Holy Ghost FHE

Yesterday I had to talk in church and can you guess what they asked me to speak on ... the Holy Ghost.  I really enjoyed preparing and learning from my talk. 

SO we had a FHE on the Holy Ghost tonight.  My parents were actually in town so that made it exciting to have them with us.  The object lesson part was fun.  To start I went around the room and whispered something in everyone's ear to do.  I had them each making a sound - my dad was clapping, Nathan went and turned on the Wii, Rebecca had to slam a door over and over, Kaylee and my mom started the stereo, Jacob had a TV blarring, Ashley had to pound a song on the piano, and then I had Stephen start a clip of President Monson speaking on the internet.  Of course the house was LOUD!  Jerrica was covering her ears and looking around like we were nuts.  I then had the kids listen and try to think with all the noise.  Then I had them one by one go and turn something off or stop someone from making the noise that they were doing.  Slowly the noises decreased.  And pretty soon it was VERY quiet and I asked them if they could still hear something.  Nathan quickly said, "I think there is still a TV on somewhere."  We all went to find it and talked about who it was and why we couldn't hear him.

I told them how hard it is to hear the Holy Ghost when there is so much commotion around us.  We talked of the importance of quiet time to yourself to ponder and think.  I then shared the verse in 2 Ne 33:1  It states that the Holy Ghost carries the message UNTO and not necessarily INTO our hearts.  We HAVE to be open to receive his guidance.  I then closed with this poem from the Friend that I love because of the rhyming and message.

LaFond Hall, “The Holy Ghost Speaks Softly,” Friend, Jul 1997
The Holy Ghost speaks softly.
He never shouts, you’ll find.
Instead, He whispers gently
An idea in your mind.
When you’re deciding something
And aren’t sure what to do,
Just listen hard within your heart—
His voice will come to you!
It may be He’ll remind you
Of something Mother said.
Perhaps a verse of scripture
Will pop into your head.
Sometimes you’ll get the feeling
That tells you it’s OK—
Or one that lets you know it’s wrong,
That you should turn away.
And if you want this gift to use,
Each morning when you pray,
Ask Heavenly Father to help you
To listen through the day—
To listen to the promptings
That softly come to you
To bless and help and guide you
In everything you do.

It was a special night.  We felt the spirit and learned together.  I LOVE nights like these!