Gift of the Holy Ghost

“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.” Those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy can enjoy His companionship throughout their lives. The Holy Ghost provides direction and comfort and testifies of truth.

We all experience times of loneliness, fear, and sorrow—times when we need comfort. Jesus Christ promised, “I will not leave you comfortless” (John 14:18). He taught that God would send the Comforter, “which is the Holy Ghost” ( John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Though one in purpose with the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a separate being. Through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed: “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” ( Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

All good people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but only those who are baptized and who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority have the right to His constant companionship throughout life. While baptism washes you of your sins, the Holy Ghost cleanses, sanctifies, or purifies, you. If you remain faithful to your baptismal covenants, you can have the Holy Ghost with you always to help you recognize and understand truth, provide spiritual strength and inspiration, comfort you in difficult times, and guide you in making decisions. Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to God’s commandments, as the Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to God’s teachings.

The special mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to reveal the truth, to comfort you, and to sanctify you. He is a divine guide and teacher—a testifier—bearing witness of all truth. Jesus Christ said that the Holy Ghost “will guide you into all truth” ( John 16:13). By the power of the Holy Ghost, we “may know the truth of all things” ( Moroni 10:5).

The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter, as He brings feelings of warmth, reassurance, and peace and can fill your soul with joy. The Holy Ghost often speaks with a voice you feel. It is described as a still, small voice. He can enlighten your mind, telling you in your heart what is right.

Jesus taught that baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit or it is incomplete. Only when you receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost can you receive a remission of your sins and become completely spiritually reborn. You then begin a new spiritual life as a disciple of Christ. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone who has priesthood authority from God. It is conferred after baptism in an ordinance called confirmation—where one or more authorized priesthood holders lay their hands on your head, confirm you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and bless you to receive the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts. The Holy Ghost can have a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon you and will provide peace of conscience and assurance that your sins have been forgiven when you truly repent. Through the power of the Holy Ghost you can feel God’s love and direction for you.

Baptism

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Baptism is a holy ordinance through which we covenant with the Lord to accept Jesus as our Savior and to keep His commandments. In return, God promises to forgive us of our sins as we repent and to bless us with His Spirit.

Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare you for baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ taught by example that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you will be spiritually reborn.

When you are baptized by one with the priesthood authority given by God, having repented you receive a remission of your sins ( Acts 2:38). You make a covenant, or promise, with God to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, He promises to forgive your sins and let you return to live with Him, provided you keep your covenants. You are briefly immersed in water, as Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We must be baptized to become members of the restored Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and to eventually enter the kingdom of heaven. This ordinance is a law of God and must be performed by His authority. A bishop or mission president must give a priesthood holder permission to perform a baptism or conferral of the Holy Ghost.

Little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ ( Moroni 8:4–24; Doctrine and Covenants 68:27) .

Jesus Christ

God sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so that each of God's children would have the possibility of returning to live in His presence after they die. Only through the Savior’s Resurrection and Atonement can we obtain immortality and eternal life in our Heavenly Father’s presence.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Under the direction of your Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth (John 1:10; Hebrews 1:1–2). Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame death for you. Everyone, the righteous and wicked alike, will receive the gift of resurrection. When life on this earth is over, Jesus Christ will serve as the final Judge ( Acts 17:31; John 5:21–22; Acts 10:42).

Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to return to live with Him when you die. This is only possible through the Savior Jesus Christ ( John 14:6).

Through the Atonement—performed by Jesus Christ with His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by His suffering and the voluntary surrender of His life on the cross–He saves you from your sins as you sincerely repent and follow Him. ( 1 Peter 2:21) .

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life while on the earth, approximately 2,000 years ago. Leading by example, He taught how to pray and how to humbly serve others, and He demonstrated the manner in which all should be baptized.

If you follow His example as closely as possible, you will not only find joy in your life, but you will someday return to live with Him and your Father in Heaven. Specifically, you are to:

•Have faith in Him ( Mark 11:22–24).
•Repent of your sins ( Acts 2:38).
•Receive baptism ( John 3:3–6), the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the other ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
•Keep His commandments ( John 14:15).
Today, as in the days of Jesus Christ, there are certain principles of the gospel that people are to learn to obey.

The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are:

•First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
•Second, repentance.
•Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
•Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.