The Gift of the Holy Ghost — baptismal service talk
The Gift of the Holy Ghost — baptismal service talk
- “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. A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him, and not tarry with him.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130)
- Other names by which the Holy Ghost is known are Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, the Comforter.
- Thus far, the Holy Spirit has touched your heart, inspired your mind, taught you truth. When the missionaries would come into your home, you could feel the influence of the Holy Spirit. Likewise when you came to church, when you prayed about the truthfulness of the message. That influence has been with you when you needed it, from time to time.
- Tomorrow you will have hands laid on your head and two very important things are going to happen. First, you will be confirmed a member of the Church, and secondly, the priesthood holders will bestow upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost. From that moment forward, you will be entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will continue to inspire, convince, teach, and lift you. Not just from time to time, but all the time, as you are worthy of His presence. This is a gift of incomparable value.
- The Holy Spirit has other very important roles in our lives, including yours. They include:
- Witness of the Father and the Son — your love of the Father will grow as the Spirit reveals His love and mercy, and your appreciation of the Savior’s atonement will deepen
- Teach you the truth of all things — your testimony of the Book of Mormon, the prophetic call of Joseph Smith and all the prophets that have followed him, necessity of the commandments, all these truths will grow and deepen and enrich your life.
- Show you the things that you should do — The Spirit will lead, inspire, direct, suggest, prompt, enlighten, make clear the path before you. A lamp to your feet, dispel darkness.
- Protect you from spiritual and physical harm — alert you as to dangers, safeguard, protect, shelter you.
- Bring the gifts of the Spirit into your life — knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, and many other gifts as the Father sees that you need them
- Comfort — one of his names is Comforter, calmness, tranquility, warmth, peace, assurance, and sweetness will be the defining influences in your life
- Teach you the peaceable things of the Kingdom — Christ-like attributes = faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
- The Holy Ghost will do for you what it has done for millions before. Wonderful examples are:
- Doctrine and Covenants 76:11-12 — “We Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit, by the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God”
- Doctrine and Covenants 138:11 — “As I (Joseph F. Smith) pondered over these scriptures which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me..”
- Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23 — “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?” (to Oliver Cowdery)
- How can we recognize the Holy Ghost when He inspires us? His influence is described as “a still small voice”. There are no brass bands, no banging drums. His will be a subtle, quiet urging that lifts and inspires, it comes with peace, serenity, calm, and warmth. The Spirit does not force himself upon us, He comes when invited, times of meditation and pondering and especially scripture study.
- The words of Nephi as so applicable at this time — “And now that ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? I say unto you Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Ye must press forward, with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father, Ye shall have eternal life.”
- Testimony.
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