Power in the Spirit

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we know that we have the Spirit of the Lord with us as we live righteously.  But do we fully realize that a literal portion of His Spirit dwells inside of us? And what about the true power that comes from that Spirit?

This was brought to the forefront of my mind from a scripture that hit me in a new way. I was reading the account of Ammon and King Lamoni's conversation in Alma 18, as Lamoni questions Ammon about the power he had to know his thoughts and slay so many robbers single-handedly.

King Lamoni asks him if he is the Great Spirit, and Ammon responds that he is not, but that he was called of God and had "a portion of that Spirit." Now in the past I thought this referred specifically to the Priesthood, but when I read it recently, felt it was to mean the Spirit we all have access to.

     "And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and the desires which are in God." (Alma 18:35)

A piece of Him is inside of us, His Spirit, His light. It is a gift from Him, power unto us to do great and marvelous things if we have and exercise faith. Using that Spirit, and being instruments in the hands of the Lord, Ammon and his brethren brought thousands of people to the knowledge of the truth and true conversion.

If only each of us would realize the privilege of this gift and use it to it's full capacity, our full capacity. Through many experiences the past year or so the Lord has shown me that I have more power to do good through that Spirit than I ever realized. He has shown me that He trusts me to follow that Spirit by giving me more and more of it. As He does, I have been more of an instrument in His hands.  Small and simple things have become great and marvelous. I hope to do more good with this amazing piece of God that dwells inside me.