Life at times can feel extremely lonely or confusing at times. For some this feeling seems never ending and makes the experience of life hard to find joy and comfort in. I for one have felt that way in my life more often than I care to dwell on because I know there is someone out there who I can always have to be with me. The person I speak of is the Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead who’s influence can be with us at all times that we may never feel alone, or confused. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the role of the Holy Ghost is a special one as it is for Christianity as a whole. We share a lot of commonalities we our Christian brother and sisters but the biggest difference in how we perceive the Holy Ghost however is revelation. For us revelation is a key component of our religion and through it we know that we are in constant communication with God.
I for one am extremely grateful for the role the Holy Ghost has in my life. He truly is my guide and comforter in life. Through him I am able to discern what is really important in life. I can be enlightened to the truth in life. I am able to bless others and be a better leader in my family in partnership with my wife. The only cost for this peace and assurance is what comes from being obedient to the commandments of God and learning to listen to the still, small voice.
Wisdom from the Prophets and Apostles:
...Be influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that
one with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your
confirmation and said, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” Open your hearts, even your
very souls, to the sound of that special voice which testifies of truth. As the
prophet Isaiah promised, “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the
way, walk ye in it.”
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...yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or
defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be
eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight.
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The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we
need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and
essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of
promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for
the purpose of this message, it is inspiration.
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...The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a
loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be
fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As
Naomi W. Randall, author of “I Am a Child of God,” penned, “His Spirit guides;
his love assures that fear departs when faith endures.”27...
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Throughout our lives, whether in times of darkness,
challenge, sorrow, or sin, we may feel the Holy Ghost reminding us that we are
truly sons and daughters of a caring Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we may
hunger for the sacred blessings that only He can provide. At these times we
should strive to come to ourselves and come back into the light of our Savior’s
love.
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The Holy Ghost is sent to you and to those you care for. You
will be strengthened and yet inspired to know the limits and extent of your
ability to serve. The Spirit will comfort you when you may wonder, “Did I do
enough?”
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...The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit whose work is to
testify of the Father and the Son. The Godhead is three separate and distinct
beings, unified in purpose.
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To speak to a child’s heart, we must know a child’s needs.
If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to
reach into their hearts. Our efforts are magnified when we seek the direction
of the Holy Ghost. The Lord said: “Speak the thoughts that I shall put into
your hearts, … “For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very
moment, what ye shall say.”...
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...In the intimate setting of the Passover chamber, the
Savior promised His Apostles that they would be blessed with the “Comforter,
which is the Holy Ghost” and then uttered these important words: “Peace I leave
with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto
you.”30...
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It is only with the companionship of the Holy Ghost that we
can hope to be equally yoked in a marriage free from discord. I have seen how
that companionship is crucial for felicity in a marriage. The miracle of
becoming one requires the help of heaven, and it takes time. Our goal is to
live together forever in the presence of Heavenly Father and our Savior.
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Another truth I have come to know is that the Holy Ghost is
real. He is the third member of the Godhead. His mission is to testify of truth
and righteousness. He manifests Himself in many ways, including feelings of
peace and reassurance. He can also bring comfort, guidance, and correction when
needed. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is maintained throughout our lives
by righteous living. The gift of the Holy Ghost is conferred through an
ordinance of the gospel. One with authority lays his hands on the head of a new
member of the Church and says words such as these: “Receive the Holy Ghost.”
This ordinance alone does not change us in a noticeable way, but if we listen
and follow the promptings, we will receive the blessing of the Holy Ghost. Each
son or daughter of our Heavenly Father can come to know the reality of Moroni’s
promise: “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things”
(Moroni 10:5; emphasis added).
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It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to the earth
to die for us. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through
His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to enliven us—not only to
guide but also to strengthen and heal us.
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...As you seek a personal witness—your personal
revelation—you will discover that Heavenly Father has provided a special way
for you to know the truth for yourself: through the third member of the
Godhead, a personage of spirit we know as the Holy Ghost. “And when ye shall
receive these things”—including what I have shared today—“I would exhort you
that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these
things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real
intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by
the power of the Holy Ghost. “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know
[with a surety] the truth of all things.”27
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I bear you my witness that is true. Heavenly Father hears
your prayers. He loves you. He knows your name. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and our Redeemer. He loves you beyond your ability to comprehend. God
pours out revelation, through the Holy Ghost, on His children. He...
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From the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi we read: “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” (2 Nephi 32:5). We
must never let the noise of the world overpower and overwhelm that still, small
voice.
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As a priesthood holder, you are to be part of the warning
voice of the Lord. But you need to heed the warning yourself. You will not
survive spiritually without the protection of the companionship of the Holy
Ghost in your daily life. You must pray for it and work to have it. Only with
that guide will you be able to find your way along the strait and narrow path
through the mists of evil. The Holy Ghost will be your guide as He reveals
truth when you study the words of prophets.
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It is because you have such important and difficult
priesthood calls that President Smith suggests that when you pray, you always
plead with God that He will bless you with His Spirit. You will need the Holy
Ghost not once but as much as God will grant it to you for your constant
companion. That is why we must always pray that God will guide us in our
service to His children.
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