President Ezra Taft Benson on the blessings of the Holy Ghost

President Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"We hear the words of the Lord most often by a feeling. If we are humble and sensitive, the Lord will prompt us through our feelings. That is why spiritual promptings move us on occasion to great joy, sometimes to tears. Many times my emotions have been made tender and my feelings very sensitive when touched by the Spirit. 

"The Holy Ghost causes our feelings to be more tender. We feel more charitable and compassionate with each other. We are more calm in our relationships. We have a greater capacity to love each other. People want to be around us because our very countenances radiate the influence of the Spirit. We are more godly in our character. As a result, we become increasingly more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and thus able to comprehend spiritual things more clearly." 

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Seek the Spirit of the Lord," Ensign, Apr. 1988, p. 4
Click here to read the full talk

This is a tender witness about the blessings that come to faithful disciples. Joy and tears are often linked in spiritual matters, as the Lord touches our feelings and emotions. And President Benson helps us understand why; it's because of how the Holy Ghost works in our lives, and influences our receptiveness and personality.

This is an inspiring list of attributes - tenderness, charity, compassion, calmness, love. I have known people in whom I believe these promises are realized. If we focus on learning to "hear the words of the Lord" and feel His promptings in our life.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 28, 1915