The Holy Ghost

Having discussed the natures of the Father and the Son, we come to the third and final member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost. While not as much is known about this member of the Godhead as the other members of the Godhead, we have sufficient knowledge of His nature and how he opperates in our lives.
The Holy Ghost does not have a body of flesh and bone like the Father and the Son do. Joseph Smith was revealed the following of His nature: "the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (D&C 130:22) What this means is that if we were to see the Holy Ghost, He would look like a man, but yet not have a physical body (Nephi, a prophet who lived 600 years before Christ saw the Holy Ghost and said something similar; see 1 Nephi 11:11). While the Holy Ghost can only be in one place at a time, His enlightening influence can be felt anywhere. As the third member of the Godhead, He too possess all of the attributes and characteristics of God the Father and Jesus Christ.
The Holy Ghost is known by many names and has many roles in the lives of men. He has been called the Comforter, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit, and the Spirit of Truth. Having the same characteristics as God does, He teaches and guides (John 14:26; John 16:13), testifies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (John 15:26; 2 Nephi 31: 18; 3 Nephi 11: 32, 36; 1 Corinthians 12:3), warns us against sin (John 16:8), bears witness of truth (Moroni 10:5; Jacob 4:13), and entices (Mosiah 3:19).
Knowing that the Holy Ghost does all of things, one must sincerely ask one of the great questions which all men everywhere must eventually ask if they desire to know the truthfulness of the Gospel, "How can I recognize the Holy Ghost?" Our apostle friend Paul, in his letter to the ancient saints in Galatia taught them to abandon the things of the world and that "the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness [and] temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). These feelings one feels when discussing things of the divine are from the Holy Ghost and are true. President Boyd K. Packer, a current apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, taught the following about the Holy Ghost and how it can speak to us,

“The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel. 5:30; D&C 85:6–7.) Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a ‘still small voice.’ (1 Kgs. 19:12.) The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?) “Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam. 3:10.)” (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).

We are commanded to seek the Spirit of the Lord, since with it, we can become closer to our Heavenly Father and be worthy to receive great truths pertaining to the Gospel. Not only can we be enlightened by the Spirit, but we can also continue to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost day to day. I know that the Holy Ghost is the messenger of truth and testifies that Jesus is the Christ and that the Gospel. I know that we should always strive to seek His guiding influence and seek to be worthy of having the Spirit guide us in our lives. I know these things to be true and I bear it by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.



  


 

This is my Beloved Son

This is My Beloved Son: The Father’s proclamation to the world of the divinity of Christ as the Son of the Almighty Elohim.

One cannot fully comprehend the reality of Jesus Christ as the divine son of God without coming to the knowledge of his relationship with the Father.

Prophets of old had testified tremendously of the coming of a messiah, Jehova God of the old testament. He was the first born spirit son of the Father in the Pre-Mortal life and grew in grace and power until he was as one "like unto God" (Abraham 3:24).There  in those realms a Savior was chosen. The also occurred  what the scriptures call the  war in  heaven in which God uttered these powerful words "But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.  First Glory be unto the father sacrifice for all manking. We learn from holy writ the Bible that Jesus would perform the infinite atonement for the redemtion of the world.

Christ’s birth into this mortal life has been a topic of debate because of the irregularity of His conception. Matthew explains the nature of Joseph and Mary prior to the birth of Jesus". Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph" (Matthew 1:14). Mary and Joseph at this point were unmarried but were promised to each other. Joseph was not the father and, upon knowing of Mary's prospective maternity, chose to take Mary and the child as his. Jesus’s parentage is of a Godly Father from whom He attained the ability to live eternally, and of a mortal mother, whose gift of blood running in His veins gave him the power to die. In His words recorded by (John 10:17-18), Jesus said "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father".
He's absolute obedience to the Father increased as Jesus grew older. Jesus was perfectly obedient and, because he was received all power, both in Heaven and on earth. All this came precept upon precept, line upon line until He received a  fulness of the glory of the Father. His works pleased the Father who utters these words at the Baptism of Jesus "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)


At the mount of transfiguration, the voice of the Father with heavenly messengers was heard, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well please; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5).

The Nephites, a people who had lived in the western world, heard a voice the voice proclaimend "Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified.I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled" (3 Nephi 9:15)

Later again the Father utters. " Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:7)
During the great revival period when many where searching for gospel truths.Joseph Smith was a boy of 14 of age who had a great interest on the welfare of his wanted to know of all the sects at the time which one contained the Gospel in its purety. After much reading he found scripture in James 1verse 5. That scripture led to him seeking out to go and ask God in prayer. In that setting of a groove of trees Joseph received a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith recorded in his on words said, "When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!". ( Joseph Smith History)

God has thus shown to us the divinity, power and authority of Jesus Christ. Nephi wrote of the attitude of the  people both in His and our time " And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men". (2 Nephi 19:9).

Regardless of how motals view him, however there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved. If all the prophets testified of him then how could he, as some aver merely be one of them. Worse consider him a great moral teacher or humanitarian. Certainly neither moral teacher or prophet could break the bands of death as Jesus did and then take the sins of another and then  satisfy the demands of justice. No wonder the Book of Mormon's purpose to us is to testify that Jesus is The Christ.I know God loved and, will continue to love His children. He speaks to us, He's concerned about us. He's shown how much love he has for us by sending Jesus Christ to atone for us. I know Jesus is a ressurected being, He lives is say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Nature of God

Having defined God as the ultimate source of all truth, we are led to explore the nature and character of the Being which we refer to as God. We will also explore the origins of the knowledge of God as was first revealed to mankind. Without a knowledge of God’s nature and character it is impossible to exercise faith in Him which leads to life and salvation (Romans 10:14). We can also learn the necessity of knowing who God is in the book of John, seventeenth chapter and third verse: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Eternal life, which is to inherit life with God and all that He has, is not impossible for us to achieve without a correct knowledge of who God is.  

The knowledge which we have concerning God has come through revelation, for which we are indebted to Him, “because without the revelations which he has given to us for a correct understanding of his character, perfections, and attributes; because without the revelations which he has given to us, no man by searching could find out God” (Lectures on Faith 3:7). In 1st Corinthians, chapter 2 and verses 9,10, and 11 we read, “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God” (see also Job 11:7, 8, 9 ).  So, the next step would be to examine the character of God which we have received from those revelations.

God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children (Romans 8:16). He has a body which is glorified and perfect (D&C 130:22; Gen. 1:27). His purposes are to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also Rom. 8:17). “The Lord God [is]...merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6; see also Psalms 90:2). He is just and slow to anger (Psalms 103:17,18), creator of the heavens (Hebrews 1:10), unchangeable and eternal (Hebrews 1:12; Malachi 3:6; D&C 35:1; James 1:17), a God of truth who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Doctrine and Covenants 3:2), full of love (John 4:8), and is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34, 35).

To be familiar with God’s possession of these divine attributes is necessary for any rational being to have faith centered in Him sufficient for salvation. For if a person does not believe Him to be God, then faith in Him could not exist, for fear that something above God would have power to ruin God’s plans; but seeing that He is God over all, from everlasting to everlasting, no such faith can exist in the minds of those who put their trust in Him. If He were not merciful and slow to anger, the weakness and frailties of man, without belief that these divine attributes existed, would make unwavering faith impossible.  Doubt would take the place of faith, for those who are aware of their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt whether they are qualified for salvation. But with the knowledge that He is forgiving, long-suffering, slow to anger, and merciful, faith is strengthened. If God were not unchangeable, doubt, again, would take the place of faith, because an individual would be in constant fear that the actions which please God today might not please God tomorrow.  However, knowing that He does not change, one can place faith in Him with unshakable confidence. Knowing that He is a God of truth who cannot lie makes it possible to have the utmost assurance that He will never work in deceit. Knowing that He is no respecter of persons places us all on equal ground in the eyes of God, and we need not doubt which privileges are ours or question what privileges belong to another. We then know that each has the authority by faith to lay hold on eternal life. “And lastly,...is the idea that He is love; for with all the other excellencies in His character, without this one to influence them, they could not have such powerful dominion over the minds of men; but when the idea is planted in the mind that He is love, who cannot see the just ground that men of every nation, kindred, and tongue, have to exercise faith in God so as to obtain eternal life?” (Lectures on Faith 3:24).

Having determined the attributes of God, we continue by exploring the origins of the knowledge of God’s existence. We turn to the historian, Moses, to aid us in our exploration. Beginning in the first chapter of Genesis with verses 26-30, we learn the situation of man at his first creation. He was given dominion over all things on the earth, and thereby was governor over the earth. He also enjoyed communion with his Maker without a veil to separate them.  From Chapters 2 and 3 of Genesis we learn of the fall of man and of his expulsion from the Garden of Eden. From these chapters we are shown an important item. Despite man’s transgression, he was not deprived of his previous knowledge of the existence and glory of his Creator, and actually received additional affirmation of His existence when he again talked with God and received commandments from Him.  Further, in verses 1 through 15 of chapter 4 in Genesis, we learn that not only did Adam witness manifestation of his Maker’s existence after his transgression, but likewise Cain, after his great transgression against his brother, received a personal knowledge of God’s existence. We also see that Abel offered sacrifices according to the knowledge passed on by his father, and with this we see that such fundamental information concerning God was passed down from father to son in like manner. In chapter 5 we are able to trace the genealogy of Noah to Adam. From this we learn that the Lamech, who is the father of Noah, Methuselah, Enoch, Jared, Mahalaleel, Cainan, Enos and Seth all lived to see both the death of Adam and the birth of Noah. Each heard from Adam his testimony of God, who He is and that He does exist. “From the foregoing it is easily to be seen, not only how the knowledge of God came into the world, but upon what principle it was preserved; that from the time it was first communicated, it was retained in the minds of righteous men, who taught not only their own posterity, but the world; so that there was no need of a new revelation to man, after Adam’s creation to Noah, to give them the first idea or notion of the existence of a God; and not only of a God, but the true and living God” (Lectures on Faith 2:44). Noah also communed with God, and in chapter 10 we see that eight men were acquainted with both Noah and Abraham, these men being Shem, Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, Reu, Serug, Terah, and Nahor, the brother of Abraham. With this we see that the knowledge of the existence of God began with the creation mankind, and was passed from father to son. The first idea that entered into man’s mind was that of God’s existence, and we cannot suppose that this important fact would remain in the mind of any rational being unless he made it known to his posterity.

Despite these histories, some may choose to deny the existence of such a being. The reality of the existence of God cannot be decided by human counsels or worldly philosophies, nor does it depend on an individual's desire to believe. God exists, or He does not. Let’s briefly explore this idea. You are presented with a box, inside which is a cat. The cat is either dead, or it is alive. Simply opening the box does not change that reality. Likewise, choosing to worship or not worship a Supreme Being does not change the reality of His existence. By examining the intricate details of creation around us, the human reason strongly declares the existence of God. James Talmage taught in his book Articles of Faith, “The mind, already imbued with the historical truths of the divine existence and its close relationship with man, will find the confirmatory evidence in nature on every side; and even to him who rejects the testimony of the past and assumes to set up his own judgment as superior to the common belief of ages, the multifarious evidences of design in nature appeal. The observer is impressed by the manifest order and system in creation; he notes the regular succession of day and night providing alternate periods of work and rest for man, animals, and plants; the sequence of the seasons, each with its longer periods of activity and recuperation; the mutual dependence of animals and plants; the circulation of water from sea to cloud, from cloud to earth again, with beneficent effect. As man proceeds to the closer examination of things he finds that by study and scientific investigation these proofs are multiplied many fold. He may learn of the laws by which the earth and its associated worlds are governed in their orbits; by which satellites are held subordinate to planets, and planets to suns; he may behold the marvels of vegetable and animal anatomy, and the surpassing mechanism of his own body; and with such appeals to his reason increasing at every step, his wonder as to who ordained all this gives place to adoration for the for the Creator whose presence and power are thus so forcefully proclaimed; and the observer becomes a worshiper” (Articles of Faith, Talmage, 29).  Alma, a prophet from the Book of Mormon also stated, “The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yeah, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).

Although we discussed the physical and philosophical facts concerning the existence of God, only by confirmation from God Himself through His Holy Spirit can one truly come to know of His reality. As earlier mentioned, all which we know of God has come by means of revelation from Him. Therefore, only through personal revelation and confirmation from God can one, with confidence, know that He is. God will answer the prayers of those truly seeking for knowledge and understanding, for Christ himself taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). I testify that God exists, for I have personally felt His calming reassurance and confirmation. I know that He lives and plays an active role in the lives of those who love Him. I invite all who may have doubts or unbelief to humbly and sincerely ask God, in the name of Christ, for an affirmation that He does exist. I know if you do so with real intent, having faith that God will answer, He will answer by placing feelings in your heart and thoughts in your mind.

Oh Say, What is Truth?

 The quest for truth has been something that has inspired mankind since time immemorial. The hunt for the ultimate meaning of this existence and why things are the way that they are has lead to many significant discoveries in the sciences, philosophy, and religion. While there is much good in these fields, we must discover for ourselves what the truth really is. After we discover what is the truth, we should have a duty to embrace the truth and follow the path of these truths, no matter the consequences.

 This naturally leads us to ask the following unavoidable questions,(1) "What is truth?", (2) "What/who is the ultimate source of truth?", (3) "Is there one ultimate truth?" and (4)"How can I know what is truth?"

We know that the defining of truth has been something that has interested humankind since the days of Adam. For instance, when Jesus was being questioned by Pilate, he testified of his divine mission, "[F]or this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." Pilate, doubtless curious by the one who was called the King of the Jews and of his role to bear witness of the truth, replied "What is truth?"(John 18:37-38) We have no record in John's account or any other account of our Lord answering his question directly at that time, but later on in a modern divine revelation to modern men, the Lord revealed this about the nature of truth: "And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" (D&C 93:24). Or, as one of our hymns says, "Truth [is] the sum of existence" ("Oh Say, What is Truth?" Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, #272, John Jacques). This means that to know the truth is to know of things as they truly were, are and shall be, free from mortal bias, free from the limitations of lack of foresight, knowledge or emotional attachment; in short, the truth is as God would see it in its pure, simple form. Truth therefore does not and cannot change despite the varying opinions of men, the philosophies of fallible mortals of the time, the political correctness of an opinion, or the culture one happens to live in. Truth is truth and it cannot be changed.

Thus, we know God is the source of all truth and light. The scriptures testify that God is a God of truth and cannot lie (see Ether 3:12; Hebrews 6:18, for example) As such, there can be only one ultimate truth that can save and redeem men for "truth, diamond truth, truth unmixed with error, truth alone leads to salvation." (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, "The Seven Deadly Heresies",  BYU Speeches of the Year 1979-1980) As there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), there can only be one truth that leads back to the presence of God the Father, one saving doctrine, one way back to where those holy beings who also have overcome the world dwell in everlasting glory. (John 14:6)

 Knowing that our salvation depends on finding the truth, our sole concern in seeking truth should be to learn and believe what the Lord knows and believes, reject all the false doctrines of the world, and cleave unto all truth. Only then can we progress according to the divine plan to return to our Father who is in Heaven. "How can we know what is truth and what is error?" the sincere seeker of truth is asked. "Have we not been warned of those who would seek to deceive the sincere seeker of truth?" This is very true. The Lord himself has warned of those false prophets who proclaimed a false way of truth and salvation(see Matthew 7:15). However, there is something given to us by the Father, a special gift, to help us know the truth. It is the Holy Ghost, whose sole mission is to bear witness of the truth. In Moroni's closing words, we read after his glorious promise of how one can know the verity of the Book of Mormon: "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). Jacob further witnessed that the "Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not... wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls". (Jacob 4:13) We know also whatsoever the Lord speaks is also eternal truth. In the modern revelations, we read that "The Spirit of truth is of God" and "the word of the Lord is truth and whatsoever is truth is light" (D&C 84:45; 93:26; See also John 17:17).

Having said all this, having taught and preached the doctrine, there remains but one thing more, which is to bear personal testimony of these truths we have discussed. I know and testify that God the Father lives and that He is the source of truth and light. Jesus is the Christ and he is the only name given under heaven whereby mankind can be saved. I know that Joseph Smith saw the supreme Creators of heaven and earth and restored the fullness of the Gospel and eternal truths to the Earth once more. I know these things by my own search for what truth really is. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest truth in all of the Earth and is worth more than all the treasures that kingdoms, empires, and nations can produce, for it can and shall redeem the souls of men in the glory that awaits the faithful. May God grant that each of us may also pursue the truth and find the truths of eternity to be that pearl of great price and treasure it in our hearts is my fervent prayer and plea. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Next week, we will be discussing the nature of God and the kind of being He is.