=1. Effect of the Holy Ghost on the Individual.=--"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."--Parley P. Pratt, _Key to Theology_, pp. 96-97
(4th ed.).
=2. The Laying on of Hands.=--From the scriptures cited, it is
plain that the usual ceremony of bestowing the gift of the Holy
Ghost consisted in part in the imposition of hands by those in
authority (Acts viii, 17; ix, 17; xix, 2-6; Alma xxxi, 36; III
Nephi xviii, 36-37; Doc. and Cov. xx, 41). The same outward sign
has marked other authoritative acts: for example, ordination to
the priesthood; and administration to the sick. It is probable
that Paul had reference to Timothy's ordination when he exhorts
him thus: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given
thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery" (I Tim. iv, 14). And again, "Stir up the gift of God,
which is in thee by the putting on of my hands" (II Tim. i, 6).
The first ordination to the priesthood in latter times was done
by the imposition of hands by John the Baptist (Doc. and Cov.
xiii). That Christ in healing the sick sometimes laid His hands
upon the afflicted ones is certain (Mark vi, 5); and He left with
His apostles a promise that healing should follow the
authoritative laying on of hands (Mark xvi, 15, 18). The same
promise has been repeated in this day (Doc. and Cov. xlii,
43-44). Yet, notwithstanding the importance given to this sign of
authority, the laying on of hands is but exceptional among the
practices of the many sects professing Christianity to-day.
=3. Operation of the Holy Ghost.=--The means through which the
Holy Ghost operates are no more truly the Holy Ghost in person
than are the light and heat and actinic energy of the sun, the
sun itself. The influence, spirit, or power of the Holy Ghost is
that of enlightenment and progression, and this is given unto men
in proportion to their receptiveness and worthiness; but the
right to the special ministrations of the third member of the
Godhead is obtainable only through compliance with the
preliminary requirements of the Gospel--faith, repentance, and
baptism.
=4. Mode of Conferring the Holy Ghost.=--Questions have arisen as
to the ceremony of confirmation and the bestowal of the Holy
Ghost, particularly as to the propriety of saying: _Receive ye
the Holy Ghost_; or _Receive ye the Gift of the Holy Ghost._.
Since the companionship of the Holy Ghost embraces all the
spiritual graces and gift in so far as such are deserved by and
appropriate to the person, the Church teaches that officiating
Elders in confirming baptized candidates should use the form:
_Receive ye the Holy Ghost_.
In explaining the reception of the Holy Ghost by the apostles of
old, the First Presidency of the Church issued an instructive
statement Feb. 5, 1916. See DESERET NEWS of that date, and
_Improvement Era_, March, 1916; and for excerpt from same see
"Jesus the Christ" (third and later editions), p. 720.