"The Holy Ghost"
Robert R. Worrell
March 18, 2003
Brothers and sisters, if the Prophet Joseph Smith were to appear to you in a dream, and you could ask him one question, what would you ask? And if he found it important enough to come from the spiritual realms to deliver you a message, what do you think it would be?
Well, President Brigham Young had just such an experience in February of 1847. In a dream, the Prophet Joseph appeared to President Young. Brigham spoke of his sorrow that he had lost the companionship the two of them had once shared and expressed a desire to come with him. Joseph said that he must wait a while. Then Brigham asked the Prophet if he had a message for them, "and the Prophet stepped toward him, looking [at him] very earnestly, and said:
Tell the brethren to be humble and faithful and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, that it will lead them aright. Be careful and not turn away the still, small voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it (quoted by Marion G. Romney, General Conference, April 1944).
That was the message—the important thing the Prophet Joseph had come to say. Why would he return in this way to re-emphasize this point? The brethren had been taught the principle before, and they should have known what they should do without being prompted. Nevertheless, it was important enough to be taught again in this dramatic way. And, if so, it is doubly important for us to emphasize it here today.
Keep the Spirit of the Lord. Do not turn away the still, small voice. That is good advice, and if you were to analyze it, most, if not all, of the problems in the world today are caused because men and women do not take that advice. What!? You might ask. Can such blame be laid upon the rest of humanity, outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who do not so much as know what the Spirit of the Lord is? Nevertheless, I believe you will see that the statement is true if you ponder some of the things described by the sacred term, the Spirit of the Lord.
Please turn to the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 88, beginning with verse 6. In these verses we learn something of the Light of Christ, sometimes called a "portion" of the Lord’s Spirit, given to all mankind. And as we discuss this subject, it is good to keep in mind that the Lord uses several terms as synonyms referring to the same thing. "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:45). And in another place He says, "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36). Recognizing that truth, light, spirit, glory, and intelligence may all be synonymous, let us begin by reading from the 88th Section.
6 He [that is, Jesus Christ] ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13, emphasis added).
Can you see why the Light of Christ is so important? It is the power of God who created all things. It is the law by which all things are governed. It is the light which gives life to all things. It is the light of the sun by which we see. It is the light that gives us understanding. I believe the Lord refers to it by many different terms, such as truth, light, and intelligence, so that we may have some remote chance of understanding what it is.
Now, we were in the process of laying blame for the ills of the world upon people who do not keep the Spirit of the Lord but who turn away the still, small voice. Of course, no one, who did not know better, can be blamed for anything. Please turn to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 84, beginning with verse 45.
In connection with this subject, Mormon taught that "the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil" (Moroni 7:16). John wrote that the Light of Christ is "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9). Now let us see the harmony of these statements with the scripture you have found in the 84th Section.
45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father (Doctrine and Covenants 84:45-47).
Now keep your thumb on that page for a moment while we ponder what we have just read. How many people in the world receive the Light of Christ? If you recognize that the word "man" in this context means "person," it is easy to see that every person born into the world receives this light. In addition, this light brings two very important gifts with it. First, it gives every person—EVERY person—a knowledge of the difference between good and evil.
Would you like to test it to see if it works? Then imagine this scenario.
Frank is a devoted young husband who, with his wife Jill, is attending classes at BYU-Idaho. He is majoring in accounting, while she is only majoring in English, so naturally his life is more stressful. The only relaxation he gets is to watch an occasional football game on Saturday afternoon. One Saturday, Frank is planted in front of the TV watching the final minutes of his game while Jill is fixing dinner. Jill is having a little stress of her own at this point, but Frank doesn’t notice. The clock is running out, and his team—down by only one point—has the ball on the other team’s ten-yard line. The quarterback drops back to pass. Suddenly a receiver is in the clear. The ball is in the air and--*click*--Jill turns off the television. "I can’t take it any more," she says. "You need to talk to me."
What is the right thing for Frank to do? I am not asking what YOU would do in this situation. I am asking what the right thing is. Now, what is the wrong thing for him to do?
Everyone knows! Isn’t that amazing? Every soul here knows what is right and wrong in this situation, regardless of how he or she would actually react to such a test. For that reason, we are all left without excuse.
If you have ever thought that the Lord is unfair because some are born rich while others are poor, and some are born to freedom while others are born into slavery, and some are born whole while others are crippled, you may now revise your thinking. Circumstances make no difference. Everyone, who is mentally competent and can become accountable, begins with an equal knowledge of what is good and what is evil. Since returning to God’s presence matters more than any advantage in this world, the Light of Christ levels the playing field. Your choices, and not your circumstances, make the difference. All a person has to do is hearken to the voice of the Spirit.
Paul the apostle was born into favorable circumstances and became an influential Pharisee; yet, when the Spirit struck him hard enough, he hearkened to the voice. Joseph Smith was born poor in a society of religious turmoil and confusion, yet he hearkened to the voice of the Spirit rather than to the false preachers of his day. As a result, he was visited by God. Laman and Lemuel were born into favorable circumstances and were taught the gospel from their infancy. Nonetheless, even though they saw an angel and witnessed mighty miracles, they did not hearken to the voice of the Spirit, and fell into darkness and apostasy. Joseph, the son of Jacob, spent years in the Egyptian prison. Others in his circumstances may have given in to anger and resentment, but Joseph hearkened to the voice of the Spirit and was delivered in a miraculous way.
As the gospel is being preached by the missionaries today, people are coming into the Church, "one of a city, and two of a family" (Jeremiah 3:14), rising out of circumstances that keep the majority of the human race subject to the devil. How do they escape the snares of the adversary? By hearkening to the voice of the Spirit. Refer to verse 46 again. The Spirit enlightens the person who hearkens, making it easier and more desirable for him to understand spiritual things. And verse 47. Whosoever hearkens comes unto God. Now if Alice comes unto God, God will come unto her, and she will eventually have the opportunity to partake of the gospel in its fullness. As the large rocks in a shaken bucket of gravel work their way to the top, so people who hearken to the light of Christ may work their way into the celestial kingdom.
It is clear that the Light of Christ gives every person a knowledge of good and evil. I believe the second thing it gives is a conviction, deep in the heart, that there is a God. How can one know good without knowing the source of good? How can the person who hearkens come unto God without having some intimation that there is a God? How can knowledge of God be obtained by any other means than by the Spirit?
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
There is no other foundation upon which the Lord could build his Church and kingdom. The things of God are known only by the power of his Spirit. God stands revealed or he remains forever unknown. No man can know that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost ("Upon This Rock", Ensign (May 1981) 77).
If you still have your thumb in Section 84, you will see that the Lord himself gives the reason for the world’s problems and lays the blame in verses 49 and 50.
49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.
50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me (Doctrine and Covenants 84:49-50).
Atheists say they do not believe in God. Frankly, I do not believe in atheists. Let me remind you of the classic atheist—a man by the name of Korihor. You may find him in the 30th chapter of Alma. Korihor went about preaching that there is no God, there would be no Christ, and that "whatsoever a man did was no crime" (Alma 30:17). He apparently had success among some of the Nephites, but the people of Ammon cast him out of the land of Jershon, and the people of Gideon got tired of listening to him, so they bound him and took him to the authorities. Eventually, he was taken to Zarahemla to appear before Alma and the chief judge. You will recall that there was a long discussion between Alma and Korihor in which Korihor asked three times for Alma to give him a sign that God exists. After the third request, Alma obliged by saying, "This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb. . .that ye shall no more have utterance" (Alma 30:49). Immediately, Korihor lost his voice and apparently his hearing, since the chief judge had to write a question for him.
Now, let us read verses 52 and 53.
52 And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God.
53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me (Alma 30:52-53).
You see, Korihor always knew there was a God, but he hearkened to the teachings of the devil rather than to the Light of Christ because the teachings of the devil are pleasing to the carnal mind.
Let me make a similar point by sharing with you the words of a modern atheist. These are the first two paragraphs of an article called "Man Against Darkness" by W. T. Stace. They are quite instructive. Remember that I am now quoting from Stace:
The Catholic bishops of America recently issued a statement in which they said that the chaotic and bewildered state of the modern world is due to man’s loss of faith, his abandonment of God and religion. For my part I believe in no religion at all. Yet I entirely agree with the bishops. It is no doubt an oversimplification to speak of the cause of so complex a state of affairs as the tortured condition of the world today. Its causes are doubtless multitudinous. Yet allowing for some element of oversimplification, I say that the bishops’ assertion is substantially true.
Stace goes on to say:
- Jean-Paul Sartre, the French existentialist philosopher, labels himself an atheist. Yet his views seem to me plainly to support the statement of the bishops. So long as there was believed to be a God in the sky, he says, men could regard him as the source of their moral ideals. The universe, created and governed by a fatherly God, was a friendly habitation for man. We could be sure that, however great the evil in the world, good in the end would triumph and the forces of evil would be routed. With the disappearance of God from the sky all this has changed. Since the world is not ruled by a spiritual being, but rather by blind forces, there cannot be any ideals, moral or otherwise, in the universe outside us. Our ideals, therefore, must proceed only from our own minds, they are our own inventions. Thus the world which surrounds us is nothing but an immense spiritual emptiness. It is a dead universe. We do not live in a universe which is on the side of our values. It is completely indifferent to them(DeNitto and Leary 175).
If you listened carefully, you will note that Stace argues there are no such things as God or good or evil. He says these concepts are invented by man—that they come from our own minds. The interesting irony is that WHAT he says is directly contradicted by HOW he says it.
In the first place, he makes a moral judgment based on absolutes of good and evil, expecting that the audience will understand and agree with his evaluation. The world, he implies, was not tortured, chaotic, and bewildered at some time in the past. Obviously, that was good. Then he says that the world today is chaotic, bewildered, and tortured, which no one could take as anything but bad. His judgment of better and worse implies the existence of a good and evil not created by the mind of man. You may have seen other interesting implications in this statement as well, but this is the one I wish to emphasize. While Stace adamantly declares that good and evil do not exist except in the mind of individuals (which means there would be as many definitions of good and evil as there are people), he cannot help using universal meanings of good and evil that have nothing to do with individual preferences or prejudices. This is good evidence that, even though he would deny it, the Light of Christ is still operative in his life.
The person whose soul longs for light will find that light within and will follow it. Then something wonderful happens. To read about it, turn to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 50, verse 24. It tells us of a growth and refinement process brought about by light. We could make a comparison here. Imagine you have been wearing warm clothing with long sleeves all winter. Your arms have not been exposed to sunlight, and you know what happens. They become lighter and more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Then, on the first sunny day of spring, you rush outside with short sleeves and drive to the lake to go boating. After a few hours, you realize, painfully, that you have a severe sunburn. Too much light, too quickly, if you are not prepared, can be harmful to your health.
On the other hand, if you were to expose your sensitive skin to a little sunlight, just a few moments a day, soon you would be able to endure longer sessions, and eventually be able to go boating without getting a sunburn at all. Remember that physical and spiritual light come from the same source and have similar effects. For instance, if we, in our corrupt state, were suddenly to be exposed to the full glory of God, we would be consumed. We are told that "the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil" (Doctrine and Covenants 133:41). But there is a plan to "condition" us, if I may use that word, to spiritual things, so that we may stand in the Lord’s presence. Let us now read Section 50, verse 24.
24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24).
There is little chance of "spiritual sunburn" if we receive the light incrementally, in small amounts, through obedience, first to one principle, and then to a greater principle. The light within us grows brighter each time we obey until we become perfect, like our Heavenly Father.
Now please turn to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 88, verses 66 and 67. These verses explain the same concept in a different way, helping us to see what we must do to grow in light and in truth, and what the ultimate end will be.
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68).
As you can see, a great blessing awaits those who sanctify themselves so that their eyes (or, in other words, their minds) become single to God. While the Light of Christ gives everyone in the world a knowledge of good and evil, and while a person may hearken to that Spirit, something else is needed for the individual to become sanctified. Please turn to 3 Nephi 27:20.
As the Nephite disciples of Jesus were journeying about preaching the gospel, they met together and joined in mighty prayer and fasting. While they were so engaged, the Lord appeared to them and taught them some important principles. Let us read what Jesus said in verse 20:
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day (3 Nephi 27:20).
There is a chain of causes and effects here. We have learned that, to come into the presence of the Savior and to comprehend all things, a person’s whole body must be filled with light. In order to be filled with light, the person must first have a mind single to the glory of God, or, in other words, desire to do the will of the Lord to the exclusion of all other considerations. Before the person can have an eye single to the glory of God, he or she must become sanctified. And we have just learned, from verse 20, that the individual is sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost.
If you have been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shortly after your baptism, hands were laid upon your head, and you were given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Reflect upon that ordinance, and you will recall these words being said to you: "Receive the Holy Ghost."
That does not sound like in invitation or a suggestion, does it? It is not. It is an imperative sentence expressing a command. By the ordinance, a person is confirmed a member of the Church, but the responsibility for receiving the Holy Ghost rests entirely upon the individual. The Holy Ghost will force Himself upon no one. If a person is commanded to receive the Holy Ghost, and then refuses or neglects to do it, there are consequences.
Perhaps the word "receive" needs an illustration. Jay and Carlos are friends. Jay tells Carlos he would like to ask Sandra for a date. Carlos suggests that he go to Sandra’s house and ask her. Jay takes the advice and knocks on Sandra’s door. Sandra answers the door, sees who it is, says: "Not you again!," and slams the door. Jay goes back to Carlos and says, "I took your advice and knocked on Sandra’s door." Carlos asks, "How were you received?"
Perhaps that helps to define the word. Some people receive the Holy Ghost in the same way. Reception of the Holy Ghost begins with the realization that the Spirit desires to come into your life to sanctify you. Then it requires some effort and desire on your part, to open the door, so to speak, and let Him in. A person receives the Spirit by the prayer of faith (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14, 63:64), so there must also be a personal invitation, a fervent desire on your part for the companionship of the Spirit, and diligent effort to be worthy. He will not enter if your house is not swept clean.
If you receive the Holy Ghost as your constant companion, walk with Him daily, and allow Him to sanctify you, He will begin to enlighten your mind and to fill your soul with light. He will show you all things that you should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). But remember that the Spirit is very sensitive. Do not do anything to offend Him, or He will leave you, because the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unholy temples.
Our desire is to become filled with light, as Heavenly Father is, so that we may dwell in His presence. To prepare us for that, we have the privilege of receiving a member of the Godhead into our lives while we yet dwell in mortality. Think of the great blessing it is to have the influence of that Holy Being at all times if we keep ourselves worthy.
The result of receiving the Holy Ghost—that is, of consciously, willingly, and gladly receiving the Holy Ghost—is that it has marvelous effects upon the body and the mind. Parley P. Pratt explains some of those effects in the following quotation:
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.
If any of us have not experienced some of these things, perhaps we should become more aware and make more of an effort to receive the Holy Ghost. We must be cautious, however, that we recognize the Spirit of the Lord and are sure it is the Spirit we have. The devil can appear as an angel of light and can counterfeit a spiritual experience.
The person who talks excessively about spiritual manifestations is likely to be under the wrong influence. Such things are sacred and must be spoken of only by constraint of the Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 63:64). The person who tries to exercise compulsion upon those who disagree, or who becomes angry when others do not accept what he adamantly advances as correct principles, has the spirit of contention, and that spirit is not of God. The person who insists that a spiritual experience can be gained through carnal, sensual art or entertainment has been deceived by the adversary.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 205).
When the Prophet Joseph appeared to Brigham Young and directed him to tell the brethren to keep the Spirit of the Lord, he also gave this bit of advice:
They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts, and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God (Joseph Smith, quoted by Marion G. Romney, General Conference, April 1944).
Mormon taught the same doctrine in Moroni, Chapter 7, verses 13-16. Let us read his words together. He said:
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God (Moroni 7:13-16).
It is my hope that we can all live by the light of the Holy Spirit, though we may, at times, as Nephi, be led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things we should do (see 1 Nephi 4:6). The Spirit of God will always lead us right. I bear testimony that this is true in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.