The Holy Ghost

Introduction

The personage and mission of the Holy Ghost are discussed in this chapter; the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit are discussed in chapter 16.

Ask the students to identify the most important goal of mortality. Answers could include marrying the right person in the temple, gaining a testimony, preparing for eternal life, and doing missionary work. Point out that these righteous goals complement the goal given by the Lord:

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent” (John 17:3).

Is it possible for a person to come to know God and his Son, Jesus Christ, without seeing them in the flesh? Such knowledge may come by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. Your discussion of the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead could begin with the testimony of President Joseph F. Smith:

“It behooves the Latter-day Saints, and all men, to make themselves acquainted with ‘the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.’ … How then can we know ‘the only true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent?’—for to obtain this knowledge would be to obtain the secret or key to eternal life. It must be through the Holy Ghost, whose office is to reveal the things of the Father to man, and to bear witness in our hearts of Christ, and him crucified and risen from the dead. There is no other way or means of attaining to this knowledge.” (Gospel Doctrine, p. 59.)

Ideas for Teaching

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.
- Write on the chalkboard the following questions: Who is the Holy Ghost? What does he do? List the answers. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and is the third member of the Godhead. Read Doctrine and Covenants 130:22, and determine how he differs from the other two members of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost’s specified role is to testify of the Father and the Son, as shown in the scriptures listed in Doctrinal Outline A 3 on page 11 of the student manual.
- Using the scriptures, teach that the Holy Ghost knows all things (see Doctrinal Outline A 2 on p. 11 of the student manual).
The Holy Ghost performs a special mission to bless and benefit us.
- Just as there are many name-titles associated with Jesus Christ, so there are a number of name-titles associated with the Holy Ghost. Have the students list them and briefly define each one. These name-titles are significant: Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated that the Holy Ghost’s “mission is to perform all of the functions appertaining to the various name-titles which he bears” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 359). Refer to Chalkboard 1 in your discussion.
- Discuss the importance of the Holy Ghost’s role as the Holy Spirit of Promise. Read and discuss President Joseph Fielding Smith’s definition of the Holy Spirit of Promise in Supporting Statements B on page 12 of the student manual (see Doctrines of Salvation, 1:45).

Conclusion

Conclude by reading and discussing 1 Corinthians 12:3. Point out that all who have come to know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ have done so through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Chalkboard 1

The Holy Ghost

Scripture	Title or Function	Meaning
John 14:26	Comforter Teacher Brings truth to remembrance	Soothes and brings peace, joy Instructs and guides Helps us recall and recognize truth
John 16:8	Reprover of sin	Convinces or convicts
John 16:13	A guide to truth	Acts like a compass
1 Corinthians 12:1–11	Conveyer of gifts	Gives spiritual gifts
2 Nephi 32:3	The power by which angels speak	Brings the word of Christ
2 Nephi 32:5	A personal guide	Directs our decisions
Alma 10:17	Discerner of thoughts	Reveals others’ thoughts
Alma 13:12	Sanctifier	Makes clean and pure
Doctrine and Covenants 45:57	Protector from deception	Reveals the deceptions of Satan
Doctrine and Covenants 46:30	A guide in prayers	Prompts us when we pray
Doctrine and Covenants 68:4	Giver of scripture	Gives the word of the Lord, which is scripture
Doctrine and Covenants 132:7	Sealer	Makes valid for time and all eternity