Hi there, I recently became a member of the lds-church. In the follow-up I had a lot of talks with friends outside the church. One of them mentioned that there is a difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in LDS teachings. Can anyone comment on that? Thank you for your answers: -)
5 Responses to “Hi there, I recently became a member of the lds-church. In t…”
Pamela Dean
2009-09-26 16:51:46
According to the topic guide at 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." This is the official doctrine of the church.
However, detractors of the church often like to use misquotes or quotes that do not reflect official doctrine to further their own aims, and it is often *these* ideas that get perpetuated.
Your friends have probably heard comments that relate to John A. Widtsoe's quote which says "The Holy Ghost, sometimes called the Comforter, is the third member of the Godhead, and is a personage distinct from the Holy Spirit." (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, (3 volumes in one), 1962, p. 76). But this is not the whole quote, nor does it portray the intent of what Widtsoe was saying in my opinion. While the entire quote is too lengthy to reproduce here, other parts of the section say "The Holy Spirit, variously called the Spirit of God, the Light of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, proceeds from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. It is a spirit of intelligence that permeates the universe and gives understanding to the spirits of men" And as a personage, the Holy Ghost cannot any more than the Father and son be everywhere present in person. Little has been revealed as yet concerning the Holy Ghost; but it is evident that his mission is to bear witness to men of the existence of God and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and also to fill men with knowledge and power and to inspire them to works leading to happiness." We can clearly see here that Widstoe acknowledged that he did not understand this theology in full even though both terms indicate an increasing understanind and knowledge.
Nevertheless, regardless of what Elder Widtsoe's wrote he was speaking for himself, not for the church as a whole.
Webmaster: Very interesting, Pamela. I agree that, regardless of Widtsoe's intent, which seems to be uncertain, modern Mormonism clearly teaches that the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. I'd never even heard of Elder Widtsoe's talk. Good find! :)
Webmaster de AllAboutMormons.com
2009-09-26 20:56:41
Hi Nils. Congratulations on your recent baptism! It must be an exciting time to be a Mormon in Germany. With the recent ordination of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, members of the Church in other countries are hearing more and more about the German Saints. I've enjoyed Elder Uchtdorf's talks in which he tells stories about his homeland.
To my knowledge, these is no distinction between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in LDS teachings. The "Guide to the Scriptures," published by the Church, teaches that the Holy Ghost is sometimes called the "Spirit." I think I can guess what your friend might have heard, though. In our Church, we do distinguish between the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the influence of the Holy Ghost. All peoples of all religions can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost when truth is taught. For example, many who decide to join the LDS Church feel the influence of the Holy Ghost testifying to them that the Church is true. I believe the influence of the Holy Ghost can also be felt in other churches, whenever pastors and priests teach true doctrine.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost, on the other hand, is given only by one who possess the appropriate authority of God (the Melchizedek Priesthood). Following your baptism, when you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. With this Gift, the Holy Ghost can be your constant companion, as long as you are worthy of that companionship.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
Anonymous
2009-09-27 00:01:12
Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably and often refer to the Holy Ghost. However, here is the real scoop:
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who sanctifies, comforts, testifies of Christ, etc. When people are confirmed members of the church, they are given the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. This is called the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will lead that person to all truth if the person remains worthy of his companionship. He will also warn of spiritual and temporal dangers if we remain sensitive to his influence.
The spirit if Christ or light of Christ is the power of God that fills the immensity of space (D&C 88: 6-13). It is the light that enlightens all of us (John 1:9) and tells us what is right and wrong (conscience).
The Holy Ghost often works through the means of the light of Christ.
Lowell
2009-09-27 03:16:59
No, in the LDS church there is no difference between the Holy Ghost and the holy spirit, they are just two of the many names for him (i.e. the Comforter, Spirit of the Lord, etc)
Hope this helps :)
Nils
2009-09-28 13:19:49
Thank you very much for your answers! They were very helpful.
However, detractors of the church often like to use misquotes or quotes that do not reflect official doctrine to further their own aims, and it is often *these* ideas that get perpetuated.
Your friends have probably heard comments that relate to John A. Widtsoe's quote which says "The Holy Ghost, sometimes called the Comforter, is the third member of the Godhead, and is a personage distinct from the Holy Spirit." (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, (3 volumes in one), 1962, p. 76). But this is not the whole quote, nor does it portray the intent of what Widtsoe was saying in my opinion. While the entire quote is too lengthy to reproduce here, other parts of the section say "The Holy Spirit, variously called the Spirit of God, the Light of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, proceeds from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. It is a spirit of intelligence that permeates the universe and gives understanding to the spirits of men" And as a personage, the Holy Ghost cannot any more than the Father and son be everywhere present in person. Little has been revealed as yet concerning the Holy Ghost; but it is evident that his mission is to bear witness to men of the existence of God and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and also to fill men with knowledge and power and to inspire them to works leading to happiness." We can clearly see here that Widstoe acknowledged that he did not understand this theology in full even though both terms indicate an increasing understanind and knowledge.
Nevertheless, regardless of what Elder Widtsoe's wrote he was speaking for himself, not for the church as a whole.
Webmaster: Very interesting, Pamela. I agree that, regardless of Widtsoe's intent, which seems to be uncertain, modern Mormonism clearly teaches that the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. I'd never even heard of Elder Widtsoe's talk. Good find! :)
To my knowledge, these is no distinction between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost in LDS teachings. The "Guide to the Scriptures," published by the Church, teaches that the Holy Ghost is sometimes called the "Spirit." I think I can guess what your friend might have heard, though. In our Church, we do distinguish between the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the influence of the Holy Ghost. All peoples of all religions can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost when truth is taught. For example, many who decide to join the LDS Church feel the influence of the Holy Ghost testifying to them that the Church is true. I believe the influence of the Holy Ghost can also be felt in other churches, whenever pastors and priests teach true doctrine.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost, on the other hand, is given only by one who possess the appropriate authority of God (the Melchizedek Priesthood). Following your baptism, when you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. With this Gift, the Holy Ghost can be your constant companion, as long as you are worthy of that companionship.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who sanctifies, comforts, testifies of Christ, etc. When people are confirmed members of the church, they are given the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. This is called the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will lead that person to all truth if the person remains worthy of his companionship. He will also warn of spiritual and temporal dangers if we remain sensitive to his influence.
The spirit if Christ or light of Christ is the power of God that fills the immensity of space (D&C 88: 6-13). It is the light that enlightens all of us (John 1:9) and tells us what is right and wrong (conscience).
The Holy Ghost often works through the means of the light of Christ.
Hope this helps :)