It’s amazing to me what we can learn from these verses in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10:17-19. In my last post I focused on the truth that the future, anticipated Messiah would be the Son of God and that this truth was known by the ancient prophets. Another really important truth from this verse is that the Holy Ghost is a testifier of truth. The term Holy Ghost is not in the Old Testament. It certainly mentions the Spirit of God, but the concept of the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead and his specific role as a testifier of truth is not clear in the Old Testament. These precious truths taught by Nephi around 592 BC teach us that the prophets in the Old Testament knew of the role of the Holy Ghost and that it was available to all who would diligently seek after it.

17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

I switched the order of the verses because I felt like verse 19 followed 17 and little better. I hope Nephi understands!

What do we learn from about the Holy Ghost from these verses? First of all, we need to desire to have the Holy Ghost with us. It is a gift from God unto all those who diligently seek him. Isaiah teaches us that the gifts of God are freely given.

Isaiah 55: 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Our Heavenly Father is anxious for us to receive his gifts, but we need to initiate them into our lives by seeking after them. Revelations 3:20 teaches us that Jesus stands at the door and knocks, but we need to hear him and open the door. That is beautiful imagery!

Another very important truth that we learn is that gift of the Holy Ghost is eternal. It was a part of Heavenly Father’s plan since the foundation of the world. It was taught by the ancient prophets. It is how God communicates with and teaches his children in every age. The mysteries of God are those things that can only be understood by the Spirit. A knowledge that Jesus is the Christ is a mystery that can only be understood through the power of the Spirit. The natural man cannot understand it. The Holy Ghost bears witness of the Father and the Son. The power of the Holy Ghost was available to all those in Old Testament times before Jesus came as well as those who came after. This really is a profound truth and is not fully understood by mainstream Christianity today. It is another witness to me that the Book of Mormon, which was brought forth by the gift and power of God, is true.

We also learn that God is a constant, unchanging being. He is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” I love that phrase. Because he is a constant, unchanging being I know that I can trust Him. I know His love is forever. He has prepared a way for all his children to repent and and come unto him.