Brother A. Roger Merrill
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Although it is important to teach by the spirit, it is equally important to receive the spirit.
"One cannot help but wonder how many gifts and blessings surround us that we do not receive."
During church meetings, some may "receive" more than others. The reason they receive more is three-fold: they seek, they feel and they intend to act on the promptings of the spirit.
Latter-day Saints often find themselves spiritually passive at church meetings, thinking, "Here I am, now inspire me."
"When we focus instead on seeking and receiving the spirit, we become less concerned about a teacher or speaker holding our attention and more concerned about giving our attention to the spirit."
None can recognize the spirit until they learn to pay attention to spiritual feelings. Parents must teach children to start recognizing how the spirit feels early on. Those who are open to receive the spirit intend to act. "The spirit teaches when we honestly intend to do something about what we learn."
Blessings will be poured out upon those who will receive the Lord's spirit. As President Boyd K. Packer has said, "No message appears in the scripture more times, in more ways, than, 'Ask and ye shall receive.' "
