The Gift of the Holy Ghost

[10th September 2005 - Tom Barratt's Baptism]

The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He works in complete harmony with our Heavenly Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth. In Moroni 10:5 it states that “By the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things”.

Knowing the truth, how powerful is that! We can know the truth of who we are - Sons and Daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. We can know the truth of His plan for us, and that it is through Jesus Christ, our Saviour that we can gain everlasting joy. We can know the truth about the things that we should do, collectively as a people, and for our own individual lives.

In D&C 11:13 it says that the Spirit will enlighten our minds and fill us with joy. I have seen this begin to happen in you Tom, and it has helped me to feel of the Spirit more.

However there is a difference between the feelings that you have felt so far in your life, the influence of the Holy Ghost and how you can feel after receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Although the Holy Ghost may temporarily comfort someone or reveal truth to them, the gift of the Holy Ghost is reserved for those who have been baptized into Christ’s Church. This gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

President Wilford Woodruff called the gift of the Holy Ghost the greatest gift we can receive in mortality (see The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, ed. G. Homer Durham [1990], 5). And I agree.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, you can recognize and understand truth and make right choices and inspired decisions. The Holy Ghost can inspire you with thoughts and ideas, warn you of danger, and comfort and help you through your troubles and sorrows. The Holy Ghost also provides peace of conscience and assurance that our sins have been forgiven when we truly repent.

In 2 Nephi 31:17 it says, “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost”. It is through the gift of the Holy Ghost that we receive a remission of our sins. Sometimes called a baptism of fire.

Someone having Priesthood Authority will lay their hands upon your head and ask you to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but whether or not you do that, receive the gift, depends on you. We are told that to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost we must seek earnestly to obey the commandments of God, be faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger.

And that is the same for us all, whether we were baptised today, last month or years ago. The blessings available through the gift of the Holy Ghost are conditioned upon our worthiness. Even though we have a right to his constant companionship, the Spirit of the Lord will dwell only with us when we keep the commandments.

Now none of us need worry that we need to be perfect before we can receive of the blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is true that we must be worthy, but it is also important to remember the wise words of President Spencer W. Kimball who taught that the Holy Ghost “comes a little at a time as you merit it. And as your life is in harmony, you gradually receive the Holy Ghost in a great measure” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 114).

As we receive this great gift from God, we need to remember to keep using it. There are always more blessings to gain, and more things for us to do. Gifts have only limited value unless they are used. The Holy Ghost will be our constant companion if we submit ourselves to the will of our Father in Heaven, always remembering Him and keeping His commandments.

I know that at the times when I have hoped more, had greater faith been more obedient, those are the times that I have felt the guidance, comfort and help of the Holy Ghost most.

I hope that we will all receive the Holy Ghost more abundantly and strive to live the Gospel more fully. Tom, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, live worthy to have him as a constant companion in your life and you will be blessed. Keep asking questions, they will be answered. I know that the church is true!