The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Now that we have made a covenant (see my post about Baptism) with God, we are ready to reap the blessings of such a covenant.

After one is Baptized into the church of Jesus Christ, they are promptly confirmed and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those in authority.

In the book of Acts we read about a man named Simon:

Acts 8: 17-19

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Simon made his living through sorcery. He thought you could actually purchase this gift. However Peter made it very clear that you cannot. You have to have faith, repent, be baptized by the proper authority and receive the laying on of hands by those in authority as well.


We know that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. (see my post about God) He is a Spirit and as such does not possess a body of flesh and bones. This characteristic allows Him to fulfill His divine mission. Because He is a Spirit He can dwell in us.

Doctrine and Covenants section 130 verse 22 says:

"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."

The scriptures usually refer to two different aspects of the Holy Ghost.

1. The power of the Holy Ghost
2. The gift of the Holy Ghost

Let's first talk about the power of the Holy Ghost. One of the main functions of the Holy Ghost is to testify to us of what is true and what is not true.

John 14:26 says: "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."

In the next chapter of John we read:

John 15:26 " 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me"

Jesus teaches us here that the Holy Ghost both is the Spirit of Truth and that His main message of truth is to testify of Jesus Christ and of the Father.

In the Book of Mormon, Jacob teaches us
"Jacob 4: 13
13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old."


So from these few scriptures we've learned that the Holy Ghost:
1. Is the Spirit of Truth
2. It "lieth not"
3. It testifies of Jesus
4. "speaketh of things as they really are"

With all of the many people in the world touting there way of thinking, it's easy to see why people could be deceived or confused. Is there one source we can turn to to find absolute truth? YES. That source is the Holy Ghost.

But how can we receive truth from the Holy Ghost? The answer is through the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost can communicate to us in any way he prefers. The prophet Elijah described one way he communicates to us:

"1 Kings Chapter 19:11-12
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

The "still small voice" is a term that many modern prophets have used to describe receiving revelation through the Holy Ghost.

One revelation given from the Lord through the prophet Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery says:
"D&C 8:2
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. "

This scripture suggests that communication from the Holy Ghost isn't limited to a feeling. While the feeling is certainly part of the equation the Lord also mentions telling Oliver in his "mind".

Many times we receive an inspired thought, a new idea, or as Joseph Smith described "Pure intelligence". We shouldn't take such inspiration lightly as we know from the revelations that often times it is the Power of the Holy Ghost teaching us truth.

So to the point, the Power of the Holy Ghost is the power of the Spirit to communicate to anyone regardless if they have been baptized or not what is true, and specifically that Jesus is the Christ.

Why is this so important? It's important because God has given His children a way to know that He lives. A way to know that He has a plan for them. A way to know for sure what is True and what is false.

This is through the Power of the Holy Ghost. It is through this same power that you can know if what I'm writing is true if you ask God with a sincere heart and with faith, He will answer your prayer concerning these things.

Now lets talk about the "Gift of the Holy Ghost"

The Gift of the Holy Ghost can only be given to a person who has faith in Jesus Christ, has repented of their sins, and has been baptized by those with authority to baptize.

This Gift has been described as the Baptism of Fire. It allows us to have the Holy Ghost with us always as our constant companion as long as we stay worthy of His influence. It is the power and gift that sanctifies us and makes us holy.

It is one thing to repent and be forgiven of sins, but quite another to become holy and have no desire for sin. The gift of the Holy Ghost, over time will teach us how to be holy. He will change our hearts and minds. He gives us personal revelation that is God's specific will for us alone. Without the Gift of the Holy Ghost no one can become truly holy. No one can fully change from a state of sin to a state of holiness and happiness.

The gift of the Holy Ghost gives us the power to make this change. We will only change at the rate we are willing to submit to His will, and keep His commandments. A Book of Mormon prophet/king named Benjamin gave a great sermon to his people and spoke of this process:

"Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to be forgiven for all of our sins. The Gift of the Holy Ghost and Grace of Jesus Christ allow us to be changed into what the Apostle Paul calls "A new creature in Christ Jesus".

I testify that you can know the truth of all things through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I also testify that you can have access to the Gift of the Holy Ghost which, if heeded will sanctify you and bring you to light and happiness.

If you would like to have this wonderful gift,
I would invite you to show your Faith in the Lord Jesus by repenting of your sins, and being Baptized by one who has the proper authority from God, so you can then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and start your way back to your Heavenly Father who loves you.

To start this process, follow this link and enter your contact information so you can be contacted by missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Click here for Missionaires

If you have read this, chances are you are feeling something wonderful right now. That feeling is the power of the Holy Ghost testifying to your heart that what you have read is true. Don't waste another moment, you can have that wonderful feeling as a constant companion.

I testify that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the sure way to lasting happiness and joy.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.