One of God’s Greatest Gifts

By Ann Jamison

“If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne. 32:5).

There are many wonderful gifts you can receive, but the gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts. Heavenly Father promises this great gift to all who are baptized and keep their baptismal covenant.

If you want to keep a gift you are given, you must take care of it. It is the same with the gift of the Holy Ghost. There are important things you must do so the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion.

Heavenly Father gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey Him. You obey Him when you are baptized. You obey Him when you pray and study the scriptures. You obey Him when you are kind, honest, patient, and loving. You obey Him by remembering His Son, Jesus Christ. As you are obedient, you are worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Why is it important to have the Holy Ghost as a companion? The Holy Ghost will guide you and help you choose the right (see D&C 11:12–14). The Holy Ghost is called the Comforter (see John 14:26). He can give you peace and comfort when you are sad or lonely.

How can you know when the Holy Ghost is with you? When you feel love or joy or peace, when you are kind, you are feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Sometimes we say the Holy Ghost “whispers.” We hear Him with more than our ears—we “hear” Him with our minds and our hearts (see D&C 8:2).

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) gave you this important counsel: “Pray to Heavenly Father to bless you with His Spirit at all times. … The Holy Ghost is … a gift from Heavenly Father. … He whispers to you in a still, small voice to do right. When you do good, you feel good, and that is the Holy Ghost speaking to you” (“To the Children of the Church,” Ensign, May 1989, 82).

After you are baptized and confirmed and told to receive the Holy Ghost, if you keep your promises to Heavenly Father, He will bless you with one of His greatest gifts: the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sharing Time Ideas

Throughout the month, have each child prepare a booklet titled, “The Holy Ghost Helps Me Keep My Baptismal Covenant.” Help the children identify manifestations of the Holy Ghost such as those mentioned in Galatians 5:22–23. Tell about the experience Elder Robert D. Hales had at his baptism that helped him recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost (see Liahona, July 1999, 37–40). Help the children identify their own experiences with the influence of the Holy Ghost, and talk about how those experiences help them prepare to make and keep baptismal covenants. Have them write or draw about those experiences for their booklet. Share an experience you have had with the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Read scriptures about the attributes and functions of the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26; Jacob 4:13; D&C 11:12). Prepare pages for the “The Holy Ghost Helps Me Keep My Baptismal Covenant” booklets with those attributes and functions written at the bottom of the pages. Have the children write or draw something on each page that reminds them about how the influence of the Holy Ghost can teach them, lead them, speak truth to them, and help them to speak truth. Sing a hymn or song about the Holy Ghost. Encourage the children to share with their families what they have learned.

Instructions

Fill a treasure chest with scripture treasures. First, to learn some of the many ways the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts, look up the scriptures below, and fill in the blanks with the correct word or words. Cut out the scripture treasures.
Mount the remainder of this page on heavy paper, and cut out the treasure chest.

Image
Scripture treasure chest

Illustrated by Tadd R. Peterson
Fold the chest along the broken lines, and glue the flaps (see illustration).
Place the scripture treasures in the treasure chest. Whenever you find a new scripture treasure, add it to your treasure chest.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with ___________” (D&C 11:13).

“If ye will enter in by the way [baptism], and receive the Holy Ghost, it will ___________ unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne. 32:5).

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, … shall ___________ you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, ___________, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, ___________” (Gal. 5:22).

“Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do ___________—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit” (D&C 11:12).

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ___________ ___________ ___________ of all things” (Moro. 10:5).