The Holy Ghost Confirms the Truth

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, which consists of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. 1 Of his many functions, perhaps his most important is to testify of “the Father and the Son,” 2 to teach “the truth of all things,” 3 and to “show unto you all things what [you] should do.” 4

The Holy Ghost reveals the truth of the restored gospel message

When a person considers the message of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, he is confronted with the same question that young Joseph Smith had: If it is true, how shall I know it? 5 Only the Holy Ghost can provide the answer—an answer that comes directly from God to you.

At some point every person must wrestle with these questions:

• Either the message of the Restoration of the gospel is true or it is not.



• Either Joseph Smith was a prophet of God or he was not.



• Either the Book of Mormon is true or it is not.



• Either Jesus is the Christ or he is not.

The Holy Ghost helps you know for yourself through prayer

How can you know for yourself? The true gospel of Jesus Christ has always contained its own test of truth: an actual confirmation from God. If these things are true, God has promised to tell you directly.

One of the most beautiful restored gospel truths is God speaks to us individually—prayer is a two-way conversation between God and us! The heavens are open! A sincere truth seeker may ask God and receive answers!

Joseph Smith had a question and learned from the scriptures that he could “ask of God,” who would give liberally. Joseph tested that principle and received an extraordinary answer that paved the way for the Restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ.

Similarly, we can ask of God and receive his answers liberally. We may not receive a heavenly vision, but we will receive an answer from God through the Holy Ghost. He has promised!

There are many promises about prayer. For example, Jesus promised,

“Your heavenly Father will not fail to give unto you whatsoever ye ask of him…for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” 6

Our modern-day prophet has said,

“What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond….Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him.” 7

The Holy Ghost teaches you how to pray

How do you pray?

• Address Heavenly Father directly.



• Express gratitude for the blessings he has given you.



• Sincerely ask him for his help and counsel. Ask with “real intent,” 8 meaning with the real intention to do what he will inspire you to do.



• Close in the name of Jesus Christ (“In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”)

What should you ask for?

Ask Heavenly Father to answer your questions. He has promised to answer you through unmistakable thoughts and feelings that come from the Holy Ghost. These thoughts and feelings are powerful, but often gentle and quiet. They will penetrate your heart and mind to provide you convincing evidence that these things are true. Again, you must pray with “real intent”--promising him that you will do what he inspires you to do.

Begin by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God if it is true. The Book of Mormon contains a most profound promise:

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” 9

The Holy Ghost will reveal to you that the Book of Mormon is true! It is a promise of God!

This promise has been tested by millions of people, who have received a personal answer from God that it is true. In sincere prayer, you, too, can learn that:

• The Book of Mormon is true.



• Jesus is the Christ and Joseph Smith was his prophet.



• The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth.



• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus’ true church on the earth today.

Questions about 'The Holy Ghost Confirms the Truth'

• Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost make up what significant governing presidency?



• Does the Holy Ghost have a body of flesh and bones as do the Father and the Son?



• What is the Holy Ghost's most important responsibility?



• What essential truths can the Holy Ghost reveal to you?



• The Holy Ghost helps us ask for and receive answers to our prayers. When we do so sincerely and with real intent, what is the guarnteed promise?



• How should you pray?



• What should you ask for?



• What is God's profound promise related to the Book of Mormon?



• Once you know that the Book of Mormon is true, by the power of the Holy Ghost, what other truths will you know are true?

References for 'The Holy Ghost Confirms the Truth'

1. 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.
2. 2 Nephi 31:18 – And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
3. Moroni 10:5 – And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
4. 2 Nephi 32: 1-5 – And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
5. Joseph Smith History 1:10
6. JST Luke 11:5, 10
7. President Gordon B. Hinckley, "$1" Ensign, May 2004, 112
8. Moroni 10:4
9. Moroni 10:4