Gospel Study Guide

Holy Ghost

A messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Can you think of moments when you knew that Heavenly Father was aware of you or when you felt gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Perhaps you remember a time when you were listening to the living prophet and you knew that what he was teaching was true. Or you might recall reading the scriptures and having a powerful feeling come over you. Maybe you have recognized a prompting that led you to avoid something dangerous or felt peace or comfort during a difficult time. These are all manifestations of the Holy Ghost. God reaches out to His children and communicates to them through the influence and power of the Holy Ghost. You receive the gift of the Holy Ghost when you are baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Your loving Heavenly Father makes it possible for you to enjoy His love, guidance, and direction—and sometimes His correction—through His messenger, the Holy Ghost.

What Is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). The Holy Ghost possesses the characteristics of a divine being and is often referred to as “the Spirit.” The “power” of the Holy Ghost can be experienced by all of God’s children. Those who are confirmed receive the “gift” of the Holy Ghost, or the promise that the Holy Ghost can always be with us.

Topic overview: Holy Ghost

Related gospel study guides: Godhead, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Revelation

Section 1

The Holy Ghost Can Become a Priceless Blessing to You

The more you learn about the Holy Ghost, the more you will desire to receive and experience the manifestations of the Holy Ghost. The Nephites at the temple in Bountiful had a heartfelt desire to be given the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 19:8–9). There are steps you can take to increase your desire to feel the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of the Lord (see 1 Nephi 13:37; 2 Nephi 31:12–13; Moroni 7:31–32; 8:26). Because the Holy Ghost is sent to you to testify and witness of God the Father and Jesus Christ and inspire you to follow Them, it is a priceless blessing (see 2 Nephi 31:18).

Things to think about

• You might review some of the scriptures that emphasize several ways that the Holy Ghost can bring you closer to God. The Holy Ghost:

  • Bears witness of the Father and the Son (see John 15:26; 3 Nephi 11:32, 36).

  • Sanctifies and cleanses (see Alma 13:10–12; 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Moroni 6:4).

  • Reveals and testifies of truth (see 2 Nephi 32:4–5; Alma 5:46–47; Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3).

  • Comforts (see John 14:16–17, 26; Moroni 8:26; Doctrine and Covenants 36:2).

  • Ratifies and seals as the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13–14; Doctrine and Covenants 88:3–4; 132:7).

• President Wilford Woodruff stated, “If you have the Holy Ghost with you … there is no greater gift, there is no greater blessing, there is no greater testimony given to any man on earth.” One important way you can seek to feel the Holy Ghost more consistently is when you worthily partake of the sacrament (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79). Consider making a list of ways that the Holy Ghost has been a blessing to you. What might you do to prepare to experience additional manifestations of the Holy Ghost?

• Have you wondered whether you have heard the voice of the Spirit? You might read these scripture passages to review ways that the Holy Ghost can manifest itself to you: 1 Kings 19:11–12; Luke 24:30–32; Galatians 5:22–23; Helaman 5:30; Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3; 11:11–14.

Activity for learning with others

• The life of President Lorenzo Snow was preserved because his friends were guided by the Holy Ghost. Read the story found in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow and discuss why his friends were able to recognize and follow the impressions of the Holy Ghost. When have you experienced divine protection and help that was communicated through promptings and feelings from the Holy Ghost?

Learn more

• Gary E. Stevenson, “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 117–20

• Kevin R. Duncan, “The Sacred Roles of the Holy Ghost,” Ensign, Oct. 2014, 62–65

Section 2

The Holy Ghost Will Help You Know the Truth of All Things

God wants all of His children to learn the truth about His plan for their happiness and salvation. President Russell M. Nelson cautioned that the adversary works to “blur the line between what is true and what is not true. The flood of information available at our fingertips, ironically, makes it increasingly difficult to determine what is true.” God wants you to clearly understand truth and how it can help you find joy and prepare for eternal life. The Holy Ghost is the Lord’s messenger to teach and testify to you of truth. The prophet Moroni taught, “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5; emphasis added).

Things to think about

• One way that we learn truth through the Spirit is when prophets and apostles speak under the influence of the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 68:3–4). Why is it important to listen and give heed to the messages delivered by prophets and apostles? The Lord also promises to strengthen your words with the Holy Ghost when you are doing the Lord’s work (see Doctrine and Covenants 100:5–8).

• In his talk “The Truth of All Things,” Elder David F. Evans shared important ways that you can find out truth for yourself. When have you followed this pattern for seeking truth from the Holy Ghost?

Activity for learning with others

• You might discuss how you have been influenced by listening to or reading general conference messages. President Russell M. Nelson promised that the “ministering of the Holy Ghost” will “help you hear what the Lord would have you hear” during general conference. What are some ways that you can prepare to learn from the Holy Ghost as you listen to or study general conference messages?

Learn more

• John 16:13–14; 1 Nephi 2:16–17; 2 Nephi 33:1

• Mathias Held, “Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 31–33

Other Resources about the Holy Ghost

• Scriptures

• Messages from general conference

• Hymns and children’s songs

• Videos

• Resources for children

Notes

1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 49.

2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow (2012), 71–73.

3. Russell M. Nelson, “What is True?,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 29.

4. David F. Evans, “The Truth of All Things,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 68–70.

5. Russell M. Nelson, “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 6–7.