About “The Purpose of Life Series”: Curiosity struck and I decided to ask Google how many people were searching out various phrases. I was absolutely floored at the amount of people who are aching to know answers to some basic truths that I hold dear. For instance, in June of 2016, there were 9,885,590 searches for, “Who is God?” (a) Knowing that, “there are many… who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it,” (b) I am hopeful to help them in their quest for knowledge.
This address is to those who do not know where to find the truth. I am hopeful to help some, I even dare to hope to help many, find answers. I will do so by teaching pure doctrine, testifying with all my might and showing how to gain a witness and knowledge on their own. You are invited to join with me as we explore beautiful truths together. If you are courageous enough to accept them, these truths will change your life and even your eternity.
As always, I accept full responsibility for the content of this post.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is a communicator, a purifier, and a teacher. The Holy Spirit comforts, warns, and testifies.
Some know the Holy Spirit as the “Holy Ghost,” (as in my religion) while others refer to it as the “Holy Spirit,” or the “Spirit of the Lord.” (i) This article will refer to this member of the Godhead as the “Holy Spirit,” simply because that is what many people refer to Him as. Whatever you may call the Holy Spirit, it is a powerful gift from God that offers priceless communication, sanctification, and profound peace. So, who is the Holy Spirit? We will depend on pure doctrine to explore this answer.
Is the Holy Spirit God?
When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, a remarkable thing happened. God the Father spoke the words, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” At the same time, the Holy Spirit descended “like a dove.” This telling instance, as recorded by three of the gospel writers in the New Testament, (ii, iii, iv) let’s us know that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are 3 distinct personages. These three individuals make up the Godhead.
These three Godhead members are one in purpose, and have perfect unity. (v, vi) This does not mean, however, that they are one being.
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Godhead and is one in purpose with the Father and the Son.
What is the Holy Spirit Made Of?
The Holy Spirit is a “personage of spirit.” We learn that, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones…” There is an important reason for His lack of a body, for we learn that, “Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.” (vii)
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a personage of spirit, which is necessary so He can abide in us.
How Can I Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
The “unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost” (Spirit) (viii) cannot be purchased with money. (ix) There is a difference between the Holy Spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit makes it possible to have the Holy Spirit with us always if we are clean. The Holy Spirit is under no obligation to stay with us always until this gift is bestowed, however. For, “A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him.” (x)
After we are baptized with water, we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands from those who have the proper authority. (xi) The scriptures refer to this as the baptism of “fire.” (xii, xiii)
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a being that may stay with us always, when we are worthy of it, through the “Gift” of the Holy Ghost. This gift is available after baptism by the laying on of hands.
Note: If you want to receive this priceless gift, you can learn more from the missionaries here.
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
The Holy Spirit has many roles which are priceless in our journey through mortality. Let’s explore just a few.
The Holy Spirit Comforts
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (xiv) Through the Holy Spirit, our burdens can be made light, even that we don’t feel them upon our backs. (xv) This is a very real blessing from the Holy Spirit, and takes faith to experience. (Here’s an example of this in my own life. (xvi)
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the comforter that Jesus Christ promised to send, who offers heavenly peace and freedom from fear.
The Holy Spirit Teaches
“The Holy Ghost… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” (xvii) John refers to the Holy Spirit as, “the spirit of truth.” Not only can He teach us things in the past and present, but He can teach us of “things to come.” (xviii) When we seek knowledge of any kind, the best source should be from a God. When we experience learning from the Holy Spirit, our understanding is deeper and we become eager to gain more knowledge.
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is a teacher who can teach us the truth of “all things.”
The Holy Spirit Testifies
If you want to know who God the Father and Jesus Christ are, the Holy Spirit can testify to you of their divinity through the Holy Spirit. (xix) If you want to know whether or not holy writ is true, the Holy Spirit can testify of that to you as well. (xx) Through the priceless gift of the Holy Spirit, we can know things that are astounding. Once we gain knowledge from a God, anything taught to the contrary is utterly inconceivable. However impossible answers may seem, we can trust that God cannot lie, and therefore what we learn must be truth.
This truth is beautifully pronounced in what is known as “Moroni’s Promise,” which states, “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (xxi)
Who is the Holy Spirit? He testifies of truth, even all things.
The Holy Spirit Sanctifies
In conjunction with the atonement, the Holy Spirit makes it possible to become clean. Through the great gift of the Holy Spirit, we can become “spotless” before God at the last day. (xxii) Sanctification opens to us the amazing possibility of salvation. (xxiii)
To be clean before our glorious Maker, is a priceless gift made possible by the gift of the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. (xxiv)
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit sanctifies us when we offer a broken heart and contrite spirit as we repent.
The Holy Spirit of Promise
What is the Holy Spirit of Promise? Through the Holy Spirit, ordinances we make can be sealed both on earth, and in the heavens. This is called, “The Holy Spirit of Promise.” Ordinances such as baptism, and the sealing of husband and wife are examples of ordinances that can last into the eternities. (xxv, xxvi)
When we receive this assurance, we can take peace in the covenants we make and the eternal validity of them.
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit of Promise, and can make covenants we make here on earth valid in heaven.
The Holy Spirit is a Revelator
“Revelation is communication from God, to His children here upon the earth.”- David A. Bednar (see video below.) We can speak to God in prayer, but when God communicates with us, this is revelation. The Holy Ghost is the means whereby God communicates or reveals things.
Learning the language of revelation is an ongoing process and Heavenly Father communicates to His children in various forms. It is therefore incredibly personal in nature. Some receive revelation by dreams, others receive impressions, while some report patterns of light. Discovering how Heavenly Father reveals things to you is both satisfying and exhilarating. When you understand what God is saying to you, the way you approach and live your life will never be the same.
Conclusion
Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a priceless gift to us that offers peace, knowledge, and sanctification. His influence in our lives opens the possibility to commune with God, become clean, and to keep ordinances which can last throughout the eternities. Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is an unspeakable gift to the earth that offers unfathomable blessings.
More From “The Purpose of Life Series”:
Jeni Brockbank and her husband Bart are parents to 6 amazing children. She finds great joy in being a wife and mother and feels that both callings are sacred privileges. Jeni is a continual student of the scriptures and loves to share her testimony with anyone who will listen. She teaches choir, is crafty and is grateful on a daily basis to live a few blocks from the Brigham City, UT temple.