“What Ye Should Do”

Church Educational System
The Holy Ghost does not necessarily take a person by the hand and guide him step by step through life. As President Joseph F. Smith said:

“If a man is baptized and ordained to the Holy Priesthood, and is called upon to perform duties which pertain to that Priesthood, it does not follow that he must always have the Holy Ghost in person present with him when he performs his duty, but every righteous act which he may perform legally will be in force and effect, and will be acknowledged of God, and the more of the Spirit of God he possesses in his ministrations, the better for himself, and those will not suffer any loss unto whom he administers.

“Therefore, the presentation or ‘gift’ of the Holy Ghost simply confers upon a man the right to receive at any time, when he is worthy of it and desires it, the power and light of truth of the Holy Ghost, although he may often be left to his own spirit and judgment”

(Gospel Doctrine, pp. 60–61; emphasis added).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (1996 Edition)

References