Before the Savior's crucifixion and resurrection, he promised his disciples God would send "the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost empowered Jesus' apostles, and the church flourished. "But as the centuries passed, the flame flickered and dimmed. Ordinances were changed or abandoned. The line was broken; the authority to confer the Holy Ghost as a gift was gone. The Dark Ages of apostasy settled over the world."
Reformers and protesters who preserved the scriptures and translated them knew something had been lost. "They kept the flame alive as best they could."
The authority to confer the "supernally precious gift of the Holy Ghost" was restored to Joseph Smith, and today, "I fear that this supernal gift is being obscured by programs and activities and schedules and so many meetings. There are so many places to go, so many things to do in this noisy world. We can be too busy to pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit," President Packer said. "All over the world, ordinary men, women and children are not completely aware that they have the gift to bless their families, teach, preach and minister by the spirit within them."
The influence of the Holy Ghost can be smothered through transgression and neglect. The adversary "can take over our thoughts and lead us to mischief. But each of us has agency; ever and always light presides over darkness."
Always nearby are leaders and teachers. "We can learn to sort out the promptings from the temptations and follow the inspiration of the Holy Ghost."
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