Jesus Christ

Have you ever felt like you should do something, even if it doesn’t make sense to do it? For instance, just yesterday I was taking a walk near a temple owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church” by friends of other faiths), and I saw a girl sitting on a bench and she looked like she was thinking about something of great importance (something that members of The Church of Jesus Christ—also known as “Mormons” do often at Mormon temples in order to receive answers to prayers). The first time I walked past her I told her she was beautiful, inside and out. She smiled and said thank you, but quickly went back to her deep contemplation look. When I walked past her the second time a voice (not an audible one, just a “feeling” one) said, “go tell her that she can do it!” When I felt that, I quickly shrugged it off with the thoughts, “I already complimented her, I would just... Read the rest of this entry »

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know.  In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us.  We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.   Jesus Christ: The Source Sometimes life is really hard. There are days when seemingly nothing can go right,... Read the rest of this entry »

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know.  In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us.  We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.   Jesus Christ: Humility Paul famously wrote to Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example... Read the rest of this entry »

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to... Read the rest of this entry »

When a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often mistakenly called the Mormon Church), it is his or her privilege to then receive an ordinance called “confirmation,” which is the conferring of the “gift of the Holy Ghost” by the laying on of hands of someone who holds the high priesthood of Jesus Christ.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, as long as the person maintains a pure and clean vessel for the Spirit to reside in.  We are told in the Bible that our bodies are temples, and this is what these verses of scripture refer to.  Temples are houses purified so that God can dwell there.  It is the Holy Ghost, a personage of spirit, who can dwell in our hearts, if our bodies are pure. Some people have a very profound experience when the Holy Ghost is conferred upon them, while others gradually increase in spirituality.  Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is sometimes... Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever felt perfectly calm in the midst of one of life’s tumultuous storms? Or received a sudden idea of how to fix some situation, when before there seemed to be no solution?  Or maybe you have been prompted not to do something, and later you find out that you may have been in grave danger had you ignored that thought? Perhaps you have had a dream, or a thought, about someone, and you later find that the person was in need of loving friendship that day? As someone who has answered in the affirmative each of these questions, I testify that the source of such great blessings is the Holy Spirit. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”), I have been taught the importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit (also known as receiving “personal revelation”) in my life, since I was a little girl—as this is a foundational belief of Mormons. Because of this, my soul constantly... Read the rest of this entry »

Former Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck said that learning to comprehend and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost is one of the most important things we will do in our lifetimes.  I converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often mistakenly called the Mormon Church) when I was sixteen.  I’ve now celebrated my fiftieth year in the Church of Jesus Christ, and I know what she means that communing with Holy Ghost is a learning process. The gift of the Holy Ghost is something unique to members of the Church of Jesus Christ.  It is the permanent residing of the Holy Spirit within a person who remains a worthy vessel.  The Holy Ghost may manifest himself to anyone at any given time, especially to lead him or her to a solid faith that Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, but the permanent gift comes only after baptism by immersion by one having true authority from God, and the bestowal of the gift (called “confirmation”)... Read the rest of this entry »

Who is the Holy Ghost? “The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter” (see Gospel Topics). We know of key attributes of the Holy Spirit from the scriptures: 1) The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. The Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are “one” (in purpose and intent and knowledge) yet are separate beings; the former Mormon prophet (president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”), Joseph Smith, stated: … these three are one; or, in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things; by whom all things were created and made … and these three constitute the Godhead, and are one” (Quoted in Bruce R. McConkie,... Read the rest of this entry »

Life with the Holy Spirit is an amazing thing. We feel warm and peaceful despite our trials. We feel safe, knowing we’re guided through our choices and protected in our daily actions. We’re inclined to be happy, peaceful, and kind. Of course, nothing can prevent us from facing trials—they are an essential part of our mortal experience—but the trials are easier to bear when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. Most of us feel the spirit in small bursts—at church, during prayer, or while studying the scriptures. However, God promised that when we have been baptized by a person with the proper authority, we can receive the Holy Spirit to be with us all the time. That is a wonderful gift and an important goal to work towards. We can begin to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit even before our baptism. He can visit us from time to time and this is how we actually gain a testimony of the truth and know which church to join. During this time we can... Read the rest of this entry »

The Holy Ghost is often referred to as the Holy Spirit. He is the third member of the Godhead, which consists of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is different from the other two in that He does not have a body. This allows Him to perform a variety of functions that would be difficult with a body. Mormons believe that the Godhead is one in every way except physically. They are three entirely separate beings. The Holy Ghost has many functions. Jesus Christ, promising to send the Holy Ghost to the apostles after He was gone, referred to Him as the Comforter. Providing comfort is one role of the Holy Ghost. When we are frightened or alone, we can call on Him to be our companion through the very hardest moments of our lives. He is sent to us as a gift from God in those times. The Holy Ghost sometimes sends warnings to us. These can warn us of impending physical danger, such as a falling tree or a car about to careen towards us. The warnings... Read the rest of this entry »