When Otho was only a toddler, we moved
into our first house. I remember one day I was mowing the lawn. Abe
was a baby, asleep inside, and Otho was watching a movie.
I heard a thought in my head say, “Go
find Otho.” I shook my head and continued to mow. I didn't need to
check on Otho. He was just fine!
But the thought came to my head again.
“Go find Otho.”
“Okay,” I thought, “after I
finished this row of grass.” And I continued to mow.
Then the thought came to me again,
this time louder and more insistent. “Go find Otho!”
By then I knew that it was the Holy
Ghost telling me that I needed to find my son. I stopped mowing
immediately and went inside to find Otho. But he wasn't watching his
movie. I searched through the house, and I still couldn't find him.
By now, I was becoming nervous, flying through the hallways calling
his name, but Otho was no where to be seen.
Finally, I went outside and looked up
and down the street. There in the middle of the road, my small
toddler Otho was wandering toward the main street. My heart stopped
and I flew to my son.
I was so grateful at that moment that
the Holy Ghost had told me to find Otho. I didn't know what would
have happened to him if I continued to mow for a half-hour, and
during that time Otho would have wandered farther and father away.
From that experience, I learned many
things about how the Holy Ghost works in my life.
First, I knew for a certainty that
Heavenly Father loves Otho and wants to protect him. And he was using
me, as Otho's mom, to help keep him safe. The gift of the Holy Ghost
is given to guide us and protect us. Joseph Smith said in the
Doctrine and Covenants, “And I will send upon him the Comforter,
which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go.”
The Holy Ghost can help us know what we should do if we only listen
to his voice. Then, and only then, will we have the truth of the path
we are on. And as we live the right path, we are protected.
Second, I learned how the Holy Ghost
speaks to us. As I reflect on that moment where I was mowing the
lawn, I am so grateful I listen to the Holy Ghost, but I only wish I
had listened sooner. The Holy Ghost voice is not like a loud phone
call that jolts us awake. His voice speaks to us in our minds and in
our hearts, and Otho, as you grow in the gospel, you need to learn
how to listen to the Holy Ghost. Find a quiet place each day, pray
and listen to the Holy Ghost tell you what you need to know. As you
live close to the commandments, and as you ask for inspiration, I
promise you, the Holy Ghost will speak to you and then you will be
able to listen.
Third, I learned we must act. Heavenly
Father could have stopped Otho from wandering down the street, but he
chose to use me, Otho's mom, to protect Otho. And Heavenly Father
used the Holy Ghost to tell me what to do. We are the Lord's servants
on earth, and we are here to help other people. As you grow and learn
in the gospel, Otho, you will have many opportunities to serve and
help others. The Holy Ghost will tell you how to do this if you ask,
and if you listen. You covenanted, or promised, Heavenly Father, in
your baptism today that you would try and be like Jesus. And Jesus
Christ lived a life of service to others. I hope that you will find a
love of serving, helping, and protecting others as you listen to the
Holy Ghost in your life.
I am so proud of you, Otho, for
starting on this path today by being baptized. You're life will be so
blessed as you keep the commandments, live like Jesus Christ, and
listen to the Holy Ghost. I hope you will always search for good
things, and strive to have the Holy Ghost in your life. As you do so,
you will be given a great power and a protection.
I know that the Holy Ghost can be a
constant companion in our lives. I have heard His voice speak to me,
answering my prayers. I have felt his love during my darkest trials.
And I have been filled with the understanding of the truth of this
gospel through the Holy Ghost.
I say these things in the name of
Jesus Christ, Amen.
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