Holy Ghost: The Gospel and the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Receiving the Holy Ghost follows baptism

Recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost (baptism of the Spirit) follows baptism by immersion (baptism of water). The two baptisms are inseparable. Jesus said of the baptism by water and the baptism by the Holy Ghost,

“Except a man be born of water (baptism) and of the Spirit (Holy Ghost), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 1

"Receive the Holy Ghost"

After we are baptized, worthy men holding the Melchizedek Priesthood lay their hands upon our head and confirm us a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which confirmation is followed by these words: “Receive the Holy Ghost.”

That commandment—to receive the Holy Ghost--carries with it God's promise: as long as we remain worthy, we are entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, this is our right; it is our special gift from God—the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Who is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, which is composed of three distinct and holy beings:

1. God the Father
2. Jesus Christ
3. The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bone. 2 The scriptures refer to him by various terms, such as: the Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of the Lord. In other words, the Holy Ghost is the Spirit that God sends to testify, reveal, teach, cleanse, comfort and direct.

The gift of the Holy Ghost

The gift of the Holy Ghost differs from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, we feel the Holy Ghost’s promptings from time to time. These promptings lead us to a testimony of the truth. Once we are baptized and receive our confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are entitled to the constant companionship of this member of the Godhead through worthy living. Some of the blessings that flow from the Holy Ghost are these:

• The Holy Ghost “witnesses of the Father and the Son.” 3



• The Holy Ghost reveals and “teaches the truth of all things.” 4



• The Holy Ghost “will show [us] all things what [we] should do.” 5



• The Holy Ghost brings the teachings of Christ to our remembrance. 6



• The Holy Ghost blesses us with spiritual gifts. 7



• The Holy Ghost is the Comforter. He blesses us with divine peace, which calms the troubled heart and displaces fear. 8



• The Holy Ghost fills us “with hope and perfect love,” and he will “teach [us] the peaceable things of the kingdom.” 9



• The Holy Ghost helps us discern good from evil. 10



• The Holy Ghost is the Sanctifier and Purifier, who purges us of all sin so that we may be fit for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. 11 In this capacity, he baptizes us as “with fire” (D&C 33:11) to burn out our impurities.



• The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise that confirms and ratifies the priesthood ordinances we have received and the covenants we have made. 12

The Holy Ghost testifies of the reality of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ

Of the promise given to all that the Holy Ghost will testify of the truthfulness of the gospel message, Elder Charles Didier said,

"The living reality of Christ is associated with the Restoration of His gospel and its message 'that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth' (Book of Mormon introduction).

"This spiritual confirmation by the power of the Holy Ghost is given on the Lord's conditions to anyone who is willing to ask in faith, believing that an answer can come by that power. It starts by listening to the voice of the Lord, His servants, His prophets and apostles, and it continues by giving heed to their words. Spiritual knowledge of the Restoration is a matter of faith." ("Man's Search for Divine Truth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 49)

Clearly, the gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest gifts of God given to those who humble themselves and receive baptism in the true Church of Jesus Christ. The gift of the Holy Ghost distinguishes members of the Church of Jesus Christ from every other people.

Questions about 'Holy Ghost: The Gospel and the Gift of the Holy Ghost'

• When do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?



• After baptism by water comes baptism of the Holy Ghost. What is another name for 'baptism of the Holy Ghost'? Can a person be saved without these two baptisms?



• How do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?



• What is God's guarantee for remain worthy to the commandmant, "Receive the Holy Ghost," what is God's promise?



• How does the gift of the Holy Ghost differ from the influence of the Holy Ghost?



• What are some of the blessings that flow from the gift of the Holy Ghost?



• How does the gift of the Holy Ghost distinguish a person who has received the Holy Ghost from someone who has not?

References for 'Holy Ghost: The Gospel and the Gift of the Holy Ghost'

1. John 3:5
2. D&C 130:22 – The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but 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.
3. 2 Nephi 31:18
4. Moroni 10:5
5. 2 Nephi 32:5
6. John 14:26 – 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.
7. D&C 46:9-11 – For verily I say unto you, they [spiritual gifts] are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts. And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church. For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
8. John 14:27 – Peace [of the Holy Ghost] I leave with you, my peace [the Holy Ghost] I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
9. Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2 – And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God" (Moroni 8:26). "And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom" (D&C 36:2).
10. Moroni 7:13-16 – But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it [i.e. the influence of the Holy Ghost or Light of Christ] is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ [i.e. the influence of the Holy Ghost or Light of Christ] is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
11. Mosiah 5:1-6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64-68 – And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy. And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God. And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant" (Mosiah 5:1-6). "Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day" (3 Nephi 27:20). "And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man. And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever; And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen (Moses 6:64-68).
12. D&C 132:7 – And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise [i.e. the Holy Ghost], of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead...And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.