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.