Toward the conclusion of his third missionary journey Paul was in earnest to return to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. He met with the elders of the Church from Ephesus in the coastal town of Miletus. He said to them, " I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem."

Before leaving, Paul told the saints that "bonds and afflictions abide in me, … but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy. …"

And, as a nugget of parting counsel, Paul told the saints to "take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God. …" (See Acts:20:22-28.)

In these few verses, Paul teaches a mere few of the many ways in which the Holy Ghost can influence God's children. The Holy Ghost directed Paul as to where he should go. The Holy Ghost gave Paul comfort and strength when bonds and afflictions filled his life. And Paul promised that the Holy Ghost would influence other saints in ways they could bless fellow members.

Countless other teachings and examples from the lives of prophets and apostles — ancient and modern — affirm the need to have the Holy Ghost direct our lives. Indeed, the influence of the Holy Ghost is essential if mortals are to successfully navigate this confusing, complicated and often-difficult existence we call mortality.

"These four words — 'Receive the Holy Ghost' — are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction — an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon," said Elder David A. Bednar in last October's general conference.

To fully understand why "acting, rather than being acted upon" is essential, one must first understand the Lord's Plan of Happiness.

Our Heavenly Father's love for us is so great that He allowed us to come to Earth and gain experience. That experience is often gained through great difficulty. God allows us to suffer that great difficulty because He knows that there is no other way whereby we may become like Him — and have the joy that He has. Like the Savior Himself, we are here to learn obedience by the things that we suffer. (See Hebrews 5:8.)

To be sure, mortality is not only about pain and suffering. Mortality also brings much joy and rejoicing. But in mortality, the good comes with the bad and, by experiencing both, we wend our way back to the Father.

Navigating mortality is not easy. But under the influence of the Holy Ghost, navigating mortality is easier.

If we act to invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, we have great hope for successfully navigating mortality. If, as promised in our baptismal and sacramental covenants, we live to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can virtually guarantee that we will successfully navigate mortality.

So we must "do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion," said President Henry B. Eyring in last October's general conference.

"Then," President Eyring continued, "let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do. That growth in power to serve may come slowly, it may come in small steps that are difficult for you to see, but it will come."

Going forward fearlessly includes having faith and being baptized, putting our lives in order, keeping the commandments and trying to live a blameless life, praying to have the Spirit with us, and having the humility and faith to invite the Spirit to attend us by reading, studying and pondering the scriptures.

President Eyring said: "That requires faith in Jesus Christ to repent and be cleansed through His Atonement. So … we should never miss an opportunity to participate with all our hearts in the promise offered in every sacrament meeting for members of the restored Church to 'take upon them the name of [God's] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77).' "