How Do I Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost?
YOUTH CLASSES
May 23, 2021
Come, Follow Me
DOCTRINAL TOPICS & ACTIVITIES
May 23
How Do I Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost?
Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
After we are baptized, priesthood holders lay their hands on our heads to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. Quorum or class members may have been reminded of this when they studied Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 this week. However, receiving the Holy Ghost requires more than that. To receive the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must desire His presence, invite Him into our lives, and faithfully keep the commandments. What blessings will come into the lives of those you teach as they seek His influence?
To help you prepare to teach, you could review “The Gift of the Holy Ghost” in True to the Faith ([2004], 83–84) or President Henry B. Eyring’s message “His Spirit to Be with You” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 86–89).
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BAPTISMAL COVENANTS – HOLY GHOST
QUOTE: “When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God.” – Elder Robert D Hales
His Spirit to Be with You
“I know those things by the only way any of us can know them. The Holy Ghost has spoken to my mind and heart that they are true—not just once but often.” – His Spirit to Be with You, By President Henry B. Eyring Second Counselor in First Presidency
Learn Together
To help quorum or class members better understand the gift of the Holy Ghost, you might begin by talking about how the gift of the Holy Ghost is conferred. They could read Doctrine and Covenants 52:10; 53:3; 55:1–3 and discuss what they learn. Emphasize that the priesthood holder does not give the Holy Ghost but invites the member to receive the Holy Ghost. What is the difference? The activities below can help those you teach better understand how to receive this remarkable gift.
What Lehi and his family did to be guided by the Liahona is similar to what we must do to receive the guiding influence of the Holy Ghost. You might show a picture of Lehi and the Liahona (see Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 68) and ask quorum or class members to share what they know about the Liahona. Then, you could invite half of them to read 1 Nephi 16:14–29 and the other half to read 1 Nephi 18:8–22, looking for ways the Liahona is like the Holy Ghost. What do we learn from the example of Lehi’s family that can help us more fully receive the Holy Ghost?
LIVING THE STANDARDS AND COMMANDMENTS:
Each section in For the Strength of Youth contains counsel about living the Lord’s standards and commandments.
Living these commandments invites the power of the Holy Ghost into our lives. Consider inviting quorum or class members to each choose one of the sections in For the Strength of Youth, read it, and mark things that they should do or not do to help them receive the Holy Ghost. They could then share what they learned with the rest of the quorum or class. Invite them to set a goal that will help them more fully receive the Holy Ghost. Why do we want to have the Holy Ghost with us? (see John 14:26–27; 15:26; 16:13; 2 Nephi 32:3).
DOWNLOAD Trip to the Temple – For the Strength of Youth standards car puzzle (HERE or below)
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT?
In his message “His Spirit to Be with You” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 86–89), President Henry B. Eyring said, “My hope today is to increase your desire and your ability to receive the Holy Ghost” (page 86). Ask quorum or class members to read the nine paragraphs in his message beginning with “The experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith” (page 88). Invite them to look for what Joseph Smith did to receive the influence of the Holy Ghost. They could list on the board what they find. As appropriate, you might invite them to share their experiences with receiving guidance from the Holy Ghost. What were they doing at the time of these experiences that led to receiving guidance from the Holy Ghost? You could share an experience as well.
Act in Faith
Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.
Supporting Resources
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Moroni 8:25–26; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79; 121:45–46 (How to receive the Holy Ghost)
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David A. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 94–97
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Douglas D. Holmes, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost” (First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 2016), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
