+ Who is the Holy Ghost? What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? How does the Holy Ghost speak to us? What does it mean to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? What are the roles of the Holy Ghost?

+ Who is the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a God! Because he is a Spirit without a body of flesh and bone, he communicates to our spirits through feelings and impressions. As a spirit being, He has the unique responsibility of being an agent through which personal revelation is received.

+ Does the Holy Ghost know me? He knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts. The Holy Ghost loves us and wants us to be happy. Since He knows the challenges we will face, He can guide us and teach us all things we must do to return and live with our Heavenly Father once again.

+ What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? The primary purpose of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of God the Father and of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to teach us the truth of all things. Moroni 10:5 The Holy Ghost is also known as the Comforter. During times of trouble or despair or simply when we need to know that God is near, the Holy Ghost can lift our spirits, give us hope, and teach us “the peaceable things of the kingdom,” helping us feel “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” D&C 36:2 The Holy Ghost is a teacher and a revelator. As we study, ponder, and pray about gospel truths, the Holy Ghost enlightens our minds and quickens our understanding. John 14:26 The Holy Ghost inspires us to reach out to others in service. Never ignore a righteous prompting! 2 Nephi 32:5

+ What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? (Continued) He can guide you in your decisions and protect you from physical and spiritual danger. Through Him, you can receive gifts of the Spirit for your benefit and for the benefit of those you love and serve D&C 46:10–11. Through His power, you are sanctified (or purified) as you repent, receive the ordinances of baptism & confirmation, and remain true to your covenants. Mosiah 5:2, John 3:5

+ Let’s take a minute to discuss being “sanctified” by the Holy Ghost Understanding that the Holy Ghost has a huge role in the Atonement is something we don’t always comprehend. Did you know the Atonement can’t influence our lives without the Holy Ghost? To sanctify means “to purify or make free from sin, a central message of the restored gospel, The Holy Ghost is the sanctifier, and because of Him and through the infinite Atonement we may stand spotless, clean, and pure.” The sacrament provides a weekly opportunity for every person to become free from sin through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. Elder Jay Jensen of the Seventy The Holy Ghost sanctifies us to prepare us for God’s presence.

+ What Does It Mean to Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost? Before baptism, all honest and sincere seekers of truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time. However, the opportunity to receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and the fullness of all the associated blessings is available only to worthy, baptized members who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands through those holding the priesthood authority of God. Time to time Vs. Constant Companion

+ Camera Vs. Flashlight analogy When you feel the Holy Ghost before you are confirmed, it's influence can be felt in flashes, like this camera flash. We can keep our "batteries" charged and keep the light of the Spirit in our life by attending church, serving in callings, obeying the commandments, and living worthily. When you are confirmed, you receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That gift is like a light that you can keep on all the time, like a flashlight -- a constant companion.

+ How does the Holy Ghost speak to us? Inspired thoughts & Spiritual feelings President Boyd K. Packer has taught: “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. … While we speak of ‘listening’ to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, ‘I had a feeling …’” It is through these sacred feelings from the Holy Ghost that we come to know what God would have us do. Helaman 5:30

+ VIDEO: Increase your testimony

+ Thoughts from the video: -The Spirit strengthens testimonies -I had a feeling that started in my heart and spread to my whole body -My fear was replaced with clarity -I knew what I had to do -Thru the Spirit I knew things I had learned were true. -When I heard others share their testimonies the Spirit told me they were true. -I need to find a way to always have the Spirit with me -It helps me understand -I felt filled with light -Thru the Spirit your testimony grows little by little -Thru the Spirit, thoughts come to your mind -You can feel peace, joy and overwhelming happiness -It doesn’t just happen once, you can feel the Spirit over and over -I was overwhelmed with tears and emotion -The Spirit Changed My Life

+ What experiences with the Holy Ghost have you had?  Can you think of a time when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life?  What did you do to receive His influence?  What difference did His influence make? Possible experiences: -Decision to be baptized -Studying the scriptures -When you had to make a hard choice -When you were about to make a wrong choice. -When the Spirit inspired you to do something good. -When you had questions

+ The Holy Ghost will warn us of danger, and it will inspire us to help others in need. President Thomas S. Monson counseled us: “We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed.”

+ The Gift of the Holy Ghost As with all gifts, this gift must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. When priesthood hands were laid upon your head to confirm you a member of the Church, you heard the words, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” This did not mean that the Holy Ghost unconditionally became your constant companion. Scriptures warn us that the Spirit of the Lord will “not always strive with man.” When we are confirmed, we are given the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost, but it is a right that we must continue to earn through obedience and worthiness. We cannot take this gift for granted. Elder Wirthlin

+ We need the influence of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives So, who wants to be cleansed from sin? Who wants to know if they have been forgiven? Who wants to be strengthened & helped by Jesus’ grace? Who wants to be understood and guided? Who wants to be healed from hurt? Who wants to be changed & transformed into a better person? Who wants the atonement? Then get the messenger of mercy, the deliverer of divinity, the agent of the atonement: The Holy Ghost Anthony Sweat-LDS Author

Elder Adrian Ochoa