It was great to see how many responses came in from all of you. While some addressed the worth of this overly-simplistic metaphor, (understandable) many of you provided insightful ideas as to how make adjustments to bring the Spirit back into your lives. Here are a few of the topics that were addressed:
Patience
Gratitude
Obedience
Scriptures – particularly the Book of Mormon
Serving others
Being outside in nature
Right thing/wrong reason
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
Prayer
Hard work
Temple
Practice
Find quiet moments – ponder
Do you notice anything missing?
There were 33 responses, all sincere. Music was mentioned more than anything else. But I did notice that there was a specific word that was only used once – and I know that in my life, it is the one word that makes the biggest difference.
Repentance.
Before I explain, let me tell you a little about me, my personality, and my behaviors. I have been blessed/cursed with acute self-awareness. (Which is much better than an ugly self-awareness.) I have a pretty good idea of the things I do, the things I think, and the things I feel. One thing I am painfully aware of is when I do something wrong. I am a grown man, with a lifetime of gospel learning and living. I can honestly say that when I commit a sin, I know it. I usually know that I am sinning as I am in the process of committing the sin. Occasionally I realize it right after the fact. But there is rarely a surprise.
I can tell that I have hurt my wife’s feelings as soon as the words leave my mouth.
I am aware of my anger, as my blood pressure elevates, yet know that contention is of the devil.
I know when I have lingered a bit too long on an inappropriate website, or TV channel.
I know when I am being too judgmental of others as I am doing it.
Etc.
The point that I am trying to make is that I know when I am in sin. It does not come as a shock to me. The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are quite effective. My sins come about because I used my agency to choose a wrong word, thought, or action. I am left with little excuse.
And so, returning to the loss of the Spirit, I can say that I usually know, in my heart, exactly why the Spirit has left me. Yeah, it does sound kind of harsh – towards myself – but it is true. Granted, there are occasional exceptions, but most of the time the Spirit left because I did something that chased him off.
That is where repentance comes in. I am wired in such a way that if I find myself feeling a void – that the Spirit is not with me – my FIRST assumption is that I need to repent. And usually that assumption is correct. I go through the proper process of repentance, including taking the sacrament – because one of the great promises of the sacrament is that “we may always have His Spirit to be with them.” And that’s a pretty important goal – right?
So, “repentance” is the word I would add to the discussion, with emphasis. Repent. When we repent, we are cleansed by the Holy Spirit – that is part of his job. And then he will stay with us until we chase him away again.
I find it interesting to note that all of the items listed above also help strengthen us so that we won’t sin, and won’t have to search out the Spirit again – because he didn’t leave. Thankfully, when we do sin, we can do what is necessary to welcome him back into our lives and hearts.
–Of course, I am writing this as an accomplished sinner, and an accomplished repenter – I would not presume that it applies to all of you.
Thoughts?
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I think I’m going to print this out and hang it on my fridge so I can be reminded of how much this applies to me each and every single day.
I have checked in on your blog before, but today I became a follower.
Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful manner of approaching meaningful topics. How absolutely vital it is to keep the spirit with us through constant application of the atonement. How grateful I am for that knowledge and for daily nudges and reminders.
Great follow up post. I particularly liked the “accomplished sinner and accomplished repenter”
I think that’s what it’s all about. More and more exercise in learning how to access and USE the atonement. Not that we purposely sin, but that we use those experiences ( and other hardships) to practice and perfect the act of using the atonement. I don’t want to be on the other side and not have studied for the test. So to speak.
I noticed that repentance wasn’t specifically named, but I thought it was certainly implied in many cases, where people said things about “doing everything right.”
I had to laugh on Sunday when an older woman was giving the lesson in Relief Society. She dissed technology several times. Then when she asked us about what we can do to feel the Spirit and experiences we’ve had, I shared how technology had helped me–“A Mormon blogger started a discussion on this very subject because of a frustrated comment I left, and reading the comments was definitely encouraging,” I said. So, thank you!
Nice post. All too familiar here!
It certainly applies to me. I know exactly what you mean when you say you know the exact moment the spirit left you.
I feel that acutely. It’s a “aw crap!” moment. At the moment when I feel the heavens are a brick wall above my head I remember the story of Joseph Smith.
You know the one… where he had to beg his wife’s forgiveness before he could continue to translate…?
That’s me. Begging forgiveness for whatever bonehead thing I’ve gone and done this time…
Nicely said MMM. I have the same feelings when I know I have strayed, even if it ever so slightly. Only after I repent can I self correct.
BTW, I am hanging around, even though I am not blogging. I see your following has grown a ton. Nicely done! Loved this post.
I didn’t comment the first time because I had to repent for my thoughts about “flipping off the ….switch”.
Once in RS the teacher asked, “how do we fit the Gospel in our lives”. I nearly jumped out of my chair to respond. The Gospel IS my life. I try to ask myself, “how many hours was I under the influence of the Spirit today?” (even now as my 4 year old is pulling on my arm) Some days more, some days less. It doesn’t mean I am always chasing it away. The phrase,”live in the world, not of the world” is important. However often times we focus on the last part of the phrase. Truth is, we live in the world. We won’t be “in the Spirit” 100% of the time.
I think we need to strive to be worthy when we need the Spirit. I don’t feel the Spirit when I’m making pb&j, but I don’t need to repent. I do, however, see your point. If something is wrong and chasing the spirit away…fix it…fast. You’ll be glad you did. I am going to email the rest of my comments later, as to not be super long winded (too late)
Such a wonderful, insightful study into the Spirit!!
JWW
Anonymous. Understanding the process of repentance is not a “beginner” question by any means – because we all need o get better at it.
Rather than tackle that important concept here in the comment section – I would point you to a talk this past conference by Elder Christofferson called “The Divine Gift of Repentance”
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-divine-gift-of-repentance?lang=eng
One thing I think we forget is discussed towards the end – and that is the importance of confessing and talking it out with God. It isn’t just enough to stop committing the sin. There needs to be a resolution with God, and then the Holy Ghost can change your heart – his job, no yours.
Maybe we can take this up in another blog post, but for now, keep trying – that clear feeling of forgiveness is an attainable and worthy goal.
I’m sure this will sound like a very “beginner” question, but how would you explain the ‘process’ of repentance? I remember learning the steps of repentance growing up, but I found that as I grew up and really tried to apply those steps to my life, it seemed to get in the way of simply working on changing my heart and righting the wrong internally and externally. The steps that I had been taught all my life made me feel like I wasn’t doing it ‘right’ when I wouldn’t get a clear feeling of forgiveness. As I’ve grown, I’ve felt like it’s not as much of a step-by-step thing as it is a simple and genuine change of heart. Any insight on the matter?
never mind MMM. I figured it out!
Hey- so far I love most of your posts, but I suspecifically love the new “reactions” options at the end of each post. How do I do that? I must know. comment on my blog or email me at Beckyrose@hotmail.com.
Thanks,you’re the best MMM!
I love you, Jocelyn, but I must call you to repentance for that one, and must give the following warning: 2 Nephi 9:34 😉
If I don’t feel the spirit it’d because I’m mot standing next to John Barney!!!
I also didn’t comment on the first go round for many of the same reasons as the last commenter… and I also concur 100% with repentance being the main switch flipper.
for me it is always a matter of repentance. And not usually repenting of sins of C-ommission, but rather sin of O-mmission. I don’t go out and commit “big old sins” that chase the spirit away. (well, I guess I do that too sometimes, but not as often as the switch gets flipped) Most often it is the things I am NOT doing that are the problem. Not praying regularly and often. Not studying my scriptures DAILY, Not sincerely fasting… etc… That’s where I flip the switch and often overlook it (until I feel the loss of the spirit, which often take me long than it should) because I’m not DOING bad things… I’m just not doing the GOOD things either.
When you posted before, my first thought was repentance, but I dismissed it because I didn’t want anyone to think I thought that that was the problem with your subject. So, I’ll set the way back machine and say what I was gonna… Moroni 10:22. I’m with you, Mormon Guy, if I ain’t feelin’ the Spirit, it’s cuz I chased him away myself. But again, I very much don’t mean to imply that that’s the case with everyone.
OK, I know this is a serious topic, and I agree with it…but I just can’t stop laughing at a CUTE self-awareness versus an UGLY one!! LOL.
Another one I would like to add is “Forgive”. That is actually what I thought you were going to say, but to repent and to forgive go hand in hand – just different sides of the same coin. I appreciate your insights very much. Thank you for sharing them on this blog. I’m sure you touch far more lives than you even realize.
OK, the commenter said something about trying everything. So let’s suppose he/she has tried repentance. Two thoughts come to mind.
Sometimes we are so used to being in the spirit we can’t notice it. “Does a fish notice the water it is swimming in?” was the way it was put to me once. Then we do something really wrong and truly lose the spirit and then we can tell the difference.
The other thought is perhaps this is a trial and testing time. The Lord wants to see if you are going to keep doing what’s right even when you feel a little cut off?
I don’t know, of course, but those were just the two thoughts that came to me.
its so true if you are really trying hard to get the spirit back and you skip repentance then I don’t think you are really trying. There is ALWAYS something to repent of/for if prophets and apostles need daily repentance so do we.
Once again you have reminded me that I am a mere mortal. I think too often I don’t think about repentance, even though I am painfully aware of my sins.
I concur 100%! I need repentance often.