Receiving the Holy Ghost

 
       REALLY, Who IS the Holy Ghost?    A nebulous spirit man floating around, hurrying to be in so many places at once, influencing so many?

          For years my husband used to ask his Sunday School students to draw a picture of the Godhead including the Holy Ghost.  It was interesting seeing what came up.  Mostly the drawings were simplistic, showing a sketch of perhaps a sheet figure with two glaring eyes.  Sometimes, someone just drew a picture of a man.  The point being that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who looks like a man, but without a tangible body.  That is the "official" word from the church. Quoting from lds.org.

 "The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter."

          Let us turn to scripture.   (Moses 6:61)  "Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice and judgment".

          Are the "Holy Ghost" and the "Holy Spirit" the same? When Nephi refers to the "Holy Ghost" in 2 Ne. 33: 1, but then uses "Holy Spirit" in the next verse (2 Ne. 33: 2), does he have two different things in mind?

In the Lectures on Faith,  Joseph Smith defined the "Holy Spirit" as the "mind of the Father and Son."

          If the Holy Ghost is a "personage of Spirit" and it can "dwell in us," and the Holy Spirit is "the mind of the Father and Son" then are they the same thing?

There are many times when the term "Ghost" and the term "Spirit" are used interchangeably. A distinction is not used by some translators. Therefore,  take care in determining different translator's use of the terms.  

           I have done much pondering and praying for answers.   Here's what I have come up with. The Holy Ghost is another name or title given to our soul/spirit that was present in the pre-existence, the one that has no veil,  the one that knows our heavenly parents and our brother, Jesus Christ and other things that transpired there. I believe that "Higher Self" Spirit met with them and helped plan out what adventures we wanted to experience in our mortal life…the ones that would provide the greatest learning experiences…"particularly made" for us, in the words of Bruce McConkie.   The Holy Ghost is the personage which is our highest self and the Holy Spirit is the mind of the Father and Son, which can communicate through the Holy Ghost.

          One example is when people are being "worked on", (as in energy work or hypnosis) they can go into one of many altered states where they can sometimes make contact with a part of themselves which is often referred to as their "higher self" (it has many names) and which seems to know the answers to all things.
All people seem to have this "higher self" part of themselves, whether they've been baptized and confirmed or not. Or whether they're aware of it or not.

          In that context, the following quote from Joseph Smith is now understandable: "The Holy Ghost is now in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has."  

         When we are confirmed, we are admonished to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost, or in other words, receive what it has to offer, open ourselves up to guidance.  It's up to us to receive the gift of having more direct and constant connection… to find the fabric of Holiness…That fabric is delicate, it unfolds gently and whispers. It's often called the Still, Small Voice, the Breath of Life, the Breath of Heaven.  I believe a key to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is always noticing its presence  until it is second nature. Becoming aware while we walk, drive, wait in line, talk, breathe, meditate, ponder…

          In Deuteronomy 30: 11–14 ” it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven,  that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?  But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

   

           I love those scriptures and the metaphors…Fabric of Holiness and Breath of Heaven. They really resonate with me.  Holy fabric of our Soul, layer of our Spirit, that which contains the Record of Heaven. A Comforter. A Seer. A Revelator.                                          

          I know we've all had experiences when our emotions are stirred by a movie, a book, music, a TV commercial or an appealing talk or testimony.  I get emotional at a thrilling horse race or when my kids and grandkids race or perform.  Emotional experiences can be induced in a number of ways. A lot of physical experiences can create tears or goosebumps or chills.  Is this the Holy Ghost? Think about it.  Joseph Smith stated: "The first Comforter, or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence."   

        What if we cry at someone's inspirational story or testimony?  Is that the Holy Ghost?    It may be the Holy Ghost giving us inspiration or truthful information and then the emotion comes flowing based on that. We may get an impression which expresses itself as "This is true" or "This is important." We may even get a glimpse of an unseen world through our spiritual eyes.  It may all happen so fast that we have a difficult time sorting it out.  The Holy Ghost may also be a protection in giving us information that will help keep us out of harm's way. 

          For many years I believed that only good feelings, reassurance and praise come through the Holy Ghost. I have now learned that an uncomfortable message that challenges me, tells me about my present mistakes, and warns me to repent or change course comes from God through the Holy Ghost.   

           The truth conveyed by the Holy Ghost may be hard to hear and difficult to follow.   Much of the light and truth that the Holy Ghost conveys -may cause pain and provoke change and repentance because we are convicted of errors.

          Alma was tutored by the Holy Ghost and it convicted him of his sins. He described it as "my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror." (Alma 36:14.) "For three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul." "I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins."  He repented because he received accurate information by the power of the Holy Ghost showing him exactly where he stood before God. This enabled him to repent and return to God.

           Understanding, comprehension, light and truth—these are the effects of the Holy Ghost. We may foolishly conclude that the Holy Ghost is telling us something is "dark" or "evil" if it causes discomfort or disappointment. The emotional response should be separated from the message. Does it enlighten? Does it impart knowledge? Does it cause a desire to change? Repent?

  Does it point us to coming unto Christ?    Does it call us to Love, Service, Gratitude and Forgiveness? 

          

          Missionaries quote Moroni 10:4, and admonish everyone to pray and ask God if the Book of Mormon is true. Investigators are promised that God will manifest the truth of it unto them "by the power of the Holy Ghost." These are unbaptized investigators who are told they can hear the Holy Ghost speak truth to them. The Holy Ghost does, can, and will speak to anyone. There is no organization controlling the Holy Ghost. The good news is that the Holy Ghost is the record of Heaven and will bring to your remembrance all things because it knoweth all things.  We ARE sufficiently equipped right now!  We don’t need to look elsewhere!  

           

          Not only can we "receive" the Holy Ghost, but through the Holy Spirit we have access to that which is Holy in others.  Imagine what our life might be like if our ancestors or loved ones came to us as guardian angels or to deliver a message!  They speak to our spirits in the same way. I don't think the Holy Ghost is a "protection" as some may have purported, but rather a purveyor of truth, so that we can make informed decisions that keep us out of harm's way. The Holy Ghost can help us connect with and recognize angels and guardians that may be sent to help protect us.

We can often perceive them with our spiritual eyes as they desire to appear. We can also sometimes perceive the Higher Self Spirits of those still in mortality. Wow, What a powerful gift! If only we allow ourselves to receive it!  But How???   It's there in the scriptures…our "How To" manual, but not in easy numbered steps like E-How.  It is to be discovered…much like seeing the perception of an optical illusion. It may require shifting our focus slightly, digging deep and looking with a different insight. It even goes deeper than we have ever realized.   Savor the AHA moments.

 

The more we uncover, the more we recognize we don't comprehend… and the more exciting the journey becomes. 

Here is an excellent post on another blog for more insights: http://www.totheremnant.com/2018/02/ask-seek-knock-conclusion-holy-ghost.html