The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the great blessings of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This gift comes to the sons and daughters of God following their baptism into the Church. It is conferred by priesthood authority and should never be taken for granted.The gift of the Holy Ghost is an integral part of the foundation of the Church. The four principles and ordinances upon which the Church is built are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When a person has accepted these principles and has complied with the ordinances it can then be truly said that he or she is fully a Christian.
Why is the gift of the Holy Ghost so important? The Holy Ghost is a distinct and separate member of the Godhead.
The Holy Ghost does not have a body of flesh and bone as do the Father and the Son, but is a personage of Spirit, and as such is capable of ministering to the sons and daughters of God everywhere.
The Prophet Joseph Smith spoke of this when he said: "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." (D&C 130:22.)
The Holy Ghost "dwells" in us to teach us the truth.
While still with His disciples, Jesus said: "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
"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." (John 14:25-26.) The Apostle Paul spoke of this to the Corinthians when he said: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. . . ." (1 Cor. 2:12-13.)
The Holy Ghost endows us to act as members of the Church.
Just before His ascension Jesus said to those assembled before Him: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8.)
The Holy Ghost directs the work of the ministry.
This was evident in the missionary calls of Saul and Barnabas: "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
"And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
"So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed. . . . (Acts 13:2-4.)
The Holy Ghost is a testifier of Jesus Christ.
To the Saints at Corinth, Paul stated: " . . . no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Cor. 12:3.) The Prophet Joseph Smith also witnessed that the Holy Ghost . . . beareth record of the Father and of the Son." (See D&C 20:27.)
Revelation comes through the Holy Ghost.
As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were involved in the translation of the Book of Mormon the Lord told Oliver as he desired to translate: "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.
"Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation. . . ." (D & C 8:2-3.)
Joseph Smith also spoke of the revelations given by the prophets of God in former times, indicating that they "spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost." (See D & C 20:26,.) He further stated concerning the Lord's servants in these days: "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (D&C 68:4.)
As our teacher, our companion, our guide, and our friend, the Holy Ghost is a vital part of our lives. Christ affirmed the Holy Ghosts's role when He said: "And this is my gospel - repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the Kingdom." (D&C 39:6.)
May we continually remember the great and powerful gift that is ours providing we live worthy so that the peaceable things of God will always abound in our lives.
