Music

“We all have the right to inspiration and direction by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost . . . we all live far below our privileges.” (Boyd K. Packer, “A Sure Way to Happiness, Church News, 11 April 1998.)                            

I only began having definite, recognizable experiences with promptings from the Holy Ghost in the last few decades of my life. The first time, it happened quietly but vividly in a way that I could not deny, and I thought, “Wow, so that’s how it feels to receive a personal message from the Holy Ghost!” It was so exhilarating and spiritually satisfying that it prompted me to say an immediate prayer of thanks and to long for other such experiences. After that, I suddenly understood more about how to recognize promptings. In fact as I looked back over my life I felt sure that I had been guided constantly by these quiet impressions without consciously recognizing them for what they were.

As I became more aware, and prepared myself to qualify for such experiences they seemed to happen much more often, or was I just better attuned to them? I began to record them in a special little book so the experiences would not be forgotten.

The March 2013 Ensign magazine published a song of mine, “The Voice of the Spirit,” that I wrote many years ago as I was beginning to better understand the workings of the Spirit. In those lyrics I described the Holy Ghost as “A gentle voice, so still, so small; a voice that hardly can be heard at all; a voice so clear to me, a voice that pierces me to my soul.”  I will include the song and lyrics here in preparation for sharing a few of my experiences with the Spirit-the ones that are appropriate to share. Other, more sacred experiences must just be treasured in my heart.

Click the play button below to listen to “The Voice of the Spirit”

This song can be found on iTunes or purchased at JaniceKappPerry.com

Oh God, my Eternal Father
I long to see Thy face
But a veil was drawn between us
That I might live by faith
And yet I’m very certain
I do not walk alone
For when I seek Thee humbly
Thy wisdom is made known

Chorus

   The voice of the Spirit comes so quietly
   From deep inside of me, to speak Thy will
   The voice of the Spirit comes as light to me
   Gently reminding me of all that’s real
   A gentle voice so still, so small
   A voice that hardly can be heard at all
   A voice so clear to me, a voice that pierces me
   To my soul

Oh God, my Eternal Father
I long to hear Thy voice
But I left Thy loving presence
And came to earth by choice
And yet I feel Thy guidance
Each time I kneel to pray
Thy kind and caring Spirit
Illuminates my way

Chorus

   The voice of the Spirit is so sweet to me
   It whispers peace to me thru thoughts divine
   The voice of the Spirit is so real to me
   Truth is revealed to me
   In heart and mind
   A gentle voice, so still so small
   A voice that hardly can be heard at all
   A voice so clear to me
   A voice that pierces me to my soul

The voice of the Spirit is so sweet to me
A voice that teaches me all Thou would have me know

The Holy Ghost speaks to us in so many ways: to confirm testimony, to warn of danger, to give counsel, to give reassurance, to give instruction, to bring things to our remembrance, and even to give counsel for others in our stewardship. As recently as last night I had the perfect experience to illustrate “bringing things to our remembrance.”

Bringing Something to Our Remembrance

As is often the case, I had procrastinated writing my article for Meridian Magazine to the last few days and was desperately trying to decide upon a worthwhile topic. I discarded my first two ideas, then I remembered that my song “The Voice of the Spirit” had just been published in the Ensign. It is a topic that always intrigues me and I decided I would write on that topic and share a few personal experiences. I went to retrieve the little book in which I had recorded such experiences but it was nowhere to be found. I knew it had to be in my studio but I could not find it. I prayed for help in remembering where I had put it. I had had a rather stressful day and my patience was wearing a bit thin so after one hour of searching I felt agitated and began to pray more in the way of telling Heavenly Father I didn’t have much time to write this and I needed to find the book now please. It didn’t happen and I finally gave up, sat back in my recliner and read a few chapters in the Old Testament (my goal for the year). As I read Joshua’s recounting of all the miracles the Lord had performed to bring the children of Israel to Canaan, my heart was finally still and I felt at peace. I offered one more humble prayer, in a completely different spirit, “Heavenly Father, I need that book, please help me to remember where it is.” The answer came to my mind immediately.

I looked at a small magazine rack in front of me which held all of my study materials for a group of children’s songs I am writing about Book of Mormon Heroes, and knew my book was in with those materials. Logically, it shouldn’t have been, but I searched through those materials and found it hidden among them. I said an immediate prayer of gratitude. We must be still to hear the promptings of the Spirit.

Warning Us of Danger

In the early 70’s my husband Doug worked at Utah State University in Logan. He was a racquetball champion there and was being groomed to play in the State Championship tournament in Salt Lake City. One day he took time off from work to devote himself to a lengthy and grueling practice session after which he came home complaining of a bad headache. He took a strong pain pill and went to bed to sleep it off. I knew from past experience he wouldn’t awaken for three or four hours.However, about an hour later I heard him call my name urgently. I ran into the bedroom to see what the problem was. He was groggy from the medication but with great  anxiety he said, “Find the boys-something is wrong!” I assured him they were just playing in the yard but he yelled, “Hurry! Please!” This time I ran, searching the yard for them but could not find them.I was becoming alarmed when I heard their voices, but I couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from.

  Finally I walked past the garage and saw their legs sticking out from under the back of our Chevy station wagon. Relieved, I called under the car to ask what they were doing. They said, “We were trying to light our leftover firecrackers but the wind kept blowing out the matches so we decided to light them under the car.” I felt my heart begin to pound as I realized they were right underneath the gas tank that had been leaking drops of gasoline for a few days! I pulled them out and those two boys got the hug of their lives, from sheer relief! Then they got a stern warning, after which we went to find Dad and give thanks together. President Thomas S. Monson has said that we should never delay acting on a prompting.

Receiving Counsel for the Benefit of Someone Else                       

Years ago when my sister Ann and her husband were living in Germany and Belgium she developed serious problems of cramping and pain in her feet which were brought on by type 2 diabetes. An Army doctor in Germany wanted to break all of her toes and set them straight and rigid; another doctor told her the only solution was to buy bigger shoes. Finally, the cramping became so terrible and unpredictable (often coming in both feet at once) that a doctor in Belgium put her on Neurontin, a very strong nerve relaxant that threw her into a deep, black depression.

At one point she felt that if she could not get relief from this problem, she wasn’t sure she wanted to live anymore.

In desperation she called me to say she was coming to Utah and asked if I would make her an appointment with the very best podiatrist I knew, and that she would be in Utah long enough to recover from any surgery he would recommend-she had to have help. After many inquiries I made the appointment with an expert podiatrist and she went to see him as soon as she arrived. He interviewed her and examined her feet but found nothing he felt he could relieve with surgery. During her remaining time with me I witnessed first-hand how she suffered from this problem and I desperately want to find help for her before she had to return to Belgium. I prayed most sincerely that I would know what to do, and a few days before her return flight I received a strong impression to take her to a certain doctor who had helped many people with alternative procedures. I made the appointment and she agreed to see him. He confirmed the other doctor’s diagnosis that surgery was not what was needed. He gave her an IV of a certain concoction of several vitamins and then gave her follow up syringes to have weekly shots to continue the treatment.

Ann left for Belgium shortly thereafter feeling far less pain during her long hours of travel and later reported that she had been able to walk clear through the Belgium airport with almost no pain.

In the following years her foot cramps and pain have been minimal as she continues this simple treatment. She recently told me that the inspiration I received in her behalf may have literally saved her life. Often, the Spirit will instruct us to do things we otherwise might not have done.

Giving Us Needed Counsel

Doug and I always knew we would serve a senior mission someday but hadn’t decided just when.

At 66, Doug was semi-retired and enjoying his hobbies. At 62 I was still actively writing music and enjoying life with our children and grandchildren. A mission still seemed a few years away.  One Sunday as the sacrament was being passed I was mentally counting my blessings when an impression of the Spirit interrupted my thoughts so forcefully it startled me: You have a year to prepare and then you need to go. I didn’t actually hear a voice but those words were imprinted indelibly in my mind. From my seat in the choir I looked down at Doug in the congregation to see if he had received the same message. He had his arms folded and his eyes were closed. Later, at home I told him what had happened and asked if he had received the message too. He smiled and said, “I didn’t need the message, I’ve been ready to go for some time and have just been waiting for you to say the time is right.” We talked to our bishop who said that “a year to prepare” was about right. A year later we were called to serve in the Santiago Chile West Mission at a time when we both enjoyed good health and energy-one of the greatest experiences of our lives.  We had many confirmations that we were serving at just the right time and in the right place, but it took a little extra help from the Holy Ghost for us to recognize that it was time to go. The Lord knows us personally and gives us individualized instruction.

Conclusion

Promptings from the Spirit seem to happen much more frequently since I have learned how to prepare my spirit to receive them and how to better recognize and act upon them. Im quite certain that I have been guided by this subtle force throughout my life and have yielded to its enticing long before receiving the increased understanding that has come to me later in life. The value of these spiritual promptings cannot be overstated. It is supernal gift which, if heeded, can determine the very course and outcome of our lives.

Click the play button below to listen to “Let the Holy Spirit Guide”

 

This song can be found on iTunes or purchased at JaniceKappPerry.com

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

Words by Steven Kapp Perry & Penelope Moody Allen

Music by Steven Kapp Perry & Martin Shaw

A.

Still and small, I heard it calling
In a time of doubt and fear
Still and small, I heard it whisper
Speaking peace, and bringing heaven near

Let the Holy Spirit guide
Let Him teach us what is true
He will testify of Christ
Light our minds with heaven’s view

B.

Through a cloud as dark as midnight
I have wandered, I have cried
When my feet could go no further
Came a gentle voice to be my guide

C.
Let the Holy Spirit guard
Let His whisper govern choice
He will lead us safely home
If we listen to His voice

Let the Holy Spirit guide

Sing B and C together

Still and small, I heard it calling
Let the Holy Spirit guide

Janice Kapp Perry: Composer, author, lecturer