Here was the talk I gave at her Baptism on the Holy Ghost
Hello everyone, I am CoCo’s Aunt Kara from Woods Cross and I
feel so blessed to get to be apart of CoCo’s special day.
By raise of hands can anyone see the wind? It’s kind of a
trick question. Not what it can do to the leaves or the sand, but actually see
it?
If we can’t see wind, how do we know it is real? That’s
right, because we can feel it.
How about Love? Has anyone ever seen Love? Not what people
do because of love, but actually see it? So if we can’t see love, how do we
that it’s real? That’s right, because we can feel it.
So if the Holy Ghost doesn’t have a physical body like you
and me, how do we know he is real? That’s right because we can feel him.
I remember when I was eight years old and also had the
opportunity to be baptized by CoCo’s grandfather and my dad, Curt Howes. It was
a special day that I will always remember. We were living in New Jersey and we
didn’t have extended family living close and it was a very small group of
people that were there.
CoCo, come stand up and look around this room and know that
you are so blessed! All these people love you and support you and your decision
to be baptized into Christ’s church.
I also remember feeling the day that I was baptized so much
joy and warmth in my heart.
I remember feeling so much love from my family and my Heavenly
Father. It was almost like I was wrapped in a giant hug all day.
Sometimes that is what the Holy Ghost feels like. Sometimes
it feels like being wrapped in a Giant Hug when our Father in Heaven and Savior
want us to feel their love. Sometimes we will feel good inside when we need
comfort or guidance or when we make good choices. Sometimes we will feel
prompted to serve another person in a way only we can. (CoCo, you are such a
great example to everyone around you on service, I know he has already helped
you to know who to serve in your life.) Sometimes we will feel the nudge to
make a better decision that what we had originally planned.
What is so wonderful about the Holy Ghost is that he knows
each of us individually and may speak to you differently than he speaks to me.
Has anyone ever felt the Holy Ghost and would like to share
what it feels like to them?
Pres. Boyd K packer explained:
“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 …’” He continued: “This voice
of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may
caution or warn you”
Can anyone recite the 1st article of faith?
We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his son Jesus
Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
This teaches us that the Holy Ghost is a very important
member of the Godhead and works closely with our Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ. So we can trust he will never lead us astray.
The scriptures also teach us about the Holy Ghost and his
many responsibilities
We learn that:
·
He is a personage of spirit without flesh or
bones
·
He can be felt by all, but can only become a
constant companion to those who have been baptized and confirmed by the holy
melchezidek priesthood.
·
He is the third member of the Godhead.
·
He has many names because he has many
responsibilities. Some of those names are the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit of God, or the Comforter.
·
He does not yell and has been known to speak in
a still small voice.
·
He speaks most often to your heart and mind, but
if the need arises you may hear him in your ears.
·
He works closely with Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ to help you live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.
·
His purpose is the same as Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ
·
He comforts us
·
He guides us
Moroni 8:25-26
teaches how we can have the Holy Ghost in our lives
25 And
the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the
fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth
remission of sins;
26 And
the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of
meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which
Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence
unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with
God.
Moroni 10:5
teaches us
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of
all things.
So the Holy Ghost will guide to know right from wrong. And
if we know right from wrong, we can know how to make righteous choices, and if
we make righteous choices we can return to live with our father in Heaven after
this life.
Are we always going to make right choices? No, because we
aren’t perfect, that is why we came to this earth to learn and become more like
our Savior. That is why we have the sacrament. The sacrament gives us the
opportunity to repent of our mistakes and we can be made clean again just like
you were today CoCo.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
Through the Holy Ghost we may know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ,
and that His Church has been restored to the earth. We may have the promptings
of the Holy Ghost to show us all the things we should do. The Holy Ghost
sanctifies us to prepare us for God’s presence. This great gift from our
Heavenly Father can also bring peace to our hearts and an understanding of the
things of God.
CoCo,
I feel so blessed to know your sweet spirit and to be your
Aunt. We are all so proud of you for your decision to get baptized today and
receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost which is the greatest gift we have been
given in this life. But it is important to remember the Holy Ghost can only be
with you as you make good choices and put yourself in good places where he can
be also. I pray that you will allow him into your life and realize he will be
your greatest friend through all the good times and hard times.
I just want to leave you with my testimony
I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is real and true. I know
without a shadow of a doubt that we were sent here to earth with a great
purpose to love one another and be obedient to the commandments so that we can
return to live with our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful for having the Holy
Ghost in my life to help me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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