The Holy Ghost Will Give Direction - by Doug Johnson

The Holy Ghost Will Give Direction

When we were baptized we were given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. What does that mean?
The scriptures help us to better understand the importance of this special “gift”. The Savior taught the people concerning the role of the Holy Ghost as a “teacher” when he said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you(John 14:26).” So the Holy Ghost is a “teacher”. Near the end of Nephi’s record Nephi tells his people to “…feast upon the word’s of Christ…Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore, they speak of the words of Christ… For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, (be baptized) and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do (2 Nephi 32:1-5).” So the Holy Ghost is “guide” and a “protector”.
I remember an experience that has stuck in my mind as a reminder to me that the Holy Ghost is interested in everything that we do. Even the things that we might think are not really important. When Grandma J’net and I received our call to serve our mission in Alabama, it seemed that everything in our lives took on a new meaning. One day I was working in the barn. I walked through the tack room where I passed by a long rod that was hanging from the ceiling. This rod was used to hang my scales from so I can weigh my panniers (boxes that I put on the horse to pack supplies). I was not using the rod, so there was not any reason to leave the rod hanging in its location. As I passed by the rod I had the distinct impression that I needed to go back and move the rod. I was busy thinking about other things that needed to be done that I felt were far more important than moving that rod. As I passed through the roll-up door in route to the other end of the barn, I again had this impression that I needed to move the rod. Only this time the impression came with a little explanation. It was like a still small voice was telling me, “If you do not return and move that rod, the next time that you walk by that area that rod is likely to poke you in the eye and then you will not be able to serve the mission that you have been called to serve.” I did not need any more reminders. I turned around and went back to the tack room and move the rod. What would have happened, if I had not gone back and moved the rod? Maybe the rod would have poked me in the eye, or maybe I would have received more promptings. I don’t know. I can only say when we receive a prompting to do the right thing then we need to follow that prompting. Moving the rod was the right thing to do.
I also know, if we will stop and listen more to that “still small voice” we will better understand that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is a teacher, a guide, a protector, a comforter, a companion, a shield, a friend. What a wonderful gift we have been given by a loving Father in Heaven!!