THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

 

“Years ago as a missionary, I taught investigators that faith was a belief strong enough to cause one to act. In other words, one could define faith as “belief” plus “witness”. The Prophet Joseph Smith changed one word when translating Paul’s definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1. The king James Version says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

“Joseph Smith changed the word substance to assurance (see JST, Hebrews 11:1). Substance means something tangible, something that one can hold, whereas assurance refers to an inner conviction or witness that comes from the Holy Ghost. Thus, faith is belief plus action plus a spiritual witness.”

-        Elder Merrill J. Bateman, “Living a Christ-Centered Life, Ensign January 1999

Faith without the witness of the Holy Ghost that gives us an assurance of the truth, is simply just a pragmatic belief. It is the assurance of the spiritual witness that moves one to action and to keep acting. Without the inner conviction endowed by the Holy Ghost, this Church would not exist. Indeed, some of us struggle to stay in the Church because the ‘assurance’ of our faith is lacking making it impossible to adhere to the commitment and this is why:

“There is…..a difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and the enjoyment of the gift. All saints after baptism receive the gift or right to the sanctifying power of the Spirit, but only those who are worthy and who keep the commandments actually enjoy the promised reward.” (Bruce R. McConkie, “A New Witness for the Articles of Faith” [1985] p 257).

Before His death, Jesus told the Twelve: “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7). Thus the Holy Ghost comforts, guides, purifies, testifies and makes known the things of God (see Bruce R. McConkie, Mortal Messiah 2, p 66).

The greatest promised reward we have is that of eternal life so the greatest role of the Holy Ghost is his guidance to assist us in adhering to our commitment to arrive at that destination. When we have the presence of the Holy Ghost with us, we are assured we are on the right path to that goal:

“The actual enjoyment of the gift of the Holy Ghost is a supernal gift that a man can receive in mortality. The fact of its receipt is a witness that the saints so blessed are reconciled to God and are doing the things that will assure them of eternal life in the realms ahead.” (ibid)

President Nelson has warned us that “it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” in the days to come (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” GC April 2018).

The prophesied calamities of the last days are frightening. Some of us will not be able to press forward to the reward of eternal life if we do not have the assurance of the Holy Ghost that we are safe and secure on the Gospel path.

ODE TO THE HOLY GHOST

The days you embrace my heart,

I can scarcely contain my tears.

The truths of heaven distil upon me

And lifts me higher than all my fears.

Take my hand, take my soul,

Take me home beyond it all. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Outpouring of the Spirit by Danny Hahlbohm)