Holy Ghost

                After Adam and Eve transgressed the law and partook of the forbidden fruit, they were cast out of the Garden and Eden.  They once walked and talked with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but they were separated from God both physically and spiritually when they left the garden.

                Adam and Eve worked hard in their new world.  They learned to till the earth and perform other tasks in order to provide for themselves.  They began to have children and became the parents of many sons and daughters.  Their sons and daughters began to marry and have families of their own (see Pearl of Great Price, Moses 5:1-3).  The spirit children of Heavenly Father came to earth to inhabit the physical bodies prepared by Adam and Eve and their posterity.

                The new arrivals did not remember living with Heavenly Father because a veil was placed across their mind.  God wanted His children to be free to exercise their agency and make choices without any memories of their heavenly home.  He did not leave His children alone in their world because He sent the Holy Ghost to comfort them and guide them in their daily decision.

                Adam and Eve remembered their experiences in God even though they were no longer in His presence.  They called upon Heavenly Father in prayer, and He gave them further commandments.  They were obedient to all those commandments.  Heavenly Father sent an angel to teach Adam and Eve about the Father and the Son, the plan of salvation, and the gospel.

                The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, and He has a body of spirit in 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 Godhead consists of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  The three individuals are one in purpose but not in body.  Their purpose is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  Heavenly Father stands at the head of the Godhead as our Father in heaven and ruler.  Jesus Christ stands on His right hand and is our Savior.  The Holy Ghost reveals and testifies of all truth; He is the messenger that brings information to us from God.  The Gift of the Holy Ghost ranks among the greatest of all the gifts of God.

                The Holy Ghost’s mission is to testify of the Father and the Son.  He bears witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.  He bears witness that Heavenly Father is indeed the father of our spirits and that we are all brothers and sisters.  He helps us to understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Moroni taught, “By the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things” Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Moroni 10:5).  It is by the power of the Holy Ghost we can know that Jesus is the Christ.           When the Holy Ghost speaks to us, He has such power that His teachings become a part of us.  President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:  “When a man has the manifestation form the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased.  It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force.  A manifestation of an angel, or even the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase...”  (See Answers to Gospel Questions, II:151).  He also said, “Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten” (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:48).

                Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and are instructed to “receive the Holy Ghost.”  Through this great gift we can receive testimony and guidance from God through the power of the Holy Ghost if we are worthy to be in His presence.  The Holy Ghost is a special messenger and witness of God.  I am very grateful for this great gift and the opportunity I have to receive personal revelation from a loving Father in Heaven to help me make good decisions.  I love to feel His presence with me and miss Him when I move away from Him.