Hunter, today you will receive one of the greatest blessings our Heavenly Father gives to his children here on earth. Your Mom has told you about the first part of this great blessing, which is baptism. The other part of the blessing is when your Dad lays his hands upon your head and by the power of the Priesthood gives to you the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Another word we use for a "gift" is a "present" and the Holy Ghost is a present to help you live in such a way that you will be able and worthy to go back to Heavenly Father when your life on earth is over. It is a gift that is so helpful to you that you need to learn how to recognize it and use it.

If someone were to give you a new computer that was your very own--------and it could do all the wonderful things computers do, wouldn't that be great? If you unwrapped that present what would you have to do first to make it work ? You would have to plug it into the electricity

wouldn't you?

It works just the same with this gift you are going to get today. Heavenly Father wants you to have this gift and use it. He has said there are some things we all must do if we are to get the use of our gift. We have to connect up to our electricity - - - and the way we do this is to pray morning and night every day and try really hard to live the commandments. For the Lord said that the Holy Ghost cannot stay with a person if they are not living righteously.

I have here a little gift - - - it is wrapped like a present. But it really isn't a present, it is to help you remember this day - - - and remember what a great and wonderful gift it is that you are receiving.

Let's look at the promises inside the gift:

The H.G. tells you there is a God and that Jesus Christ is His son and our Savior.

The H.G. will be a Comforter to help you through hard times.

He will speak "peace" to your heart and mind. (Usually not a voice you hear with your ears, although that does happen sometimes.)

He tells you what Heavenly Father and Jesus wants you to do so you won't make wrong choices, if you listen and obey.

He will bring thoughts into your mind to help you solve problems, even everyday kind of problems. (Casey - "There is always a way")

He helps you learn the teachings in the scriptures and from our present prophets and tells your heart and mind that they are true. (Knowledge without doubt.)

He helps you learn all good things.

He will warn you away from bad things or dangerous things . (Sister Wilson's experience.)

The Holy Ghost is also called "The Spirit of Truth" and He will help us in all ways and in all things IF we seek and pray.

Hunter will now read a scripture from the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 32: 3 - 5.

Hunter, some of the things you can do to "connect" into your gift right now, while you are young, is to keep on being the special young man that you are. 1. Listen to the things your Mom and Dad tell you and do them. Your parents are given a commandment from Heavenly Father to teach you what is right and they have the Holy Ghost to help them do this 2. You can set a good example for your friends and especially for your brother and sisters. 3. The greatest gift YOU can give to your family is to love them and speak kindly and act kindly to them. That shows them how much you love them

We love you Hunter, and are thankful for your bright mind, for your interest in reading the Book of Mormon and other good books and learning good things, for your efforts to develop your talents and for your willingness to go to church and keep the commandments.

We pray that you will always remember to use the special Gift of the Holy Ghost that Heavenly Father has given to you today.