Thought: The ordinance of confirming a new member of the Church and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost is both simple and profound. Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands upon the head of an individual and call him or her by name. Then, by the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of the Savior, the individual is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this important phrase is uttered: “Receive the Holy Ghost.”
The simplicity of this ordinance may cause us to overlook its significance. These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).
What should we do to make this authorized admonition to seek for the companionship of the third member of the Godhead an ongoing reality? Let me suggest that we need to (1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God’s commandments.
(Elder David A. Bednar: Receive the Holy Ghost)
Object Lesson: This object lesson has to do with the spirit dwelling in a clean place (your body). Take a sock ( an old one preferably one you don't care about getting real muddy), soak the sock in mud, get it real dirty and then put it in a plastic bag. Ask someone if they would mind putting on a sock (of course they haven't seen the sock yet), someone will volunteer. Then take out the muddy sock from the bag and ask them to put it on their clean foot. Hopefully no one will want to do this.
Liken this to the holy spirit not wanting to dwell in an unclean body. How can you put your foot in a dirty sock and expect it to feel ok? You can't ask the spirit to dwell in an unclean body, it absolutely will not. (Dirty Socks by Barb Prescott)
Video: Having the Holy Ghost
Lesson Activity: For younger children consider adapting the activity: “The Liahona and the Holy Ghost” Roller Box from the May 2000 Friend Magazine. You could either follow the instructions as outlined or simply print out the pictures as coloring pages and help them make their own books from the story.
Older family members could participate in the following activity. Show a picture of Lehi and the Liahona (see Gospel Art Book, 68), and ask your family to share what they know about the Liahona. Invite half of them to read 1 Nephi 16:14–29, and invite the other half to read 1 Nephi 18:8–22. Ask them to look for answers to this question: “How is the Liahona like the Holy Ghost?” Invite them to share their thoughts. What does your family learn from the experiences of Lehi’s family that can help them receive the Holy Ghost? As part of this discussion, read together Alma 37:38–46. (Come, Follow Me)
This Week's Challenge: Challenge the members of your family that have been confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost to work this week to receive the Holy Ghost more fully in their lives. For those who have not been confirmed, challenge them to try hard this week to make choices that would make it so that the Spirit can be with them and influence their lives.
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