From http://www.lds.org:

To increase our desire and ability to receive the Holy Ghost, President Eyring shares several personal experiences and gives specific direction. After reviewing his experiences, what similar memories can members of your quorum or Relief Society share when the Holy Ghost touched their hearts or affirmed truth? Perhaps members could list on the board the guidance that President Eyring shares to help “open our hearts to receive the ministration of the Spirit.” How will following his direction help us in own lives and in our families? In our quorum or Relief Society?

‘The conditions on which we can receive that supernal blessing are made clear in the words that are spoken every week but perhaps do not always sink into our hearts and minds. To have the Spirit sent to us, we must “always remember” the Savior and “keep his commandments” (D&C 20:77).’

‘Each Sabbath day we witness that we are “willing to take upon [ourselves His name], and always remember him, and keep his commandments.”  ^{Moroni 4:3 see also  Doctrine and Covenants 20:77} In return for our repentant heart and our commitment, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables us to “always have his Spirit to be with [us].”  ^{Doctrine and Covenants 20:77} The Holy Spirit’s influence improves, strengthens, teaches, and guides us.’ (Randall K Bennett, General Conference, October 2015)

‘To always have the Spirit with us is to have the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives. We can, for instance, be warned by the Spirit to resist the temptation to do evil.

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. 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 makes what is good more attractive and temptation less compelling. That alone should be enough to make us determined to qualify for the Spirit to be with us always.’ (Henry B Eyring, General Conference, October 2015)

See also Cheryl A. Esplin, “The Sacrament—a Renewal for the Soul,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 12–14.

How can we use the weekly renewal of our covenants at the sacrament table an opportunity to invite the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost?

‘The experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith offer a guide. He began and continued his ministry with the decision that his own wisdom was not sufficient to know what course he should pursue. He chose to be humble before God.’

Preach My Gospel says that ‘Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honour for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgement of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength.’

What is the connection between humility and having the Spirit to be with us?

How does pride prevent us from receiving the Spirit?

‘Next, Joseph chose to ask of God. He prayed in faith that God would answer. The answer came when he was a young boy. Those messages came when he needed to know how God would have His Church established. The Holy Ghost comforted and guided him throughout his life.’

‘When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him—when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life—you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do.’ (Elder Russell M Nelson, General Conference, April 2017)

President Eyring suggest that we should pray to ‘know the needs and hearts of others and how to help them for the Lord.’ How does prayer help us to be better (holier) ministers?

‘He obeyed inspiration when it was difficult. For instance, he received direction to send the Twelve to England when he needed them most. He sent them.’

• pray
• listen
• record thoughts and feelings
• follow through on promptings

‘The scriptures also explain that the Holy Spirit motivates people to act. Those same disciples on Pentecost felt the Spirit’s power and asked “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). For starters, Jesus taught His followers that the Spirit would help them know what to tell others about the gospel (see Luke 12:12).  “…The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).’ (Mormon.org)

What do you think will happen if we fail to follow the promptings of the Spirit?