The Holy Ghost

An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.

But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud—a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind.

The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit. No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other in person or character; no matter if they have never spoken to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps exclaim, when referring to the interview—"O what an atmosphere encircles that stranger! How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in his presence! What confidence and sympathy he inspired! his countenance and spirit gave me more assurance, than a thousand written recommendations, or introductory letters." Such is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and such are its operations, when received through the lawful channel—the divine, eternal Priesthood.

(Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology/A Voice of Warning 

[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1965], 100.)

When Revelation Is Not Received

Be patient. 

(Even Prophets wait faithfully on the Lord.)

Increase efforts to be more spiritually in tune.

(Too much distraction, noise, anger, etc.)

Increase study and prayer. 

(Even the Savior prayed more earnestly.)

More faithful in obeying commandments.

Set the matter aside.

(Inspiration often comes when our minds are not consumed with the matter.)

We may be seeking counsel on matters that we should determine for ourselves, using our own best judgment based on study and reason.

We may have received an answer but didn’t want the answer we received. 
(Joseph Smith - Lost Manuscript)

Patterns of Light - Elder David A. Bednar

Cautions About Personal Revelation

1-   Doctrines and Covenants 109: 44;  9: 9;  Matthew 6: 10

      We should pray that the Lord's will be done - and be willing to submit our will to His.

2-   Doctrines and Covenants 88: 68

      We should remember that revelation will come in the Lord's own time and way.

3-   Doctrines and Covenants 28: 2, 6-7; 43: 2-4

      We receive revelation according to our stewardship and responsibilities. 

4-   Doctrine and Covenants 11: 13-14;  50: 23-24

      We should discern whether the revelation has come from God.

How the Holy Ghost Communicates With Us

1-   Doctrine and Covenants 8: 2-3;  85:6;  1 Kings 19: 12; 1 Nephi 17:45; Helaman 5: 30 

      He uses the still, small voice to communicate to our minds and hearts.

2-   Doctrine and Covenants 6: 15; 11: 13-14; 128: 1

      He enlightens our mind.

3-   Doctrine and Covenants 6: 22-23
      He brings peace to our minds.

4-   Doctrine and Covenants 9: 7-8;  Luke 24:32
      He may cause a burning in the bosom.

5-   Doctrine and Covenants 98: 12

      He often reveals things "line upon line, precept upon precept" rather than all at once.

The Holy Ghost

Member of the Godhead

Male Spirit Personage

The Minister of the Father and The Son

A Revelator

A Teacher

A Converter

A Comforter

A Sanctifier

A Sealer

He is one with the Father and Son in mind, purpose, character, attributes, and glory.

However, The Holy Ghost does not speak his own mind nor does he deliver an original message.

“The Holy Ghost as a personage of Spirit can no more be omnipresent in person than can the Father or the Son, but by his intelligence, his knowledge, his power and influence, over and through the laws of nature, he is and can be omnipresent throughout all the works of God” 

(Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1939], p. 61).

"The difference between the Holy Ghost and the power and influence of the Holy Ghost can be illustrated by an analogy to the sun and the light that radiates from it. We know that the sun itself can be in only one place at a time. But the heat, light, and energy that radiate from it can enlighten and fill the entire solar system at once. Similarly, the Holy Ghost as a personage can be in only one place at one time, but his influence and power can and do fill the immensity of space."

(Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3 - Lesson 17)

Earth to be Baptized by Water and Fire

Bruce R. McConkie - Millennial Messiah

As to the plan of salvation for the earth, it also calls for successive phases of existence and for whatever else is involved for the earth to abide the law and fill the full measure of its creation. This earth was first created as a spirit planet. Then came the Edenic or paradisiacal or terrestrial creation, during which period all forms of life were placed on its surface, in its waters, or in the atmospheric heavens that surround it. Next came the fall—the fall of man, the fall of all forms of life, and the fall of the earth. The fallen earth became a telestial sphere, which it now is. In the coming millennial day it will be renewed and receive again its paradisaical glory and will thus return to its terrestrial or Edenic state. And its final destiny is to become a celestial globe and shine like the sun in the firmament. In the process of abiding a celestial law, the earth was baptized by immersion in the days of Noah; and it will be baptized by fire at the Second Coming. This old earth is also destined to die and to be resurrected in the day of quickening. During the Millennium it will, in effect, be in a translated state, which, as pertaining to men, is the state Enoch and his people and some others attained. Thus, the earth was first a spirit planet and then a terrestrial globe. It is now a telestial earth; during the Millennium it will become terrestrial again; and finally, it will become a celestial earth. With an awareness of all this, we are ready to consider the new heaven and new earth that is soon to be.

Joseph Fielding Smith - Man, His Origin and Destiny

 (Regarding the flood:) We learn from the revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the earth is a living being. It is obedient to every command, therefore it is entitled to be sanctified, just as human beings who keep the commandments of the Lord are to be sanctified. "And again," said the Lord, "the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it." Therefore, in order to sanctify the earth and cleanse it, it had to pass through the water of baptism, and by water be cleansed. Then, at a later day, it will be baptized with the fire and the Holy Ghost, just the same for the earth as for humanity who will possess it forever. Now we begin to see why there had to be a flood. It had to be a complete immersion, just the same as any other baptism, so the Lord did two things, first, he cleansed the earth of all of its corruption brought upon it by the wickedness of "all flesh," and second, the earth having reached the age for such an ordinance, was cleansed from all the sin upon its face.

The Second Comforter

Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 

3 vols., 1:, p.735-741  (John 14)

These statements about the two Comforters climax and crown the teachings of the Son of God. We have no record of anything he ever said which can so completely withdraw the curtain of eternity and open to the faithful a vision of the glories of God. Based on love, born of obedience, Jesus promises the saints that they can have, here and now in this life, the following:

(1) The gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost; the comfort and peace which it is the function of that Holy Spirit to bestow; the revelation and the sanctifying power which alone will prepare men for the companionship of gods and angels here-after;
(2) Personal visitations from the Second Comforter, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the resurrected and perfected being who dwells with his Father in the mansions on high; and
(3) God the Father-mark it well Phillip!-shall visit man in person, take up his abode with him, as it were, and reveal to him all the hidden mysteries of his kingdom. 

Was the Holy Ghost on the Earth Before the Time of Our Savior?

Joseph Fielding Smith, 
Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols., 2:, p.157-161

Question: "In our class discussion the thought was expressed that the Holy Ghost was not upon the earth before nor during the time of the Savior's life and ministry. If it is the function of the Holy Ghost to teach and warn and bear testimony of the mission of the Savior, to be received following baptism, and if we believe the gospel to be the same yesterday, today, and forever, how can we account for the fact the Holy Ghost was not upon the earth until after the death of Jesus Christ? Would it not be according to reason that the Holy Ghost would be upon the earth as long as the gospel was upon the earth?"  

Answer: It is an astounding thing that an entire class studying the gospel would not have one member who could settle this question definitely from the scriptures. If the members of the class will read their Book of Mormon, they will find that Lehi and Nephi and all the prophets had the gift of the Holy Ghost, and by that Spirit, Nephi received visions.  

If they had read in the Pearl of Great Price, they would have seen that the ancient prophets were guided by the Holy Ghost and that when Adam was baptized, he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord, or Holy Ghost, descended upon him.