When I was young, I was friends with a girl whose family was Pentacostal. I noticed several things about their lifestyle, such as the fact that the women in their family only wore skirts, not pants, didn't wear jewelry, and didn't cut their hair. One day when I was visiting my friend, I asked her some questions about her religion. She told me that in addition to their dress code, they also didn't watch television, or listen to popular music on the radio. They also didn't dance. She told me that they also believed in speaking in tongues. Having not experienced that in my life, I asked her how a person spoke in tongues. She told me that only those who had the gift of the Holy Ghost were able to speak in tongues. She said that speaking in tongues was the way a person knew if they had receieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. I asked her if she had received the Holy Ghost, and she told me she had not yet received it, but her mother had. I was very fascinated by their teachings, but I had been taught a different way of receiving the Holy Ghost.
We believe that the influence of the Holy Ghost can come upon anyone who is worthy. This influence can lead a person to truth, or warn them from danger. But this influence isn't permanent. We believe that in order to have the permanent gift of the Holy Ghost, we must first receive that gift by the laying on of hands by one holding the proper Priesthood authority. In the book of Acts, we read that Peter and John went to Samaria, and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands upon the members there. These members had already been baptized, but as yet had not received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." Acts 8:14-17
Baptism is a prerequisite to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Bible Dictionary of the LDS scriptures, in speaking about the role of the Holy Ghost, states, "More powerful than that which is available before baptism, it acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin. Thus it is often spoken of as "fire" John the Baptist taught, " I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matt. 3: 11 )
After we have this "baptism of fire" spoken of in the scriptures, then we are entitled to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. However this gift is conditional upon our worthiness. In the Book of Mormon we are taught that "..the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples—" (Helaman 4: 24) If we want that constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us, we must live worthy of it.
So how does the Holy Ghost communicate with us? In the Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 we read, "Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." Elder Boyd K. Packer further taught, " That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes." (Boyd K. Packer, "Prayer and Promptings," Liahona, Nov 2009, 43–46)
The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I have had many experiences when I have received direct guidance through the gift of the Holy Ghost. I pray that I might always live in such as way as to be worthy to receive that guidance it gives.
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Hi Delirious,
Interesting post…
I have a question (by the way I am NOT a Pentecostal but am knowledgeable about that group). You said:
“I asked her if she had received the Holy Ghost, and she told me she had not yet received it, but her mother had. “
The use of the word “it” interests me…The Holy Spirit is a Person not an “it”…is this simply a transmigration, extrapolation or telescoping of the conversation…I know you will see the theological consequences…
Hi LS,
Yes, you are correct. I think my mistake was that in my mind was thinking, "I asked if she had received the "gift" of the Holy Ghost" but I left out the word gift. So when I said, "it", I was referring to the gift, not the person.
Hi D,
I hear you; it perked my curiosity as there are quite a few variances within the “Pentecostal” community…another example would be the Jehovah’s Witnesses viewpoint of the Holy Spirit being an “active force” and not a Person…
Although I am not a Pentecostal I do treasure the transformation power of the Holy Spirit in my life. He has comforted me in my Jesus following…
Spiritual gifts are another interesting matter particularly through the eyes of a Pentecostal…
How do you feel about the use of the name Holy Spirit instead of Holy Ghost?
I'll have to admit LS that I personally prefer "Holy Spirit" to "Holy Ghost". I usually refer to the Holy Ghost as simply, "The Spirit". I think I do that because the word "Ghost" has such a different connotation in today's world, and I worry that people who are just learning might not understand.
We do believe in the gifts of the Spirit, although we typically don't experience speaking in tongues like the Pentecostal do. We believe that missionaries who preach in foreign lands are often blessed with the "gift of tongues" that enables them to be able to learn the language quickly, and to often communicate beyond their own natural ability. But as you know, there are many gifts of the Spirit.
D, you’re going to like this…we see things very similarly with this topic…
As the Book of Acts seems to contain most of the primacy with information about the ways in which the Holy Spirit engages with the Church how would you represent Acts impact with the LDS? (I know I am asking for a book here so I mean just a simple straight forward impression :)
Simple and straight? Can I make it long? I don't think I'm capable of short. lol
For some reason, while Jesus was with the apostles, they did not have the gift of the Holy Ghost. "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39 Certainly, the influence of the Holy Ghost was felt at that time, because we read of many conversions. But the gift was not yet with that generation. Jesus had said he would send "another comforter". I think that because of the influence of the Savior and His power and glory, they had what was sufficient for them at that time. But when He died, and was resurrected, then they received the gift of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost by the laying on of hands. As I mentioned in my post, the gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the "influence" of the Holy Ghost. One is temporary, and one is permanent. After they received that gift by the laying on of hands, then the apostles had the permanent gift.
It is interesting to note that Simon tried to buy the ability to confer that gift upon people. But the Priesthood isn't something that we sell, so he was rebuked by Peter.
In chapter 10 we read of the Holy Ghost falling upon the Gentiles that were being taught. They even spake in tongues. But as they had not yet been baptized, I am led to believe that they were experiencing the "influence" of the Holy Ghost. Peter then went on to suggest that they should not be forbidden baptism.
We have another account in Acts 19:6 of Peter laying hands on those who had been baptized, and they received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
I've kind of wandered a little in my answer, but I hope I've explained my thinking.
Livingsword and Delirious, it looks like you are having a great discussion there. Not much to add.
I am curious, Delirious, if it is possible per LDS theology for someone to be permanently empowered by the Holy Spirit, yet never having had any contact with the LDS.
Looney,
This question deals with the very crux of our religion. This answer will be a little long, because merely a yes or no answer does not do it justice, so please bear with me. Our belief is that When Christ was on the earth, He gave the Priesthood authority to the apostles. After His death, the apostles carried out the affairs of the church, and continued to carry out the missionary work. But as you know, the apostles were eventually killed. This is where our church verges from the beliefs of other churches. The Catholic church asserts that the Priesthood authority continued on in their church.
We assert that the Priesthood authority was lost from the earth. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11,12) "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" (2 Thess. 2:1-3)
While the apostles were still alive, they already sensed this apostasy beginning to happen. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:" (Gal. 1:6)
We believe that the great apostasy did occur, and that the Priesthood power was no longer on the Earth. There were no longer prophets to guide the people. Prophets are essential for modern guidance and revelation, just as Moses was essential in leading the people of Israel in his day. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) There was no longer any Priesthood authority to perform sacred ordinances such as baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
But the Apostles had also talked about a restoration, a "restitution of all things". "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:20,21)
In May of 1829, while translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and his scribe Oliver Cowdery read about baptism. They had not as yet been baptized, and our church had not been organized. They went to the woods to pray about this, and in answer to their prayer, the resurrected John the Baptist appeared. He layed his hands upon their heads and gave them the Priesthood of Aaron, which is the Levitical Priesthood. He then directed them to baptize each other. Later, Peter, James and John also appeared to them and conferred the higher Priesthood, the Priesthood of Melchizedek upon them.
We assert to the world that the Priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. That Priesthood has the authority to perform ordinances such as baptism, and that of giving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Without that Priesthood, one cannot have the ordinance. This is the message that we take to the world. We believe this to be the literal church of Jesus Christ, restored to the earth.
I should say also that the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is conditional upon our worthiness. Although a person may have the gift of the Holy Ghost, sin separates us from that influence.
You might be interested in this article that further explains our position.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=013e3ff73058b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Bah...that link won't work. I'll post the talk.
WOW I noticed that D said “Bah…” this must have been speaking in tongues? ;)
Livingsword, when I try speaking Chinese to Chinese, half the time they think I am speaking in tongues also!
I’ve been getting some Chinese spam on my blogs has that been you? LOL
Would you rather eat Spam or tongue?
Actually I think that D’s “Bah…” was a physiological trick on me…the sheep like noise and the whole Christian thing hmmm…
;)
I had two Chinese spams which I deleted. As for spam vs. tongue, I usually try my best to eat what I am served without questioning. (It relates to confusion over speaking in tongues, which I try to avoid.)
D might have done something Freudian - thinking about a rack of lamb while working on the blog. Certainly I would have done something like that.
If "bah" is the extent of my speaking tongues, I must not have much of the Spirit. ;)
Oh
Do you like dim sum? Chicken feet? I admit tha tit is not my favorite kind of food but I very much enjoy the social part of it…we have some fantastic restaurants here…just like you guys…
I have never been confused over speaking in tongues…
I love lamb…and I also love goat…lamb is great cooked almost any style (I really like Afghani) and goat is also good many ways…interestingly goat is very good with a green curry which you would not probably expect…
I visited a Greek village that had lamb on a spit at the village entrance, anybody was allowed to help themselves…it was amazingly good and the people were very friendly…then there was a very old lady selling little baggies of almonds for $8 each!
You know, there are some touchstone moments in my life when I felt the touch of the Holy Spirit in my life…I knew He was intervening…He is glorious!
Ouch sorry about the typo!
Obviously I have enough trouble with English so don’t feel bad about “bah” D!
I love Dim Sum, but I have to admit that i"m a little bit of a wimp about eating dim sum in Hong Kong. I have lived in Asia, but still can't get used to the more "unusual" parts, such as chicken feet. My husband eats bugs and worms and weird body parts, but I'm not quite as adventuresome. I have eaten chicken feet, but never quite gained a taste for them. However, I did eat pig's ears and liked them.
I have absolutely no love for lamb. When I was a child, every "Pioneer day" in my mother's home town they held a "mutton roast". Mutton is so greasy and tough! I grew to dislike it. To me, lamb tastes like tender mutton. A little less greasy, but still that strong flavor that I grew to dislike. But that lamb was cooked in a pit. Maybe if I tasted it roasted over a fire I would like it. I do like roasted pig that way. Man I'm hungry now.
I think for me, communication with the Spirit has been much like learning a second language. I have had to learn to recognize the promptings and inspiration. Sometimes I've received very strong, undeniable direction, and other times it has been quiet and delicate, like a whisper. But I find that the more I heed those promptings, the easier they are to recognize.
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