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Beliefs > Question & Answer > LDS View of God
| Question |
You speak of the 'Gift of the Holy Ghost'- what is that? Also, of 'those in authority', what is this 'authority'?
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| Response |
Thank you for your email regarding the Holy Spirit. In the LDS Church, the "gift of the Holy Ghost" is given by those in authority and they are, specifically, those faithful members of the church who have been ordained to the Melchezedick or higher priesthood. Those who hold this priesthood hold the same priesthood that Christ gave to his apostles before he left them and acsended into heaven. The priesthood was taken from the earth after the death of the apostles and was restored again through the prophet Joseph Smith in the year 1823 under the hands of the resurrected apostles Peter, James, and John. Down to this present day that priesthood has been passed on to countless others who belong to the church and have been ordained to the priesthood.
In Acts 2:37-38 we read where Peter invited those who had heard the gospel message on the day of Pentacost to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins and they would then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Such blessings are available today and we continue to invite all faithfull men and women everywhere to enjoy such blessings.
37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is manifested to men and women on the earth both as the "power" of the holy ghost and the "gift" of the Holy Ghost. The power of the Holy Ghost is the convincing witness that the gospel is true. It gives one a testimony of Jesus Christ and of his work and the work of his servants upon the earth. The gift of the Holy Ghost can come only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands as in Acts 8:12-25.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and to sanctify them from all sin. Thus it is often spoken of as fire (Matthew 3:11) speaking figuratively as it cleanses the individual from past sins.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
I hope this is helpful as you consider these things.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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