Not a Spooky Ghost: Understanding the Holy Ghost

 In a world where truth can feel harder to recognize, we discuss why the gift of the Holy Ghost is essential, how it guides us, and why we can’t afford to live without it. 

Sisters with Latter-Day Voices website

Transcript

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Transcript

Clare:
Welcome to Sisters Latter-day Voices. I’m Clare—

Candice:
—and I’m Candice. Today I just have a brief thought about the gift of the Holy Ghost, really just the importance of having the Holy Ghost with us.

We all know it’s important. I know we know that. But I was thinking about it the other day…

First of all, Callie really wants to get baptized. She’s been talking about it, it’s so cute. And we’ve been trying to explain the Holy Ghost to her… and some parts of it just are not landing.

So now when we say “Holy Ghost,” she goes, “Ooooh…” like it’s something spooky. 

Clare:
Oh my gosh, that’s so funny.

Candice:
I know. She thinks it’s scary. We’re like… okay, we’ve got some work to do. Maybe we should start calling it the Holy Spirit for a little while.

Clare:
I remember when Charlotte was little, she had a friend in our ward, they were probably like three, and he said, “Keep that ghost away from me!” He wanted nothing to do with the Holy Ghost.

Candice:
That’s exactly it. Kids take it very literally.

But it got me thinking…

When we lived in Virginia, we had some young missionaries over, and we were talking about baptism and why it’s so important. And I shared experiences about two of my friends.

Neither of them grew up in the Church, but both chose to be baptized in college, at different times. And before they were baptized, both of them faced a lot of opposition. Family members, friends, people reaching out saying things like, “What are you doing?” or “Are you joining a cult?” Just a lot of pressure and concern.

And both of them felt that. They had moments of hesitation and indecision.

But what was interesting is that after they were baptized… that indecision went away.

They became so solid. So happy. They’ve stayed strong in their testimonies. They’ve both been married in the temple, have families now, and are doing really well.

And I remember talking to the missionaries about that, like—why does that happen?

And we came to the conclusion… it’s because that’s when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

People who aren’t baptized can absolutely feel the Spirit. But the gift of the Holy Ghost is different. It’s a constant companion, if we’re living in a way that invites it.

And it was amazing to see the difference that made in their lives.

Recently, Dallin H. Oaks gave a devotional where he referenced something from Russell M. Nelson, about how in these last days, we can’t afford to not have the Spirit with us.

And he said:

“The adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you do not have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.”

And I think that’s important, he didn’t say might be deceived. He said will be deceived.

So it really matters that we protect that gift, that we don’t offend the Spirit, and that we actively try to keep it with us.

Because Satan is very good at what he does.

I’ve seen it in my own life, people who were once really strong in the gospel slowly stepping away. And it usually doesn’t happen all at once, it’s subtle.

Clare:
Yeah, even with social media.

I follow a lot of uplifting accounts, and I’m sure the algorithm knows I’m an active member… but every once in a while, something will pop up that’s critical of the Church.

And I’ll start reading it, and then I realize—oh, this is not coming from a good place.

And it’s exactly what you’re saying. It’s subtle. It’s like these little seeds of doubt.

And it makes me realize how important it is to have the Spirit with you, because even if you’re trying to do everything right, those things are still going to come up.

Candice:
Yeah, and I think that’s where personal revelation is so important.

Because if you’re sincerely praying, asking questions, and trying to understand things for yourself, God is not going to deceive you.

When you pair your own effort with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, you’ll be able to see things more clearly than just relying on someone else’s opinion.

Clare:
That’s so true.

Candice:
So I think that’s really my message for today.

Just how important it is that we recognize the gift of the Holy Ghost, and that we do what we can to keep it with us. And with that, we hope you know God loves you.