Recognizing the Holy Ghost

         This holiday season I went caroling with about ten other missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our plan was to go out and bring the love of Christ to people by caroling and then offer them a copy of the Book of Mormon. The majority of people we caroled to that night kindly listened to us and gently took the book we offered. There was this one family that gave a different reaction and taught me something that night.

         

           All the missionary's and I went up to the door step. We knocked on the big wooden door. The sound of curious little feet scurried over to the entry way. The young girl cupped her hands and pushed her forehead against the glass to see who was at the door. At her excitement, she recognized us as Christmas carolers. The little girl began to yell, "Carolers! Carolers!" to inform everyone in the house that we where here to sing. The wife came to the door, her daughter begging to let us sing to them. The mother said, "well it is just about your bed time." "Please let them sing to us mom!" the daughter begged. The mother invited us in their home. We all stood in the front entry way preparing to sing. The family sat on the stairs by the Christmas tree facing us; a husband, wife and  their daughter. We then sang "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night". As we sang you could feel the Holy Ghost fill the room. Their smiles where wide and bright as they all huddled together enjoying the delightful feeling. I know they felt the Holy Ghost, especially the little girl, buy they didn't recognize it as so. After we finished we introduced ourselves as missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to the little girl. The daughter accepted the book with excitement in her eyes and thanked us for sing to her family. We then left and proceeded to the next house.

I learned something from Caroling that night. I need to better learn how to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life. It's such a great blessing to feel the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can be with us all the time. The Holy Ghost is a gift from God and a companion to help guide us in the trials of life. How do I recognize the holy ghost? Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 tells us "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." Boyd K. Packer talks about recognizing the Holy Ghost in the Ensign magazine an article titled"Counsel to Youth", "The gift of the Holy Ghost, if you consent, will guide and protect you and even correct your actions. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought or a feeling put into your heart. It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit."  Recognizing the Holy Ghost comes more easily once we receive the Gift by the laying on of hands. Joseph Smith said, "There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost can become a companion only through "proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, when ever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost." As members we have received this gift through proper priesthood authority. It then becomes our duty to remain worthy of it, invite the Holy Ghost into our lives by reading the words of God in the scriptures and praying to God through Jesus Christ and then listen and follow the promptings we receive. Elder Richard G. Scott, an Apostle from the quorum of the twelve gives advice, "The more closely you follow divine guidance, the greater will be your happiness here and for eternity moreover, the more abundant your progress and capacity to serve." 

         Constantly striving to recognize the holy ghost is of great importance in my life. I know, through experience, understanding the promptings of the holy ghost can bless your life. Acting upon the promptings of the holy ghost has blessed myself more then I know or recognize. We will not receive blessings unless we act. I would like to invite all to constantly strive for companionship of the Holy Ghost recognize righteous promptings and act upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Doing so, god is bound and promises us blessings that will help you throughout your life.

Constantly Strive for Companionship
                    RECOGNIZE
                            Then
                          ACT

LEARN MORE:
Love, Joy and Insperation
by President Thomas S. Monson

True Meaning of Christmas

        The holiday season can bring chaos as we are striving to check off all our "todo's" for the holiday season. As we run around from store to store looking for that perfect present for our loved ones or travel from place to place, the true meaning of Christmas can become easily clouded by chaos.

Mormon.org describes Christmas as "a time to celebrate the priceless gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His birth, which we commemorate during this season, is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, and our joy and salvation. This Christmas season will have greater meaning as we seek to follow His example and live His teachings." As we remember the the birth of Christ and the example his life was to us, the chaos in our souls can be calmed. Christ lived a life full of charity and love. We need to have an abundant supply of charity and love in our lives just like Christ did.

   

         

I can see Christ's attributes and example more then ever in peoples actions during the Christmas season. People are more loving and filled with charity. People go out of their way to give, which is why this time of year is so great. Love is what brings the Christmas spirit. This spirit of charity can be felt in the air and is more abundant during this time of year. Moroni tells us of charity in the Book of Mormon. (Moroni 7:47) "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whosoever is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." This spirit of love should carry on through out the year.

We should seek to keep this attribute of Christ with us all year long. Charity is a gift from God. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni said that we should "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love." (Moroni 7:48) As you follow Jesus Christ's example and strive to do righteous works your love for people will increase and you will be filled with the love of Christ. As we continue to pray to the Father in heaven for charity towards others, love will carry onforward through out the coming year. I would like to invite all, remember the spirit of charity during this Holiday season. Carry this spirit of charity in ourselves onward to the upcoming year.


Watch an up lifting message about Christmas on lds.org

Mormon Messages: An Unexpected Gift
Christmas is a time our hearts turn to the Savior Jesus Christ. This is the true story of one woman's experience as she learns that the Lord loves us and knows our specific circumstances. 
Click HERE to view

Worry Ends Where Faith In God Begins.

    

     I know that God cares about us and watches over us. I know this because I've seen God work in my life. There was a time when I needed a job to support myself. At the time I was living on my own, currently renting an apartment and attending Utah Valley University. I just lost my job and needed some income to help continue paying rent. I had put out resumes and been to job interviews in hope of a job offer, but nothing was coming of it.

     I felt I had done all I could. There was nothing else I could think of doing and with only two weeks till rent was due time was running out. There was no way I could provide a job for myself. I needed an opportunity. I knew if I wanted to get a job, God would need to provide an opportunity for me. Knowing that I needed a job and with a sincere desire I decided to pray to God for help. I exercised faith that everything would work out, not knowing how it would unfold, but knowing that God would provide away for it to work. After praying my worry was removed and I felt peace. Two days latter I received an interview and got a job that paid more then I had anticipated. I was able to continue living in my apartment and attending school.

          It is my personal testimony that God cares about each of us. As Ammon says in (Alma 26:37) "Now my brotheren see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in...his bowels of mercy are over all the earth..." God truly does care. We just need to let him work in our lives. I do all I can to provide for myself, but when I know I can't do any more or need some help to go on. I know I can ask God in prayer for help and He will help me. We just need to exercise the faith, get on our knees in humble prayer and ask for help. There will be times in our lives when we don't have answers. Jesus teaches the nephites in 3 Nephi 18 to pray always. " Therefore ye must always pray unto the father in my name." (3 Nephi 18:19) I can promise you that with a little faith and a sincere desire God will answer your prayers.

Challenge:

Pray always even if you are not in need of anything.

Mormon Messages: Learn from a humble women's example how the power of prayer can work in our lives. 

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&start=37&end=48&order=alpha#2010-01-01-prayer