Our Comforter

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow

My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight;

Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

---

Words: Henry W. Baker, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern (London: 1868)

Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the

 Inner Man

KEITH K. HILBIG

Of the First Quorum of the Seventy

October 2007

1. 1. 
      
   
   
   1. 
      

1. 1. 
      "In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul admonished the  members  to act in 

a manner as becometh Saints. He proceeded

 to list 

appropriate 

attributes and behaviors. In verse 19 Paul counseled

  these four simple words:

“Quench not the Spirit.”

The beckoning invitations of the world attempt to divert 

our attention from the strait and narrow path. The 

adversary labors to dull our

 sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, whether we are 

teenagers,young adults,

 or mature men and women. The role of the 

Spirit, the Holy

Ghost, is essential in every season of our mortal lives.

The path to eternal life is not on a plateau. 

Rather, it is an incline, ever

 onward and upward. Hence, ever-increasing spiritual understanding 

and

 energy are required to reach our destination. Because the

 pernicious

 opposition by Satan continues, the continuous enlightened 

guidance of

 the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential. We dare not hinder,

 disregard, or

 quench the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds 

with light and knowledge,

 He “quickens” us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the 

inner man or woman. ⁴ 

 As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul.

 We feel

 strengthened, filled

 with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy

 and enthusiasm, both of which enhance

 our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we

 otherwise could do on 

our

 own. We yearn to become a holier person.

We determine the level of our current personal

 contribution by examining

 our present choices and priorities against

 questions such as these:

1. 1. 
   Do I spend more time with sports than Church attendance
2.  or callings?
3. 2. 
   If I have a free day, do I choose to attend the temple
4.  or to visit the mall?
5. 3. 
   Do I resort to computer games or surfing the
6.  Internet rather than offering meaningful service to 
7. others in my home and community?
8. 4. 
   Do I read the newspaper religiously but find it 
9. difficult to read the scriptures daily?

To ensure we quench not the Spirit, but rather invite His presence, 

there is another step to take. Let us pray frequently and fervently. 

The Savior’s tender and comprehensive promise is 

recorded in the Doctrine andCovenants:

• • 
  “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”
• • 
  “Seek me diligently and ye shall find me.”
• • 
  “Ask, and ye shall receive.”
• • 
  “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
• • 
  “Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given 
• unto you, that is expedient for you.” ⁵

Note that sequence, brothers and sisters. 

We draw nearer to the Savior as we keep His commandments 

with exactness. 

We earnestly petition the Father in the name of Christ. 

Then, through the promptings of the Holy Ghost, 

we receive divine direction and clear understanding."

• Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen,
  for God speaks in the silence of the heart.
  
  ~ Mother Teresa