Sean's Talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost

A month ago my oldest daughter Sommer was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In preparation for this event, I had a chance to study the doctrine of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Today I would like to speak about the gift of the Holy Ghost.

As we know, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, which are true. From this scripture we can conclude that we cannot have faith in something that is not true. Similarly, it is impossible for us to have faith if our understanding of a Gospel truth is incorrect. Consequently, I would like to preface my remarks with a review of the Holy Ghost by answering the following questions: 1.) Who is the Holy Ghost?; 2.) What is His purpose?; and 3.) By what power does He fulfill His responsibilities?

Who is the Holy Ghost?
The first article of faith states, “We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. Unlike our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, He is a personage of Spirit, not possessing a body of flesh and bones.(DC 130:22) The Holy Ghost has size and dimensions. He does not fill the immensity of space, and cannot be everywhere present in person at the same time.”(Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, P. 38)

What is the purpose of the Holy Ghost?
The scriptures teach that the Holy Ghost guides us to truth and shows us things to come (John 16:13). He teaches us all things and brings all things to our remembrance (John 14:26) He testifies of the Father and of the Son (John 15:26, 3 Ne 28:11). He enlightens our minds and fills us with joy (DC 11:13). He cleanses us from sin and comforts us in our adversity. His mission is to teach us all truth, and ultimately guide the sincere seekers of truth back to their Heavenly home.

By what power does He fulfill His responsibilities?
The Holy Ghost is able to do these things by directing a power, known as the Light of Christ. Just as the rays of the sun are felt by all people, so the scriptures in John teach that the Light of Christ “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”(John 1:9) D&C 88 explains that the Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. . . (It) is in all things, which giveth life to all things,. . . even the power of God.” The prophet Mormon taught that the Light of Christ “is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.” (Moro. 7:16). Elder Wirthlin in the April 2003 General Conference said, “The Light of Christ is the divine influence that allows every man, woman, and child to distinguish between good and evil. It encourages all to choose the right, to seek eternal truth, and to learn again the truths that we knew in our premortal existence but have forgotten in mortality.”

The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are often confused with each other because of the other names they have in common. In the scriptures both the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are referred to as: “the Spirit,” “the Spirit of God,” “the Spirit of the Lord,” and “the Spirit of Truth.” Although the names given them are sometimes the same, the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate and distinct.

In clarifying this distinction, Joseph Feilding Smith said, ”The Holy Ghost should not be confused with the Spirit [the Light of Christ] which fills the immensity of space and which is everywhere present. This other Spirit is impersonal and has no size, nor dimensions; it proceeds forth from the presence of the Father and the Son and is in all things. We should speak of the Holy Ghost as a personage as ‘he’ and this other Spirit as ‘it,’ although when we speak of the power or gift of the Holy Ghost we may properly say ‘it.’ (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p.49)”

I like to think of the Holy Ghost as the “Spirit” with a capital “S” and the Light of Christ as the spirit with a lower case “s”. Simply stated, the light of Christ (or the spirit) is the power of the Holy Ghost. He uses it to fulfill His duties.

The Holy Ghost channels and directs the Light of Christ in varying degrees to God’s children. Just as a magnifying glass focuses the energy of the sun, the Holy Ghost can focus the Light of Christ (or the spirit) to the sincere seekers of truth. This increased intensity of the spirit is described as “a manifestation of the Holy Ghost”. Those who investigate the Church are familiar with manifestations of the Spirit.

For example, the prophet Moroni promises that when we study the Book of Mormon and seek to know whether it is true, sincerely and with real intent, God will “manifest” the truth of it unto us, “by the power of the Holy Ghost.”(Moro. 10:4) On the Day of Pentacost, 3,000 individuals experienced the manifestation of the Holy Ghost after Peter had taught them the truths about the resurrected Lord. Acts 2:37-38 The term “pricked in their hearts” refers to the Holy Ghost manifesting the truth of Peter’s words to the people and encouraging them to take action. These feelings however were not enough, for when they questioned what they should do, Peter responded, (verse 38) If these people had not followed Peter’s counsel to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost which convinced them of the truth would have left them.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is more comprehensive than a manifestation of the Holy Ghost. Elder Charles W. Penrose (Journal of Discourses, 23:350.) taught that a person who receives the gift of the Holy Ghost receives “a greater and higher endowment of the same spirit which enlightens every man that comes into the world.” Unlike the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, which are fleeting, the gift of the Holy Ghost is the promised right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost’s power.

This gift is received only after baptism by the laying on of hands by those who have the authority. We learn about this in Acts 19:2-6 when Paul visited certain disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. From this historical account, we learn 3 things—the importance of baptism by proper authority, the necessity of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism, and the performance of this ordinance by the laying on of hands.



Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation. In John 3:3, Jesus taught Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus then gave the obvious response, “How can a man be born when he is old?” To this Jesus clarified, “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” It is by baptism that we are “born of water” and it is by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost that we are “born of the Spirit”.

It is by virtue of these two ordinances that we are made clean from our sins. Nephi taught, “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”(2 Ne. 31:17) Being clean allows us to enter the Father’s kingdom as clarified in 1 Ne 10:21 which says, “no unclean thing can dwell with God.” Fortunately this cleansing process is not a one-time event. The Lord has seen fit to provide a way for us to receive the cleansing effect of our baptism on a weekly basis through the partaking of the sacrament. As we recommit to the promises we made at baptism, the Lord renews the promised remission of our sins so that we “might always have his Spirit to be with us.”

Pres. James E. Faust in May 1989 General Conference highlighted some of the benefits of having the gift of the Holy Ghost. He said, “The comforting Spirit of the Holy Ghost can abide with us twenty-four hours a day: when we work, when we play, when we rest. That sustaining influence can be with us in joy and sorrow, when we rejoice as well as when we grieve.
I believe the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in our unstable world. It can be more mind-expanding and can make us have a better sense of well-being than any chemical or other earthly substance. It will calm nerves; it will breathe peace to our souls. This Comforter can be with us as we seek to improve. It can function as a source of revelation to warn us of impending danger and also help keep us from making mistakes. It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It will help us work out our insecurities. It can help us learn to forgive. It will also help us solve crises of faith. It is a way of maximizing our happiness.”
It is important to remember that receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost does not guarantee we will have the constant influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives, it only promises that right. As with all gifts, this gift must be received and accepted to be enjoyed. If we figuratively put this gift in a closet, never to be used or treasured, we will not reap the benefits of this prized possession. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained, ”The Gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have the constant companionship of the Spirit; the actual enjoyment of the gift, the actual receipt of the companionship of the Spirit, is based on personal righteousness.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 313)

Just as the Liahona worked for Lehi’s family according to their faith, diligence, and obedience, so we must take an active part in accessing the power of the gift of the Holy Ghost. If we are slothful or become complacent with this gift, we may find ourselves in a similar predicament to Lehi’s family--not progressing in our journey, not traveling a direct course, and being afflicted.(Alma 37:41-42) The gift of the Holy Ghost is our compass, quietly whispering to us in a still small voice, directions we should take in our lives.
Elder Wirthlin said, “I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church “live far beneath our privileges” with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. 15 Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.
Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of their choices to commit sin. Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the Infinite.
If they would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light. Their eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable. They could know for themselves things of the Spirit that are choice, precious, and capable of enlarging the soul, expanding the mind, and filling the heart with inexpressible joy.”
Brothers and sisters, are we taking advantage of this wonderful gift or does it sit idle in our lives? Are we familiar with the gift of the Holy Ghost or are we like the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon who “at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”(3 Ne 9:20)
I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have felt it in my life and seen it work in the lives of my family. Through this gift, my knowledge of the Gospel has been expanded. I have been protected from danger. I have been directed when faced with difficult decisions. Through this gift, I have received peace in times of trial. May we call upon this gift every day and not take it for granted. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.