The Holy Ghost
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The Mormon Godhead consists of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Together, these three separate beings work in total harmony and unity of purpose to carry out the gospel.
The Holy Ghost is different from God and Jesus. While God and Jesus Christ have a body of flesh and bones-like ours, but perfected-the Holy Ghost does not. His spirit has the form of a person, but it isn’t made of flesh and blood. He can be in only one place, but He can work everywhere, and take care of many people at once. We don’t know a great deal about His workings, but we do know what He does.
There are two aspects of the Holy Ghost. One is the power of the Holy Ghost. Through this power, anyone who asks with sincere heart and even a small amount of faith-equal to the size of a mustard seed-can learn what is true and what God wants from them. When a person hears truth, and prays to find out if it’s true, it’s the Holy Ghost that will give that person the answer.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6, King James version of the Bible)
The primary purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Savior. When a person receives a testimony from the Holy Ghost, the testimony comes with a force that can’t be broken. It is God’s spirit speaking to your spirit, and this is a powerful method of communication. It is the best way to gain a sure, unbreakable testimony of the Savior.
The power of the Holy Ghost, the ability to know what is true and right, is available to anyone who is seeking truth honestly. However, there is an even greater gift available to those who have found the truth and been baptized into the true church after receiving confirmation from God that this is the right thing to do. This greater gift is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. After being baptized, a person can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by having hands laid on his head-not just any hands, but the hands of someone who has authority from God-and receive this gift.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:17)
With this gift comes an amazing change in the lives of those who receive it. Not only can they continue to receive knowledge of what is true, but they can have the Holy Ghost with them every moment of their lives, as long as they are doing their best to live as God wants them to live. The Holy Ghost can’t be present in sin, so the receiver of the gift must exercise self-control and never place himself in a situation where the Holy Ghost can’t follow. However, the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, as it’s sometimes known, can help them find the strength to resist sin. It can also protect people from danger. Have you ever heard a small voice in your mind or a feeling in your heart that you needed to do something, or to not do something? This was the Holy Ghost, advising you. When you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, this will stay with you forever, as long as you’re worthy.