The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit gives us comfort, helps us recognize truth, and testifies of Jesus. Learn more about the Holy Spirit and how He can help you throughout your life.  

Clouds and light shining through representing the presence of the Holy Spirit

What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, is a witness of God and Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost confirms the truth of Jesus’s gospel. He communicates to us with a “still voice of perfect mildness, as … a whisper, and it [does] pierce even to the very soul” (Helaman 5:30).

Gives guidance

The Spirit can guide us throughout our lives. As we prayerfully ask God for help, His Holy Spirit “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5). One of the ways God communicates with us is through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit speaks to our mind and to our hearts through thoughts and feelings.

Offers comfort

Before Jesus was crucified, He promised His followers that the Father would send them the Comforter, or the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26–27). One role of the Holy Ghost is to offer comfort and peace. The Spirit comforts us when we are scared, lonely, or overwhelmed and fills us with “hope and perfect love” (Moroni 8:26).

Changes hearts

The Spirit can change and purify your heart. We each experience internal, invisible struggles. We may feel anger, hurt, jealousy, or many other hard feelings caused by any number of circumstances. Through our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit can cleanse our hearts and change our dispositions. It can help us forgive others, replace anger with love, and become more like Jesus.  

Confirms truth

The Holy Ghost can help you “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). He testifies of Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ, as well as Jesus’s divine role, God’s love, and all other eternal truths. You can feel the Holy Spirit confirm truth in your heart and mind as you study the scriptures and pray for understanding.

How can I feel the influence of the Holy Spirit in my life?

Anyone can feel the influence and power of the Holy Ghost as they seek to do good and strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Activities such as prayer, reading God’s word, attending church, and serving others often invite the influence of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures offer explanations on how to keep the Holy Ghost with you.  

Be humble

Humble people recognize the power of God and prioritize His will above their own. This invites the Spirit. The Book of Mormon counsels, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit” (Alma 13:28). 

Exercise faith

The Bible teaches that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Having faith will help you feel the influence of the Holy Spirit more. The Book of Mormon confirms, “As many as … have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith” (Jarom 1:4).  

Remember Jesus

Jesus promises that the Spirit will always be with people who remember what He has done for them. The Book of Mormon tells of how Jesus visited people in the ancient Americas after His Resurrection. As He had done in Jerusalem, He introduced the sacrament (or communion) to them and said, “This shall ye do in remembrance of my body … . And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you” (3 Nephi 18:7). 

The Holy Spirit is a source of comfort that can guide you toward great blessings and confirm important truths. As you seek the influence of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to come closer to God and learn more of Him. 

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