“Holy Ghost,” Doctrinal Study (2022)
“Holy Ghost,” Doctrinal Study
Holy Ghost
Helping us through the joys and challenges of life
When a follower of Jesus Christ chooses to be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he or she is given the gift of the Holy Ghost (also called the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, or the Comforter). This is done by one or more worthy priesthood holders gently placing their hands on the person’s head and blessing them to “receive the Holy Ghost.”
When we obey God’s commandments and try to be like Jesus in our thoughts and actions, the Holy Ghost will be our companion and will communicate to us with a “still small voice” 1 that will guide us through the decisions, challenges, and joys of life.
Activity idea
An easy way to understand the Holy Ghost is through music. You could read or sing the lyrics to the song “The Holy Ghost” and talk about ways that the Holy Ghost can help and guide us.
If you’d like to learn about the Holy Ghost more deeply, consider the suggestions below.
Who is the Holy Ghost?
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ communicate with us through the Holy Ghost. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul described feelings connected to the Holy Ghost as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” 2 We often use the symbol of a dove to represent the Holy Ghost because after Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God descended “like a dove.” 3
Think about
Watch “Feeling the Holy Ghost: Power of the Holy Spirit” to see how some people feel the Spirit. When have you felt the Spirit? What does it feel like to you?
If you want to learn more
Gospel Topic, “Godhead”
How can the Holy Ghost help us?
When we receive the Holy Ghost, we can access at least one “gift of the Spirit” through our faithfulness. 4 Gifts of the Spirit can help us be more like Jesus and show us how to bless the lives of others. There are many gifts, including:
-
The gift of healing 5
-
The gift of teaching wisdom and knowledge 6
-
The gift of faith 7
-
The gift of translation 8
-
The gift of believing the testimony of others 9
Think about
What gifts of the Spirit have you been given? You could pray, read the scriptures, listen to sacred music, or talk with a loved one to think about your gifts and how you can share them with others.
If you want to learn more
-
President Henry B. Eyring, “His Spirit to Be with You,” general conference, Apr. 2018
-
Elder Gary E. Stevenson, “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” general conference, Apr. 2017
-
Moroni 2: When Jesus visited the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, He gave His Apostles the power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.