The Holy Ghost

The Comforter may abide with us forever, The Spirit of truth. I can know him and he can dwelleth in me and shall be with me. Heavenly Father sent the Holy Ghost as the Comforter in Jesus Christ’s name to teach all things and bring all things, which I have learned of Jesus Christ, to my remembrance. The Holy Ghost will testify of and bear witness of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ needed to go away for the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to come. He comes to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Ghost will guide me to the truth. I love this description of the Holy Ghost taken from the New Testament Institute Manual: “The Holy Ghost is a Personage of Spirit, in the likeness of God the Father, in other words a likeness of the Father and the Son. His mission is to instruct and enlighten the minds of those who, through their faithfulness have obeyed the commandments of the Father and the Son. He bears witness of the truth, quickens the minds of those who have made covenant and reveals to them the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He is a special messenger from the Father and the Son and carries out their will. …” (Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:134.)

There have been some very special moments in my life that I have felt the prompting of the Holy Ghost. He’s been a comforter and has blessed me with a feeling of peace when I felt overwhelmed. He has helped me in making decisions that would affect my family long term and also just to be ready for something that would take place that day. As a parent, I know that the Holy Ghost has let me know of times of danger for my children. Both my husband and I have received promptings to check on something, and after doing so have found out information that was necessary to help our children draw closer to our Heavenly Father. I will be forever grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and hope that I can always live righteously and have that member of the Godhead as my constant companion.

Take Heed, and Watch, and prepare to meet the Lord

The Second Coming of the Savior will be miraculous and is closer than we think. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must take heed and watch for the signs of the coming of the Lord and do all we can to be prepared to meet the Lord. We must be weary of false prophets and, as Mark 13:5 states, “Take heed lest any man deceive you.” There are many who are trying to lead the followers of Christ away from those truths that are important. Satan and his followers are trying to deceive and lead astray any who will follow them. We must hold tight to the iron rod and have faith and trust in our Heavenly Father’s plan. Mark 13:9 states that we must “Take heed to yourselves.” We must stand up for what we know to be right and true, as we prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. The Holy Ghost will lead and guide us to know the truths that must be proclaimed and we can listen to that prompting and share our testimonies with those around us. It is very important that we watch for the signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, as we prepare ourselves. We don’t know when Jesus Christ will come again, only Heavenly Father knows, which is why we must be constantly preparing ourselves. Continuously repenting and bettering ourselves, improving our weaknesses, so that we will be prepared to meet the Savior when he comes again. Mark 13:36 states, “Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” If we are following the commandments of God, we will not be found “sleeping.”

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 is one of my favorites – “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.” I love the literal meaning of standing in “holy places,” such as the temple and by making your home a holy place. But I also love the reminder that we can be sharing our testimonies in the most random places, and if we have the Holy Ghost with us, that can be a holy place. The opposite of a holy place would be a place without the Holy Ghost, and we must be cautious to stay away from places where the Holy Ghost will not go and situations where the Holy Ghost may not be present. Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 – “Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.” The Bridegroom being Jesus Christ. Just as the 5 virgins had extra oil to keep their lamps lit while waiting for the Bridegroom, we must make sure that we have strengthened our testimonies and built a foundation of righteousness in our lives so that we can be prepared to meet Christ when He comes again. Doctrine and Covenants 45:56 & 57 confirm that by saying 56 – “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.” 57 – “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” We receive the truth by having the Holy Ghost as our guide and our companion in our search for truth and knowledge. The Holy Ghost will be at our side as we live the principles of the Gospel and as we rely on the Holy Ghost to show us the path to eternal life and to happiness and joy.

The Last Days of Jesus’ Mortal Mission