The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost

 

What do the scriptures teach us about the Holy Ghost:

The Holy Ghost is a comforter that will abide with us forever.  He will “dwell with you and shall be in you”.  He will “teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”.  The Holy Ghost will give you peace.  He will testify of Christ.  The Holy Ghost was not sent to us until Christ left.  He will reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.  The Holy Ghost will guide you to all truth, show you things to come and glorify Christ.  He strengthens our body, quickens our intellect and senses, purifies our tastes and desires, and inspires us toward virtue, kindness, goodness, gentleness and charity.

The Disciples obtained the Holy Ghost by first keeping Gods commandments.  They had to be willing to receive it and not let their hearts be troubled or afraid.  The Holy Ghost also came to them as they bore witness of the truth and of Christ. 

The Holy Ghost was the Apostles right hand man.  Without the Holy Ghost the Apostles would not have been able to teach with the same power and authority, nor would they have been able to accomplish the many miracles documented in the scriptures.  The Holy Ghost testified to the hearts of those who were listening that the Apostles’ message was true.

I have come to realize that having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is probably one of the most important objectives to obtain in this life.  When I was on a religious mission in Kyiv, Ukraine I put the Holy Ghost to the test.  During this time in my life I spent each day teaching about Christ and looking for those who wanted to hear the message of the restored gospel.  I took a week and told myself I was going to try my best to secure the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Obviously I had to be living righteously and obeying the rules for my respective mission, which I was.  I then spend the week pausing and reflecting several times a day, asking myself if I felt like the Holy Ghost was with me.  I can honestly say that I felt much of what is described above.  There was many times that I felt like my mind was clearer, I recalled things easier, I felt happier, and more loving, caring, and generous.  In an odd way, I felt lighter, not as though I was losing weight, but that my daily loads were easier to carry.  I know that the Holy Ghost can be with me always.  I know that its influence and effects on you are real.

 

 

The Savior Anointed

The Savior Anointed

 It seems that the woman who came into Simon’s (the leper) house with the box of precious ointment understood to what end she was doing the anointing.  The reason was two fold.  One, she knew that our Lord and Savior was important and “precious” to each one of us and she wanted to honor him.  The seccond, would be that she understood that he would soon be taken from us and she was anointing him to prepare him for burial.  That is really good foresight.  This woman must have studied the scriptures and was paying attention when Christ was speaking. 

The disciples seem to be caught up in the worldly cares and not as in tune with the spiritual matters.  The disciples wanted to do good with the ointment, but they failed to see that what the woman was doing was best.  I think sometimes the cares of the world, even though they sometimes be good, can prevent us from seeing the weightier matters.

This woman, I think, could be compared to the story of the widow’s mite.  This woman came to the Lord with something precious and expensive and offered it to the Lord.  Not only did she essentially give it to our Savior, but she took the time to serve him with it.  If the gospel is true and we trully are here to learn to return to our Father in Heaven, should we not be giving all that we have, all that is precious to us to spread the gospel and honor our Father in Heaven?   I think one of the most prescious and expensive gifts we can give the Lord is our time.  I think I could be better and using my time to visit those in need, to serve in the church and to do those things that would strengthen my testimony like scripture study, prayer, and temple attendance.

The Savior's Second Coming

Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming

The Savior has said that he is going to come at an hour that no man knoweth, as if he were a thief in the night.  He has counseled us to be ready for his coming.  Two key words that he uses are “Watch” and “Heed”.  Here are a few of the things the Savior has counseled us to do in preparation. 

He has asked us to watch for those who would deceive you.  The way we are to prevent ourselves from being deceived is by treasuring up his words.  The Savior also asks us to stand in holy places.  To me this is referring to the Temple and also the various meeting houses of the Lord.  If I am regularly going to those places, I am probably doing what is right.  We are also told to take the Holy Spirit as our guide and to be faithful.  The Lord counsels us to be prepared for his coming.  I understand this to mean both temporally and spiritually.  There will be great calamities which we will need to prepare for temporally along with the attacks on us spiritually.  In the last days we should watch for those times when the Lord’s people are delivered up to councils and rulers and kings to be judged and beaten.  We should take comfort in knowing that Christ predicted all of this to happen.  Finally, we should pray always and watch for the saviors coming.  If we are vigilant and continually preparing we shall not fear.

I think the Widow’s gift was significant because shows how the Lord measures our sacrifice and obedience.  The Lord looks more upon quality not quantity and the value of it is based on capability and intent.  The widow, even though she was poor, gave willingly and her sacrifice was an amount very significant to her.

The Lord requires much from us.  He requires us to sacrifice many of our own selfish wants and desires.  He also expects us to do all that we can to build up the kingdom, spread his word and serve those around us.  By doing these things, we show the Lord our love for him.  Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind is the first and great commandment.

The widow gave all that she had, not 10%, not 50%, all that she had.  That is amazing.  It truly is an example of consecration.  She was living by the covenants that I have made to give of all my time, talents and all that I possess.  The Lord requires us to give all and do all that we can for the kingdom of God.  After we have done our best at this, then the Lord comes in and makes up the difference.

I think I could better follow the Widow’s example by giving more service in the church and to those around me.  There is much service to give.  All need to do is be available for the opportunities.

Luke 10- The Seventy

 

The Lord called seventy others, to assist the Apostles in the work.  The Lord gives the seventy charge to preach his gospel.  He tells them to go out two by two to all of the cities he himself would go.  I thought that was the Lords way of saying, do what I would do.  That’s a big responsibility.  He warns them that they will be few, even though the harvest is great and that they will be lambs among wolves.  If they understood this statement, I imagine it would have been scary for them.  The Lord then gives them instruction on how they would preach.  They are not to go house to house, nor take any items with them.  He tells them how to deal with those who receive them and those who do not.  He told them to heal the sick where those are who receive them.  The Lord explains that their voice will be his voice and that they will have power over the serpents and scorpions and that the enemy will not hurt them.

The fact that Christ called, commissioned and sent the seventy forth to help spread the gospel, is a testament to me that the Lord has an organization set forth for spreading his gospel and keeping his sheep.  As our Article of Faith #6 states, we still believe in that organization.  That is why we have quorums of the seventy today.  The seventy then and now have great responsibility given to them.

Our scriptures testify of the Lords organized church and calling of the quorums of the seventy. The seventy were called and ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood.  They are general authorities in the church and are given apostolic authority, but not ordained as apostles.  In modern day scripture the duties of the Seventy are set forth.  They are special witnesses of Christ.  They act under the direction of the Apostles.  They build up the kingdom and are considered traveling elders.

 

 

 

Events on the Mount

Matthew 17:1–9. The Mount of Transfiguration

1.    Study the following references and compile a list of important events that happened on the Mount of Transfiguration:

a)      Matthew 17:1–9

b)      Luke 9:31 (see footnote a)

c)       2 Peter 1:16–18

d)      Doctrine and Covenants 63:21

e)      Institute student manual commentary for Matthew 17:3–4, “What Was Important About the Appearance of Moses and Elijah?” (pg. 103)

f)       Bible Dictionary, “Transfiguration, Mount of” (pg. 786)

2.    In what ways would this experience have prepared the three Apostles for the responsibilities they would soon have as leaders of the Church?

Important events on the Mount:

1.       I think the event happened on the seventh day of the week

2.       Peter, James and John were apart from the others

3.       Christ was transfigured

4.       Moses and Elias (Elijah) appeared to them

5.       Heavenly Father declared Christ to be his son from a cloud and instructed the apostles to hear him (Christ)

6.       The Apostles showed humility and respect for the event by offering to build tabernacles

7.       The Apostles were told to keep the event sacred.

8.       Moses and Elias spoke to Christ of his death and resurrection. 

9.       All these things were the apostles witnesses

10.    The apostles must have been shown many other things, one of those was the transfiguration of the earth

11.   On the mount is where Peter, James and John received the keys to the priesthood

12.   The relationship between Christ and his prophets was demonstrated.

It was important for Moses and Elijah to appear because they each held important keys pertaining to the priesthood that would be necessary to confer upon the apostles.  Moses held the keys to the gathering of Israel and Elijah the keys to the sealing power.  Another important aspect of their appearance we learn, is that they came as translated beings, not resurrected beings.  They did not taste of death, but were translated.  This was important as they would need bodies to confer these keys by the laying on of hands, but could not be resurrected as Christ was to be the first to resurrect.

This is a grand moment in the scriptures.  One that I think I take for granted.  I think the difficult part is that much of the doctrine about the event is spread out through ancient and modern revelation.  I think in order for Peter, James and John to take over the affairs of the church, this event was necessary.  This event would have made them even more of a “Special” witness of Christ.  The event opened their understanding to many future event, which no doubt strengthened their faith and resolve.  Hearing the voice of our Father in Heaven would have given them a testimony on how the god head works.  Most importantly they had the keys of the priesthood conferred upon them.  This was necessary to continue the work of salvation among men.  I think this would have been a mind blowing event for me.  I’m sure their physical states had to be altered to endure such an event.  I would have marveled for a long time on what transpired.

Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea

1.       Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

2.       What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

3.       According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

4.       What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

5.       Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?

So, right after the Savior performs an amazing miracle of feeding 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes, he then performs another miracle just for his chosen apostles.  It seems odd that he did it.  Possible he perceived that the apostles did not think the previous feeding miracle was that grand.  I feel like the Savior knew this and purposefully set up the scenario wherein he would walk on the water.  Why else would he have sent the apostles away in a boat while he labored to send the multitude away?  I know that it says he later went apart into a mountain to pray, but he could have done this while the apostles waited for him on the shore.

Oddly, when the disciples saw Christ walking on the water, they cried with fear, believing it was a ghost.  They must have been hard of learning.  We know that Peter asked to go out and meet the Savior, essentially asking the Savior to allow him to walk on water.  I think this showed Peter’s initiative, and leadership, to speak up first and actually be brave enough to make such a request.  I know that it also shows his faith, but I think the faith was more of a hope or strong curiosity.  We have all been there, when we see someone do something amazing and our first thought is, “I want to do that also”.  Is that first thought faith?  To some degree yes.  You have to believe that you can actually do what the other did, but it is more of a desire to accomplish what the other has done.  I think this is why Peter began to sink when the wind was “boisterous”. 

Now the Lord “immediately” saved him, which obviously shows the Lords love for us and his ability to immediately help us in anything we do.  I think it is amazing that such a fear could come upon you when you are already walking on the water.  I think I would feel invincible if I were walking on water.  I am sure the Savior had the foreknowledge that Peter would ask to come out.  I also think that the wind was brought forth to further test Peters faith.  Interesting how the wind ceased when they entered the boat.  The scriptures teach that the Lord tests and tries those whom he loves.  Peter was to be the lead apostle, Christ had to continually test and try him.

I think that as we travel through the storms of life we need to have a focused mind and heart.  Our mind and heart should always point to the Lord and we should ever be striving to become as he is and living the gospel he has given to us.  If we do this, we shall be filled with his light and be able to comprehend all things.