Search Results for: blog rseq baptism and the gift of the holy ghost

But I Don’t Have Visions

Earlier, I posted the Joseph Smith lesson from a week ago, entitled “Personal Revelation.” One sentence in this lesson really struck me. I quote: No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator. – Joseph Smith I stopped to ponder that for a moment. I was baptized into the Church and confirmed a member. At the time of my confirmation, I received the Holy Ghost. Does that mean I can now receive revelations? Yes, it does. Every person who has the Holy Ghost can have revelations. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily … Continue reading →

LDS Week in Review – April 14th – 19th

We had a wonderful week here in LDS. In case you missed it, here’s a summary. We began with a review of Elder Russell M. Nelson’s conference address, “Salvation and Exaltation.” He explains that Christ saved us from physical death through the resurrection, but we must choose whether or not we want to be saved from a spiritual death, the overcoming of which is also made possible through Christ. We are kept on track with our weekly lessons in “Dinner Discussions,” then Miriam begins a series based on Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talk “Daughters of God.” The first blog in … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Our seventh lesson in the Joseph Smith manual for this year’s course of study is entitled, “Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.” In May of 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went to the banks of the Susquehanna River and were there met by John the Baptist, who conferred upon them the authority to baptize. They were the first two baptized in this dispensation, and soon others followed, including members of Joseph’s family, which brought him much joy. He taught that the ordinance of baptism is necessary for salvation, and it is a sign and a symbol ordained … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Spiritually Reborn

The Sunday School lesson this week revolves around being born again. Christ references two necessary ways that we can be reborn – first through water, and then through the spirit. Of the two, I’d like to focus today on being spiritually reborn. The physical ordinance of baptism can be as spiritual as we allow it to be. Conversely, it can be a simple, body-only ordinance if we do not bring the Spirit into it. Most converts, of course, choose baptism only after a spiritual conversion. This isn’t necessarily true of those born into the church. In many cases, testimonies are … Continue reading →