WHISPERS FROM HOME

 

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that as a boy, Jesus Christ possessed superior intelligence to all mortals: “When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed.” (in History of the Church, 6:608)

And here is the key: “In his study, and in the learning process, He was guided from on high in a way that none other has ever been. Being without sin – being clean and pure and spotless – he was entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle, the Spirit that, conversely, always and everlastingly dwells with the righteous…..He enjoyed, at all times, the fulness of that light and guidance and power which comes by the power of the Holy Ghost to the faithful.

“He laboured and studied and struggled; he treasured up words of light and truth; he pondered the scriptures – all under the influence of the Holy Spirit of God, which came to him without measure and without limit, because He was clean and pure and upright.”

-        Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah Book 1, 369-371

It is evident that by the age of 12 the Saviour knew who He was. When He was found in the temple teaching the doctors of the law who ‘were hearing Him and asking Him questions’ (JST Luke 2:46), He confirmed as much telling Joseph and Mary that He was about His ‘Father’s business’ (Luke 2:49). He knew, because He was taught from on high.  

Even though the Saviour had a special mission to perform, the light and knowledge He was receiving in mortality was not limited to only Him. If we will sanctify ourselves by purging ourselves of all iniquity (D&C 43:11), the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion and He will speak the truths of eternity to our hearts and our minds and we will, like Christ, know who we truly are and who we have always been. And more than that, we will understand more fully out eternal destiny.

Our awareness of our eternal selves will outweigh and outshine every doubt and negative feeling we have about ourselves. We will then come forward to be a house set on a hill. We will be an ensign to the world of the truth we bear in our hearts and the testimonies we have of the Son of God who bears the scepter of salvation, the salvation which can be ours if we but make ourselves worthy of His sacrifice.

ODE TO THE HOLY GHOST:

You are the flaming fire

That burns with sacred might;

I surrender my sins

And grant you entrance

To my heart.

 

You enlighten my path

To the knowledge I have always known

Forgotten and hidden

But whispers from home.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Outpouring of the Spirit by Danny Hahlbohm)