It has never been popular or easy to be a believer in Jesus Christ. Yet, those who are willing to listen to the testifying powers of the Holy Ghost are blessed beyond measure. As I read Luke 1, I kept going back to the way the Holy Ghost testifies immediately to Elisabeth of the truthfulness of what was taking place in Mary’s womb. Elisabeth took her acquired knowledge and rejoiced with Mary, for the Holy Ghost testified to her of the reality of Mary’s conception, and that her son was indeed going to be the Savior.
Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
My daughter was in her Sunday school class yesterday. This was her first time with the young women and young men since she will turn twelve in August. She told me that usually she enjoys class, but this time everything flowed, her understanding was clear, and she felt something special inside. She got a huge smile on her face, and then she said, “It was so awesome.” I was excited to teach her that what she was feeling was the Holy Ghost testifying of truth. She was ecstatic because she has been praying to have her own testimony.
“A testimony is a witness or confirmation of eternal truth impressed upon individual hearts and souls through the Holy Ghost, whose primary ministry is to testify of truth, particularly as it relates to the Father and the Son. When one receives a testimony of truth through this divinely appointed process, it immediately begins to have impact on that person’s life. According to Alma the Younger, “it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves … the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:28). – M. Russell Ballard
The Holy Ghost has many roles that are blessings to us: he comforts, guides, protects, and leads us towards Christ if we will listen. But his number one role here on earth is to testify of Christ. Those are the moments that Alma speaks of:
Alma 5:26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
I have felt those moments of “redeeming love” when the Holy Ghost has come upon me with a peace and assurance that I experience as a warm embrace, or hug from heaven. I will never forget those moments–I will always hold them dear to my heart.
I grew up as a member The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was baptized at age eight, attended seminary, went to all my activities, and I loved the gospel. I may have laid down my shield of faith to rest for a couple of years in my early twenties when, I confess, that I lived in a manner contrary to what I knew I should be doing. During that time, I met my darling husband, and we were married. Within six months I was faced with a huge decision–what do I do about church? Mark was not interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I am by nature a peacemaker. I knew I had a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, I began to wonder if it truly was THE ONLY church that contained the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Had Christ’s true church actually been restored? I needed to know for myself. So I prayed like I’ve never prayed before, “Dear Heavenly Father, I must know if the church is true. If it’s just another good church, then I will promise to faithfully go to church every week with Mark and love you and follow you with with my whole heart and soul. But…If The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, if it truly has been restored by a living prophet, and is directed by YOU today through living prophets …I NEED TO KNOW. If you will tell me, I promise to be faithful my entire life. I will live every principle to the best of my mortal ability! I will feast upon and obey the prophets as if you were speaking to me personally. I will not falter!” Then I went to work. I read the Book of Mormon, the Bible, D&C, Pearl of Great Price. I bought the institute manuals and went through each one. I prayed and prayed.
I GOT MY ANSWER!
I know without a doubt, that Joseph Smith prayed as a young 14-year-old boy to know which church was true. In answer to his prayer he saw the Father and the Son standing side by side, clarifying without a doubt the identity of the Godhead. Through the direction of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, young Joseph was inspired what to do to fully restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is indeed a living scripture that stands side by side with the Bible to testify of Christ. I know that the Holy Ghost is an essential part of the Godhead that allows us here in mortality to be near our Heavenly home. I know that Christ came to earth for each of us individually. He truly is a REDEEMER and SAVIOR, who heals with empathy and compassion, and forgives with love and understanding. He feels our pain, and will carry us every step of the way if that is what is needed, but he puts us down and lets us walk so that we, too, can progress and learn. I know that there is a living prophet here on earth today who speaks the will of Jesus Christ. He is a watchman on the tower whose life is devoted to Christ for us. He speaks for the Lord here on earth, and if we choose to follow him we will be following Christ. The path is clearer with Heavenly direction. Most importantly I know that we are loved! These things are MY testimony, they belong to me. They have been rooted deeply into my heart, mind, and soul through diligent study and prayer, and by the power of the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
That’s the power of the Holy Ghost!
He testifies of truth to our souls, it’s personal, it’s sacred, it’s special! ITS REAL! I will stand as a witness for my entire life with enthusiasm and love for others.
“The things of the Spirit are sacred and hard to express. We, like Ammon, declare, “Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16).
However, I witness that the Holy Ghost is real and He is the testator, revelator, comforter, guide, and supernal teacher.” -Jay E. Jensen
It’s that jump inside us described by Elisabeth, that awesome feeling described by Annika, or that warm embrace described by me. It’s a personal witness that will come to each of us, in our own way, as we seek him. When it does, the memory will never leave us, as long as we will allow it to take root and develop into more than a moment.
“Mankind need not struggle in the dark to gain faith in the only true God and Jesus Christ, nor in the gospel plan of life and salvation. The Comforter, or the Holy Ghost, which Christ promised to send, is the Spirit of truth and is to guide his followers into all truth. The Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son and is a teacher, also a revelator. Witness Peter’s statement that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:21), and Paul’s declaration, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 12:3). John, the beloved apostle, taught, “It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 Jn. 5:6.) -Delbert L. Stapley
** After I finished writing this post, Luke read it. His comments were enlightening. He explained that everything the Holy Ghost does is a testament of Christ’s love for us. Testifying of Christ is not only His number one purpose, it is his entire purpose. Our peace, comfort, forgiveness, reassurance, guidance, love…comes from Christ, through the Holy Ghost to us. It’s all connected.
It was the most beautiful testimony of the Holy Ghost from a 13-year-old who has spent the last seven years of his life sick. He has relied on love from Christ, peace and comfort, and he has received it. He has spent many dark hours pouring his heart out. He recongnizes where it comes from.
-Sherri Jorgensen
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