1. The Holy Ghost Chapter 5
Introduction 5. The Holy Ghost conveys the gifts of the Spirit to
the children of God (see 1 Corinthians 12:1–11;
As the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Moroni 10:9–17; D&C 46:13–26).
Ghost acts under the direction of the Father and 6. The Holy Ghost brings to our remembrance truths
the Son. He performs many tasks for the benefit of that we have been taught earlier (see John 14:26).
God’s children upon the earth, His chief mission 7. The Holy Ghost reproves the world for sin (see
being to testify of the Father and the Son. John 16:8; D&C 121:43).
8. The Holy Ghost guides us to all truth and shows
Doctrinal Outline us what we should know and do (see John 16:13;
Moroni 10:5; D&C 39:6; 2 Nephi 32:5; Moses 8:24).
A. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the 9. The Holy Ghost enables us to ask of God according
Godhead. to the will of God (see D&C 46:30; 63:64).
1. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and 10.Those who speak by the power of the Holy Ghost
possesses all the characteristics of a divine speak scripture (see D&C 68:4; 2 Peter 1:21).
personality (see D&C 130:22; 1 Nephi 11:11).
11. The Holy Ghost enables righteous individuals to
2. The Holy Ghost knows all things (see D&C 35:19; discern the thoughts of others (see Alma 10:17;
Moroni 10:5; Moses 6:61). 12:3; 18:16–18; Jacob 2:5).
3. The Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and the Son 12.Members of the Church who are guided by the
(see D&C 20:27; 3 Nephi 28:11). Holy Ghost will not be deceived (see D&C 45:57).
B. The Holy Ghost performs a special mission to
bless and benefit us. Supporting Statements
1. The Holy Ghost is a comforter (see John 14:26;
Moroni 8:26; Acts 9:31). A. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the
2. The Holy Ghost is a teacher and a revelator (see Godhead.
Luke 12:11–12; John 14:26; 2 Nephi 32:5; Alma ■ “The Holy Ghost is the third member of the
5:46–47; D&C 8:2–3). Godhead. He is a Spirit, in the form of a man. . . .
3. The Holy Ghost is a sanctifier (see Alma 13:12; The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, and has a
3 Nephi 27:20; 1 Peter 1:2). spirit body only. His mission is to bear witness of
4. The Holy Ghost seals upon worthy individuals the Father and the Son and of all truth.
the promises of God (see D&C 132:7; 76:53; 88:3). “As a Spirit personage 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. He is also called the Holy
Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the
Spirit of Truth, and the Comforter” (Joseph
Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:38).
■ “The sign of the dove was instituted before
the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy
Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a
dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the
form of a personage. It does not confine itself to
the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The
Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove;
but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify
the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or
token of truth and innocence” (Joseph Smith,
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 276).
■ “The Holy Ghost as a personage of Spirit can
no more be omnipresent in person than can the
Father or the Son, but by his intelligence, his
knowledge, his power and influence, over and
through the laws of nature, he is and can be
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2. Chapter 5
omnipresent throughout all the works of God” matters are both speculative and fruitless”
(Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 61). (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 359).
B. The Holy Ghost performs a special mission to ■ “The Holy Ghost is a revelator. Every worthy
bless and benefit us. soul is entitled to a revelation, and it comes
■ “The Holy Ghost is the Messenger, or through the Holy Ghost. In Moroni’s farewell to
Comforter, which the Savior promised to send to the Lamanites, he says: ‘And by the power of the
his disciples after he was crucified. This Comforter Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.’
is, by his influence, to be a constant companion to (Moroni 10:5.)
every baptized person, and to administer unto the “He is a reminder and will bring to our
members of the Church by revelation and remembrance the things which we have learned
guidance, knowledge of the truth that they may and which we need in the time thereof. He is an
walk in its light. It is the Holy Ghost who inspirer and will put words in our mouths,
enlightens the mind of the truly baptized member. enlighten our understandings and direct our
It is through him that individual revelation comes, thoughts. He is a testifier and will bear record to
and the light of truth is established in our hearts. us of the divinity of the Father and the Son and of
We read in the blessings on the sacrament that if their missions and of the program which they
we will keep . . . his commandments which he has have given us. He is a teacher and will increase
given us, that we may always have his Spirit to be our knowledge. He is a companion and will walk
with us. This Spirit of truth, the Savior said, ‘the with us, inspiring us all along the way, guiding
world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, our footsteps, impeaching our weaknesses,
neither knoweth him’; but the true followers of strengthening our resolves, and revealing to us
Christ, those who have been baptized for the righteous aims and purposes” (Spencer W. Kimball,
remission of their sins and have had hands laid The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 23).
■ “‘And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye
upon their heads for the gift of the Holy Ghost, by
a duly authorized servant of Jesus Christ, are may know the truth of all things.’ (Moro. 10:5.)
entitled to this companionship, for ‘he dwelleth He is broadcasting all eternal truth out into all
with you, and shall be in you.’” (Joseph Fielding immensity all of the time” (Bruce R. McConkie,
Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:149–50). The Promised Messiah, 16).
■ “The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost
■ “He [the Holy Ghost] is the Comforter,
Testator, Revelator, Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Holy who places the stamp of approval upon every
Spirit of Promise, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of the ordinance: baptism, confirmation, ordination,
Lord, and Messenger of the Father and the Son, marriage. The promise is that the blessings will
and his companionship is the greatest gift that be received through faithfulness.
mortal man can enjoy. His mission is to perform “If a person violates a covenant, whether it be
all of the functions appertaining to the various of baptism, ordination, marriage or anything else,
name-titles which he bears. Because he is a Spirit the Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval, and
Personage, he has power—according to the the blessings will not be received.
eternal laws ordained by the Father—to perform “Every ordinance is sealed with a promise of a
essential and unique functions for men. In this reward based upon faithfulness. The Holy Spirit
dispensation, at least, nothing has been revealed withdraws the stamp of approval where covenants
as to his origin or destiny; expressions on these are broken” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:45).
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