we have in this life.  That is a great comfort, but must be honed, practiced, and used on a daily basis.

Joseph Smith said, “Follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will BECOME in you a principle of revelation.”  In other words, second nature to you.  Elder Scott testifies that this is the true source of peace and happiness.

Learning how to be led by the Spirit takes a strengthening of faith in our Father and in Jesus Christ.  It is not a casual expectation, but a purposeful period of growth.

As we practice spirituality, we will yield two fruits:  Inspiration and Power.  As Nephi said “I will go and do”, through inspiration, we can know what to do and have the capacity to do it.

Elder Scott gave us two examples of Sunday School teachers.  The good example listed the following attributes that promote spiritual guidance:  humility, intense desire to communicate truths, pure love of the Savior, as well as those who are taught, sincerity, pure intent, love, and spiritual strength.

In a classroom situation, it is important for the teacher to be prepared spiritually to guide, but it is just as important for the student to be open to receive guidance.  He gives us ten things we should do as listeners:

1. Attend class prepared, with a prayer in your heart, and a readiness to learn
2. You need to be aware of impressions that may come
3. Write them down as soon as possible
4. Ponder what you have written, making sure your feelings are expressed accurately
5. Study the meaning
6. Pray to the Lord, and review what was taught, and what was learned
7. Wait for a feeling of peace and confirmation
8. Thank Heavenly Father for the guidance that was given
9. Ask, “Is there more to learn?”  Most likely you will have additional impressions.
10. Repeat the process from beginning to end as many times as is necessary.  Elder Scott says, “Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.”

Here is an important warning.  “Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication.”  We have all been sidetracked by the destroyer.  “The Lord will not force you to learn.  You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you.”

He encourages us to practice, have patience, and be aware.  Inspiration comes to us in different ways.  By following the above ten steps, realize the unique way Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit communicate with you.

Sis. Beck said, “Because this work is based on faith, Relief Society lessons are most effective when inspired teaching takes place and ‘she that preacheth and she that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.”   And   “[Let] Relief Society leaders prayerfully counsel together about the topics that will strengthen sisters and their families.”   And, quoting Joseph Smith,  she says, “Let every man, woman and child realize the importance of the work, and act as if success depended on [her] individual exertion alone; let all feel an interest in it, and then consider they live in a day, the contemplation of which animated the bosoms of kings, Prophets, and righteous [women] thousands of years ago—the prospect of which inspired their sweetest notes, and most exalted lays, and caused them to break out in such rapturous strains as are recorded in the Scriptures.”  (from her Sep. 2009 talk)