The Holy Ghost and Phones
This morning, we studied about the Holy Ghost as described by the Savior in John 14. We learned about the function of the Holy Ghost, and of the Second Comforter as well. We read the following quote by Joseph Smith:
“There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism…
“The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints…
“Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions—Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 149–51).
As we read that, the power of the Holy Ghost was very strong. So strong, in fact, that I knew that others could feel it, by the promise by Nephi who says that "when a man bspeaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi 33:1) Knowing this, I asked if everyone else felt it. I got deadness. I had 4 students this morning, 2 were drifting into sleep and 2 were on their phones. Was I doing something wrong? I have no idea. I don't think so, because the Spirit was there bearing witness to what was being taught.
Even though I don't know if I did something wrong or not. I do know, however, that there was at least one baracade. I could almost feel a wall. As soon as I noticed what the cell phones were doing, the Spirit left me as well. I had to stop in the middle of that powerful moment and just tell them to put the phones away. However, it did turn out to be a great teaching moment. After they put the phones away, we talked about how the Holy Ghost wants to talk to us, but when we put up a baracade (such as phones), we completely miss the opportunity to learn from the Holy Ghost. And if we don't learn from the Holy Ghost, we have no chance of receiving the Second Comforter. No chance at all. Why would the Savior visit us if we're not willing to visit Him? WE have to show the faith first before we can expect such a sacred experience like that.
I know the Gospel is true. I felt the Holy Ghost as clear as ever this morning. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that we can live with our Father again.
“There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism…
“The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints…
“Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions—Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 149–51).
As we read that, the power of the Holy Ghost was very strong. So strong, in fact, that I knew that others could feel it, by the promise by Nephi who says that "when a man bspeaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi 33:1) Knowing this, I asked if everyone else felt it. I got deadness. I had 4 students this morning, 2 were drifting into sleep and 2 were on their phones. Was I doing something wrong? I have no idea. I don't think so, because the Spirit was there bearing witness to what was being taught.
Even though I don't know if I did something wrong or not. I do know, however, that there was at least one baracade. I could almost feel a wall. As soon as I noticed what the cell phones were doing, the Spirit left me as well. I had to stop in the middle of that powerful moment and just tell them to put the phones away. However, it did turn out to be a great teaching moment. After they put the phones away, we talked about how the Holy Ghost wants to talk to us, but when we put up a baracade (such as phones), we completely miss the opportunity to learn from the Holy Ghost. And if we don't learn from the Holy Ghost, we have no chance of receiving the Second Comforter. No chance at all. Why would the Savior visit us if we're not willing to visit Him? WE have to show the faith first before we can expect such a sacred experience like that.
I know the Gospel is true. I felt the Holy Ghost as clear as ever this morning. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that we can live with our Father again.