"Things As They Really Are"

The last eight weeks of being in Glasgow has been a huge learning curve as I have come to be familiar with the workings of a small town.  Used to large cities, it is quite the adjustment (and a little odd) to have everybody wave at you and mean it in a nice way.  Its a bit strange actually, but I'm not complaining.  Its been a rather nice change, one that I don't mind getting used too.  Going along with those small town customs however, does not excuse the chances of weird things happening.  In fact, it probably increases them, especially for a town like Glasgow.

Not too long ago, as my companion and I were out and about on the streets of Glasgow one afternoon, we came across what is pictured on the left.  Luckily enough for us, we came across this thing while buckled safely in the comfort of our truck - I can't imagine what it would have been like if we were out walking at the time when this came upon us.  Just driving back from an appointment on the Northeast end of town, we saw a very large, loud, black creature running towards us, seeming as if he was going to ram the truck.  With my companion's window down, we hurriedly made sure it was shut.  Of course, being the very curious person that I am, I decided to stop and investigate it more; Plus, I needed a picture of this beast.  We couldn't believe what we were seeing - a black bear, right in the middle of the residential side of Glasgow!

While the chances of seeing a bear out on the streets may be considerably higher in Montana then anywhere else that I have ever lived, I still would think that such a sight would be more plausible if I were, say, in Yellowstone Park.  To see something like we did that day, however, sure has altered my thinking ever since.  And from it, I also learned a key principle that day about how the Holy Ghost, also known at the Still Small Voice, the Comforter, the Testifier, or Spirit of the Lord, can work in our life's to teach and let us see "things as they really are".

No, we did not see a black bear that day on the streets of Glasgow and the residents of it no longer need be afraid.  While that did not happen, we definitely did see something that appeared to be like one.  Though having the bark of a dog and with a very peculiar build, its face looked like that of a bear.  Good fortune was with us again when we realized that this beast was hooked to a chain.  Funny enough, while we were in awe at the sight of this bear-dog and while taking in pictures of it, its owner came out and called for the thing to stop barking.  After snapping my picture we drove off and haven't seen it since then.  I wonder if warmer weather will bring it out more - I sure hope not!

So maybe I was a little misleading in the beginning but that's just the key - this is where the teaching comes into play.  Sometimes things may not appear as they actually are -  it might even seem as if a bear was out on the loose, roaming the local neighborhood streets.  Misconceptions and blurred events, if not cleared up, will linger and affect our choices for as long as we have the power to choose - which is forever.  While truth and reality may seem distorted, we can find hope in the blessed mission of the Holy Ghost.

Its mission is to "guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13).  As the third member of the godhead, "the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit.  Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" (D&C 130:22).  Its purpose is to testify of the truth and reality of Jesus Christ and God, our Eternal Father, by telling us in our minds and in our hearts (D&C 8:2).  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light by which salvation cometh.  Because that it so, how much more important and vital is the mission of the Holy Ghost to make sure that he, when desired, will let you know the truthfulness of Him and His commandments!

Speaking of the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ said:

"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" (John 14:16-17).

Judas (not Iscariot), questioned Christ's saying that those who love him, will also be loved of the Father, and because of that, he will show his love for us by manifesting himself unto us.  Asking Jesus, Judas said, "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" (John 14:22).  Answering him, he recounts upon his teachings and sayings and notes that all this has he done while being present with them.  He continues, "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" when I am gone (John 14:26).  It is through this Comforter and Spirit by which all confusion and misconception is cleared up.

"The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not.  Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls" (Jacob 4:13).  The Holy Ghost sets the record straight for all men to know the truth of anything when their hearts, eyes, and ears are turned toward the Savior.  So when things are misleading, and you have me trying to convince you that I saw a bear out here in Glasgow, what great news do we have of the Holy Ghost who's wonderful mission is to be the bearer of all truth, in all things.

Open your ears, your eyes, and your heart to its promptings.  It is a choice to listen.  Are you?