Tuesday, August 1, 2023

John A. Widtsoe and Franklin S. Harris, Jr., Differentiating between the "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit"

  

The Holy Ghost: Nephi sees the Holy Ghost coming down out of heaven at the baptism of our Lord. He represents him as the exalted Person who confers divine authority on the servants of God; who sanctifies those that, through faith and repentance, enter the High Priesthood; who imparts knowledge, faith, the gift to speak, power to ordain to the priesthood, and 'many' other gifts of God enumerated in Moroni 10:9-19.

(References: 1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8; 1 Ne. 10:22; Alma 13:12; Ether 12:33; 3 Ne. 16:4; Jac. 7:12; Mor. 19:7; 2 Ne. 26:13; 2 Ne. 32:3; 33:1; Moro. 3:4; 10:8-19.)

 

It is the Holy Ghost that 'bears record,' or testifies of the Father and of the Son. He manifests or expounds the word of God. It is, therefore, a great sin to deny him, or to contend against him.

(References: Ether 11:36; 1 Ne. 10:11; Moro. 8:9; 2 Ne. 28:4; Alma 34:38; 39:5, 6.)

 

The three are one, but not one individual person. They are three persons, in one great divine council.

(References: 3 Ne. 11:27, 36; 28:10; Alma 11:44; Mormon 7:7.)

 

The Holy Spirit: But according to the Book of Mormon, as well as other Scripture, there is also a Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Holy Ghost, which is not a person, but rather a divine essence, a force, or fluid--for want of a better  term--which permeates all that exists. It is the medium through which God communicates with the world, and more especially with his children. It is through the presence of this holy, divine spirit that order is preserved in the universe. Were this mighty force withdrawn, the world would return to chaos. * * * It is that Spirit, in whom 'we live, and move and have our being.' It is through his Spirit that Christ gives light to all and all things. It 'proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space; it is 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.' (D. & C. 88:4-13.) It is through this Spirit that God 'is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.' (D. & C. 88:41.) It is this Spirit that is imparted to the repentant believer who receives baptism and the laying on of hands by an authorized servant of the Lord. And it is through this Spirit that the spiritual gifts are distributed.

(References: 1 Ne. 3:20; 13:12; Alma 5: 47; Hel. 5:45; Moro. 10:8, 9; 3 Ne. 19:9-23.) (John A. Widtsoe and Franklin S. Harris, Jr., Seven Claims of the Book of Mormon: A Collection of Evidences [Independence, Miss.: Press of Zion's Printing and Publishing Company, 1937], 148-49)

 

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