Chapter 21 - The Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost

In chapter 7 we learned that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He is a spirit in the form of a man. He is a "personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22). He can be in only one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at once. 

Receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Each person must "receive the Holy Ghost." This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us only when we are faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger (see Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 313).

To be worthy to have the help of the Holy Ghost, we must seek earnestly to obey the commandments of God. We must keep our thoughts and actions pure. President David O. McKay said: "One chief purpose of life is to overcome evil tendencies, to govern our appetites, to control our passions--anger, hatred, jealousy, immorality. We have to overcome them; we have to subject them, conquer them because God has said: '. . . the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples--' (Helaman 4:24), nor will it '. . . always strive with man' (2 Nephi 26:11)" ("Emotional Maturity," Instructor, Sept. 1959, p. 281).

One of God's Greatest Gifts

We may have the promptings of the Holy Ghost to tell show us all the things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). 

Additional Scriptures

  • Acts 19:1-7 (gift of the Holy Ghost bestowed anciently)