Damen's Talk on the Holy Ghost

Here's the talk Damen gave at Seth's Baptism. He had some help from his Dad but a lot was his own thoughts.

Seth and Rachel you have just been baptized. You are clean. You have, in a way, been born again. when you were born as new babies you took upon you the last name of your Dads. Rachel you took the name of Pittard. Seth you took the name of James. Your parents made sure you had food to eat, clothes to wear and a house to live in. And most important made sure you felt safe, and loved.

By being baptized you now join a new family, you take upon yourselves the name of Christ. I can tell you he is one amazing parent. In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross he took responsibility for all the mistakes and bad things you will do. He made a way for you to come to this earth to learn from the good and bad things that we do every day. He made it possible so that we can go back to heaven again. He has given us lots of gifts hasn't he?

In a few minutes your Dad's are going to lay their hands on your head and through the Priesthood, confirm you members of His Family. And they will say unto you receive the Holy Ghost. You will then be able to use on of the greatest Gifts that He gives us in this life.

Seth do you remember when we hiked up to the Y on the mountain. You went through a narrow gate at the start of the trail. Baptism is sometimes called a gate. When you went through that gate were you at the Y? No, you still had a long way to go. The Holy Ghost is your hiking partner. He helps you stay on the right trail. He tells you "you can make it." He warns you of danger. And when yo need water he gives it to you. Jesus is sometimes called the living water. When you think you can't make it, he can even push you up the trail. The Holy Ghost's job is to help us to the top of the trail or to bring you back to the presence of Jesus.

There was a time when I was reading a scripture in Matthew about Jesus being baptized and when he came up out of the water. The Holy Ghost came and gave me a warm feeling and helped me to know that it really happened to Jesus and that I had made the right choice by being baptized. I am proud that you guys made the same choice to be baptized. I hope you feel the spirit when you are given the Holy Ghost.

I know God loves me and I know He loves you. I hope that I can, and that Seth and Rachel can, and that everybody in this room can truly learn how to receive the Holy Ghost.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.