The Holy Ghost and Revelation

As a young elder (early in his mission) I was startled to discover that I did not have a testimony of my own.

I went on my mission living on the borrowed light of my wonderful parents. Never doubting their words, I had not thought about seeking my own spiritual witness.

On a February night in San Antonio, Texas, in 1962, I knew that I had to know for myself. . . .

Sometime later that night I came to know for myself for the first time in my life that God and Jesus are real. I did not hear an audible voice nor see a heavenly being. I knew in the same way you too may have come to know – which is “by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost” and the spirit of revelation speaking peace to my mind and assurances to my heart.

When the Savior visited the Americas, He called twelve disciples. One of His messages to them and the people was about the Holy Ghost. After teaching them, the Savior departed and promised to return the next day. The people worked through the night to gather as many as possible to hear Him.

The disciples gathered the people into 12 groups to teach them what the Savior taught them. Foremost among their teachings was the importance of the Holy Ghost. Then the people knelt and prayed. Their heartfelt desire was to be given the Holy Ghost.

President Gordon B. Hinckley called the Book of Mormon one of the four essential cornerstones of the Church, the others being Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the restoration of the priesthood, and of course our testimony of Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. “These four great God-given gifts,” he explained, “are the unshakable cornerstones which anchor The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the individual testimonies and convictions of its members.”

These four God-given gifts have become the anchors to my faith and testimony, each one confirmed to me by revelation through the Holy Ghost.

Events in the lives of Lehi and Joseph Smith parallel each other:

• Each has a specific need. Lehi’s is to save himself and his family from Jerusalem’s imminent destruction, and Joseph Smith’s is to know which church is true.
• Each prays.
• Each has a vision of the Father and the Son.
• To each is given a book.
• Both preach.
• Each receives revelation from the Holy Ghost and by visions or dreams.
• Finally, wicked people threaten them. Lehi and his people escape and survive. Joseph is martyred.

Humbly I bear witness that this true and living Church, this religion, rests on these four cornerstones. I testify that Jesus Christ is in very deed the chief cornerstone. President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s prophet, and these 15 men seated behind me are prophets, seers, apostles, and revelators. They hold the holy priesthood and keys of the kingdom. I love, honor, and sustain them. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.