The Comforter

Katie S taught the lesson from the April General Conference talk "The Comforter" By President Henry B. Eyring.

"My message to you tonight is that you can and must be an important part of His giving comfort to those who need comfort. You can play your part best if you know more of how He answers those prayers for help."

"A great change began in your heart when you came into the Church. You made a covenant, and you received a promise that began changing your very nature." 

"One of the attributes of the Savior we most appreciate is His infinite compassion."

Why is this attribute so important?

1) I feel strongly the love he individually has for me.-Alice 

2) When the Savior atoned for our sins, this was ultimate form of compassion so he can fully succor us through trials - Katie 

"You were given the power to help lighten those loads when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"When He was about to be crucified, the Savior described the way He helps lighten loads and gives strength to carry them. He knew that His disciples would grieve. He knew that they would fear for their future. He knew they would feel uncertain of their capacity to move forward.  

So He gave them the promise that He makes to us and to all His true disciples:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”³ 

Then He promised: 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”⁴ 

Thoughts on savior's teaching of Holy Ghost: 

Through live continue to experience fear, doubt, etc... Savior remind us we are not alone. He will make the fear go away with joy and peace. "

Read Pres. Eyring's personal experience. What ways was he able to succor the family that were grieving? 

"Recently three generations of a family were grieving at the death of a five-year-old boy. He died accidentally while with his family on a vacation. I was granted the opportunity to watch once again how the Lord blesses the faithful with relief and the strength to endure. 

I watched the way the Lord made their great burden lighter. I was with them as the Lord’s covenant servant—as you will be often in your life—“to mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”5

Because I knew that was true, I was pleased and at peace when the grandparents invited me to meet with them and the parents of the little boy before the funeral. 

I prayed to know how I could help the Lord comfort them. They sat down with me in our living room. I had warmed the room on a cold night with a small fire in the fireplace.
I had felt to tell them that I loved them. I told them that I had felt the Lord’s love for them. In just a few words I tried to tell them that I mourned for them but that only the Lord knew and could experience perfectly their pain and grief. 

After saying those few words, I felt impressed to listen with love while they talked about their feelings. 

In the hour we sat together, they spoke far more than I did. I could feel in their voices and see in their eyes that the Holy Ghost was touching them. In words of simple testimony, they spoke of what happened and how they felt. The Holy Ghost had already given them the peace that comes with the hope of eternal life, when their son, who died without sin, could be theirs forever.

When I gave them each a priesthood blessing, I gave thanks for the influence of the Holy Ghost that was there. The Comforter had come, bringing hope, courage, and increased strength for all of us."

What did President Eyring do? 

1.Told them he loved them
2.He prayed to know how he could comfort them
3.Listen w love
4.Express the lords love
5. Provide physical comfort
6. Listen for promptings and act
7. Offer prayers and/or priesthood blessings
8. Give of time
9. Express Gratitude for the Holy Ghost

The lesson ended with people sharing how others have comforted them in time of need.
Thanks for the wonderful lesson Katie.