Zone1 Jehovah's Witnesses

[Cougarbear]

I am truly glad to have "church hopped" from 1991 to 2001. I found that there were people who were guided by the Holy Spirit in every church that I visited. Bouncing around to lots of different churches helped prepared me to be happy in what ever church my wife wants to attend.

I am glad to have spent most of my life in Nova Scotia.

There are three things when it comes to "the spirit."
1. The light of Christ. This is your conscience. Everyone has this given to them at birth. If developed, it can be a great tool in life to be moral and ethical. It is also drowned out sometimes and this light is hidden under a bushel.
2. The Influence of the Holy Ghost. This is where when persons with real intent with faith in Christ not wavering and without a double mind are influenced by the Holy Ghost. Without this, no one could receive a true testimony of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith was the Prophet for the restitution of all things and the restoration of the Lord's true Church.
3. Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. After confusion on how this happens, as the Church spread out and grew, order was need. Ordination (from order) by the laying on of hands by one with authority (priesthood) became required. 2Timothy 1:6, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God (Holy Ghost), which is in thee (The Elder or Presbytery) by the putting on of my hands." No other way would this happen after this order from God. The difference between the Gift and the Influence is the Influence is temporary while the Gift can be confirmed for all time if the person remains worthy. With the Gift, one can bear testimony of the Savior, his apostles and prophets, and his true Church that has the authority keys to give the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

So, it depends on the specific circumstance on whether these "guided" people were influenced by the Holy Ghost or they simply had a good conscience or Light of Christ in them. Also, we each must receive for ourselves the testimony of Jesus Christ, His Church, His Prophets and Apostles (The foundation of the true Church), His Doctrines and Commandments, His Ordinances performed with power and authority of the Priesthood or Power of God given to man to do His works. Trying to live on borrowed testimony of your wife won't work in the long run. We each must be responsible for our own behaviors, actions, decisions and testimonies.