39a- Talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost

 The Gift of the Holy Ghost - Talk given at Cal Kelley’s Baptism

John Chapter 3 - 1-5, 14-19

The story of Nicodemus. Jesus Christ teaching him the doctrine of Christ. Faith in the son of God, the necessity of baptism by water and the Spirit, and choosing to follow Christ through our actions

Baptism by water and baptism by the Spirit or Fire, is one baptism. They are not separate.

Born of water - baptism by immersion is symbolic of Repentance. Putting off the old and experiencing a new birth.

Being born of the Spirit is to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon you by the laying on of hands by one with proper authority from God. “The Holy Ghost is the Messenger of Grace by which the blood of Christ is applied in our lives to take away our sins and to sanctify us.” (Todd D. Christofferson)

We better understand the Gift of the Holy Ghost when we consider who the Giver of the gift is, and why the Gift was given. 

Cal you are loved and supported by so many. But by none more than your parents. There is a special kind of love and bond a parent has with a child. They want what is best for them. This parent child relationship is patterned after heaven. You have a Heavenly Father who loves you. And wants what is best for you as well. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength.” 

In the Book of Moses it is recorded that the Lord spoke to Moses saying: 

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

He wants us to return home to Him. 

Having all wisdom and all power our Heavenly Father designed a perfect plan to allow for us to come back into His presence. It is called The Plan of Salvation/ The Plan of Happiness. 

This plan would allow us, his spirit children

1. to come to earth to gain a physical body. 
2. Here we would learn, grow, and progress. 
3. Here in mortality we would exercise our freedom to choose between right and wrong, light vs darkness
4. Knowing we would stumble along the way, He promised to provide a Savior for us, Jesus Christ. Through the power of the resurrection, and atoning blood of Jesus Christ, we could overcome both death and sin, two obstacles that would keep us from His presence.
5. His perfect plan also included covenants along the path back to Him. These covenants would would bind us to God and His promises, a way to keep us close to Him. 

• One of the these covenantal promises is the Gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant influence for good, truth, and light. 

• Think of that- the perfect gift to encourage, guide, influence, direct, teach, warn, comfort, and sanctify us along the path back home without interfering with our agency

 I can not describe in words the blessing this Gift is in my life. Everyday of my life. His influence affects every aspect of my life.

• in decisions big or small 
• As a husband and father, as a priesthood holder and minister. 
• He guides me by leading me to those who I can help, lift, serve, and share
• His brings to my mind things I need to repent of or change in your life
• His influence has brought me so much Comfort and peace throughout my life. Consider the opposite of this peace. It is Stress, anxiety, remorse, uncertainty, fear, apathy, and sadness. We see this around us on every turn in the world we live in. 

No wonder the Prophet has said sharing the gospel, or “gathering Israel” is the most important work on the earth today.” And the most needed!

I want you to know that The Gift I have received of the Holy Ghost means everything to me. His influence leads me to Jesus Christ in every way. And I know He will do the same for you if you choose.

Now, Can I share 3 warnings that have helped me, and I believe they will help you in your life. They not only warnings, but they are instructive in how to move forward.

1. D&C 82:10 - Choose Obedience
2. Mosiah 3:19 - yield to enticings, put yourself in a place to hear them
3. "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." - Earnestly seek
   -President Russell M. Nelson

We all make mistakes for certain. We have and will fall short of our own expectations, and of God’s. But in His infinite wisdom, and through His Son Jesus Christ, He made it possible for us to renew our baptismal covenant. We do this each week as we worthily take the Sacrament 

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

A final word on this Sacred Gift - If you are ever feeling out of tune and having difficulty feeling or hearing  the whispering influence of the Holy Ghost , and you will. And you are unsure how to move forward from where you are at. Remember this teaching from our living Prophet. Bothering will unlock  the counsel of our Prophet President Nelson. “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”

Tomorrow someone with this God given Priesthood authority will lay their hands upon your head, and they will confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And then they will confer upon you this Gift of the Holy Ghost by saying these words “receive the Holy Ghost”. My prayer is that you and that each one of us will choose to  “receive it” this powerful and glorious gift from God.

I leave you with my testimony that I know that the God lives. I know that Jesus Christ has restored His church upon the earth today. That within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is found the priesthood authority to administer these sacred ordinances we witnessed and discussed this morning. I have a testimony that these binding covenants with our Heavenly Father, in and through His Son Jesus Christ, will lead us back to our Heavenly Home as designed from the very beginning. I personally witness that God honors His covenants as we earnestly strive to honor ours. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.