The Holy Ghost

Last week's report was a bit of a drab. This week I'll add some flavour.

While visiting a family, whose oldest son I went to Institute with back in Centurion, an investigator bore a sweet testimony that brought the Spirit with rapid pull. She expressed how she didn't understand the one true church  thing, but after the prayer "I could feel tat Jesus was there." Her words. As of now, she's on Helaman, finished the Gospel Principles book, and well into the Teachings of the Presidents: Howard W. Hunter.

After the lesson on making the Book of Mormon a part of our life, she requested another lesson early in the week. "I know the Book of Mormon is true, Elders. I understand the importance of baptism. That, I do not have a problem with. The thing that's keeping me back is the confirmation. I don't understand how a man can give you the Holy Ghost."

There we had it. Never has an investigator outright told us their concern. Much less ask us to help them understand. It was a simple misunderstanding, and we used the Bible to clarify.

​"​Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard​ ​that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto​ ​them Peter and John:​ ​Who, when they were come down, prayed for them,that they might receive the Holy Ghost:​ ​(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they​ ​were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)​ ​Then laid they their hands on them, and they received​ ​the Holy Ghost.​" - Acts 8:14-17.​

​"​And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.​ ​Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of​ ​repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.​ ​When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.​ ​And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.​"​ - Acts 19:3-6.

When we are baptised, it is done by immersion, under proper priesthood authority and in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwhich, those who are in authority lay their hands upon your head, confirm you members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and say unto you "Receive the Holy Ghost". This ordinance is necessary, but it does not mean that the priesthood holder is giving you the Holy Ghost. You are given the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is still our responsibility to receive the Holy Ghost through our diligence, faithfulness and seeking. It's also the only way.

Who then gives us the Holy Ghost?

Christ said, in John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

It is a gift from the Father. He uses righteous priesthood holders as the means by which His children are blessed.

After the lesson she thanked us greatly, saying that she now understood, and that it was no longer a stumbling block. She returns to Bluff today, so hopefully the missionaries that side are able to carry the work forward.

The week continued with a number of referrals from members, a change of heart in an investigator, and a solid family in town that my companion and I found through... wait for it, gate buzzing.

I know that this is the Lord's work. No matter the opposition. Many times I feel I do not have the answers. Sometimes I remember the answers only after the meeting. Other times I feel to simply let it be. But the Lord is always in control. The only thing in the way of man's salvation is their own agency. God will not force anyone to accept Him or His truth, we need to choose that ourselves. And oh, how I plead, let us choose. Even, in the words of Alma, if all we can do is desire to believe. Let that desire work. Nurture it. Nourish it. You will feel it begin to grow. You'll find the answers.

The picture below is a wonderful missionary couple and the missionary I trained. Makes me proud.

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.