REL 275 - Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon

Read the following passages in the Book of Mormon before our class:

Read the following additional statements:

Elder James E. Talmage
Differentiating the Holy Ghost and the Power of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost Utilizes the Forces of Nature
Articles of Faith, Ch.8, pp.160-161

"Much of the confusion existing in human conceptions concerning the nature of the Holy Ghost arises from the common failure to segregate His person and powers.  Plainly, such expressions as being filled with the Holy Ghost, and His falling upon persons, [have] reference to the powers and influences that emanate from God, and which are characteristic of Him; for the Holy Ghost may in this way operate simultaneously upon many persons even though they be widely separated, whereas the actual person of the Holy Ghost cannot be in more than one place at a time. Yet we read that through the power of the Spirit, the Father and the Son operate in their creative acts and in their general dealings with the human family.  The Holy Ghost may be regarded as the minister of the Godhead, carrying into effect the decision of the Supreme Council.

"In the execution of these great purposes, the Holy Ghost directs and controls the varied forces of nature, of which indeed a few, and these perhaps of minor order wonderful as even the least of them appears to man, have thus far been investigated by mortals.  Gravitation, sound, heat, light, and the still more mysterious and seemingly super-natural power of electricity, are but the common servants of the Holy Ghost in His operations.  No earnest thinker, no sincere investigator supposes that he has yet learned of all the forces existing in and operating upon matter; indeed, the observed phenomena of nature, yet wholly inexplicable to him, far outnumber those for which he has devised even a partial explanation.  There are powers and forces at the command of God, compared with which electricity is as the pack-horse to the locomotive, the foot messenger to the telegraph, the raft of logs to the ocean steamer.  With all his scientific knowledge man knows but little respecting the enginery of creation; and yet the few forces known to him have brought about miracles and wonders, which but for their actual realization would be beyond belief.  These mighty agencies, and the mightier ones still to man unknown, and many, perhaps, to the present condition of the human mind unknowable, do not constitute the Holy Ghost, but are the agencies ordained to serve His purposes.

"Subtler, mightier, and more mysterious than any or all of the physical forces of nature are the powers that operate upon conscious organisms, the means by which the mind, the heart, the soul of man may be energized by spiritual forces."

Elder Bruce R. McConkie  #1
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is Received Conditionally
Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:335

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead based on faithfulness; it is bestowed with a promise that we shall receive revelation and be sanctified if we are true and faithful and so live as to qualify for the companionship of that Holy Spirit who will not dwell in an unclean temple. ... The receipt of the promise is conditional! If after we receive the promise, we then keep the commandment, we gain the companionship of this member of the Godhead, and not otherwise.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie  #2
Understanding Constant Companionship
Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, pp.135-136

We are cleansed from sin and are born again and become converted to the truth when we get the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead, that is, get the right to the constant companionship. Nobody actually has that companionship all the time, because no one is perfect, no one lives in the ideal and perfect state. We do the best we can, and get sufficient of the companionship to have our sins burned out of us as though by fire. And that is what is involved when we use the expression "the baptism of fire," meaning the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  That is a symbolism to mean that dross and evil are burned out of the human soul as though by fire, and as a consequence the individual becomes a new creature of the Holy Ghost ...

President Joseph Fielding Smith
The Manifestation of the Holy Ghost Has a Permanent Effect
Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:151; 1:48

When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase.

Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fiber and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.

Elder Parley P. Pratt 
The Gift of the Holy Ghost Affects the Mortal Body, Mind, and Emotions 
Key to the Science of Theology, Ch.10, pp.100-101

"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.  But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word.  Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed.  They resemble a bud--a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind.

"The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes.  It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use.  It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature.  It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity.  It develops beauty of person, form and features.  It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling.  It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man.  It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves.  In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

"In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam.  Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit.  No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other in person or character; no matter if they have never spoken to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps exclaim, when referring to the interview--"O what an atmosphere encircles that stranger!  How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in his presence!  What confidence and sympathy he inspired!  His countenance and spirit gave me more assurance, than a thousand written recommendations, or introductory letters."  Such is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and such are its operations, when received through the lawful channel--the divine, eternal Priesthood."

President David O. McKay
A Definition of "Spirituality"
Conference Report, April 1958:7; April 1967:8; October 1936:103

Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite.  Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength.

The man who sets his heart upon the things of the world, who does not hesitate to cheat his brother, who will lie for gain, who will steal from his neighbor, or, who, by slander, will rob another of his reputation, lives on a low, animal plane of existence, and either stifles his spirituality or permits it to lie dormant. ...

Being "honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men" are attributes that contribute to spirituality, the highest acquisition of the soul.  It is the divine in man, the supreme, crowning gift that makes him king of all created things, the one final quality that makes him tower above all other animals. ...

It is spirituality alone which really gives one the best in life.