The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Readings:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie
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
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
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.

Dr. Marcus H. Martins
Another Definition of "Spirituality"
August 2006

Spirituality may be defined as the quality of being inclined to consider the higher moral and transcendental aspects of life, valuing those considerations as much as other daily affairs. This quality can be developed as individuals evaluate the many components and events of this life with an eternal perspective-that is, contemplating how one's decisions and actions in daily life fare in light of moral and transcendental concerns. In contemporary Latter-day Saint discourse it might be defined as the act of contemplating how one's decisions and actions in daily life will impact one's journey towards the presence of God.

This web page was published only as a support for classroom discussion.
For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Martins at: martinsm@byuh.edu