"7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
"8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
- John 16:7-8
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:
“Manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to lead sincere seekers to gospel truths that will persuade them to repentance and baptism. The gift of the Holy Ghost is more comprehensive. … [It] includes the right to constant companionship, that we may ‘always have his Spirit to be with [us]’ (D&C 20:77).
“A newly baptized member told me what she felt when she received that gift. This was a faithful Christian woman who had spent her life in service to others. She knew and loved the Lord, and she had felt the manifestations of His Spirit. When she received the added light of the restored gospel, she was baptized and the elders placed their hands upon her head and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. She recalled, ‘I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost settle upon me with greater intensity than I had ever felt before. He was like an old friend who had guided me in the past but now had come to stay’ ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 80; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 60).
President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a ‘still small voice.’ And while we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘I had a feeling …’ … Revelation comes as words we feel more than hear” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 77; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60).
In a dream given to President Brigham Young, the Prophet Joseph Smith instructed him to teach the Saints that “the Spirit of the Lord … 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” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846–1847, comp. Elden J. Watson [1971], 529).
On the way home from church this past Sunday the kids were asking gospel centered questions. As I drove home I thoughtfully answered their questions about the Savior and his atonement. We also talked about the Holy Ghost and his gift of companionship. I relayed to them the necessity to remain worthy of his presence and how important he is in our daily lives.
I further explained how important it is for us to act upon the promptings that we receive from the Holy Ghost. As we listen for his whisperings we will be guided to do those things that are right and good.
The most important role that the Holy Ghost has played in my life is the role of comforter. His companionship has helped me to forgive and show forth compassion and love to others. Especially to those that the world would say that I should avoid or punish for their offenses. I was especially touched by the dream that President Brigham Young had about the power of the Holy Ghost and his ability to bring peace and remove "malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts;"
What a blessing to find peace and comfort. What a blessing to be unburdened of ungodly attributes such as malice, hatred and strife; which are so easily replaced by love, forgiveness and compassion when we trust in the Holy Spirit.
1 comment:
Thank you for this blog! I also loved that quote from Brigham Young. It's a beautiful promise.
P.S. I always said that you should take the whole week off, but you said you would see and talk to your boss! You don't have to take the whole week off...just the days I am there. :P Hee hee!
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