While preparing a presentation for an upcoming conference, I had an experience that led me to study the Topical Guide entry for “Holy Ghost, Missions of” and I wanted to share it because it really surprised me. I had no real comprehension for how broad a mission the Holy Ghost has in this world and eternity, and I’d guess this only scratches the surface of what the Holy Ghost does and how it operates.
Here is a copy of my notes. As mentioned in the video, there are different ways people may organize these things, but this was how I did it.
“I have an old edition of the New Testament in the Latin, Hebrew, German and Greek languages… I thank God that I have got this old book; but I thank him more for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have got the oldest book in the world; but I have got the oldest book in my heart, even the gift of the Holy Ghost. … The Holy Ghost…is within me, and comprehends more than all the world; and I will associate myself with him.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:307-8)
Why would we want the constant companionship of the Spirit?
What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? 17 broad categories
- Is a witness and testator
- Is a witness of God’s covenant promises (Heb. 10:15; 2 Nep. 31:18)
- Is a witness of the entire atonement (Acts 5:32)
- Brings Testimony
- Testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 1 John 5:6)
- Testifies of the Father (Moses 7:11) and the Son (3 Nep. 28:11)
- Bring knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:3)
- Changes Us
- Sanctifies individuals who come unto Christ (3 Nep. 27:20)
- When we seek Jesus, the grace of the Godhead abides in us (Ether 12:41)
- Quickens us (Moses 6:65)
- Provides the baptism the Holy Ghost (John 3:5; 2 Nep. 31:17; Moses 6:65; D&C 39:6)
- Reproves (convicts) us of our sins (John 16:8)
- Pricks our conscience to take action (Acts 2:37)
- Renews us (Titus 3:5)
- Receives of Christ’s glory and imparts it to us (sacred knowledge and light) (John 16:14)
- Comforter
- The Holy Ghost is the Comforter (John 14:26)
- Dwells in our heart as our companion (D&C 8:2)
- Sheds forth the love of God in its role as comforter (Rom. 5:5)
- Can be our constant companion (D&C 121:46)
- Direction
- Directs our words and gives us knowledge of others’ thoughts (Eze. 11:5)
- Helps us walk in the statutes of the Lord (Eze. 36:27)
- Leads us where we need to go (Luke 4:1)
- Guides us to all truth from the Father (John 16:13; Jacob 4:13; Moroni 10:4-7)
- Gives commandments (Acts 1:2)
- Is our guide. Leads us to do good, walk humbly, judge righteously (D&C 11:12; D&C 45:57)
- Moves us to correct others in clear and loving ways (D&C 121:43)
- Fills with Power
- Bring counsel and might (Isa. 11:3)
- Fills with power (Mic. 3:8)
- Gifts of the Spirit (all these things are truly gifts of the Spirit)
- Incredibly enhanced discernment. The mind experiences Godlike awareness. (Moses 1:27)
- Brings “fruits” into our lives of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23; Mosiah 4:3). IE. Evidence of constant companionship.
- Gives prophecy (Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25)
- Teleports people and can act with physical power (1 Nep. 11:1; Moses 6:64)
- Brings gifts of the spirit to individuals (D&C 20:27)
- Brings forth scripture
- The ability to write by the spirit of inspiration. (Moses 6:5)
- When moved upon by the Holy Ghost, what we speak is scripture and the will, mind, word, and voice of the Lord, and power of God unto salvation (D&C 68:4)
- Holy Spirit of Promise
- Special role to seal up the faithful to eternal life (D&C 76:53; D&C 132:7)
- Ministry Work
- Bring proper judgment directed by the spirit, not with our mortal eyes and ears (Isa. 11:4; Matt. 12:18)
- In the absence of a literal descendant of Aaron, the Holy Ghost brings the ministry of temporal things to Melchizedek High Priests (D&C 107:71)
- Mission, Gentiles
- The Holy Ghost is the manifestation of the Godhead to Gentiles until it changes them and prepares them for a manifestation of Christ. (3 Nep. 15:23)
- The mission of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles brought about the scattering of the house of Israel (3 Nep. 20:27)
- Mission, Individuals
- Appoints individuals to missions (D&C 72:24)
- Directs us on personal missions (1 Nep. 13:12; 2 Nep. 32:5) (we are “wrought upon” and motivated to certain action)
- Mission, National/Global
- Works upon leaders of nations to accomplish the Lord’s will upon that nation (1 Sam. 16:13)
- Inspire prophets to warn the people (Neh. 9:30)
- Communicates God’s commandments to his servants (Acts 1:2)
- Mission, Telestial Kingdom
- Directs the work of ministry to inheritors of the Telestial kingdom (D&C 76:86)
- Prayer
- If we ask in the Spirit, we HAVE the petitions we desired (1 John 5:14-15)
- Assists us in prayer to get the words out of our hearts that we cannot otherwise speak (Rom. 8:27; D&C 46:30)
- Preaching
- Carries the spoken word into the hearts of people (2 Nephi 33:1)
- Confounds enemies of truth (Jacob 7:8; Alma 12:3)
- Assists us when we preach (1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21; D&C 14:8)
- Makes plain (manifests) to people the mission of the Messiah (1 Nep. 10:11; 2 Nep. 26:13; Jacob 7:12)
- Moves prophets to testify to the people (Neh. 9:30)
- Inform you with what to say in the moment (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12)
- Only preaching by the Spirit is of God (D&C 50:17-18) Why? 2 Nephi 33:1
- Is the teacher when we teach (D&C 42:14)
- Revelator and teacher
- Is a revelator of the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10)
- The Spirit is a revelator (1 Cor. 2:10; Alma 5:46 “fasted and prayed many days that I might know”)
- Manifests and reveals all things (D&C 39:6; Moses 8:24)
- Brings all things to our remembrance (John 14:26)
- Bring quick understanding (Isa. 11:4; D&C 6:15)
- Bring wisdom and understanding (Isa. 11:3)
- Show us things to come (John 16:13)
- Shows us all things (D&C 39:6)
- Instruct us (Neh. 9:20)
- Teaches us all things (John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13)
How do we obtain the Spirit? By the prayer of faith (D&C 42:14) (and obedience).
If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in these posts: “Gifts of the Unholy Spirit” and “Physical and Metaphysical Gifts from Heaven.”
Bro. Oaks,
Thank you for taking the time to search deeply for that which is put into your heart and mind by the spirit of God.
I miss pondering and searching the things and mysteries of God. I have in many instances, received great understanding, beyond my own, while in the moment of study.
However, in this season in my life, I don’t have the extra time to do so, therefore I extend my utmost sincere appreciation for these discoveries of truth and light and for your vulnerable willingness to share.
God bless,
Jorgina
Thank you sir So inspiring and detailed inward.
I’m glad you felt inwardly moved by it.
I like to read your scripture; which bible do you use
Mostly the King James version of the Bible, and I use the Book of Mormon, and other scriptural texts, as well as apocryphal texts.