Holy Ghost Talk at Baptism

This is the talk I gave at a recent baptism on the Holy Ghost. 

I get to talk about the gift that you are about to receive.  It is a very special gift.  Do you like to receive gifts?  They are fun, huh?  Sometimes you get gifts that you play with for a while and then you outgrow it or it gets broken, or you finish it.  This gift that you are about to receive is one that you will never outgrow, it will never break, and you can have it with you forever.  It is the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Each of us is born with the Light of Christ.  Throughout our lives, that light helps us to know right from wrong and inspires men who listen to do good.  The Holy Ghost can speak through the light of Christ that lives in each of us.  Once we are baptized we can receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. 

The Holy Ghost is the 3^rd member of the God Head. Do you know who the other two are? That is right; they are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is different because he is a spirit and does not have a body. This enables Him to speak to our spirits.  He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Do you remember learning about when Jesus Christ was baptized and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him as a dove. 

After we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by a priesthood holder.

Heavenly Father gives us this gift because he loves us and he wants us to know how important we are to him. He is proud of us and wants us to have a constant companion to help us here on Earth.

Before you are baptized, you can feel the Power of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence you receive a testimony of the truth, but it won’t stay with you unless you are baptized.

After you are baptized, you receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost as your constant companion and He can help you in many ways as long as you live righteously and keep the promises you make today when you are baptized.

The Holy Ghost works as many roles in our lives.  They are as followed. 

1-     He is a Guide. Just as the sun rises and sheds light on the world so that we can see in what would otherwise be dark. It guides us to where we want to go or it can help us to find things. The Holy Ghost will guide us when we are lost or confused. He helps us to find the answers to our prayers when we have questions; He is there for us to let us know if we are choosing the right or wrong way and guides us to choose the right.

2-     He is also a comforter. This is like a blanket. When you were a baby, your mom or dad would comfort you when you cried with a blanket, a pacifier, or their soft musical voices. The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter. Sometimes, we can be sad, alone, scared, or nervous and we might not know what to do, but the whisperings of the still small voice can calm your fears and give you peace. He fills our hearts with hope and perfect love. The Holy Ghost is your comforter.

3-     He is also a testifier.  As you grow and listen to you teachers and study the scriptures, your testimony of this gospel will grow too. The Holy Ghost testifies to you that Jesus is our Savior. That God lives and that this is the restored church. In D&C section 9 vs. 8 it states:  

“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must ^astudy it out in your ^bmind; then you must ^cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your ^dbosom shall ^eburn within you; therefore, you shall ^ffeel that it is right. “

It is through the Holy Ghost that we know with a surety of the truth of this gospel. He is there to give us that burning knowledge that Christ lives and that he loves us. 

4-     He also gives us impressions throughout our lives.  Sometimes we have little thoughts or ideas of something that we can do.  These are called impressions.  When we walk in the sand, we leave behind footprints, or impressions of our feet.  That is how the Holy Ghost speaks to us.  Leaving little impressions in our hearts and our minds.  We have all lost something at one time or another.  Recently we could not find a library book.  It was due and we needed to return it to the library.  We had all looked for it.  We had said a little prayer, and then the Spirit told me to look under my bed.  There is was.  It was a small thought or impression that helped me to find the book.  The more we listen to and follow what the Spirit tells us, the easier it is for us to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. 

5-     After we are baptized and confirmed, we are responsible for all the choices we make. We take daily steps to follow the Savior and to listen to the Holy Ghost.  Most of the time we work really hard to make the right choices, but sometimes we might make a bad choice. At that point we are given the opportunity to repent and be clean again. The Holy Ghost can help us want to repent and will guide us through the steps of repentance.

6-     Finally I would like to talk about how the Holy Ghost helps us remember to Choose the Right.  We often wear a CTR ring.  Notice how it is round and doesn’t have an end? If you think about how it never ends, think of how the Holy Ghost can always be our companion or friend.  He will always be by our side as long as we are choosing the right. Remember that the Holy Ghost is your friend and your companion. He wants to you to live a righteous life so that you may return to your Father in Heaven.

I know God lives, I know he loves each of us and is so very pleased with the choice that you have made to be baptized today and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He wants you to have a constant companion, a guide, a testimony, and receive the comfort that the Holy Ghost can provide you. Listen to His still small voice and feel the Spirit guide you through out your life.