What Can the Book of Mormon Teach Me about the Holy Spirit?
Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon teaches important truths about the Holy Spirit.
Among other things, the Book of Mormon records Jesus’s visit to His people in the ancient Americas after His Resurrection. While there, He taught the people, performed miracles, and established His Church. These ancient people prayed for “that which they most desired,” and what they most desired was “that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Nephi 19:9). Teachings in the Book of Mormon help us understand why the Holy Spirit is so important.
God’s Messenger
The Book of Mormon teaches us that God will “[manifest] himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 26:13). Through the Holy Spirit, we can know that God lives and feel His love for us.
A Gift after Baptism
In the Book of Mormon, the people who want to follow Jesus or join His Church are baptized. After baptism comes the gift of the Holy Ghost. “He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:12).
A Source of Inspiration
As ancient prophets prayed for guidance, the Holy Ghost revealed direction from God to help them. The prophet Mormon said, “The word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 8:7). Through the Holy Spirit, you can receive inspiration and direction for your own life.
A Witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus
One of the most important roles of the Holy Spirit is to testify of God and Jesus Christ. “And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me” (3 Nephi 28:11).
A Confirmer of Truth
Through “the power of the Holy Ghost,” we can know “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). The Holy Ghost confirms to our hearts all that is right and true. Regarding the Book of Mormon, its last author Moroni challenges us, “I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4).
A Sanctifier
The Holy Spirit has a unique power to cleanse and purify us through Jesus Christ’s redeeming sacrifice (called the Atonement). In the Book of Mormon, the Lord teaches, “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).