[James E. Talmage] Met with Theological Class Committee and Presidency in lecture work. The subject of 'The Holy Ghost' formed the topic. Pres[ident]. [George Q.] Cannon in commenting on the ambiguity existing in our printed works concerning the nature or character of the Holy Ghost expressed his opinion that the Holy Ghost was in reality a person, in the image of the other members of the Godhead,'a man in form and figure: and that what we often speak of as the Holy Ghost is in reality but the power or influence of the Spirit. However the Presidency deemed it wise to say as little as possible on this or other disputed subjects.
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
This is what the Holy Ghost is (exact same as the Holy Spirit):
ReplyDeleteA. The mind of the Father and of the Son (1st Corinthians 2:10-16; Philippians 2:5).
B. The unseen power and glory which emanates from God and can, at His will, manifest itself in various forms (a dove, a man, etc., per Matt.3:16; 1st Nephi 11:11-12.)
C. The witness of God. (1st John 5:6; 3rd Nephi 11:35-36; 3rd Nephi 28:11).
D. The gift of God. (Acts 2:38; John 14:26; 3rd Nephi 19:13).
E. Pure and holy, just and good, omnipresent, full of light and knowledge (omniscient), and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts of all men and women everywhere.
This has always been the faith and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ (WHQ: Monongahela, Pennsylvania).
The Holy Ghost (aka, Holy Spirit) is NOT an eternal personage.
ReplyDeleteOnly the Father (whose name alone is JEHOVAH per Psalm 83:18), and the Son (whose name alone is JESUS CHRIST per Ether 3:14; 3 Nephi 9:15) are the TWO eternal personages of the Godhead.
ghost < German "geist" = spirit < Latin "spiritus" = breathe.
ReplyDeleteThis is why the Holy Ghost can ONLY be received INSIDE a person by the laying-on-of-hands on the convert's HEAD by one who has the priesthood authority after the order of the Son of God. The convert receives "the mind of the Father and the Son" to lead, guide, and direct him in the way of Christ throughout his or her life, so long as they are faithful to their baptismal covenant made at the water's edge.
ReplyDelete