The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Sorry for the late email today, Elder Bagley and I had to go down to Fresno earlier today (two hour round trip) which put us on a delay.

So many things happened this week!  Thanks to more effective planning Elder Bagley and I were able to greatly increase the amount of lessons we were able to teach with investigators this week.  One of the greatest fears I have felt as a missionary is the fear of having nothing to do.  We have been working on shaking of this fear and spending time in homes only as long as we are needed rather than staying until the time forces us to leave to be on time to our next plans.  It is much more energizing this way!  We are seeing positive changes in those we are visiting, as well as in our companionship, as a result.

This week also marked the end of a two month period of a massive scripture memorization project.  Elder Bagley and I, upon being challenged by the mission president's wife, memorized 114 scripture references--54 form the Bible and 60 from the Book of Mormon--and the over 150 verses that are associated with them in an effort to be more effective teachers out of the scriptures.  It has been hard work, but we, along with four other missionaries in the mission did it.  The reward has been a profoundly increased love for the Savior and His teachings through His holy prophets.  This whole experience has definitely taught be something: cognitive power can easily be increased with steady effort over a long period of time.  My memory has improved greatly as I have been a missionary.  While still in the MTC I would struggle to memorize a small handful of essential words daily, and after months of practice my capacity to memorize has easily quadrupled.  We are all capable of incredible things if we will set our minds to it!  So set your mind to something and stick with it!

Sou Saetern was baptized this last Saturday and confirmed on Sunday.  He asked me to perform the confirmation, so gratefully I did.  The confirmation is what truly completes the baptism.  It is when the gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed.  Joseph Smith is quoted to have said that "baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half--that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost" (History of the Church, 5:499).  The reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands is both biblically founded and essential for salvation (see Acts 19:2-7).  Another Joseph Smith quote: "The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it, is of no use; they are necessarily and inseparably connected" (History of the Church, 6:316).

Why is the Holy Ghost so important?  He is the Comforter sent forth by the Father to teach us all things, and to bring all things to our remembrance that Christ has taught (see John 14:26).  Learning truths of the gospel by the Holy Ghost is essential for our salvation, for "it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance" (D&C 131:6).  God absolutely does reveal the truths of His kingdom to the common man who is an earnest and humble seeker.  Such was the case with Joseph Smith.

Today is the 172nd anniversary of the day of his martyrdom.  He and his older brother, Hyrum "were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob--painted black--from 150 to 200 persons.  Hyrum was short first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaining: O Lord my God!  They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls" (D&C 135:1).  My testimony is that of the scriptures in saying that "Joseph Smith,  the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.  In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose [the] book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain.  He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood" (D&C 135:3).

It has now been 172 years and approximately 3 hours since that day.  The work has not halted.  I know that Joseph was called by God.  I know that he did not set up his own church, but that he restored the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.  I know that Christ continues to lead his church today through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I know these truths by the power of the Holy Ghost, and cannot deny them.  I am so grateful to share this message with all the world!

You all have a wonderful week!

With love,

Elder Jared Cummings.