Lesson 6, Unit 2, Choice 2: The Savior's Instructions about the Holy Ghost

Choice 2: John 14:15–17, 26–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–8, 13–14. The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

1. As you study the following verses, make a list of what the Savior taught about (1) what the Holy Ghost does and (2) what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost:
• John 14:15–17 - Must keep the commandments; the Holy Ghost comforts, abides with us, is the Spirit of truth, and dwells within us
• John 14:26–27 - The Holy Ghost is sent by the Father in Christ’s name, teaches all things, brings all things to our remembrance, and brings us peace; We must not be troubled or be afraid
• John 15:26–27 - The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ
• John 16:7–8 - The Holy Ghost takes the place of Christ as our Comforter on the earth, and he “will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”
• John 16:13–14 - The Holy Ghost will guide us into all truth, show us things to come, and glorify Christ
  
2. Add to your list above as you study the following resources:
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “The Holy Ghost Brings Man to His Fullest Potential” (p. 167)
  
  “It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.”
  
  “In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit.”
  
• Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “As a Messenger of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost Teaches Faithful Members” (p. 167)
  
  “The Holy Ghost is a Personage of Spirit, in the likeness of God the Father, in other words a likeness of the Father and the Son. His mission is to instruct and enlighten the minds of those who, through their faithfulness have obeyed the commandments of the Father and the Son. He bears witness of the truth, quickens the minds of those who have made covenant and reveals to them the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He is a special messenger from the Father and the Son and carries out their will….”
  
  
• Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost” (p. 704)
  
  “The Holy Ghost is manifested to men on the earth both as the power of the Holy Ghost and as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power can come upon one before baptism and is the convincing witness that the gospel is true. By the power of the Holy Ghost a person receives a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His work and the work of His servants upon the earth. The gift can come only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands”
  
  “For those who receive this gift, the Holy Ghost acts as a cleansing agent to purify them and sanctify them from all sin. Thus it is often spoken of as ‘fire’”
  
  “When a person speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost that same power carries a conviction of the truth unto the heart of the hearer (2 Ne. 33:1). The Holy Ghost knows all things (D&C 35:19) and can lead one to know of future events (2 Pet. 1:21).”
  
  
3. Review your list of what the Holy Ghost does. Then write responses to the following tasks:
• Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection.
  
  Well I don’t know specifically how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection because we haven’t gotten that far in the scriptures, but I would guess it’s in all the ways we already listed: he comforted them in times of trouble, helped them teach and testify with power unto the convincing of the people they taught, and inspired/revealed truth to them.
  
• Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.
  
  There have been many occasions when I’ve been troubled by sadness or stress or fear and I’ve prayed/read the scriptures and felt the spirit and a sense of peace and calm came over me. I’ve also had some few occasions when I’ve been angry or hurt or upset with someone and I’ve prayed for help in forgiving and having my heart softened, and I’ve been able to get over my hurt feelings and just feel love and understanding for the person who hurt/offended me. I really don’t think I could have done this without the gift of the Holy Ghost because it is very unlike me/unnatural to me to forget the pain I’m feeling and feel love and compassion toward the person who has caused me pain. I don’t have quite as many experiences of being inspired by the Holy Ghost. But there was one time that I was praying for an answer to a question I’d had and then the answer came to my mind so clearly and plainly that I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before. I had wondered if it was just coincidence that right after praying I suddenly understood the answer to my question (because this is possibly the only time this has happened to me), but I really think it was the Spirit enlightening my mind and giving me an answer.