The Companionship of the Holy Ghost - Carlos E. Asay

The Companionship of the Holy Ghost - Carlos E. Asay

Would you like to have powers of discernment—the power to identify truth?

Would you like to have at your command the power and means by which you may be cleansed and born again—“born” of God?

Would you like to have the power to hear, feel, and know the revelations of God?

Would you like to enjoy spiritual gifts—powers to heal, be healed, speak in tongues, for example?

 Would you like convincing powers of speech—the power to speak like an angel?

 Would you like the power to ward off and resist temptation?

Would you like to obtain perfect peace and assurance in all that you do?

Would you like the power to perform beyond your natural abilities?

Would you like the help of unseen powers in all that you do? I refer to the power to speak with convincing authority—even the power to receive promptings that enable you to say things that you had not planned. I speak of the power to receive impressions, which, if heeded, bring blessings to you and others.

Here are five things we must do to attract and retain the Holy Spirit.

1. We must keep our bodies clean. We must not pollute our mortal tabernacles in any way. We must live the Word of Wisdom; we must not misuse our powers of procreation; we must do whatever is possible to avoid disease or other enemies of our physical bodies. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3:16–17.)

 2. We must keep our minds clean. We must guard against all suggestive and carnal notions and other satanic influences. From the Doctrine and Covenants, we receive this advice and promise: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.” (D&C 121:45–46.)

 3. We must exercise faith and reserve a place in our hearts for the Holy Spirit. Manifestations of the Spirit of God, we are told, are forfeited in the absence of faith. Moroni spoke openly of the gifts of the Spirit, including healing and tongues, then cautioned: “All these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.” (Moro. 10:19.)
 

4. We must avoid all iniquity, all manner of wickedness. As stated previously, gifts of the Lord cease when faith is missing. The same applies, and the problem is compounded, when iniquity is present.

Alma said, “No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven.” (Alma 11:37.) Similarly, no unclean person can achieve a lasting relationship with the Spirit of God.

If you will do these things, you need never be alone, for you will have the most important companion of all—the Holy Ghost.