The Water We Swim In: Recognizing the Constant Companionship of the Spirit

We are a people set apart, not merely by covenants kept or ordinances performed, but by the very nature of our relationship with God. As Elder Bednar has taught, the Restoration isn't just about doctrines restored; it's about the power to know God. And that power, that constant, unwavering connection, is mediated by the Holy Ghost. It’s a gift so integral to our experience that, as Robert Millet observed, we often become like fish discovering water – oblivious to the very element that sustains us.

Millet’s recent work, and the insights he shared in a recent podcast, have stirred within me a renewed sense of gratitude and a sharper awareness of the subtle ways we can inadvertently diminish this profound blessing. He recounts a poignant experience – a former member who, in losing the Spirit, realized how deeply he missed the assurance of personal revelation, a right uniquely and powerfully proclaimed within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How many of us, secure in our membership and diligent in our efforts, fail to actively recognize and cultivate this constant companionship?

The sacrament prayer, a weekly reaffirmation of this divine promise – “that they may always have his Spirit to be with them” – becomes, through familiarity, a rote recitation. We renew the covenant, but do we truly receive it? Do we pause, consider the magnitude of that declaration, and actively seek to draw closer to the source of that divine influence?

Millet’s experience as an educator at BYU underscores this point. Years of teaching the gospel, steeped in the Spirit, could lead to a sense of numbness, a detachment from the very power he was conveying. His wife's simple question, “How did it go?” prompted a humbling realization: his own lack of awareness didn’t equate to the students’ engagement. They were receiving, even if he wasn’t fully attuned.

The distinction between the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ, crucial for understanding our unique position, highlights the depth of the Restoration. While all who are righteous can receive the Light of Christ, Latter-day Saints have been granted the privilege of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a relationship that demands active cultivation and a constant striving for worthiness. As Millet emphasizes, understanding the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—and their distinct roles is inextricably linked to our spiritual progress.

The ability to discern the voice of the Spirit, to differentiate it from our own desires and anxieties, is a skill honed through diligent scripture study, fervent prayer, and unwavering obedience to the covenants we have made. It requires a humility that acknowledges our limitations and a willingness to submit our will to God’s. It is, in essence, a continual baptism of fire, refining us and preparing us to receive greater blessings.

Let us, therefore, examine our own hearts. Are we truly appreciating the gift of the Spirit? Are we actively seeking to cultivate that relationship? Or have we become complacent, swimming in the waters of the Spirit without even noticing its presence?

Consider Nephi’s experience in 1 Nephi 17:45-46, where he pleaded with his brothers to be guided by the Spirit. Their initial rejection highlights the importance of actively seeking and hearkening to divine guidance. Let us strive to be more like Nephi, more attuned to the whispers of the Spirit, and less like his brothers, deaf to the voice of God.

I invite you to ponder the teachings of President Howard W. Hunter: “We need to be more deeply spiritual. We must learn to listen to the still, small voice and follow the promptings that come to us as individuals.” Let us resolve to be more keenly aware of the constant companionship of the Spirit, to cultivate it, and to allow it to guide us on our journey.