“The Comforter…shall teach them all
things that are expedient for them”
D&C 75:10
Our Saviour was very much
aware of the void and the anguish men suffer when death parts them from a loved
one. Prior to his crucifixion, in his last discourse with his ever loved
apostles, he sought to soften the sorrow of his parting. The disciples seemed
not to understand. He had been their guide, support, and constant companion for
three long years. “Let not your heart be troubled” he said. “In my fathers
house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2). However
the apostles who had lived and served with the Saviour for so long still did
not understand. They thought they needed nothing more while he was with them,
but now he was leaving and they could not follow, at that time at least. In one of
the most touching and inspiring utterances from the lips of Saviour came the
words, “I will not leave you comfortless….if ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you for ever” (John 14:18, 15-16)
Of course members of the
Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ know that the one called the comforter, whom
Christ promised that the Father would send, was the Holy Ghost, the third
member of the great Godhead. The Holy Ghost was to bear witness of the Father
and the Son, to lead the disciples to know the truth, and to be a source of
reassurance to them as they preached the gospel to the entire world. To the Apostles
and Disciples of Christ the Holy Ghost not only gave them consolation, but today
he extends blessings of compassion to us when otherwise sorrow would be
overwhelming.
Latter Day Mormons have
come to understand that the Holy Ghost is a messenger of revelation. This has
ever been his mission among the children of God. He gives us a surety that God
is our Father and that Christ is our Redeemer.
Latter Day Mormons know
that the influence of the Holy Ghost must be cultivated in our own lives and
the lives of others. If we do not do this then how can we learn to feel the
influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives more regularly. We must remember that
we need to take the time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. The answers
to our prayers often come by a still small voice deep within our minds and
souls and are discerned by our deepest, innermost feelings. We can and must be guided by
the Holy Ghost in the decisions that we take in life, the influence of the Holy
Ghost must be cultivated and our hearts prepared to receive the blessings of
the Holy Ghost we need to remember that “if we enter in by the way, and receive the Holy
Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye shall do” (2 Nephi 32:5).
The overwhelming lesson
that members of the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ must learn and understand
is that the Holy Ghost is a testifier of Jesus Christ, he is a witness of all
that Christ stands for and teaches and if we want to understand Christ then we
must learn to understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and with
his help we can not only become better Latter Day Mormons but better people and
closer to the throne of God the Father.
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