To "always have the Spirit with us" is to have the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in one's daily life, taught President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency.
"For that reason alone, it is easy to see why the Lord's servants have tried to increase our desire to worship God in our sacrament meetings," he said. "If we partake of the sacrament in faith, the Holy Ghost will then be able to protect us, and those we love, from the temptations that come with increasing intensity and frequency."
The companionship of the Holy Ghost, he added, makes "what is good more attractive and temptation less compelling."
The Holy Ghost also gives one the power to discern between truth and falsehood. "The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough. We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from clever deception."
The truths that mark the way home to God are verified by the Holy Ghost, he added.
"We cannot go to the grove and see the Father and Son speak to the young Joseph Smith. No physical evidence nor any logical argument can establish that Elijah came as promised to confer the priesthood keys now held and exercised by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson."
"Confirmation of truth comes to a son or daughter of God who has claimed the right to receive the Holy Ghost. Since falsehood and lies may be presented to us at any time, we need a constant influence of the Spirit of Truth to spare us moments of doubt."
President Eyring said the companionship of the Holy Ghost also provides comfort and hope following the loss of a loved one. The Holy Ghost offers a witness of the reality of a loving Heavenly Father and a resurrected Savior.
The companionship of the Holy Ghost is not always easy to maintain. All think, say and do things that can offend the Spirit. But one can always remember those moments when he or she has felt the influence of the Holy Ghost.
"You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described," he said. "Plant each one. You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt today. The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend: you should do it. Whatever it is: do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him."
The Spirit will then come more frequently — closer and closer to constant companionship.
"You can know when those impressions to act are from the Spirit rather than from our own desire," he taught. "When impressions square with what the Savior and His living prophets and apostles have said, you can choose to obey with confidence. Then the Lord will send His Spirit to attend you."
President Eyring spoke of the example of his father, Henry Eyring. A renowned chemist and faithful member, Brother Eyring lived a life directed by the influence and direction of the Holy Ghost.
When President Eyring's mother, Mildred Bennion Eyring, succumbed to cancer, he witnessed his father's long-established relationship with the Holy Ghost.
"[My father] shed no tears," he said. "That was because the Holy Ghost had long before given him a clear picture of who she was, where she came from, what she had become, and where she was going. The Spirit had testified to him many times of a loving Heavenly Father, of a Savior who had broken the power of death, and of the reality of the temple sealing he shared with his wife and family."
Brother Eyring found comfort following his wife's death because he was already well acquainted with the comforting role of the Holy Ghost.
"One of the reasons my father asked for and received that comfort was because he had always prayed in faith since his childhood," said President Eyring. "He was used to getting answers that came to his heart to give comfort and direction. In addition to having a habit of prayer, he knew the scriptures and the words of living prophets. So he recognized the familiar whisperings of the Spirit which you have felt today."
