Testing the words of LDS leaders with Biblical Truth:
March 2012
Preparing for Exaltation Teacher’s Manual
What do we need to do to be filled with the Holy Ghost? (page 53):
1. Bring to class a large bowl, enough rocks to fill the bowl, and enough apples to fill the bowl. (You may replace the bowl with any other container and the rocks and apples with two other items.) Put all the rocks in the bowl. Then ask two class members to fill the bowl with the apples. They will see that they can only fill the bowl with the apples if they first take the rocks out of the bowl. Have class members read and mark Alma 22:15. Explain that this verse contains the words of a king who repented for rebelling against the Lord. The king offered to give up his kingdom and all his possessions in order to receive the Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost).
• What did the king really need to give up to feel the Spirit? (See Alma 22:18.) Point out that just as the rocks needed to come out of the bowl before the bowl could be filled with apples, the wickedness in the king needed to leave before the king could be filled with the Holy Ghost.
• What do we need to do to be filled with the Holy Ghost? (We need to rid ourselves of unrighteous thoughts and actions.) How can sincere fasting be one way to “empty” ourselves of unrighteousness so we can be filled with the Holy Ghost?
Test these LDS Words with Biblical Truth:
Every unbeliever is full of unrighteousness. No one is good but God. One of the missions of the Holy Ghost is to bring unbelievers to faith. The Holy Ghost does that through the hearing of God’s Word and in baptism. When an unbeliever hears God’s Word, they are brought to faith and are filled with the Holy Ghost. At that moment the Holy Spirit cleanses the new believer and they are perfect–righteous in God’s sight. It is the Holy Ghost that purifies our hearts:
“And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:7-8)
On the day of Pentecost, all who were there were filled with the Holy Ghost:
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
It is through the hearing of God’s Word that the Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the heart, not by acts of righteousness. In fact, when Peter testified that a person receives forgiveness through faith, the Holy Ghost fell on those that heard him:
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:43-46)
In fact, no one will receive the Holy Spirit through their own actions, or by their works. You receive God’s Spirit through faith, and faith alone:
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:1-5)
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)
To read more about how the Holy Ghost works, go to this blog Post: “Personal Revelation: God Speaks to me daily!” written January 29, 2009; or, Click here:
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