The Gift of the Holy Ghost
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
by Kathy Penrod
As a child, a common game I would play with friends was called hot and cold. In this game, one person would be the caller and hide a treasure while the other would be the seeker. The seeker would be blindfolded and would have to figure out where the caller had hid the treasure. The caller would call out clues for the seeker of “Cold, warm, warmer” in an attempt to guide the seeker to the treasure. With these clues, the seeker would eventually find their way to the item.
In our lives, the Holy Ghost acts as a guide. Directing us through thoughts and feelings to our own ultimate treasure returning to live with the Loving Father of us all and our dear Savior.
The POWER of the Holy Ghost is much like the direction received during the afore mentioned game. It is available to all. It can bring light and direction into our lives. It can testify of truth and tells us when we have found the right path.
The GIFT of the Holy Ghost is available to those who have, through proper priesthood authority, taken upon them the name of Christ through baptism. It is given to an individual through the laying on of hands. Having the gift of the Holy Ghost would be similar playing the same game, only not wearing the blindfold. Those directions given would be much clearer.
Nephi teaches us in 2 Nephi 32:5 that if we will receive the Holy Ghost, it will show us all things we should do.
Sister Sherri Dew taught during General Conference (Oct 1998), “The Holy Ghost enlarges our minds, our hearts, and our understanding; helps us subdue weaknesses and resist temptation; inspires humility and repentance; guides and protects us in miraculous ways; and gifts us with wisdom, divine encouragement, peace of mind, a desire to change, and the ability to differentiate between the philosophies of men and revealed truth. The Holy Ghost is the minister and messenger of the Father and the Son, and He testifies of both Their glorious, global reality and Their connection to us personally. Without the presence of the Spirit, it is impossible to comprehend our personal mission or to have the reassurance that our course is right. No mortal comfort can duplicate that of the Comforter. Said President Hinckley, “There is no greater blessing that can come into our lives than … the companionship of the Holy Spirit””
That is so powerful!
It means that our Heavenly Father didn’t send us here to earth to fend for our selves. He gave us a most precious gift to guide us safely back to him – the greatest treasure of all. And, what peace it brings to know that in this fallen world, where Satan and his minions do their best to distract and destroy, we have Divine Protection offered to us, if only we will receive it.
Our Father in Heaven wants this gift for ALL his children. He wants to be able to guide us back to Him. When we do our best to live the commandments, to do what He would want us to do, then we are allowing the Holy Ghost to work freely in our lives. To guide us clearly to the eternal treasure.
I often reflect on how wonderful it must have been to live on this earth when the Savior was here. I imagine walking the dusty roads of Jerusalem with Him and listening to Him teach. It is true that the Savior loves each of us so much and I think about what it would be like to see Him face to face and feel of that love so tangibly. When I imagine pure, undefiled love, my thoughts always turn to the Savior of us all. I think how sad His disciples must have been when they understood that He would be leaving them and so I imagine he spoke with such tenderness when He said:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27)
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a gift of love. Given to us by Him who loves us most. Through it, we can feel the love and peace of our Father in Heaven.
More on this topic:
The Unspeakable Gift
The Holy Ghost as Your Companion
