“Spiritual Experiences,” Topics and Questions (2023)
Overview
Spiritual Experiences
Our Father in Heaven loves all His children, and He has not left them without guidance. Good people throughout the world have always received inspiration from the Lord. The Lord said, “The Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.”1
The Apostle James taught that anyone can receive guidance from God: “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”2
Spiritual influence begins with the Light of Christ, “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things.”3 This influence “is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.”4 The Light of Christ is a powerful influence for good; it is sometimes manifested as our conscience.
In addition to the Light of Christ is the Holy Ghost, who is a personage of spirit and a member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost teaches and testifies of truth and can strengthen all honest seekers of the truth. The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ lead people to Jesus Christ and His gospel.
A person is capable of receiving spiritual guidance before being baptized and confirmed. On the day of Pentecost, many individuals who were not members of the early Christian church felt the Holy Ghost.
Those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are given the gift of the Holy Ghost soon after they are baptized. This spiritual gift enables a faithful member of the Church to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost as a constant blessing and guide.