Hayfields and Priesthood Blessings

By Elder Jack N. Gerard

Of the Seventy

From an interview with Eliza Broadbent.

“The Comforter … is the Holy Ghost” (John 14:26).

When I was a boy, my family had a small farm with cows and hayfields. Growing up on a farm was hard work. Also, I had bad allergies, and the dust from the hay sometimes made me sick.

One hot summer day, my brother and I were working in the field. The wind was blowing hard, and there was a lot of dust in the air. My eyes were watering. It was hard to breathe. My nose even started to bleed because I’d rubbed it so much.

When my mother came out to the field and saw me, she told me to come inside the house. She had me lie on the couch with a wet cloth on my face. A few minutes later, she came back with two farmers in overalls.

The farmers were members of our ward. They placed their hands on my head and started to give me a blessing. My dad wasn’t a member of the Church then, so he didn’t hold the priesthood. But I’ll never forget the feeling I had as those men blessed me. It was warm, peaceful, and calming. And I didn’t feel so sick anymore.

Later in life, I realized that feeling was the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is sometimes called the Comforter. I like that name because it was the Holy Ghost that brought me comfort. It made me feel better on the outside and on the inside.

The Holy Ghost is a great blessing. Look for the comfort the Holy Ghost brings and try to have it with you every day.

Comfort from the Holy Ghost

There are many ways you can feel comfort from the Holy Ghost. Find a path through the maze to see just a few.