Relief Society Lesson 4: Strengthened by the Power of the Holy Ghost

  This lesson came at a good time for me because the last part of January was rough for me. I’ve enjoyed hunting for quotes by LDS women about the strengthening power of the Holy Ghost, but I’m having a hard time putting a lesson together. Honestly, I’d read the title of each section and ask the class to tell stories about when they’ve been led by the Holy Ghost first and foremost. But, I’ve tried to be a bit more helpful by listing quotes and resources under the categories given in the book that I’ve found helpful. I hope you’ll do the same in the comments section.

In Women of Covenant pg 459, there is a footnote with a fiery quote by Eliza R. Snow, “How is it with a great many of our young people?” she asked an audience in Ogden, Utah, in 1973. “Do they know what the Holy Ghost is? Do they ever minister in the Holy Ghost? Have they ver had the gifts of the Gospel? Look around you and think how many there are, children of Latter-day Saints, who know no more of the Gospel of Jesus Christ than the heathens do.” Eliza R. Snow, “Ann Address,” Woman’s Exponent 2 (September 15, 1873): 62.

With this quote in mind, I would ask the class, “how do we teach about the Holy Ghost to children or to each other?”  

Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are led to all truth and strengthened in our faith.

“If there are any principles which have given me strength, and by which I have learned to live more truly a life of usefulness, it seems to me I could wish to impart this joy and strength to others; to tell them what the Gospel has been and is to me, ever since I embraced it…A fresh revelation of the Spirit day by day, an unveiling of mysteries which before were dark, deep, unexplained and incomprehensible; a most implicit faith in a divine power, in ifite truth emanating from God…”

Elizabeth Ann Whitney qtd in Daughters in My Kingdom, pg 129

Every Latter-day Saint can have the Holy Ghost as a friend to give counsel.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Joel 2:28-29

The Holy Ghost can bring us happiness and peace of mind.

I don’t think this section needs a quote. Ask the class for stories of when the Holy Ghost has brought them peace, comfort, or happiness.

We need the assistance of the Holy Ghost as we endure trials, fulfill our duties, and prepare for celestial glory.

I love this story in Chieko Okazaki’s book, Aloha (it starts at the beginning of pg 70 and finishes at the end of the first paragraph on pg 73).  

When we live humbly, the Holy Ghost helps us in our onward path.

Do you own Chocolate Chips and Charity: Visiting Teaching in the Real World? If not, get Linda Hoffman Kimball’s latest edition right now! This book is filled with short vignettes, which show the Holy Ghost’s implicit involvement in visiting teaching. Here’s one of my favorite shorter ones:

“My biggest claim to success in visiting teaching is that we once visited a less-active woman who always kept her drapes completely closed, lights off, and always wore black. For over a year, we visit taught her in total darkness. Then, gradually, she opened the drapes a bit, turned on the lights, and once even wore a yellow shirt! She never came back to church, but maybe we turnd her “light on” in a completely different way…” pg 30

Additional Exponent Resources on the Holy Ghost
This lesson by Aimee is a great one on the Holy Ghost.
This thread has great additional suggestions for how teaching about the Holy Ghost.

What are you planning on doing for this upcoming lesson?