Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He

is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones

(see D&C 130:22). He is often referred to as the Spirit, the

Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the

Comforter.

Roles of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly

Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help you

live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.

He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18)

and reveals and teaches “the truth of all things” (Moroni

10:5). You can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father

and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His

communication to your spirit carries far more certainty than

any communication you can receive through your natural

senses.

As you strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life,

the Holy Ghost “will show unto you all things what [you]

should do” (see 2 Nephi 32:1–5). He can guide you in your

decisions and protect you from physical and spiritual danger.

Through Him, you can receive gifts of the Spirit for your

benefit and for the benefit of those you love and serve (see

D&C 46:9–11).

He is the Comforter ( John 14:26). As the soothing voice

of a loving parent can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of

the Spirit can calm your fears, hush the nagging worries of

your life, and comfort you when you grieve. The Holy Ghost

can fill you “with hope and perfect love” and “teach you the

peaceable things of the kingdom” (Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2).

Through His power, you are sanctified as you repent,

receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and

remain true to your covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi

27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13;

D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26). In this capacity, He confirms that the

priesthood ordinances you have received and the covenants

you have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends

on your continued faithfulness.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of

the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel.

However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy

Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the

Holy Ghost and remain worthy.

After you were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood

holders laid their hands on your head and, in a sacred priesthood

ordinance, confirmed you a member of the Church. As

part of this ordinance, called confirmation, you were given

the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence

of the Holy Ghost. Before your baptism, you could feel the

influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time, and through

that influence you could receive a testimony of the truth.

Now that you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, you have the

right to the constant companionship of that member of the

Godhead if you keep the commandments.

Full enjoyment of the gift of the Holy Ghost includes

receiving revelation and comfort, serving and blessing others

through spiritual gifts, and being sanctified from sin and

made fit for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. These blessings

depend on your worthiness; they come a little at a time

as you are ready for them. As you bring your life in harmony

with God’s will, you gradually receive the Holy Ghost in

great measure. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that the

mysteries of God’s kingdom “are only to be seen and understood

by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on

those who love him, and purify themselves before him” (see

D&C 76:114–116).

Remember that “the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell

in unholy temples” (Helaman 4:24). Even though you

have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit will dwell

with you only when you keep the commandments. He will

withdraw if you offend Him by profanity, uncleanliness, disobedience,

rebellion, or other sins. Keep yourself clean. Fill

your life with goodness so you can be worthy of the constant

companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Additional references: Matthew 3:11; John 15:26; 16:13; Acts 2:38; 8:12–17;

19:1–6; 1 Corinthians 2:9–14; 12:3; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Nephi 10:17–19; 2

Nephi 31:17; D&C 8:2–3; 39:20–24; 68:25–28; 121:46; Articles of Faith 1:4

See also Baptism; Godhead; Laying On of Hands; Revelation; Spiritual Gifts