Category Archives: Holy Ghost

Christ, Holy Ghost, Hope, Walk The Talk

None Were With Him

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“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, ‘I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].’ “

Three promises came to my mind as I began to ponder and study this talk. They stemmed from a question that I asked myself after I read Elder Holland’s words. The question is, “How can I receive the Lord’s comfort in troubled or lonely times?”

Here are the three promises that sunk into my heart:

  1. aDraw bnear unto me and I will draw near unto you; cseek me diligently and ye shall dfind me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Doc & Cov 88:63)
  2. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and aopen the door, I will bcome in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20)
  3. “I will not leave you acomfortless: I will bcome to you…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will alove him, and we will come unto him, and make our babode with him.” (John 14:18,23)

I learned the other day in my studies that the Lord extends so many individual promises to all of us. We can know these as we seek to know his will in the scriptures. When we find them we can cling to them with hopeful hearts. AND if we “prove him” by living so that those promises have chance to sprout, we will come to know through the Holy Ghost that he loves us, we will become more fully pure and we will be full of his light.

This said, the Savior’s grace or enabling power comes into our lives and we realize our reliance upon it. None are saved in any other way than by Christ. He makes ALL the difference.

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Original Talk: Jeffrey R. Holland – None Were with Him
Discuss Here: None Were with Him @ Walk The Talk

Holy Ghost

The Spirit’s Refining Power – Parley P. Pratt – Key to the Science of Theology

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This has long been one of my favorite descriptions of the Spirit’s power that can come into the lives of those who seek and prepare themselves to receive it.

“An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses, every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God Himself.

But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.

The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

In the presence of such persons one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuse and thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit…”

(Parley P. Pratt, p. 101-102 “Key to the Science of Theology”)