That Which They Most Desired – 3 Nephi 19:9

9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.

Following a series of natural disasters, a group of people on the American continent were visited by the resurrected Jesus Christ, who taught them, healed the sick among them, and prayed for them. In the evening, many of them returned to their homes with their families, but others spent the entire night running to tell other people what had happened and inviting them to come to the temple, where the Savior had promised to return the following day. As the expanded multitude congregated the next morning, the twelve disciples whom Jesus had chosen divided them into 12 groups and taught them what they had learned from Him the prior day. Then they knelt to pray. As Mormon tells us in the passage above, their heartfelt prayer, after hearing the teachings of Jesus Christ, was that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
Elder David A. Bednar taught us how we can invite the Holy Ghost into our lives:

We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).
Our invitations for the companionship of the Holy Ghost occur in many ways: through the making and keeping of covenants; by praying sincerely as individuals and families; by searching the scriptures diligently; through strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; by seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and by worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church. Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether (“Receive the Holy Ghost,” General Conference, October 2010).

Today, I will pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then, I will act, speak, and think in a way that invites His presence and His influence in my life

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  1. Pingback: Doctrine and Covenants 41-44: “My Law to Govern My Church” (April 19-25) – Book of Mormon Study Notes

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