Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Holy Ghost





Attributes and Mission of the Holy Ghost
1. "The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (see 1 John 5:7; D&C 20:28). He is a “personage of Spirit” (D&C 130:22). He can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are called the Godhead. They are unified in purpose. Each has an important assignment in the plan of salvation. Our Heavenly Father is our Father and ruler. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth.... The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things... The prophets of the Lord have promised, “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5)" (Gospel Principles, The Holy Ghost).


2. 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. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:26-27).

3. "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.... Wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever." (Moroni 10:5-7).

4. "The [Gift of the Holy Ghost] can come only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands, as in Acts 8:12–25.... The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. For those who receive this gift, the Holy Ghost acts as a cleansing agent to purify them and sanctify them from all sin" (Bible Dictionary, p. 704).

"Those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy can enjoy His companionship throughout their lives. The Holy Ghost has a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon us. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth. He provides spiritual strength and helps us do what is right. He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow. He warns us of spiritual or physical danger. The Holy Ghost provides the power by which we teach and learn. The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts. Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can feel God’s love and direction for us. This gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life" (Preach My Gospel).

How the Holy Ghost Influences and Reveals Truth to Us
5. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23).

6. "Every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.... Every thing which inviteth to... believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power... of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil" (Moroni 7:13, 16-17).

7. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

As we see and feel the fruits of the Spirit in ourselves, our families, or others, we can know that what we are learning, reading, observing, hearing, or thinking is of God.

Q How does having the Holy Ghost with us help us to be more Christlike?

8. "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation" (D&C 8:2-3).

9. "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right" (D&C 9:7-8).

10. "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God.... Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?" (D&C 6: 20-23).

As in this example, the Holy Ghost may reveal truth to us with feelings of peace and love in our hearts. He may reveal truth to us as we see the fruits and strength of the Spirit in our family as a result of living the restored gospel.

Q How did you learn to recognize the presence or promptings the Holy Ghost?

Q How has the Holy Ghost revealed these truths to you? How has this knowledge helped you to become more Christlike? What other differences has this knowledge made in your life?
  •          God is our loving Heavenly Father
  •          Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer
  •          The Book of Mormon is the word of God
  •          Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith
  •       Jesus Christ leads His Church today through prophets and apostles
11a. The prophet Nephi saw our day and warned: "They shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost.... Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted.... Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!" (2 Nephi 28:4, 12, 26).

Q Why is it important to seek to gain a testimony through the Holy Ghost and not some other means? What are the potential pitfalls of relying on human reasoning alone?

Q Why is it important to be humble as we seek to grow our testimonies and receive revelation? How can skepticism or self-will prevent us from receiving revelation?

11b. Nephi continued: "Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost" (2 Nephi 28:29-31).

Q Why should we continually seek to invite and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost? To follow the guidance God gives us through living prophets?

Principles for Inviting the Holy Ghost and Gaining a Testimony

The Lord has given us many tools to help us invite the Holy Ghost into our lives and receive personal revelation. We will discuss some of these today. More can be found in the personal revelation toolbox:


Reverence
12a. "The adversary tries to smother [the voice of the Spirit] with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices: Murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices. Whining voices that abhor challenge and work. Seductive voices offering sensual enticements. Soothing voices that lull us into carnal security. Intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority. Proud voices that rely on the arm of flesh. Flattering voices that puff us up with pride. Cynical voices that destroy hope. Entertaining voices that promote pleasure seeking. Commercial voices that tempt us to “spend money for that which is of no worth” and/or “labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Nephi 9:51). Delirious voices that spawn the desire for a 'high' "(James E. Faust, September 1993 BYU Fireside).

12b. "My first radio was a crystal set. It was hard to tune to the frequency of a particular radio station. I had to literally scratch the receiving wire whisker over the top of the rough crystal to find the right pinpoint, a little valley or peak on the crystal where the signal was received. Just a millimeter off on either side of that point and I would lose the signal and get scratchy static. Over time, with patience and perseverance, good eyesight, and a steady hand, I learned to find the signal point on the crystal without too much difficulty. So it is with inspiration. We must attune ourselves to the inspiration from God and tune out the scratchy static. We have to work at being tuned in. Most of us need a long time to become tuned in" (James E. Faust, April 2004 General Conference).

13. "The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither 'loud' nor 'harsh.' It is 'not a voice of thunder, neither … voice of a great tumultuous noise.' But rather, 'a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,' and it can 'pierce even to the very soul' and 'cause [the heart] to burn.' (3 Ne. 11:3Hel. 5:30D&C 85:6–7.) Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a 'still small voice.' (1 Kgs. 19:12.) The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all." (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Jan 1983, 51)

When seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost, go to a quiet place that is free from distraction (such as TV). Be grateful for the blessings of the Lord and subdue your soul before Him. Doing so will prepare you to receive revelation.

Q What does it mean to be reverent? How does reverence help us to receive revelation from the Holy Ghost?

14. "In our individual study and classroom instruction, we repeatedly emphasize the importance of recognizing the inspiration and promptings we receive from the Spirit of the Lord.... We should also endeavor to discern when we “withdraw [ourselves] from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in [us] to guide [us] in wisdom’s paths that [we] may be blessed, prospered, and preserved” (Mosiah 2:36). Precisely because the promised blessing is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, we should attend to and learn from the choices and influences that separate us from the Holy Spirit.

"The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us" (David A. Bednar, April 2006 General Conference).

15. "Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the source of joy, peace, knowledge, strength, love, and every other good thing. With the Atonement, it is the power by which we may be changed and made strong where we are weak. With the priesthood, it is the power by which marriages and families are sealed together eternally. It is the power by which the Lord makes Himself manifest unto those who believe in Him. Every good thing depends on getting and keeping the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Everything depends on that.... To that end, Jesus Christ entered a garden called Gethsemane, where He overcame sin for us.... [that] you and I may be forgiven of our sins [and] that we may be endowed with His power.... What then shall we do? We will “take upon [us] the name of [the] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]; that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us].” Everything depends on that." (Lawrence E. Corbridge, General Conference October 2008).

Q What does it mean to tune into the Holy Ghost? How do we get and stay in tune? How can we know if we are out of tune?

Exercise faith to repentance and obedience
16. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).

17. "Sometimes we try to [gain a testimony] backward. For example, we may take this approach: I will be happy to live the law of tithing, but first I need to know that it’s true. Maybe we even pray to gain a testimony of the law of tithing and hope the Lord will bless us with that testimony before we have ever filled out a tithing slip. It just doesn’t work that way. The Lord expects us to exercise faith. We have to consistently pay a full and honest tithe in order to gain a testimony of tithing. This same pattern applies to all the principles of the gospel, whether it is the law of chastity, the principle of modesty, the Word of Wisdom, or the law of the fast" (Bonnie L. Oscarson, October 2013 General Conference).


18. "And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer" (Moroni 8:26).

19. "The Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell.... I desire that ye should... contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:36-38).

20. "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day" (D&C 50:24).

21. "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10).

Q What are some key commandments for you to have the Holy Ghost with you?       
  • Pray often
  • Study the scriptures daily
  • Keep the Sabbath Day holy 
  • Keep the Word of Wisdom
  • Keep the Law of Chastity
  • Live the Law of the Fast
  • Follow the Prophet
  • Love and serve others
  • Sacrifice
Q How does keeping commandments, such as the Word of Wisdom, help us invite the Holy Ghost and receive revelation?

Record Spiritual Experiences and Follow Received Revelation
22. "One Sunday I attended [a] meeting... in Mexico City. I vividly recall how a humble Mexican priesthood leader struggled to communicate the truths of the gospel in his lesson material. I noted the intense desire he had to share those principles he strongly valued.... He recognized that they were of great worth to [those] present. In his manner, there was an evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love of those he taught....

"I was deeply touched. Then I began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by that humble instructor. They were personal and related to my assignments in the area. They came in answer to my prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn.

"As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord....  After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.

"Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.

"What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you" (Richard G. Scott, October 2009 General Conference).

Q How have you found the principles taught in this example to be true?

Q How does consistently following promptings from the Holy Ghost lead us to receive more promptings?

Be dilligent, consistent, and patient in seeking revelation
The prophet Alma used the analogy of faith being a seed that grows into the tree of testimony and taught:

23a. "If ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life" (Alma 32:41).

23b. "But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away... Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof" (Alma 32:38-39).

Q Why does God want us to be diligent, consistent, and patient while seeking a testimony?

Q What blessings might we miss out on if diligence, consistency, or patience were not required?

For more information about how God answers prayers and reveals truth to us, see 
http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/2014/02/prayer.html

Q What do you need to change in your life to have more of the blessings of the Holy Ghost?


Key talks about the Holy Ghost can be found at

Key talks about receiving personal revelation can be found at
Key talks about testimony can be found at

Please share your testimony of the principles covered in this lesson or share a favorite scripture or quote that wasn't included.

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