The Holy Ghost Can Help Us

            A few weeks ago I taught a lesson on this subject to my five-year-old CTR class. We discussed as a class several ways that the Holy Ghost can help us. One of the stories in the lesson was about a young girl who saved the life of her little brother because she listened to a prompting from the Holy Ghost. They were walking along a railroad track when the brother’s foot was caught between the railroad ties. Time was of the essence because the children could see a train coming down the track. The sister tugged and tugged at his foot, but she could not get it loose. Then she said a little prayer and was prompted to unlace the shoe. She did so and was able to pull her brother’s foot out of the shoe. The children were barely off the track before the train was barreling down on them.

            The Holy Ghost can help us in other ways, and I will share some of them after I discuss some of His attributes. First, the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. His job is to testify of truth and to help in other ways. Second, the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, meaning that He has a spirit body. Whereas Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bone, the Holy Ghost is a spirit. Third, the Holy Ghost can witness and testify of the truth to anyone, but one must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in order to have Him as a constant companion. This gift is given by the laying on of hands by those who hold the proper priesthood authority to do so.

            Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on the topic of “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” in his April 2017 General Conference talk. Elder Stevenson shares three ways in which the Holy Ghost can help us: The Holy Ghost warns. The Holy Ghost comforts. The Holy Ghost testifies.

            The Holy Ghost can help us by giving advance warning of spiritual or physical danger. Elder Stevenson shares two experiences to illustrate. When he was a young boy hiking along a trail with his father, he wanted to climb up a big rock. The father suggested that they stay on the trail. When they were up the trail and could long down upon the rock, they could see a huge rattle snake curled up on the top of the rock. When the boy asked the father how he knew that the snake was there, the father was able to teach about the warnings given by the Holy Ghost.

            The second experience shared by Elder Stevenson took place in Japan. A mission president was prompted to invite all the missionaries of a certain zone to a meeting that would normally be held for just the leaders.

However, setting convention aside in order to follow the prompting he had received, he invited all missionaries serving in several coastal cities, including the city of Fukushima, to the meeting. On the appointed day, March 11, 2011, the missionaries gathered together for the expanded mission meeting in the inland city of Koriyama.

During this meeting a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the region of Japan where the Japan Sendai Mission is located. Tragically, many coastal cities – including those from which the missionaries had been gathered – were devastated and suffered great loss of life. And the city of Fukushima suffered a subsequent nuclear event.

Although the meetinghouse where the missionaries were meeting that day was damaged by the earthquake, through following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, President and Sister Tateoka and all missionaries were safely assembled. They were out of harm’s way and miles from the devastation of the tsunami and the nuclear fallout.

            The Holy Ghost can comfort us when events in our lives bring “sadness, pain, and disappointment.” Jesus Christ promised that the Father would send the Comforter to help us through the trials of mortality, and this Comforter is the Holy Ghost. Elder Stevenson illustrates this attribute with the story of the death of Fernando’s young wife Bayley and their unborn baby.

Yet as deep as was Fernando’s pain, as well as that of Bayley’s parents and siblings, so too was the depth of contrasting peace and comfort that distilled upon them almost immediately. The Holy Ghost in His role as Comforter truly sustained Fernando through this incomprehensible affliction. The Spirit communicated an abiding peace that led Fernando to an attitude of forgiveness and love toward everyone involved in the tragic crash.

            The Holy Ghost bears witness of the Father and the Son and testifies of all truth. Elder Stevenson continues the story of Fernando and Bayley to illustrate this role of the Holy Ghost.

When Fernando and his brother were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their parents and three younger brothers were not. They declined “numerous invitations to meet with the missionaries over the years.”

Upon the painful passing of Bayley and her baby daughter, Fernando’s family was inconsolable. Unlike Fernando and unlike Bayley’s family, they found no comfort or peace. They could not understand how their own son, along with Bayley’s family, could bear their heavy burden.

Eventually, they concluded that what their son possessed and they did not was the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and this must be his source of peace and comfort. Following this realization, they invited the missionaries to teach their family the gospel. As a result, they received their own witness and testimony of the great plan of happiness, which brought them the sweet peace and calming comfort they were desperately seeking.

Two months after the loss of Bayley and their unborn granddaughter, Fernando’s parents as well as two of his younger brothers were baptized and confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Fernando’s youngest brother looks forward to his baptism when he turns eight. They each testify that the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, bore witness of the truthfulness of the gospel, leading them to a desire to be baptized and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

            In summary, the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, a personage of spirit, and testifies of the Father, the Son, and all truth. He helps us by warning us of spiritual and physical dangers, comforts us at times of distress, and testifies of the truth.

            I join with Elder Stevenson in stating that I know these teachings to be true. I also know of the warnings, comfort, and witnesses for myself. I encourage you to invite the missionaries into your home and let them teach you about how the Holy Ghost can help you in your life.

Kick Off the Weight

                Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when children, youth, and parents know they have a lifeline to God. Our lifeline to heaven is the Holy Ghost. When we pray to our Father in Heaven, we receive our answers through the power of the Holy Ghost.

                Sister Mary R. Durham gave a beautiful talk in General Conference titled “A Child’s Guiding Gift” in which she told a story about a father with a child on his back struggling to keep their heads above the water until he kicked off his heavy footwear. She discussed how we can “kick off some of the weight of the world we carry” and keep our children’s heads and our own worried minds above the water.” 

                “How can we prepare our children for the day when they can no longer cling to us and our testimonies – when they are the ones swimming?

                “An answer comes when we recognize this divine source of strength. It is a source often underestimated, yet it can be used daily to lighten our load and guide our precious children. That source is the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost.

                “At age eight, children can experience baptism. They learn about and make a covenant with God. Those they love surround them as they are immersed and come out of the font with a feeling of great joy. Then they receive the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a gift that may guide them constantly as they live for that blessing.”

                Saying that “Children have a natural desire to do good and to be good,” Sister Durham asked some important questions: “How do we as parents increase the spiritual capacity of our little ones? How do we teach them to kick off worldly influences and trust the Spirit when we are not with them and they are alone in the deep waters of their lives?” She gave the following ideas.

                “First, we can bring to our children’s attention when they are hearing and feeling the Spirit” just as Eli did with the boy prophet Samuel in the Old Testament.

                “Second, we can prepare our homes and our children to feel the still, small voice” by immersing them in a setting where spiritual education can take place.

                “Third, we can help our children understand how the Spirit speaks to them” because He speaks to us in the way that we can learn the best.

                Sister Durham closed her talk with this statement:  “Feeling and recognizing the Spirit will bring spiritual capacity into our children’s lives, and the voice they come to know will become clearer and clearer to them. It will be as Elder Richard G. Scott said:  `As you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see and hear.’”

                As parents, grandparents, and teachers, we have the responsibility to teach the rising generation about the Holy Ghost and how to recognize His influence in their lives. By doing so, we can prepare them for the time when they have to “swim” by themselves through the deep waters of life, plus we can strengthen our families, communities, and nations.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

                The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.  He does not have a body of flesh and bone but is a spirit in the form of a man.  He can be in only one place at a time, but his influence can be everyplace at the same time.  His mission is to bear testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as well as to bear witness of all truth.

                The Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost is not the same thing.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is a privilege given to a baptized member when he is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This gift is given to baptized members to receive guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.  Members of the Church must be worthy in order to receive revelation and to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

                Anyone may be temporarily guided by the Holy Ghost without receiving the Holy Ghost, but the person will not continue to receive this guidance if they do not receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This truth is illustrated in Acts 10 when the roman soldier Cornelius received inspiration from the Holy Ghost so that he knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was true.  Cornelius did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized.  If he had not received baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost would have left him.  Today, non-members of the Church learn, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ is true (see Moroni 10:4-5).  If they do not act upon that flash of testimony and receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, they will not receive the continuing assurance they might have received.

                The gift of the Holy Ghost is given through the laying on of hands by the elders of the Church after a person has been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church.  Every worthy elder of the Church may bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost to another person when properly authorized.  The person, however, does not receive a guarantee of inspiration and guidance simply because the elders have laid their hands on his head.  Each person must “receive the Holy Ghost.”  This means that the Holy Ghost will only come to those who are worthy and who desire help from this heavenly messenger.

                To be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, one must be striving to obey all of the commandments of God.  He must keep his thoughts and actions pure.  President David O. McKay taught “One chief purpose of life is to overcome evil tendencies, to govern our appetites, to control our passions – anger, hatred, jealousy, immorality.  We have to overcome them; we have to subject them, conquer them because God has said:  `… the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples –’ (Helaman 4:24), nor will it `… always strive with man’

(2 Nephi 26:11).”  (See “Emotional Maturity,” Instructor, Sept. 1959, p. 281, as quoted in Gospel Principles, p. 102.)

               The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts of God.  Through this great gift we can know for ourselves that Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been restored to the earth.  Through this gift we can receive promptings from the Holy Ghost to tell us all the things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5).  Through this gift we can enjoy other gifts of the Spirit.  This gift can bring peace to our hearts and help us understand the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

Following the Spirit

                Has your life been blessed because you followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost?  Do you know how to receive and follow spiritual promptings?  Do you understand how obedience to those promptings can help you receive more?  Do you consider those promptings to be communications from your loving Father in Heaven? 

                Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of our Church.  We believe that He inspires His servants in the things we should do, and we believe that He sends direct revelation to His servants when it is needed.  We believe that the most frequent conduit for inspiration and revelation is through the Holy Ghost. 

We believe that we can learn much about following the Spirit from the scriptures.  The following scriptures teach us how inspiration and revelation come; they also teach the importance of following these promptings from God and how to recognize them as being from God.

                The writer of Proverbs told us that God would help us if we would only trust Him.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

                “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  (Emphasis added.)

                Nephi, an ancient American prophet, was given a difficult and dangerous mission; he quickly accepted this assignment because he knew God would help him.  “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father:  I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi 3:7) (Emphasis added.)

                Nephi later taught his people the importance of studying the scriptures and following the prompting of the Spirit.  “Angels 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.

                “Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

                “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 32:3-5) (Emphasis added.)

                In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, in April 1829, the Lord explained that revelation comes through thoughts in our mind and feelings in our heart.  “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; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3) (Emphasis added.)

                We can learn the following lessons from the above scriptures:  1) God will help us if we allow Him into our lives.  2) God will prepare a way for us to accomplish what He wants us to do.  3) We should study the scriptures because they will teach us what we should do.  4) We should listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost in order to know what we should do.  5) Promptings come to us as thoughts and feelings.

                We can learn much about following the Spirit from the scriptures, but we can also learn from the teachings of living apostles and prophets.  President Thomas S. Monson is a man who has learned to listen to the Spirit and to follow the promptings that come to him.  “Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer.  It is a relationship I cherish – one I would literally be lost without.  If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal.  As you do so, you will be entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life – necessities for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn here on earth.  Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely gives if we but seek them.  What treasures they are!  I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration.  I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it” (“Stand in Holy Places,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 84).  

                President Monson has been led by the promptings of the Holy Ghost many times.  As he followed the promptings, he was able to help other people as well as to bless his own life.  He shares many of his experiences, and he shared one such experience in the April 2007 general conference.  President Monson mentioned that it had been nearly 44 years since he was called to be an Apostle and gave his first conference address; he said that he “had many spiritual experiences over the years as I have stood here [at the pulpit].”  He then shared the following experience as evidence of what he had said.

                “During the message I delivered at general conference in October 1975, I felt prompted to direct my remarks to a little girl with long, blonde hair, who was seated in the balcony of this building [the Tabernacle].  I called the attention of the audience to her and felt a freedom of expression which testified to me that this small girl needed the message I had in mind concerning the faith of another young lady.

                “At the conclusion of the session, I returned to my office and found waiting for me a young child by the name of Misti White, together with her grandparents and an aunt.  As I greeted them, I recognized Misti as the one in the balcony to whom I had directed my remarks.  I learned that as her eighth birthday approached, she was in a quandary concerning whether or not to be baptized.  She felt she would like to be baptized, but her less-active mother suggested she wait until she was 18 years of age to make the decision.  Misti had told her grandparents, `If we go to conference in Salt Lake City, maybe Heavenly Father will let me know what I should do.’

                “Misti and her grandparents and her aunt had traveled from California to Salt Lake City for conference and were able to obtain seats in the Tabernacle for the Saturday afternoon session.  This was where they were seated when my attention was drawn to Misti and my decision made to speak to her.

                “As we continued our visit after the session, Misti’s grandmother said to me, `I think Misti has something she would like to tell you.’  This sweet young girl said, `Brother Monson, while you were speaking in conference, you answered my question.  I want to be baptized!’

                “The family returned to California and Misti was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Through all the years since, Misti has remained true and faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Fourteen years ago, it was my privilege to perform her temple marriage to a fine young man, and together they are rearing five beautiful children, with another one on the way” (“Tabernacle Memories,” Ensign, May 2007, pp. 41-42).  

                President Monson told of another experience that happened in 1965 as he “was assigned to attend stake conferences and to hold other meetings throughout the South Pacific area.  This was my first visit to that part of the world, and it was a time never to be forgotten.  Much that was spiritual in nature occurred during this assignment as I met with leaders, members, and missionaries.

                “On the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, February 20 and 21, we were in Brisbane, Australia, to hold regular conference sessions of the Brisbane Stake.  During meetings on Saturday, I was introduced to the district president from an adjoining area.  As I shook his hand, I had a strong impression that I needed to speak with him and to provide counsel, and so I asked him if he would accompany me to the Sunday morning session the following day so that this could be accomplished.

                “Following the Sunday session, we had an opportunity to visit together.  We talked of his many responsibilities as district president.  As we did so, I felt impressed to offer him specific suggestions concerning missionary work and how he and his members could help the full-time missionaries in their labors in his area.  I later learned that this man had been praying for guidance in this regard.  To him our visit was a special witness that his prayers were heard and answered.  This was a seemingly unremarkable meeting but one which I am convinced was guided by the Spirit and which made a difference in that district president’s life and administration, in the lives of his members, and in the success of the missionaries there” (“Consider the Blessings,” Ensign, November 2012, p. 86).  

                President Monson said that the Lord often accomplishes His purposes when we heed the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  “I believe that the more we act upon the inspiration and impressions which come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us His errands.”  He said that he has learned to never postpone a prompting from the Lord.

                “On one occasion, many years ago, I was swimming laps at the old Deseret Gym in Salt Lake City when I felt the inspiration to go to the University Hospital to visit a good friend of mine who had lost the use of his lower limbs because of a malignancy and the surgery which followed.  I immediately left the pool, dressed, and was soon on my way to see this good man.

                “When I arrived at his room, I found that it was empty.  Upon inquiry I learned I would probably find him in the swimming pool area of the hospital, an area which was used for physical therapy.  Such turned out to be the case.  He had guided himself there in his wheelchair and was the only occupant of the room.  He was on the far side of the pool, near the deep end. I called to him, and he maneuvered his wheelchair over to greet me. We had an enjoyable visit, and I accompanied him back to his hospital room, where I gave him a blessing.

                “I learned later from my friend that he had been utterly despondent that day and had been contemplating taking his own life.  He had prayed for relief but began to feel that his prayers had gone unanswered.  He went to the pool with the thought that this would be a way to end his misery – by guiding his wheelchair into the deep end of the pool.  I had arrived at a critical moment, in response to what I know was inspiration from on high.

                “My friend was able to live many more years – years filled with happiness and gratitude.  How pleased I am to have been an instrument in the Lord’s hands on that critical day at the swimming pool” (“Consider the Blessings,” Ensign, November 2012, p. 87).  

                Like President Monson, I am always humbled to receive promptings from God.  Sometimes the promptings are very clear and specific as to what I should do and say; other times the promptings come more as general feelings; still others come as dreams.  One such dream came in October 1995 when I dreamed that my father was dying.  I awoke that morning with a clear idea of the tasks I needed to complete in order to prepare my home and family for my absence, and I spent the day doing those tasks.  Early that evening I received a telephone call that my father had passed away.  I immediately made arrangements for air travel and was on the airplane less than twelve hours later.

                Another prompting from the Holy Ghost came to me early one Sunday morning just as I awoke.  The thought came into my mind, “The Holy Ghost loves you.”  I already knew that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me, but I had never considered that the Holy Ghost loves me also.  I was preparing to teach a lesson about the Holy Ghost to a group of six-year-old children, and I believe this prompting came so that I could testify to the children that the Holy Ghost loves them just as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do – as well as to make me aware of that love.

                I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and that He is a loving Father.  I know that He wants to help us succeed in our lives here on earth, and He sends messages through the Holy Ghost to help us in our journey.  I am very grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for the many messages that He brings from my Heavenly Father.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

                    The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the choicest blessings that we can receive, and it comes to each person shortly after baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is given to each newly-baptized individual when we are confirmed as members of the Church.  Bearers of the Melchizedek Priesthood place their hands on our head and say, "Receive the Holy Ghost."  The priesthood bearers bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, but it is up to me and to you to actually allow the Holy Ghost into our lives.  We are entitled to guidance from the Holy Ghost as long as we remain worthy of His presence.

                    As we face decisions in our lives involving eternal blessings - whether great or small - the Holy Ghost can impress on our hearts and minds the direction the Lord would have us go.  This gift from Heavenly Father is one of our greatest resources for help and comfort.  In order for this gift to be useful and valuable to us, we must truly "receive the Holy Ghost" by seeking for the Spirit and listening to His promptings.  I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life and for my increasing ability to recognize and follow the inspiration He brings.

                    I have a picture of the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which shows Joseph Smith kneeling at the feet of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  When I took the picture to be framed and was experimenting with different framing materials, I noticed that I felt the Spirit with certain materials but not with others.  I followed the promptings, chose the materials as prompted, and have a beautifully framed picture that I feel is acceptable to God.

                    Jesus taught His followers the importance of both baptism and the Spirit.  "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

                    We are "born of water" when we are immersed in water or baptized.  We are born of the Spirit when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism. 

Before Jesus was crucified, He promised his Apostles that after He died Heavenly Father would send a Comforter to be with them.  The Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, would testify of Jesus Christ, comfort the Apostles, and help them know what to do when Jesus was gone.  We, like the Apostles of Jesus, can be blessed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Ghost.

"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" (John 14:26).

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me" (John 15:26).

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:  and he will shew [show] you things to come" (John 16:13).

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.  The Apostle John wrote, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost:  and these three are one [in purpose]" (1 John 5:7).  The Prophet Joseph Smith confirmed this truth when he wrote the Thirteen Articles of Faith.  The very first of the thirteen was:  "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost" (Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 1:1).

The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit.  He is a person, but he does not have a body of flesh and bones as do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.  Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

The Holy Ghost is also known as the Comforter, the Spirit, the Spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit.  He brings light and knowledge to all who sincerely seek.  He holds the power to seal those who overcome the world.

"Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by the Comforter, whither they shall go" (Doctrine and Covenants 75:27).

                    "And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:46).

                    "And who overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:53).

                    The Holy Ghost teaches and brings things to our remembrance.  He leads us to do good, testifies of the truth, and bears record of the Father and the Son.

                      "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" (John 14:26).

                    "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" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 2 Nephi 32:5).

                   

                    "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Moroni 10:5).

                    "And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good - yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit" (Doctrine and Covenants 11:12).

                    "For, behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and of the Son" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:17).

                    In order for us to receive this type of assistance from the Holy Ghost, we must be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by those holding proper authority.  We must also live worthy of the presence of the third member of the Godhead.

                    A person can be influenced by the Holy Ghost before baptism because it is the Holy Ghost who helps people to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that the gospel is true. The gift of the Holy Ghost can only be received after baptism.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege and right to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost at all times.  This gift is given through the laying on of hands by those who have proper Melchizedek Priesthood authority, and it remains in effect as long as we are trying to live righteously.  The Holy Ghost can bring us comfort, help us choose between right and wrong, and direct us in what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to do.  The answers to our prayers often come through promptings from the Holy Ghost.

                    We can learn to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost by seeking and obeying the promptings.  If we are worthy to receive help from the Holy Ghost and willing to listen to him, He will always help us.  Sometimes, however, it takes experience and practice to learn how to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

                    Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following experience:  "One of our sons has always been interested in radio.  When he was a little fellow, his Christmas present was a very elementary radio construction set.

                    "As he grew, and as we could afford it, and as he could earn it, he received more sophisticated equipment.

                    "There have been many times over the years, some very recently, when I have sat with him as he talked with someone in a distant part of the world.

                    "I could hear static and interference and catch a word or two, or sometimes several voices at once.

                    "Yet he can understand, for he has trained himself to tune out the interference.

                    "It is difficult to separate from the confusion of life that quiet voice of inspiration.  Unless you attune yourself, you will miss it….  You can train yourself to hear what you want to hear, to see and feel what you desire, but it takes some conditioning.

                    "There are so many of us who go through life and seldom, if ever, hear that voice of inspiration, because `the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned' (1 Corinthians 2:14)" (in Ensign, Nov. 1979, 19-20).

                    The promptings of the Holy Ghost can be likened to the radio signals in this experience.  We must pay close attention in order to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  We must listen carefully to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and not allow the interference or things of the world to distract us from the message.  As we gain experience in listening to the Holy Ghost, we are better able to hear and understand him.

                    We talk about "hearing" or "listening to" the Holy Ghost, but He rarely speaks to us in an audible voice, such as another person speaks to us.  His promptings usually come in other ways as explained in the following scriptures.

                    "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?"(Doctrine and Covenants 6:23)  If we feel peaceful about a question or decision, we can be fairly certain the Holy Ghost is telling us that we made the right decision.

                    "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" (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).  Sometimes the Holy Ghost gives us thoughts or feelings that we could not receive from any other source.  For example, we may know that a friend or family member needs help even before they say something to us.  This knowledge is an example of communication from the Holy Ghost.  A testimony that the gospel is true also comes this way.

                    "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy" (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13).  The Holy Ghost can enlighten our minds by helping us understand things, such as the meaning of a passage of scripture we have read or a lesson we are studying.  He can also give us feelings of joy to help us know we are doing what is right.

                    When we receive promptings from the Holy Ghost, we should follow the promptings, even if it is sometimes difficult and takes courage to do so.  Elder F. Enzio Busche of the Quorum of the Seventy stated, "It takes courage and commitment to follow the promptings of the Spirit because they may frighten us as they lead us to walk along new paths, sometimes paths that no one has walked before, paths of the second mile, of acting totally differently from how worldly people act.  For instance, we may be prompted to smile when someone offends us, to give love where others give hate, to say thank you where others would not find anything to be thankful for, to accept jobs that others would be too proud to do, to apologize where others would defend themselves, and to do all the seemingly crazy things that the Spirit prompts a righteous, honest, listening heart to do" ("The Only Real Treasure," New Era, Dec. 1979, 5).

                    Promptings from the Holy Ghost tell us things that Heavenly Father wants us to know or do.  The blessings we receive from following these promptings outweigh any difficulty or inconvenience we may experience from doing so.

               "I cannot help but think back to the day when I, as an investigator of the Church, was confronted with the missionaries' challenge to prepare for my baptism.  This step seemed to be too big for me to take, but … I already had a testimony burning within me of the truthfulness of this work….

                    "So I accepted the challenge for baptism, with a fearful heart, but I told the missionaries that I would do it only on two conditions:  First, that I would never be called to any Church position, and second, that I would never have to give a talk."

                    This man needed courage to join the Church because joining the Church would require him to make changes in his life.  He decided to be baptized because the Holy Ghost helped him to gain a testimony of the gospel.  If this man had not followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost to be baptized and then to accept callings and assignments, we would have missed a great leader.  This man was Elder F. Enzio Busche of the First Quorum of the Seventy, the same man who made the previous statement.  When he spoke in General Conference, Elder Busche told about his baptism and concluded with the following statement:  "Without the loving influence and the power and security of the Holy Ghost, which I received by the laying on of hands after baptism to help me, I could not have done anything in my various Church assignments" (Ensign, May 1980, p. 27).

                    The journal of Wilford Woodruff, who later became the fourth President of the Church, gives another testimony of the blessings that come from following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  "When I got back to Winter Quarters [Nebraska] from [a mission to England], President Young said to me, `Brother Woodruff, I want you to take your wife and children and go to Boston, and stay there until you can gather every Saint of God in New England and Canada and send them up to Zion.'  I did as he told me.  It took me two years to gather up everybody, and I brought up the rear with a company.  When I got into Pittsburg with this company it was dusk, and I saw a steamer just preparing to go out.  I walked right up to the captain and asked him if he was ready to go out.  He said he was.  `How many passengers have you?'  `Two hundred and fifty.'  `Can you take another hundred?'  `I can.'  `Then,' said I, `I would like to go aboard with you.'  The words were hardly out of my mouth when the Holy Ghost said to me, `Don't you, nor your company go aboard that steamer.  … I turned and told the captain that I had made up my mind not to go at present.  That steamer started out.  It was a dark night, and before the steamer had gone far she took fire, and all on board were lost.  We should probably have shared the same fate, had it not been for that monitor within me" (Collected Discourses Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff, His Two Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and Others, comp. Brian H. Stuy, 5 vols. [1987-92], 5:239).

                    My oldest daughter shared an experience of being prompted by the Holy Ghost and how that prompting kept her and her siblings safe from danger.  Our family was at our cabin on the Iliamna River.  Jennifer was about to lead her younger siblings out the back door to play in the woods when she heard a voice telling her to shut the door and to stay in the cabin.  She obeyed and ran to the window to see what was out there.  She saw a huge brown bear right outside the window - right where the children would have been.  I am very grateful for the warning from the Holy Ghost and for my daughter's obedience!

                    After the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham Young had a dream in which Joseph Smith appeared to him and gave him instructions.  (See Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846-1846, comp. Elden J. Watson [1971], 529-30.)  These instructions were as follow.

               "Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right.  Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go….

                     "Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it.  They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God.

                    "Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the Lord they will go right.

                    "Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord."

                     The older I get, the more grateful I am for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I daily thank Heavenly Father for this great gift.  I feel more peace and joy when the Holy Ghost is with me than at any other time; therefore, I carefully "listen" for his promptings.  When I notice that I am not feeling his presence, I search for the reason why I do not and correct the problem as soon as possible.  I encourage you to listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost and then to follow those promptings.  Those promptings come from God and are for your good.

Gift of Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He is "a personage of Spirit" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) without a body of flesh and bones; therefore, His influence can be everywhere at once. He loves us just as the Father and the Son love us. He testifies of the Father, the Son, and all truth. He also prepares us to return to live in the presence of God by purifying and sanctifying our hearts until we have no more desire to do evil.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege to receive continual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost. This gift is given to people who have been baptized and confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gift of the Holy Ghost is enjoyed by all who truly receive it.

The Holy Ghost may temporarily guide a person without the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:23). This guidance is a temporary experience unless the person is baptized and receives the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. A Roman soldier named Cornelius received inspiration from the Holy Ghost telling him that the gospel of Jesus Christ was true, but he did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. (See Acts 10.) According to Joseph Smith, the Holy Ghost would have left Cornelius if he had not been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (See Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p 97.)

People today who are not members of the Church know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true (see Moroni 10:4-5). If they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, that initial testimony will leave them and they will not receive the continuing assurance that can comes to those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

After people are baptized, they are confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Every worthy elder of the Church, when authorized, may give the gift of the Holy Ghost to another person. Each person is told to "receive the Holy Ghost." This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us with inspiration and guidance only when we are faithful and desire His help. We are worthy of help from the Holy Ghost when we keep the commandments of God and keep our thoughts and actions pure.

When the Holy Ghost "speaks" to us, it is usually referred to as a "still small voice" (see 1 Kings 19:9-12; Helaman 5:30; Doctrine and Covenants 85:6). President Boyd K. Packer explained, "The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear…. While we speak of `listening' to the whispering of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, `I had a feeling….' This voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you" (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60).

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father gives to His children. It is through the Holy Ghost that we may know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon is true, that God's Church has been restored to the earth, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, and that there is a living prophet on earth today.

The Holy Ghost shows us all things that we must do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). The Holy Ghost sanctifies us to prepare us to live in God's presence. The Holy Ghost also brings other gifts to us. The gift of the Holy Ghost can also bring peace to our hearts and understanding of the things of God to our minds (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-12). I have received the Holy Ghost many times in my life. I am very grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I love to feel the peace that He always brings, and I know that He love us.