Receive the Holy Ghost

(Prior to beginning the lesson, follow through with last week’s goal/experience and encourage discussion about what they learned-this week should be about going to the temple)

Receiving the Holy Ghost

Let’s start by reviewing the basic, yet profound, characteristics of the Holy Ghost.  What do we know about him?

-He’s a third member of the God Head (D&C 130:22)

-He is a “personage of the spirit”

-He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

-He helps us live righteously and receive the blessings of the Gospel

-He witnesses of the Father and the Son (2 Nephi 31:18)

-He reveals and teaches the truth of all things (Moroni 10:5)

-He is the only way you can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

-He will show unto you all things that you should do 2 Nephi 32:1–5

-He will guide you in your decisions

-He will protect you from spiritual and physical harm

-Through him, you can receive gifts of the spirit D&C 46:9–11

-He is the comforter John 14:26

-He can fill you with hope and perfect love Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2

-Through His power, you are sanctified as you repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to your covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

-He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26). In this capacity, He confirms that the priesthood ordinances you have received and the covenants you have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on your continued faithfulness.

-Everyone can feel the Holy Ghost, but to have him as a constant companion and to receive the full blessings of the Holy Ghost one must be baptized and then confirmed members of the Church by the laying on of hands, by someone with proper authority. (The difference between the influence of the Holy Ghost/light of Christ and the GIFT of the Holy Ghost)

-“The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (History of the Church, 5:499). We were baptized by immersion in water for the remission of sins. We must also be baptized by and immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, “and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Ne. 31:17).” (Bednar, That We)

My Favorite Analogy

The stop light! (Show a picture of a stop light)

Red: Stop! Don’t do that! Physical/spiritual danger, repent

Yellow: Be careful! Warnings of all kinds

Green: Go, do!  Testify, teach. Act!

No matter what analogies we use, no matter what blessings we focus on, the Holy Ghost is simply one GIANT blessing.  If we take advantage of this priceless gift our lives will only be better than they would have otherwise been.  And chances are, the lives of those around you will also be affected in a positive way.

 “The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).” (Bednar, Receive)

But the question remains: Once you are conferred a member of the Church and are given the Holy Ghost how exactly to you RECEIVE it?

That phrase at the end of the blessing demands, “RECEIVE the Holy Ghost”.  It doesn’t simply say, “The Holy Ghost is now yours” or “Enjoy the Holy Ghost”.  It doesn’t even say, “Utilize the Holy Ghost”.  Why does it say RECEIVE?

-It is a call to ACT

-It is recognition of the need for us to do our part

-It is a declaration that while we are entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, that he will always be near, but that he CAN NOT help us if we do not CHOOSE to accept him; if we do not INVITE him.

The Do’s and Don’ts

“If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. “ (Bednar, That We)

-As teens we often focus on what we CAN’T (or shouldn’t) do.  The Word of Wisdom.  The Law of Chastity.  The Sabbath Day. It probably seems like there are oodles and oodles of additional, compounding “restrictions”.  Lying, cheating, stealing, etc.  Some of them are not even temptations, while others are true struggles.  Gossiping, being selfish with our time/resources, coveting. Everyone is different when it comes to the focus of their struggles.  But we ALL STRUGGLE.  And, if you’re like me, we all need motivation to keep going, to keep trying!  

That’s when the light bulb went on for me!  While listening to Elder Bednar’s talks (Receive the Holy Ghost, and That we May Always Have His Spirit To Be With US) it finally hit me!  The ever important WHY!  Why do we do/not do all these things?  Is it to make us happy? Yup. Is it to help us stand out? Yeah.  Is it to make us better people? Yeah.  Is it to be obedient? Absolutely.  But the core reason we ACT in accordance to the things we have been taught is to be worthy of, to invite, and to embrace the Holy Ghost! “Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.” (Bednar, Receive) The other reasons we behave as we do are all fine.  They are all good.  But those are mere consequences, positive as they may be, of obedience.  The true, most important purpose behind all these instructions from the Lord is to give us every tool he has to keep us and our homes filled with the Holy Ghost!  We can DO anything, we can BECOME anyone, we can SERVE everyone when we listen to and obey the Holy Ghost. Why do we follow the teachings of the Gospel?  So we can RECEIVE the Holy Ghost! Mind Blown!

Mosiah 3:19 (We will always be an enemy to God as natural men unless we have the Holy Ghost)

Now let’s focus on the DO’s.  These are the most important.  I’m of the opinion that if we submerge ourselves in the DO’s there won’t any time for the DON’Ts, and soon they aren’t even temptations (While I'm fully confident in this theory, don't for a minute think that I've perfected this.  I'm just as human as the next person).  So what shall we DO to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost?

“These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.” (Bednar, Receive)

PRACTICE!

-Seek first for a sincere desire (3 Nephi 19:6, 9), “Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts? Receiving the Holy Ghost starts with our sincere and constant desire for His companionship in our lives.” (Bednar, Receive)

-“We cannot compel, coerce, or command the Holy Ghost. Rather, we should invite Him into our lives with the same gentleness and tenderness by which He entreats us (see D&C 42:14).” (Bednar, Receive)

-Put yourselves in situations where you: serve, hear/play music, watch wholesome church videos etc., enjoy the outdoors, participate in various forms of art, etc.

-Thoughtfully act each day, focusing on how you treat other people and how you spend your time

-Strengthen appropriate relationships with family members and friends

-Seek virtuous thoughts, actions, and language

-Worship in your homes, at church and in the temple

-Follow the commandments

-Meaningful personal and family prayer

-Study/feast upon the words of Christ

-Diligent and exacting obedience

-Faithfulness and honoring of covenants (through virtue, humility, and service)

-Worthily partake of the sacrament each week

-Have a positive attitude

-Act when you think you’re being prompted

*How do we know if it’s a prompting from the Holy Ghost?  Practice.  Only GOOD things come from our Heavenly Father.  If we ever feel like we are prompted to do something but are unsure if we’re just fooling ourselves into thinking it’s a prompting or if it actually is one, act (so long as it’s a positive prompting, what’s it going to hurt)! You’ll find out from what happens next if you were prompted or not.  From those trial and error opportunities you’ll be able to learn what’s a prompting and what’s not.  Never hesitate to do something positive; something the Lord would be pleased you had done.  Whether it was a prompting, or an idea of your own making, you’ll be serving Him and can’t go wrong.  

“Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.” (Bednar, receive)

“In February of 1847 the Prophet Joseph Smith appeared to Brigham Young in a dream or vision. President Young asked the Prophet if he had a message for the Brethren. The Prophet Joseph replied: “Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom” (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 41; emphasis added). Of all the truths the Prophet Joseph might have taught Brigham Young on that sacred occasion, he emphasized the importance of obtaining and keeping the Spirit of the Lord.” (Bednar, That We)

Several years after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, he appeared to President Brigham Young and shared this timeless counsel: “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and [be] sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach [you what] to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will whisper peace and joy to their souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 98).

*As a mom I have learned that each person feels the spirit differently.  Some feel it best through music, others through service, silent reflection/prayer, personal study/reading, various art mediums, physical experiences outdoors (hiking and other athletic occassions) or simply by being outside.  Just as we all have a way we learn best scholastically, we all have ways we hear and recognize the spirit better than others. (Ensign Article)

“…the Holy Ghost often teaches our children in the ways they learn best. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the Spirit talks to us in our language and in ways we can understand. The Holy Ghost adapts His language to be understood by all, even little children. “Our Heavenly Father is always available to us. He adapts to our level of understanding. ‘If He comes to a little child, He will adapt himself to the language and capacity of a little child’ (Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 3:392).” (Boyack, Helping Children)

“We also learned that people “hear” the Holy Ghost in a variety of ways. I was teaching a Sunday School lesson to relatively new converts, and I asked the question, “How do you feel the Spirit?” Their answers were very enlightening. One said, “I feel clarity in my thoughts.” Another said, “I have a warm feeling inside,” while another shared, “I feel a deep sense of peace.” A woman who had been a member for a few months said, “I feel prickles all over!” And several stated that they occasionally would “hear” a voice speaking to them or that new ideas would come to them.” (Boyack, Helping Children)

” As we gain experience with the Holy Ghost, we learn that the intensity with which we feel the Spirit’s influence is not always the same. Strong, dramatic spiritual impressions do not come to us frequently.” (Bednar, That We)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “In its more familiar forms, revelation or inspiration comes by means of words or thoughts communicated to the mind (see Enos 1:10; D&C 8:2–3), by sudden enlightenment (see D&C 6:14–15), by positive or negative feelings about proposed courses of action, or even by inspiring performances, as in the performing arts. … ‘Inspiration comes more as a feeling than as a sound.’”²

(If we have time to delve into scriptures and talk about analogies etc.)

The Liahona: A Type and Shadow for Our Day

1 Nephi 16:14-29 (How the Liahona worked) Small and simple things

1 Nephi 18:8-22 (Liahona failed until they repent and Nephi is in charge again) pride, wickedness, contention

Alma 37:38-46 (How the Liahona worked, comparison to the Holy Ghost)

Testimony
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who never leaves us stranded.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the blessings of the Holy Ghost are eternally ours if we but desire them and invite him into our lives.  Our Father in Heaven is waiting to bless us and guide us back to Him.  He has given us our own individual Liahonas.  It's our turn to act; to reach out and embrace it. I know that if we do this, our lives will unfold in ways we could never imagine possible. We can become the kind of people our Heavenly Father knows we can become if we allow the Holy Ghost to show us how.  

Applicable Cop Stories:
-"What did you think was going to happen?"
-Prompting to approach the car from the passenger side