Mormon Beliefs: The Holy Ghost
Mormons—a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is a member of the Godhead. The Godhead consists of God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Unlike God and Jesus Christ, however, the Holy Ghost does not have a body. God and Jesus Christ have perfected and glorified bodies, but the Holy Ghost is a “personage of spirit,” meaning that He has a spirit, but not a physical body.
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are distinct individuals. As the Bible says, they are unified in purpose, doctrine, and love, but not in any sort of physical essence.
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (John 17).
From these verses, which are part of the Savior’s Great Intercessory Prayer, we understand that when Jesus Christ says that He and God are one, He means that they are unified, not the same being. Clearly He did not mean He wanted the apostles to all become a single being. He only wanted them to develop the same kind of oneness He and His Father have—that of unity and love.
One responsibility of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. He testifies of God and of Jesus Christ to individuals who are honestly seeking for truth. The Holy Ghost also keeps us safe when we listen to the warnings He issues. When we are trying to make decisions, The Holy Ghost can tell us if we’re making the correct choices.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).
From this verse we learn that the Holy Ghost never comes to you offering His own opinions. What message He gives you is that of God and is true.
For instance, if we are trying to decide which of all the churches in the world are true, we would begin by researching various churches and trying to learn authentic information about them. We’d do this by visiting their churches, visiting their official websites online, and talking to believing members of the religion. We’d read their sacred literature. As we studied, we would ask God to help us know if what we are learning is true. The Holy Ghost would deliver those messages to us. When we felt we’d found the truth, we would then pray and ask God if we had made the right choice. Again, the Holy Ghost would deliver the answer to us.
Why is it important to ask God which church to join instead of merely taking the word of someone we trust or even just joining a church we “agree” with intellectually and socially? If we place our faith in a person, our faith is entirely dependent on that person’s character, his ability to stay faithful, and your relationship with him. In addition, you don’t really know if he is correct in his decision. Even the best of people can be mistaken.
If, however, we turn to God for this information, we know for certain the answer we received is accurate. God knows, of course, which church we should join and what is true. Only by asking God can we be certain we are doing what God wants us to do. This principle is taught in the Bible, when James, the apostle, told us that if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will give us that wisdom we seek. (See James 1:5.)
Some argue that we won’t know for certain if it is really the Holy Ghost answering our prayer. Mormon beliefs teach that God always keeps His promises. Since He promised to answer our prayers, we understand He will also help us learn to recognize those answers and their source. As we study the scriptures, we become aware that Satan could not possibly send feelings of true peace, so when we feel at peace while receiving answers, we know those answers must be coming to us through the Holy Ghost. Many people describe their answers as a warmth or swelling in their hearts, accompanied by feelings of peace and joy. However, each person needs to spend time praying in order to learn how he or she experiences the Holy Ghost. The better we know God, the easier it will be to understand when our answers come from Him.
Another function of the Holy Ghost is to bring comfort. This is why Jesus Christ referred to Him as the Comforter. Whether we’re sad at the death of a family member, frightened about a trial, or simply tense about a complex life, the Holy Ghost can fill our hearts with peace and comfort.
Everyone is entitled to the influence of the Holy Ghost. This is how we learn what is true. However, to have the Holy Ghost with us at all times, we must first be baptized.
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
After our baptisms, the Holy Ghost is with us all the time, as long as we remain worthy of His presence. This is one of God’s most loving gifts to His children.
