INSTRUCTIONS FROM JESUS ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST

Choice 2: John 14:15–17, 26–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–8, 13–14.
      

1. As you study these following verses, make a list of what the Savior taught about
   
   

   What the Holy Ghost does,	Reference
   Abides with you forever	John 14:16
   Is the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive	John 14:17
   The world seeth him not, neither knoweth him	John 14:17
   He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you	John 14:17
   He shall teach you all things	John 14:26
   He shall . . . bring all things to your remembrance, what-soever I have said unto you.	John 14:26
   The Comforter . . . even the Spirit of truth . . . he shall testify of me:	John 15:26
   He will reprove the world of sin	John 16:8
   He will reprove the world. . . of righteousness	John 16:8
   He will reprove the world. . . of judgment	John 16:8
   He will guide you into all truth	John 16:13
   Whatsoever he shall hear [from the Father], that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.	John 16:13
   He shall glorify [Jesus].	John 16:14
   He shall receive of [Christ], and shall shew it unto you	John 16:14
   What disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost.	Reference
   Keep the commandments	John 14:15
   Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.	John 14:27
   And ye also shall bear witness	John 15:27

   
   
   2. Add to your list above as you study the following resources:
   • Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “The Holy Ghost Brings Man to His Fullest Potential” (pg. 168)
   • Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “As a Messenger of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost Teaches Faithful Members” (pg. 168)
   • Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost” (pg. 704)-

   What the Holy Ghost does . . .	Reference
   “The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to . . . [and] quickens all the intellectual faculties	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . beauty of person, form and features.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . strengthens, 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.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.
   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.	Institute Manual p. 168-169 [167-168],Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:134
   The Holy Ghost  . . . is a special messenger from the Father and the Son and carries out their will. …”	Institute Manual p. 168-169 [167-168],Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:134
   By the power of the Holy Ghost a person receives a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His work and the work of His servants upon the earth.	Bible Dictionary, King James Version.
   The Holy Ghost acts as a cleansing agent to purify [us] and sanctify them from all sin.	Bible Dictionary, King James Version.
   The Holy Ghost . . .carries a conviction of the truth unto the heart of the hearer (2 Ne. 33:1).	Bible Dictionary, King James Version.
   The Holy Ghost knows all things (D&C 35:19) and can lead one to know of future events (2 Pet. 1:21).	Bible Dictionary, King James Version.
   What disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost?	Reference
   In the presence of such persons [who have the Holy Ghost as a companion], one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit.	Institute Manual p. 168 [167], Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101

   
   
   3. Review your list of what the Holy Ghost does. Then write responses to the following tasks:
   • Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection.
     
     
   The Holy Ghost helped the apostles be “ready for their ministries to the world” by directing and helping them in knowing where to go and what to do. As they had the witnesses of truth that they received from the Holy Ghost then they could also follow the instruction in John: 15:21, (“And ye also shall bear witness,)” to share those truths.
   
   
   John 14:26 teaches, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
   
   
   • Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.
     
     
   The Holy Ghost has often borne direct and powerful witness to me about gospel principles. I have also received directions and inspiration in more secular areas of my life such as jobs, raising children, or finding things our family needed.
   
   
   For example: We were shopping for a new couch. One day, as I drove past a second-hand store I had a distinct thought to look there for a couch. There was one there that was almost like new. It was a perfect size and color for our needs, and it cost much less than anything we had seen and was within our budget. I know the thought I had was outside the realm of my own personal thoughts at the time. It was unique and distinct.
   
   
   I have worked as a seamstress for most of my life. Countless times, during complicated processes, I have had pure light and understanding come to help me. Sometimes, as I volunteer to ‘make-over’ prom dresses, or repair missionary clothes, I have learned new techniques and tricks that seem almost like magic. I love doing missionary clothes. My machines work better than normal and I always get great inspiration and gain knowledge. These miracles bless me and them; then I can even help other people that have similar needs because of the knowledge I have gained and can apply.
   
   These lists amazed me. The Holy Ghost does so much and then we have a tiny list, comparatively, of simple things we are asked to do. Even if we listed out all the commandments we would still have the shorter list.
   
    

GOOD FRIDAY - IN THE DARK

Today is Friday. My favorite holiday is a Friday.
My favorite holiday is Good Friday.

What does that even mean?

I can only answer that for myself.
We must each find such meanings in our private ponderings.

I find expression of some answers in words spoken in Oct 2006 by Joseph B. Wirthlin, Apostle of Jesus Christ, and member of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

     "I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark ... evil men who sought his life rejoiced ... the veil of the temple was rent in twain ...

     "On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior - the man who had walked on water and raised the dead - was Himself ... [seemed] overcome by His enemies.

     "On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God  ... of all the days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest."

I have dark days in my life.

Days that seem like all light and hope is extinguished. Days and/or nights that seem to have no end.

Times of utter despair.

I suspect you do also.

I hope not but also know it is part of living and dying, loving, serving and striving.

With rain, sometimes, we may ... if we wipe our eyes and lift them to look -

glimpse a rainbow, God's promise of hope to man.

Elder Wirthlin continues,

     "Each of us will have our own Fridays - those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

     "But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death - Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

     "No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come."[emphasis mine]

I join my voice to Elder Wirthlin.

SUNDAY WILL COME.

And every Sunday I will look again at the white cloth covering the sacrament table and remember the corpse of the Savior and then eat and drink the symbols of His triumph! His triumph that dispels my darkness. Dispels all darkness of all such 'Fridays'.

And with Elder Writhlin I will rejoice and

     " ... live in thanksgiving for the priceless gifts that come to us as [children] of a loving Heavenly Father and for the promise of that bright day when [I] shall rise triumphant from the grave. No matter how dark [my] Friday, Sunday will come.

     "The Resurrection transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. Should it not transform ours? We will all rise from the grave. On that day we will know the love of our Heavenly Father and will rejoice that the Messiah overcame all that we could live forever."

For now I listen to the advice of Isaiah in chapter 24 (verse 14) and sing in the darkness, "Glory to God on high ... tell what his arm has done, what spoils from death he won ..Praising His name ..." hymn 67

After the cold of Winter, Spring brought the change of seasons -
the daffodils - the birds - the green - the light ... and now Summer has arrived,

And Sunday will come - even should seasons fail - even in the dark!