The Gift of the Holy Ghost

This is the talk I gave at the baptism of Eleanor Valentia King. It's a talk on the Holy Ghost.

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It’s always a happy occasion when the children of God gather together to witness the baptism of His sons and daughters. Yea, and today we have exactly that, Washington and Eleanor. Today we proudly stand witness to your commitment and dedication to Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Today the angels shout praises to the Lord God Almighty as you enter into the waters, ready to come out a new person. And it’s joyous to know that this is only the beginning of your journeys as faithful followers of the Great Redeemer.

And when I think of it, I remember the day that I was baptised, when a lady named Letta stood before the congregation telling us that if she could give any gift, any gift at all, it would be the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now I know that this gift comes straight from the Father, but when I think about it, I couldn’t agree more. What greater gift is there, especially at the start of your journey in Christ?

Nephi says:

2 Nephi 31:13 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism–yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yeah, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.”

And there it is… the promise that you will receive the Holy Ghost, the greatest gift of all, by following our Lord and Saviour into the water.

Nephi 31:17 “Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”

How plain and clear.

2 Nephi 32:2-3 “²Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the power of the Holy Ghost? ³Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”

I still find myself in awe when I think exactly what this gift means to us. On the first hand, we have our covenant to carry the name of Christ in all places, wherever we may be. On the second, we have the Holy Ghost which allows us to speak with the tongue of angels, making it possible to uphold that covenant. We have the words of Christ before us, they are our guide. And we also have the gift of revelation, made possible by the Holy Ghost.

2 Nephi 32:5 “For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”

So I repeat, there is no greater gift than the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2 Nephi 33:1 “…for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.”

So this is my testimony, that Heavenly Father loves us and cares for us. That the atonement of Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to return unto Him by entering into the waters of baptism through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, as well as repentance. He has even made a way for us to be guided in this mortal journey through the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the priesthood, by the laying on of hands, you two, Washington and Eleanor, will receive this gift and have the Spirit to be with you. Yes, and by continuing to endure, by continuously striving to do better, upholding your covenants and partaking of the sacrament, you may always have the Spirit to be with you.

So this is my message to you, bear your testimonies, push forward, and hearken unto the voice of the Lord. Listen to the promptings of the Spirit, and go where the Lord wants you to go. You will be guided, you will be strengthened, and you will be comforted.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour,

Amen.