Calling his message a letter to his descendants, President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, shared Sunday morning what he has learned through personal experience about having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Speaking from the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Oct. 1, President Eyring reiterated the warning given by President Russell M. Nelson in his first general conference as the President of the Church: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” 

Said President Eyring: “That prophetic warning has led me to ponder what I might teach my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about how to have that crucial guidance in the difficult days ahead for them.”

Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman, faced fierce opposition but, “having many revelations daily … they did put an end to their strife in that same year” (Helaman 11:23).

“This account encourages me, and it could encourage you,” President Eyring said. “Helaman’s sons were taught and guided by a series of experiences with the Holy Ghost. This assures me that we can be taught by and learn from the Spirit line upon line, receiving what we need, and then when we are ready, we will receive more.”

All need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is not easy to achieve, President Eyring noted. “We each think, say and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit.”

When that happens, remember the promise received as individuals repent and partake of the sacrament: “that they may always have his Spirit to be with them” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77).

President Eyring assured, “If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as a sweet evidence that the Atonement is working in your life.”

President Eyring said that in his own life, when he feels distant from the Lord, he has learned to follow the counsel of President Nelson: Look for opportunities to repent. 

Conferencegoers file in before the Sunday morning session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

“If you find yourself having difficulty in feeling the Holy Ghost, you might ponder whether there is anything for which you might repent and receive forgiveness. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus more nearly qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost,” President Eyring said.

Those who want to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost must want it for the right reasons. “If your motives are too selfish, you will find it difficult to receive the promptings of the Spirit,” he said. “The key for me and for you is to want what the Savior wants. Our motives need to be driven by the pure love of Christ. They need to be: ‘All I want is what you want. Thy will be done.’”

President Eyring said he tries to remember the Savior’s sacrifice and His love. “Then, when I pray to Heavenly Father to give thanks, I feel love and assurance that my prayers are heard and that I will receive what is best. It strengthens my testimony.”

Of all the things to which the Holy Ghost testifies, the most precious is that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of God, President Eyring said.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, walk onto the podium at the beginning of the Saturday evening session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46 offers counsel with a promise: “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; … The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.”

The Lord has kept that promise, President Eyring declared. “The Holy Ghost is being sent to the faithful covenant members of the Church of Jesus Christ. Your experiences will be unique, and the Spirit will guide in the way best suited to your faith and capacity to receive revelation for you and for those you love and serve. I pray that your confidence will grow.”

In conclusion, he testified, “You and I have the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion and to have those truths confirmed as we remember and love the Savior, repent and ask for His love to be in our hearts.”