The Holy Ghost (Chapter 23)

President Russell M. Nelson: "In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." p. 252

"The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and has an essential role in our receiving, recognizing, and retaining forgiveness." p. 252

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY GHOST

"He testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ." p. 253

"The Holy Ghost is a revealer of truth." p. 253

"...the Holy Ghost is a teacher." p. 253

"The Holy Ghost brings a warning voice." p. 253

"The Holy Ghost will confirm decisions we will make." p. 253

"He is a personal guide." p. 253

"He is a comforter. " p. 253

"He is a conveyor of gifts." p . 254

"He is a sealer of the ordinances offered through the Holy Priesthood and those administered in the holy temples." p. 254

THE SANCTIFIER

"Of utmost importance, as we repent and forsake sin, the Holy Ghost is a messenger of mercy, a scared communicator of forgiveness bought through the blood of Christ, and a sanctifier who confirms our forgiveness." p. 254

President Henry B. Eyring: "You can invite the Holy Ghost's companionship into your life. And you can know when He is there, and when He withdraws. And when He is your companion, you can have confidence that the Atonement is working in your life." p. 254

"For most of us, the transformation of being born again and having a new life is more gradual and steady." p. 255

"As we feel these spiritual qualities fall upon us more frequently and intensely, we recognize the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives, helping ease the guilt and pain." p. 256

"We cannot force the Spirit; we must await its coming. We can, however, develop the climate that invites the Spirit." p. 256

Joseph Smith: "A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas..." p. 256

"...your Heavenly Father rejoices at your every effort to repent and come unto the Savior." p. 257

RECEIVING THE SAVIOR'S APPROVAL

"My counsel is to be patient. Do good and be assured that if you are humbly feeling the Lord's Spirit upon you, you are in a state of being forgiven." p. 258

FORGIVING SELF

Elder Gerrit W. Gong: "To be worthy does not mean to be perfect. Heavenly Father's plan of happiness invites us to be humbly at peace on our life's journey to someday become perfected in Christ, not constantly worried, frustrated, or unhappy in our imperfections today. Remember, He knows all the things we don't want anyone else to know about us -- and loves us still." p. 262

"Recognizing that we are being forgiven requires that we identify the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives." p. 264

"More often, however, this spiritual influence is something that is bestowed upon us as the dews from heaven -- gently, line upon line, day upon day, here a little and there a little -- until one day, looking back, we realize that we feel clean, and our guilt has been swept away." p. 264

LANCE

Part of Lance's prayer the other day at the temple:

"Heavenly Father, it's been quite a year. When I finally when to see the bishop, I thought my problem was a porn problem. But, as I look back on all that I've learned, I have figured out that it was a 'me not trusting you' problem. I wasn't exercising faith in Jesus. I was only coasting through life, and because I was coasting, I wasn't anchored to the only thing that could bring joy and peace.

"I just wanted to say 'thank you' for staying with me through this time of change and repentance. Since going to see the bishop that day, I have become a temple "worshiper" instead of just a temple attender every once in a while. I have learned to pray like I never have before. I have made amends with my brother, Jack, too. I hope he and Sabrina will be happy. I really do. I have stopped a pornography habit. It's almost crazy to me that I spent so much time wasted on porn. I am more aware of others and how my choices impact them. I feel like I'm kinder, softer, gentler. I like this new me.

"Thank you, Father, for sending the Savior so I can rely on Him to be saved every day of my life. I am grateful that Hailey has come into my life, too. I am grateful that Emma served a mission so she could meet Hailey and introduce us to each other. Father, you're so, so good. Always in the details.

"I am grateful for the feeling I have today as I sit here in the Celestial Room of one of Your temples. I have been waiting for this huge answer to confirm that I have been forgiven, but I am now beginning to understand that forgiveness began the day I turned to Jesus. He's been there every step of the way. You have been there every step of the way. I can feel that now. The Holy Ghost has been trying to get that through to me for weeks now. So, I just want to say ... I just want to say thank You!"