Receiving the Gift

Receiving the Gift
By: Jacob Sok

Among the joys of each year is the magical sensation of Christmas-time. I learned in my youth that the true magic of the season came from finding the perfect gift for my family members. Walking through the stores or sitting by the fire I would get flashes of inspiration that would energize my soul with an unequivocal excitement, as tot he perfect gift for every person. While I will not say I did not enjoy getting presents myself, I still think I can say honestly the best parts of Christmas are those 7seconds just before my family members open there presents and see the anticipation and joy on their faces.

My family likes to remind me of a particular Christmas, when I being well beyond what society would deem appropriate "toy"receiving age, I being about 17 years old. And, while most kids my age opened up electronics and gifts that seemed more socially normal for that age group, I began to hysterically combust with joy at the receiving of some toy superhero action figures. My sister once commented how she loves to watch me open gifts because of the priceless and fun reactions.

I hope I can be forgiven for the personal remarks to start, I do not share them to self-boast at my gift-giving or gift-receiving skills, I only use that picture to illustrate context for a question I came across this week while reading in the New Testament.

When traveling in the final portions of what would become the Apostle Paul's third mission trip, he finds a group of believers whom are entreated with a quandary from Paul.  In Acts 19, verse 2 Paul asks, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"  This inquiry was to facilitate a verification on the reception of the trailing ordinance to baptism. Paul learns that this group of believers has received baptism in the manner that John the Baptist had shown, but as to Paul's question, they had not received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, granted by proper Priesthood Authority through confirmation.

The confirmation is a sacred and solemn ordinance that by proper Priesthood authority, permits the newly covenanted disciple, a special gift from our Heavenly Father, the right to have the companionship of His spirit {The Holy Ghost} always. An influence, that is predicated and grows on and with righteousness. The special words that conduct this blessing are as follows, "Receive the Holy Ghost"(see Priesthood Ordinances, Missionary Handbook).

While I do not bring this question from Paul as to teach about the ordinance itself, in the same context as Paul. I believe this question, [Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?] can have a different application as well. The Lord teaches us that we must learn to give, give of ourselves, talents and all that we can. However, I believe the Lord also would have us learn to be good receivers as well.

Much like our families at Christmas, our Lord too, bestows gifts unto us and hopes we can receive them with grace, gratitude, and excitement. While I personally have tried to be genuinely grateful for gifts I have received, and I am very grateful, a part of me is often tempted to feel a little awkward and sometimes undeserving of those special signs of affection. And, the more I learn of my Father in Heaven, the more I come to know a being even a perfect Father, who with joy and anticipation, gives freely and constantly special gifts.

Of those gifts includes, what has been called one the most special gifts of all, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. With this gift we come to know truth, learn of Christ, feel His presence, receive inspiration of decisions we make, be warned and protected from danger, and much more. While we are asked to abide by commandments and follow the Savior's example to qualify for those blessings, one step of having this gift is the receiving of it, by trusting it is there, even when we feel lost or confused.

A modern-day Apostle Elder David A Bendar, has counseled time and time again, youth in particular; to not worry, or doubt that this gift is there and real, because as we grow and just be "good boys and girls" that gift will come into our lives, often without us being aware.

While we could spend times studying and discussing, how to recognize the gift, how to use it more in our lives; my hope for now is reinvigorate that trust that, this precious gift is ours for the receiving and as we try to be good receivers we will have light increase in our lives.

Since this gift is personal, we all will have it in our lives differently and in personal ways. Yet, I hope I can offer just a few suggestions, for us that are trying to believe, and for all and any that want to believe either again, or for the first time.

To receive this gift we can start by:
-Believing we are worth it, and it is real for us specifically.
-Ask for it it in prayer, and thank God fro this tremendous blessing.
-Read the Scriptures daily.
-Fast and Share our Testimonies.
-Attend the Temple, and learn more of covenants.
-Listen to music, and find entertainment that uplifts the soul.
-Love your family.
-Serve those around you.
etc.......

 The list can go on and on, and I encourage you to make your own personal list on how you can more fully receive this gift that is for you, as God's child. As we do, we will grow closer to Christ, know of our worth in more depth, learn to recognize throughout our lives how the Holy Ghost peaks to us, and have that promised light and peace as promised to us by our Savior. He Lives and Loves Us.

Amen.

Sources:
-Acts 19, New Testament.
-LDS Face to Face Interview, Elder Bednar. lds.org