Gospel Principles
Unit 3: Communication between God and Man
Chapter 7: The Holy Ghost
Concept 4: Why Is the Holy Ghost Necessary?
"The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things.
The Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer (3 Nephi 28:11 "And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me."
D&C 20:27 "As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son;"
Hebrews 10:15 "Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,"). He will reveal to us that our Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits. He will help us understand that we can become exalted like our Heavenly Father. (Romans 8:16-17. "16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.") The prophets of the Lord have promised, "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5).
Without the Holy Ghost, we could not know that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, "No man can saythat Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Savior himself said, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that we are led to understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The convincing power of the Holy Ghost is so great that there can be no doubt that what he reveals to us is true. President Joseph Fielding Smith said :
"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" (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:151).
President Smith also said, "Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fiber and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten" (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:48).
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should make ourselves worthy to receive this special messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Discussion
Why is the Holy Ghost necessary? Read again the statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith.
How did you feel when the Holy Ghost bore witness to you of the truthfulness of the gospel?
Additional Scriptures
Moses 5(story of Adam's family) Adam and Eve bring forth children Adam offers sacrifice, serves God Cain and Abel born Cain rebels, loves Satan more than God, and becomes Perdition Murder and wickedness spread The gospel preached from the beginning.
2 Nephi 31:21 (Holy Ghost identified)
"21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. "
Moroni 10:6-7 (Holy Ghost will witness of Jesus Christ)
"6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever."
John 14:26; 15:26; Luke 12:12; D&C 8:2-3; D&C 11:12-13; D&C 20:26 (Holy Ghost as comforter, teacher, testator of Christ, guide to all truth, revelator, companion, leader, guide, source of inspiration)
John 14:26 "26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
John 15:26 "26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
John 16:13 "13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Luke 12:12 "12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."
D&C 8:2-3
"2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground."
D&C 11:12-13
"12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;"
D&C 20:26
"26 Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life,"