Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost

Hello Nathan and the shadowman Brandon, I say “shadowman” because this one is intended for Nathan. Saturday, 5/28/16 Some people think the Mormon Church worships Mormon or Joseph Smith. This talk by Elder Young really answers that question even though that is not his point. He put together so many beautiful “mormon” teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ that I felt spiritually touched just listening to him and his testimony. Notice in the last sentence this is his testimony to the world! By the way, out of respect we are always supposed to use the full name of the church the first time we mention it. I did the above to make a point. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ~@~@~When I Read, I Am There @S. Dilworth Young @When I decided to choose a subject for this moment, I discovered I did not have enough words in the English language to properly express my true feelings, but it is the only language I know and so I shall have to use them and hope that the prayer of Brother Burton, which he offered at the beginning, will be applied to me as well as to you. It is my purpose to speak of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the depths of my soul I know that he has established the Church in these last days so that I may partake of the blessings of his kingdom on earth, to the end that I may inherit the eternal joy of dwelling in his presence when I have completed my work here, if I can prove faithful. He did not intend this to be my privilege alone. In his infinite love he reaches out to all of my family, all of my kin, to all of your families and kin, and to all of the people on the earth.

I know that I cannot know him as he is unless he reveals himself to me. That is the great hope—to penetrate the veil and see and know him as he is. Yet I do know some things because he has told holy men, who are prophets, about himself and has commanded that they bear record of what they saw and heard. I know that by reading about him in the scriptures I can hear his voice by the power of the Holy Ghost; that is, to read his word is to hear his voice.

Speaking through the Prophet Joseph Smith to his future modern apostles, he said: “These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; … For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another. … [Notice he said read them.] Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.” (D&C 18:34–36.)

I begin by learning that all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (See John 1:3.) It is plain that this great being, this Word, as John expressed it, was made flesh and dwelt among us (see John 1:14) and was identified as the Only Begotten in the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hello Nathan and the shadow man Brandon,

I learn, too, that all of the children of God were organized as spirits to come to the earth to be tested, to see if they would obey the principles of salvation and exaltation as proposed by this Son. They were told: “We will go down, … and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abr. 3:24–25.) Then, in due time, he himself came to earth, the light and life of men. (See John 1:4.)

Believing this with all my heart, I read of the earthly life of this great being, the Messiah. I learn that when he was born, a host of angels sang anthems of joy to an audience of shepherds. Out of the East, with no explanation as to why they started, wise men came and deposited with Joseph and Mary presents which were of value: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I do not doubt that they were inspired to find the Lord or that they were prompted to leave valuable gifts which could be used to sustain his family.

I am thrilled when I read of the scene at Jordan. There came the Son of God, unmarked and unknown; yet, recognizing him by the Spirit, John the Baptist could not help crying out: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29.) What do you imagine could have been John’s feeling when, after the baptism, he heard a voice out of the heavens say in holy confirmation: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”? (Matt. 3:17.)

Then later, as I follow his life, I sense the extraordinary importance of this climb up the mountain with three fishermen who did not yet quite know what it was to be apostles, to be special witnesses. There, as his glory was manifest before them and their eyes were opened to the presence of Moses and Elijah, they heard the same solemn witness as had John, only this time it came from a bright cloud nearby, which overshadowed them. In my soul I hear the solemn words from out the cloud saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:5.)

There are many events in the life of the Lord in which I experience exquisite joy as I read of them, and there are others which bow me down with the tragedy of his suffering and of his sacrifice.

Many of us know what it is to suffer physically for ourselves, and we suffer mentally and emotionally for our friends and loved ones in their sorrows and afflictions. I am not capable of fully understanding the suffering of this great firstborn Son of God for the sins of the world. We call it Gethsemane. He gave us agency and then, knowing all would sin to a greater or lesser degree, took the responsibility on himself of paying the price of the atonement for our sins, provided we would repent and follow him and his teachings. I find peace in doing what he said to do. When he said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you …” (John 14:27), he meant what he said. Someday I hope to be able to understand better. I know the peace I can have if I will keep his law and abide in his commandments.

I read that he was hung on a cross. I look at my own hands and feet and try to imagine the pain of such torture—to hang there in the heat of the day, the weight of his body on those tearing nails, every muscle and nerve drawn tight in agony. No stopping, no escape until he, having said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), gave up the ghost. I realize that this was endured for me and for you; I bow my head; it is hard to hold back the tears. Even now, 1900 years later, it is as poignant as though it occurred yesterday.

I read on and discover that each one of the gospels ends on a triumphant note. He has risen! He is the King of kings. He is the one named “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6.) I think of each of these titles given to him in prophecy and marvel as the meaning of each one touches my own heart.

What did the 11 apostles think as the cloud received him out of their sight? I can see them, in my mind, walking across the Kedron, then the narrow streets to a common meeting place, each lost in his own fears, and in his own hopes according to his understanding. I read with gratitude of the great event of the day of Pentecost, when the promise of the Lord was realized and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost was on them in miraculous abundance.

I am puzzled over the long period of time in which there was no spiritual light, nearly 1700 years of spiritual darkness. And then I read in a book of scripture, newly discovered, with an unusual name—the Book of Mormon—of his coming to a people in this land, a people descended from the Jews and their kin in Israel. I read of his descent from the heavens above them, of the great multitude of Nephites gathered together round about their temple, and of the voice from heaven which pierced them to the center.

My heart sings in confirmation as I hear once more in my soul the words of introduction and acceptance twice heard during his ministry in Palestine and now repeated and enlarged: “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.” (3 Ne. 11:7.) Once more the voice of the Father out of the cloud is placing his approval on his divine Son. I know that the account is true.

I have already read of how this great personage lived as the firstborn of his Father in the spirit, and so I am not surprised, although I am deeply moved, to learn that he, as a premortal spirit, visited the brother of Jared (see Ether 3:6–13), and I can sense his fear when the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord and realized that it was like unto the finger of a man. It surprised this prophet, but it does not surprise me, for I have learned that the Lord was the firstborn Son of God, whose name is Man of Holiness. So when the Lord showed his complete self to that great prophet, I am not surprised, but I am awed. The more I study and read the scriptures, the more I know this is true.

Finally, I read of a great vision in this dispensation, in this modern day. For the first time, so far as I know, the personage who spoke in testimony at the baptism of Christ, again on the mount, and to the Nephites (saying, “This is my beloved Son”) did not speak out of a cloud as on those occasions. This time he stood in majestic holy light together with his Son and declared to Joseph Smith: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear him!” (JS—H 1:17.) With Joseph Smith, as I read, I know that there is a God and he is indeed my Father. He is the great Elohim, the Father of us all. And there with him stood his Son Jesus Christ, identified once more by his Father.

It is no coincidence that the Father used the same introduction. If the young Joseph Smith was to bear witness of the truth, he must know the truth. It was revealed to him in that grove of trees 153 years ago. By the spirit of truth I know that the vision is true.

For 1700 years men had claimed to represent Christ, but none had declared him, none had heard a voice declaring him. In 1700 years no man had imagined or dared to imitate this great statement of truth to justify his own claims. This time is different. There in one moment on a spring morning the eternal truth was once more revealed in such a way and in such power that no one with the Holy Spirit in his heart can doubt that the heavens were opened and that God our Father and his Son appeared together—the Father declaring the Son in almost exactly the same words as he did three times nearly 2,000 years ago.

The boy was too young to perpetrate a fraud. The sacred words are from the lips of the Eternal Father. This is my testimony, and our testimony to the world. Here today we declared his Beloved Son, and here today we worship him and give praise and honor and glory. Today in honor of him we assemble at this conference of his people.

We look forward to his return to reign a thousand years. Let us worship him in spirit and in truth. Let us give loyal support to his presently anointed prophet and mouthpiece and those who assist him. President Harold B. Lee is that prophet. He holds the same keys that were given to Joseph Smith by the heavenly messengers in 1829. His word, inspired of the Holy Ghost, is the modern revelation of our day. This is my witness to you and to the world, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ~@~ How many facts about Jesus Christ did he include. One you have probably never heard of Nathan is when Jehovah/ Jesus Christ showed his finger and then his body to the Brother of Jared before he was even born. It was his spirit body. @ Now if you are like me you would lots rather listen to these beautiful talks than read them. That is what I get to do. I know how to find them and listen to them. Sometimes I am really in tune and the talks seem so rich. That is the way it has been today. So I can't stop with just sharing one. Here comes a second one. In my opinion one of the weirdest beliefs and teachings of the church has to do with the Holy Ghost. Who in there right mind believes in ghosts, let alone a Holy Ghost. Now Casper the friendly ghost was one of my favorite cartoon characters. But in religion, in spirituality, you deal with underlying energies and motivations. WE believe we have our very own identity, spirit inside our physical body. That God the Father has a perfect body inhabited by his spirit. That Jesus Christ was Jehovah before being born the Only Son of God the Father on the earth and that when he broke the bounds/bands of death he resurrected. The Holy Ghost is one of the 3 members of the Godhead. He chose to perform a special mission. His mission is to communicate God's will to our hearts and to witness of him and to give us comfort and peace and guidance. He can't be inside us and touch us inside if he had a body, so he remains a spirit. These 3 guys are the Fantastic Four, or the Threatening Three or the Power Partners of the Plan of Happiness. So it still sounds strange to me Nathan, but invariably saints/ members pray for the presence of the Holy Ghost at every meeting. Imagine you had worldly ears and you listened to someone say: And please bless us with the spirit of the Holy Ghost, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. @ Well, I have a real hard time detecting the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost. I think I blocked off a part of my spirit when I was little so I could make it through my horrendous childhood. So I am not good at feeling it until after the fact. When I have been brave or courageous and made a difficult choice or performed a Christlike behavior I often have the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost come to me. And when I pray I often feel filled with love and gratitude and tears come to my eyes. But I even laugh with HF in my visits with him. So you can expect I cover all kinds of feelings when I pray. By the way. We believe that to start a prayer we do it like Jesus did and say, Our Father who art in Heaven, or Our Heavenly Father. To end a prayer we say like I did above: In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. One of our recent prophet/ presidents of the church said the fashion when he was a boy was to skip the word Christ. In his family they just said, In the name of Jesus, Amen. Explanation: Jesus saves us but he wants all the glory to go to the Father, so he asks us not to pray to JC but rather HF. But to do it in His, Christ's, name. So these old wise men have lifetimes of experience. These apostles have no ulterior motives. They are squeaky clean. Thank heavens there is someone I can trust! See what you think of this next talk. It is in sequence with the one above. ~@~The Continuing Power of the Holy Ghost @Franklin D. Richards @My dear brothers and sisters: This has been a most stimulating and inspiring conference, and I sincerely pray for the guidance of the Spirit in the things that I have to say to you.

Frequently the question is asked, What is the difference between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches?

On one occasion the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked this question. He replied that one of the main differences was in our mode of baptism, including the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and that we believe in the continuing power of the Holy Ghost. (See Documentary History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 42.)

The first and fourth Articles of Faith of the Church outline this belief:

“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

“We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Through modern revelation we are told that “the Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s, the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.” (D&C 130:22.)

This is the simple and beautiful conception of the Godhead as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When Nicodemus, one of the rulers of the Jews, came to Jesus at night and asked him what he should do to be saved, he was told, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5.)

In this dispensation we have been admonished to “go among this people, and say unto them, … Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, … for the remission of sins; And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.” (D&C 49:11, 13–14.)

That this new birth included a spiritual regeneration was indicated when the Savior explained, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:6:7.)

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism by water are prerequisites to receiving the Holy Ghost.

The apostle Paul, in writing the Corinthian saints, stated: “… know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you …” (1 Cor. 6:19), and “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:17).

To keep in tune with the Holy Ghost, we must keep our bodies clean in every respect.

President Brigham Young stated: “The Holy Ghost … opens the vision of the mind, unlocks the treasures of wisdom, and they begin to understand the things of God. …

They comprehend themselves and the great object of their existence.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 241.)

If a person is going to get the most out of this life, he must comprehend the object of his existence.

The gifts of the Holy Ghost, to worthy recipients, are many and extremely helpful in answering the question, What is the purpose of life or the object of our existence?

One of the chief functions of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of God the Father and Jesus Christ, his Son. The apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian saints, told them that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Cor. 12:3.)

To know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is his Son and our Savior and Redeemer is absolutely essential to understand the purpose of life.

In addition to being a witness for the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a comforter. As the Savior was about to be crucified, he promised the disciples another comforter as he told them, “… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26.)

Thus we see that the Holy Ghost is a witness of the Father and the Son, a comforter, a teacher, and the bearer of valuable gifts of the spirit, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, discernment, and direction.

Yes, the blessings of the Holy Ghost are real and very helpful in understanding and appreciating life, although in some respects beyond our comprehension at times.

I recall a testimony given by a young cadet attending the United States Air Force Academy.

He was experiencing great difficulty in passing his courses and was very discouraged. At this point, he met a Mormon cadet, and from him he learned that there were a number of Mormon boys attending the academy and that they met together at five o’clock each weekday morning in a religious study class. The cadet was invited to attend one of these classes.

He did so and was deeply impressed by the wonderful spirit. He continued attending, met the missionaries, was given the discussions, and, through study, prayer, and attending church, received a testimony and was baptized.

He bore witness that upon receiving the Holy Ghost he felt its influence quicken his mind and understanding and refresh his memory, and that thereafter he had no trouble in getting satisfactory grades. His feelings of discouragement left him, and a spirit of peace and comfort came over him. This was a most inspiring and impressive testimony of the great value of the Holy Ghost.

Likewise, I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost many times in my life. In following these whisperings, my family and I have been blessed abundantly.

When our children were young, we were living in Salt Lake City, and I had an opportunity to accept a position with the government in Washington, D.C. This was an important decision for our family to make. After very careful and prayerful consideration, we decided to accept. We felt good about this decision, but it took considerable courage to follow the inspiration.

Years later, when I left the government, I had another important decision to make—whether to accept an attractive opportunity to work for others or go into business for myself. There were many pressures, many considerations, and after much deliberation I decided I would go into business for myself. After fervent prayers, I felt strongly that this was the path to pursue. I prayed for the courage to follow the whisperings of the Spirit.

I am sure many of you could testify that you have been troubled in making important decisions and have asked the Lord for direction and guidance, and that you have received it.

Likewise, manifestations of the Spirit are found in many other areas of life’s activities.

We hear many testimonies where worthy members have been warned of impending dangers.

A young father bore witness to me of a great blessing that had come to him and his family. He was awakened one night by a voice that clearly told him to get up and go downstairs. He heeded the warning, and in going into the kitchen he found one wall engulfed in flames. Hurriedly he awakened his family, called the fire department, and with the help of his family fought the fire, keeping it down until the fire department arrived and put it out.

There was no question in his mind that this warning was a manifestation of the protection the Holy Ghost can give to those who keep their lives in harmony with the Spirit.

Again the Savior has promised that to worthy members the Holy Ghost would be a comforter in times of sickness and death.

Many have borne witness of the comforting spirit that has attended them in times of sorrow, helping them to find peace and understanding.

A few weeks ago it was my privilege to meet two wonderful women, close friends, who had lost their husbands in a tragic airplane accident. Did I find them in despair and deep mourning? No, indeed. I have never witnessed greater courage and strength. They both bore witness to the fact that they had truly felt the comfort of the Spirit, that they knew there was a purpose in the call that had been given to their husbands, and that they had an assurance that all would be well with them and their families as they lived close to the Church and kept the commandments of the Lord.

I have heard the still small voice, or the whisperings of the Spirit, as I have counseled with you, my brothers and sisters; as I have conferred the priesthood upon men; as I have set men and women apart to positions in the Church; as I have given blessings to the sick; as I have borne my testimony to nonmembers as well as members; as I have been delivering a sermon, and at many other times.

Sometime ago a young lady asked me, “How do you know when you are speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost?” My answer was, “I can feel it spiritually and physically.”

I testify to you that the Holy Ghost has borne witness to me that God lives and is the Father of our spirits; that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer and Savior; that Joseph Smith was and is a great prophet, through whom the gospel in its fullness was restored, the church of Jesus Christ was reestablished, and the power to act in the name of God was restored to earth. The Holy Ghost has also borne witness to me many times that President Harold B. Lee is a great modern-day prophet, standing at the head of Christ’s church on this earth. I pray that the Lord and each one of us will sustain him in every way. I am most grateful for the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life.

I bear my witness to you that as one accepts the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and conforms to the principles and ordinances thereof, the Holy Ghost will truly be a guide and comfort to him throughout his life.

Yes, one of the great differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any other church is that the worthy members may enjoy the continuing power and gifts of the Holy Ghost. May we all seek these gifts and be worthy of them, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ~@~@~So Nathan, there was a time when the “best” things I read had the anticipation of sex in them. I think I told you I was sexualized as a child, like it or not. Rose colored glasses are supposed to make the world a rosier place. Well I did not know it but I was given Sex colored glasses as a child. So sad. So the above two talks and all my comments about them would have seemed boring. No sex. But what if it is true. If it were pure real spiritual truth would that make it more interesting? I sure hope so. And that is what they are professing and that is what I am confessing. These are the real truths of the Universe! And we have to be taught them and reminded of them because we are here on earth on a mission. Our mission is to show God we can live by faith. We are proving to him/them that we value good over evil. That we can be selfless instead of selfish. (Not all the time but part of the time!) That we desire light more than dark. That we want to love more than hate. That we trust and confide and are loyal to Him and not the opposite. Power and Riches are not our goals. Peace in our hearts and blessings and spiritual gifts are our goals. Confidence and solidity, our house is built upon the rock. Despair and blown around, our house is not built upon the sand. Faith, hope and charity. (Charity: to see others the way our loving God sees them.) When we do what is right and good we have no need to fear. Though we be stoned like Stephen, one of the seven, our faith is secure in our God. Blessed are they who are mocked and persecuted for my names sake, for so were my apostles and prophets before them. We join a cadre/ club that transcends the ages. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way and few there be that find it. Not many are the true followers of Christ. But isn't it good to know that Christians are the majority of the world! What a powerful yet humble man he was. I read the sermon on the mount and studied it carefully a few weeks ago. Yikes who could do any one of those things well, let alone them all!!!! It helps me to know that those are the lines of the blueprint of perfection. No wonder they are so difficult even to imagine! And in 3^rd Nephi some key words are added that help make so much more sense! Thank heavens the Book of Mormon only had to be translated one time to get to English. All the other languages of the world it will have to have been translated two times. Well, we spent quite a bit of time on this but if this is the life blood of the true Universe then there is nothing more valuable to spend it on. Gby-nc-bps-vj