Svithing the Holy Ghost

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In about an hour I'll be giving a talk on the Holy Ghost at the baptism of two men I think are pretty great. These are my notes.


D&C 46
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, 8 March 1831. In this early time of the Church, a unified pattern for the conducting of Church services had not yet developed. However, a custom of admitting only members and earnest investigators to the sacrament meetings and other assemblies of the Church had become somewhat general. This revelation expresses the will of the Lord relative to governing and conducting meetings.
10And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church.
11For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
13To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
14To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
15And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.
16And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
17And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
18To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
19And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
20And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
21And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
22And to others it is given to prophesy;
23And to others the discerning of spirits.
24And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
25And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
26And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.


What does a “burning in the bosom” mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word “burning” in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity. That is the witness many receive. That is the way revelation works. (Dallin H Oaks


I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. (Boyd K Packer)


Also from Elder Oaks:

1. The testimony or witness of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ and that the gospel is true is a revelation from God.


2. Prophecy is another purpose or function of revelation.


3. A third purpose of revelation is to give comfort .


4. Closely related to the feeling of comfort is the fourth purpose or function of revelation, to uplift .


5. The fifth purpose of revelation is to inform .


6. The sixth type or purpose of revelation is to restrain us from doing something.


7. A common way to seek revelation is to propose a particular course of action and then to pray for inspiration to confirm it.


8. The eighth purpose or type of revelation consists of those instances where the Spirit impels a person to action.
 

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