1. The Gift of the Holy Ghost Chapter 16
Introduction Supporting Statements
All members of the Church are enjoined at their
A. Before individuals receive the gift of the Holy
confirmation to “receive the Holy Ghost.” Those Ghost, they first receive the Spirit or Light of Christ,
who receive Him become Saints; those who do not which is given to every person who is born into the
are halted in their progression toward the kingdom world.
of God. “We have a great many members of this
■ “Our understanding of the Light of Christ
Church who have never received a manifestation
is limited. Finite powers and capacities cannot
through the Holy Ghost. Why? Because they have
comprehend that which is infinite. But we do know
not made their lives conform to the truth” (Joseph
certain basic principles, among which are these:
Fielding Smith, We Are Here to Be Tried, Tested,
“1. That it is the light which proceeds forth
Proved, Brigham Young University Speeches of
from the presence and person of Deity to fill
the Year [25 Oct. 1961], 4; see also Church News,
immensity, and that it is therefore everywhere
4 Nov. 1961, 14).
present;
“2. That it is the agency of God’s power, the
Doctrinal Outline law by which all things are governed;
“3. That it is the divine power which gives life
A. Before individuals receive the gift of the Holy to all things, and that if it were completely
Ghost, they first receive the Spirit or Light of Christ, withdrawn life would cease;
which is given to every person who is born into the “4. That it enlightens the mind and quickens
world. the understanding of every person born into the
See John 1:9; Moroni 7:16; Doctrine and Covenants world (all have a conscience!);
84:45–46; 93:2. “5. That it strives with all men (the Holy Ghost
B. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed on all who testifies but does not strive) unless and until they
have covenanted with Jesus Christ in baptism. rebel against light and truth, at which time the
1. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on striving ceases, and in that sense the Spirit is
of hands by those who have the proper authority withdrawn;
(see Acts 8:12–25; Moroni 2:1–3; Articles of Faith 1:4). “6. That those who hearken to its voice come
2. The Holy Ghost can lead us to all truth (see John unto Christ, receive his gospel, are baptized, and
14:15–17; Moroni 10:5). gain the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Moro. 7:12–18;
D&C 84:43–53; 88:7–13.)” (Bruce R. McConkie,
3. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to His
companionship when the individual is worthy The Promised Messiah, 208–9).
■ “In determining that which is right in the
(see D&C 121:45–46).
sight of God let us consider this question of
4. The Holy Ghost cleanses us from sin and is
likened unto fire (see Matthew 3:11; 2 Nephi
your conscience that we talk so much about.
31:17; D&C 19:31). The scriptures speak of an influence to be found
throughout the universe that gives life and light
C. Those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost may to all things, which is called variously the Light
enjoy the gifts of the Spirit. of Truth, the Light of Christ, or the Spirit of God.
1. Every member of the Church is entitled to at ‘That (is) the true Light that lighteth every man that
least one gift of the Spirit (see D&C 46:11–12; cometh into the world.’ (John 1:9.) It is that which
1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). ‘enlighteneth your eyes . . . and that quickeneth
2. The gifts of God come from Christ through the your understandings.’ (Doc. and Cov. 88:11.) Every
power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:8, 17–18). one of you born into this world enjoys the blessing
3. Many gifts can come from the Holy Ghost to of this Light that shall never cease to strive with
Church members (see D&C 46:13–26; Moroni you until you are led to that further light from the
10:9–16; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10). gift of the Holy Ghost that may be received only
4. There are those who are entitled to the upon condition of repentance and baptism into the
discernment of all of the gifts because of their Kingdom of God” (Harold B. Lee, Decisions for
priesthood calling (see D&C 46:27–29; 107:91–92). Successful Living, 144).
B. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed on all who
have covenanted with Jesus Christ in baptism.
■ “Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he
was baptized, which was the convincing power of
44

2. Chapter 16
God unto him of the truth of the Gospel, but he Father” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of
could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until Spencer W. Kimball, 22–23).
after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign C. Those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost may
or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which enjoy the gifts of the Spirit.
convinced him of the truth of God, would have ■ “By the grace of God—following devotion,
left him” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet faith, and obedience on man’s part—certain
Joseph Smith, 199). special spiritual blessings called gifts of the Spirit
■ “An intelligent being, in the image of God,
are bestowed upon men. Their receipt is always
possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, predicated upon obedience to law, but because
affection, that is possessed by God himself. they are freely available to all the obedient, they
“But these are possessed by man, in his are called gifts. . . .
rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the “Their purpose is to enlighten, encourage, and
word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in edify the faithful so that they will inherit peace in
embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They this life and be guided toward eternal life in the
resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops world to come. Their presence is proof of the
into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the divinity of the Lord’s work” (Bruce R. McConkie,
mature fruit after its own kind. Mormon Doctrine, 314).
“The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to ■ “Paul says, ‘To one is given the gift of tongues,
all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the to another the gift of prophecy, and to another the
intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, gift of healing;’ and again: ‘Do all prophesy? do all
and purifies all the natural passions and affections, speak with tongues? do all interpret?’ evidently
and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their showing that all did not possess these several gifts;
lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and but that one received one gift, and another received
matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, another gift—all did not prophesy, all did not speak
kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It in tongues, all did not work miracles; but all did
inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; sometimes they
gentleness, and charity. . . . spake in tongues and prophesied in the Apostles’
“. . . Such is the gift of the Holy Ghost, and such days, and sometimes they did not. The same is the
are its operations when received through the lawful case with us also in our administrations, while more
channel—the divine, eternal priesthood” (Parley P. frequently there is no manifestation at all, that is
Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 61–62). visible to the surrounding multitude” (Smith,
■ “True it is that honest truth seekers come to
Teachings, 243–44).
know of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work ■ “Among the gifts of the spirit manifest in the
by the power of the Holy Ghost: they receive a flash Apostolic Church, Paul lists wisdom, knowledge,
of revelation telling them that Jesus is the Lord, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy,
that Joseph Smith is his prophet, that the Book of discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and
Mormon is the mind and will and voice of the Lord, the interpretation of tongues. The New Testament
that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records numerous examples of the manifestation
is the only true and living Church upon the face of of these gifts.
the whole earth. They gain a testimony before “Among the Jaredites and Nephites, the
baptism. But it is only after they pledge their all in manifestations of these gifts were likewise
the cause of Christ that they receive the gift of the prevalent. Mormon testified that they would not
Holy Ghost, which is the heavenly endowment of cease except for unbelief, ‘. . . so long as time shall
which Jesus spoke. Then they receive a fulfillment last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one
of the promise: ‘By the power of the Holy Ghost ye man upon the face thereof to be saved.’ (Moroni
may know the truth of all things.’ (Moro. 10:5.) 7:36.)” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report,
Then they receive ‘the spirit of revelation,’ and the Apr. 1956, 69).
Lord tells them in their heart and in their mind ■ “The Saints should be guided by the Spirit
whatsoever he will. (D&C 8:1–3.)” (Bruce R. of God, and subject to those who preside in the
McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, 4:98–99). meetings. If the Bishop, who is a common judge in
■ “What is the gift of the Holy Ghost? Nothing
Israel, tells a person to restrain this gift, or any
more nor less than the right to the companionship other gift, it is the duty of that person to do it.
of the Holy Ghost” (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Bishop has a right to the gift of discernment,
Doctrines of Salvation, 1:40). whereby he may tell whether these spirits are of
■ “The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and
God or not, and if they are not they should not
comes into our lives to lead us in the paths of have place in the congregations of the Saints. No
righteousness. Each person on whom authoritative man or woman has a right to find fault with the
hands have been placed will receive the Holy Bishop for restraining him or her in any of these
Ghost. He will lead us unto all truth. And so matters. The Bishop is the responsible party, and it
we are a blessed people with all these special is his privilege to say what shall be done under
blessings. If one does not receive the great gift of his presidency” (Abraham O. Woodruff, in
the Holy Ghost, then it is his fault, that he hasn’t Conference Report, Apr. 1901, 12).
been spiritual enough or close enough to Heavenly
45