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 From the time of Adam and Eve,
the presence and importance of the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit
as it is commonly referred to by many Christians) has been
felt. After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden,
the Holy Ghost was given to comfort, help, and guide them and
their descendants. After the departure of the Savior from the
earth he sent the Holy Ghost as “the comforter” to all who
believed on him.
The mission of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead (1 John 5:7). He is
a spirit that has the form and likeness of a man. He can be in
only one place at a time, but his influence can be everywhere
at the same time. The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father’s
messenger and is a special gift to us. The mission of the Holy
Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the
truth of all things (Gospel Principles, 37). The Holy Ghost
testifies that Jesus is the Christ, and through the power of
the Spirit, we are given guidance and knowledge to live the
gospel.
The Holy Ghost versus the Holy Spirit
The differences between Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are not
theological, but rather a matter of linguistics. The term Holy
Ghost appears in the King James Version of the Bible and comes
from the traditional English word “gast,” which is taken from
German noun “geist.” We can still find the word “gast” in the
English words “aghast” and "flabbergasted" which have a
similar tone. In later translations of the Bible the word
ghost was changed to spirit to be more in line with the
meaning of the day—thus the term Holy Spirit. Oddly enough the
word spirit has now taken on multiple meanings, prompting some
scholars and theologians to suggest going back to the term
Holy Ghost. Returning to the term Holy Ghost can be seen as a
characteristic of the restoration of the gospel.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
God allows his children to feel and experience the Holy Ghost
and gives them the opportunity to posses the “gift of the Holy
Ghost” through faith, baptism and confirmation. The gift of
the Holy Ghost provides continual guidance and inspiration if
one lives the precepts of the gospel in righteousness.
Temporary guidance can be obtained through the Holy Ghost
without baptism and confirmation; however, such guidance and
influence is not made constant until faith and commitment are
exercised in their fullness through the receiving of these
sacred ordinances.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is given through the laying on of
hands by Melchizedek Priesthood. This is called the ordinance
of confirmation which takes place following baptism. Although
the gift of the Holy Ghost is given, the person receiving the
gift must exercise faith, live worthily, desire to receive
help and guidance, and learn to feel and heed the promptings
of the Holy Ghost to experience the effects of this gift.
The doctrine of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
can make a huge impact on the lives in which it touches. Many
Christians have had experiences where they could feel the
presence of the Holy Ghost in their lives and the guidance it
provided in leading them closer to Christ; however, when one
receives the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
following confirmation they will experience the Holy Ghost as
a guiding force, helping them to understand spiritual matters,
directing decision making, and revealing the inspiration of
the Lord.
This doctrine brings life to the scripture “…know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1
Cor. 6:19). The difference is dramatic and is one more
affirmation of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Light of Christ versus the Holy Ghost
In some cases individuals feel the Light of Christ in their
lives. John 1:9, speaking of Jesus Christ, states: “That was
the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the
world.” The Light of Christ is the godly inspiration that
comes forth from God through Christ and gives life and light
to all things. When felt, the Light of Christ can influence a
child of God for good and prepares them to receive the Holy
Ghost. One manifestation of the Light of Christ is one’s
conscience, which enables man to judge good from evil.
While all people on earth have the ability to feel the Light
of Christ, only those who participate in the ordinance of
confirmation, through the authority of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Gifts of the Spirit
The gift of the Holy Ghost can bring peace to our souls and
confidence of understanding the deep things of God (1
Corinthians 2:9–12). In addition we can be blessed with the
gifts of the spirit for the benefit of ourselves and others in
returning back to our heavenly home. These gifts include: The
Gift of Tongues; The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues; The
Gift of Translation; The Gift of Wisdom; The Gift of
Knowledge; The Gift of Teaching Wisdom and Knowledge; The Gift
of Knowing That Jesus Christ Is the Son of God; The Gift of
Believing the Testimony of Others; The Gift of Prophecy; The
Gift of Healing; The Gift of Working Miracles; and The Gift of
Faith; (Gospel Principles, 141-147)
Each of us has one or more of these gifts of the Spirit and
must learn to recognize, develop, and use these gifts while on
the earth. Satan has his own imitations of these gifts and
hopes to use them to deceive the children of God. We are
called to be wise in our administration of the gifts of the
Spirit. Although certain gifts of the Spirit are defined in
scripture, there are many others, “endless in number and
infinite in variety” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness
for the Articles of Faith, 1985, 371).
Conclusion
All Christians are encouraged to listen to the promptings of
the Holy Ghost continually, and to allow ourselves to be
guided by the Holy Ghost in all we do. Having this emphasis
will lead to a greater awareness of the Holy Ghost, augmented
by a significantly enhanced understanding of the role of the
Holy Ghost in our lives. All too often the Holy Ghost is
relegated to being a mystery as part of the Trinity—difficult
to access, let alone apply. By accepting the Holy Ghost as a
member of the Godhead (in perfect oneness with the Father and
the Son), but a separate being with the mission of revealing
all truth, one will be able to better understand the role of
the Holy Ghost in our lives and help children to do the same.
Doctrinal
Study: Godhead /
Trinity: Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit
Download the
Sword Series™ essay on The Holy Ghost |
