Discord or jealousy inhibits the ability of the Holy Ghost to

There are times in life when the soul hungers for wisdom, when the mind reaches toward the heavens seeking light and truth, yet finds only silence. It is in such moments that Henry B. Eyring revealed the quiet mystery of the spirit: “Discord or jealousy inhibits the ability of the Holy Ghost to teach us and inhibits our ability to receive light and truth.” In these words, he teaches that divine understanding does not descend upon a heart that is divided, nor upon a spirit that burns with envy. The Holy Ghost, that whisperer of peace, cannot dwell where contention and pride have made their home.

In the ancient world, this truth was known though it bore no name. The philosophers of old spoke of the need for harmony within the soul before it could perceive wisdom. Plato compared the mind to a chariot drawn by two horses — one noble, one wild. Only when the passions are tamed and brought into unity can the charioteer ascend toward the light of truth. Likewise, Eyring’s words remind us that discord and jealousy unbalance the soul, turning the chariot upon itself and casting the seeker into confusion. Where there is envy, learning cannot flourish; where there is pride, the spirit of understanding retreats.

Consider the story of Cain, the firstborn of Adam, whose heart was consumed with jealousy toward his brother Abel. Though both sought to please God, Cain’s envy blinded his spirit and deafened his heart. The divine light that might have instructed him in humility and repentance was darkened by his own rage. His disappointment at not being favored turned into destruction, and that destruction begot the first true discord among humankind. Thus, the chain that Eyring spoke of — envy leading to blindness, disappointment leading to greater faultfinding — was forged from the beginning of time itself.

Even in later ages, this lesson has echoed in the halls of learning and faith alike. A teacher who competes with his pupil, a leader who envies another’s praise, or a congregation divided by secret resentments — all fall into the same trap. They come together to learn, but instead find themselves empty. Jealousy clouds perception, discord disrupts the flow of divine guidance, and the light they seek becomes scattered like sunlight through a storm. The disappointment that follows does not humble them — it hardens them, and they begin to find fault in others rather than in their own restless hearts.

True enlightenment, as Eyring suggests, is not achieved by intellect alone but by purity of spirit. To receive light is not merely to hear truth, but to be open to it — and one cannot be open while clutching resentment or rivalry. The Holy Ghost teaches through gentleness, patience, and love; it withdraws from hearts that simmer in jealousy or anger. This is why so many wise men and women throughout history sought solitude and prayer before their greatest revelations — for they knew the stillness of peace was the language of heaven.

In this way, Eyring’s teaching is not merely religious but profoundly human. It speaks to every artist who envies another’s success, every student who resents another’s brilliance, every soul who feels slighted by fate. Jealousy is not a small sin; it is a thief that steals both joy and learning. It closes the window through which truth enters and replaces wonder with bitterness. The disappointment that follows is the fruit of our own planting — and if left untended, it grows into a garden of thorns where no wisdom can bloom.

Therefore, let this be the counsel passed to future generations: guard your heart from discord, for it is the silent destroyer of growth. When you enter a place of learning, do so with humility and peace. When another is praised, rejoice rather than envy, for light is not diminished by being shared — it grows brighter in unity. Seek harmony in your relationships, patience in your failures, and gratitude in your progress. These are the soils where the Holy Ghost plants its eternal seeds.

And when disappointment visits you — as it surely will — do not let it harden into bitterness. Let it refine your humility, for a humble spirit is like still water: it reflects the light and truth of heaven perfectly. Only when the heart is calm can the divine whisper be heard. And in that whisper, as Eyring knew, lies the endless education of the soul — the gentle unfolding of wisdom that no man can teach, but every pure heart can receive.