Outline for a Talk

I'm giving a talk tonight at a baptismal service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was asked to speak on the Holy Ghost. Here is my outline--such as it is.

The Holy Ghost

I. The Holy Ghost
A. 3rd member of Godhead
B. Personage of spirit

II. Gift of the Holy Ghost
A. The greatest gift a mortal can enjoy.

B. Purposes
1. Testator; the testifier of truth song: I Know My Father Lives
a. You received the Holy Ghost which was the convincing power of the truth of the Gospel.
b. That’s how you knew the Gospel was true and that you needed to be baptized.

C. The right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
1. You do not have it as a constant companion
2. When you receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost it will => continuing, renewed assurance of the truthfulness of the Gospel
3. It will leave you if you do not receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost or if you do not live worthy of it
4. based on worthiness and desire for it.
5. The Spirit will not live in an unclean tabernacle

D. Revelator:
1. Knows all things.
a. Story: Leah walking home
b. Story: Steven passing his Spanish test
c. Story: Where my car keys were

2. Guide and direct Story: Micah continuing his mission
3. Comforter Story: My brother Ron 's car accident
4. Voice of warning

III. How do you recognize it?
A. “One way I distinguish my own thoughts from the promptings of the Holy Ghost is by recalling how I feel when I think about my testimony of the Savior. If I feel the same about spiritual promptings as I do when I think of my testimony—warm and sure—then I know I need to obey.”

B. President Ezra Taft Benson suggested that we use the following six questions as a guide in decision making:
1. Could it retard or injure spiritual or moral progress?
2. Could it create unhappy or unpeaceful memories?
3. Is it contrary to the revealed will or commandments of God?
4. Could it harm any individual, family, or group?
5. Would the decision make [me] a better person?
6. Could a blessing be derived from this particular action? [See D&C 130:20–21]” (God, Family, Country, 151).

Before and After

I am the first to admit that I am not a great photographer. But you can get the idea. Here are the kitchen area before and after shots.

Notice the corner to the left of the stove. I am particularly please with the after shot despite the blurry nature of it.

Here we have a dark view of the kitchen counter to the right of the stove and an after shot of the same area.

This is my favorite magic trick. This is the Pierre Deux lamp that my friend was coveting. Because it cost $300 without the shipping fee, I offered to turn one of her lamps into a reasonable facsimile of it. I am quite pleased. Maybe I should take another picture of my lamp without the light on. But I couldn't wait to show it off.

Homesick

I miss my horse.