Resolve to be Filled

I know it's only November. The turkey hasn't been placed on the table. The jolly, old, red-suited fellow hasn't wiggled his way down the chimney yet. Nevertheless, the end is nearing--the end of the year, that is. As I anticipate welcoming in the new year one month and a half from now, I'm beginning to think of a few resolutions I have in mind, the first being:

Developing the resolve to allow the Spirit to be a constant companion as I strive create more righteous behaviors and participate in more wholesome activities, to be lead and guided to the places that God wants and needs me to be.

I've recognized that there are a few things in my life that need to be changed, such as holding grudges, gossiping, my irritability and so forth. We know from gospel teaching that the Holy Ghost can only dwell with us when we are standing in holy places--physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is something that I haven't quite understood until a moment when my heart softened after having received a little treat from a fellow sister who hurt my feelings. I had chosen to hold a grudge, and every time I thought of her, anger immediately overcame me. However, that little treat sitting on my doorstep opened my eyes and allowed me to see something that I had been oblivious to before. Each and every instance when I granted permission for anger to fill my heart, I was evicting the Spirit of God from my side. Because of this eviction, the Spirit wasn't the one left bruised, but I was.

Upon my arrival in this life, the light of Christ filled my being, helping me to understand the difference between right and wrong--it's bad to lie, good to tell the truth, good to be nice, bad to be mean. Even if my parents hadn't taught me how to differentiate the good from the bad, having the light of Christ, I would have been able to feel the negativity or the opposite with every action. I felt it when I allowed the anger to enter into my heart rather than forgiveness because I chose the wrong emotion to fill my soul. I think when we act upon that light with which God has so graciously suited us, that is how we are able to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost.

If you are unfamiliar with the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you may not know what we mean when we talk about receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost versus the Spirit Himself. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, or Trinity as some may call it. He is a distinct being, separate from God and Jesus Christ. All men on earth have the capability of feeling the presence of the Spirit. Perhaps you have been camping and had some time alone with the serenity of the mountains and nothing but peace filled your soul. Maybe you have gone to Church and listened to the preacher tell the congregation that God loves them, and you felt overwhelming joy in your heart. There may have been a time when you have struggled, and you prayed for peace, and you received it. Have you ever heard a little voice telling you to do or not to do something? The Holy Ghost is a dear friend to us all. His influence can be felt everywhere to provide peace, comfort, joy, love, and much more.

As members of the Church, when baptized at eight years old, we are not only immersed in the water to symbolize leaving our sinful life behind, we are also baptized by fire. Of course, it’s completely symbolic. Note: no fire is ever used! A little fun fact for you, fire is a cleansing agent. Fire refines and perfects. The baptism by fire cleanses and forgives us of our sins, and as we are confirmed members of the Church, we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost: a gift of constant companionship if we are worthy, a gift of constant comfort when we are hurting, a gift of healing and cleansing when we do wrong and are sorry, a gift of love when we need to feel the Savior’s arms around us. This gift is one that I want to always keep and not throw away. This is a gift that never perishes, but will remain by my side so long as I am clean and trying.

There are things that I do, movies that I watch, things that I say, and especially things that I think about myself and about other people that drive the Spirit away from me.

I don’t want to allow the Spirit to ever disperse from me again.

I will continue to try my hardest to fight the battle against Satan, who doesn’t want me to be happy. The Lord knows that the adversary wants nothing more than to find me helpless and hurting because he is in that very position himself.

This resolve to have the Spirit with me always will not end after one week, for I will strive to keep this resolve till the day I die. I will remain valiant. I will endure to the end as I have covenanted with my Father so that I can have this gift with me always. I would invite you to join me in my resolution for the rest of your lives as I do mine.

I know the gospel has been restored and with it the Priesthood keys so that we can have these precious ordinances performed for our temporary happiness and eternal salvation. I know Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. Every day, my conviction of what that fourteen year old boy saw grows stronger. It will never falter, no matter the stakes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It is Christ’s church. This is His gospel. I know it. I live it. I love it.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.