We Should Glorify Christ

"At the center of the gifts of the Holy Ghost is His unique witnessing to us of Christ’s atoning act, history’s greatest emancipation."

To better understand the depth of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost that literally effect our nature, our being, and our very soul,

Elder Neal A Maxwell

Elder Neal A Maxwell invited us to consider the following statement of Elder Parley P. Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses, every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God Himself.

But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.

The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

In the presence of such persons one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuse and thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit…”

Elder Parley P Pratt

(Parley P. Pratt, p. 101-102 “Key to the Science of Theology”)


Elder Maxwell adds:

"In the Holy Ghost’s role in the Godhead, He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Ne. 31:18), and further He actually glorifies Christ (see John 16:14). Ever relevant, this glorification of our Savior is so vital in the last days, when so many esteem Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, as “naught” (1 Ne. 19:7). Therefore, at the center of the gifts of the Holy Ghost is His unique witnessing to us of Christ’s atoning act, history’s greatest emancipation: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (D&C 46:13).

"There is such a difference between the admiration and the adoration of Jesus!


"Since the Holy Ghost glorifies Christ as indicated, so should we. One of the ways you and I can glorify Christ is by improving and repenting, showing that we take seriously the proffered discipleship that comes from Him. We should care enough about it that it lies at the very center of our lives."

OUR INSPIRATIONAL FAMILY FOCUS continues with Elder Maxwell's testimony: 

"The Church will pass through some turbulence that lies ahead. We will be all right. However, do all you can to be connected with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and He will glorify Christ. He will give you a precious reassurance about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Faster than we realize, we are being more sharply defined and are seen in ways that are significantly different. We must measure up to our time and say with the ancient prophet Nephi, as he thought upon the ministries of those who preceded him, “I am consigned that these are my days” (Hel. 7:9). These are your days, brothers and sisters. And the intertwining of your lives with the lives of others isn’t simply reflective of this mortal second estate. I so testify to you! I seek to glorify Christ. I know it is my apostolic duty, but it is also my delight."

MAY WE SEEK TO GLORIFY CHRIST AND FIND IT OUR DELIGHT!