Gift of Holy Ghost

Mormon.org provides a definition of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. It leaves out most of the gifts of the Spirit, stating that “the gift” is the constancy of the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which is activated by the laying on of hands at confirmation, and wanes with disobedience to the commandments:

`The Holy Ghost can inspire you with thoughts and ideas, warn you, and comfort you in times of sorrow. Almost everyone has felt the Holy Ghost at some time. But there is a difference between experiencing the occasional influence of the Holy Ghost and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Although the Holy Ghost may temporarily comfort someone or reveal truth to them, the gift of the Holy Ghost is reserved for those who have been baptized and confirmed into Christ’s Church. This gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost conditional upon keeping the commandments. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given when a person is confirmed a member of the Church after baptism by someone having priesthood authority from God. It is given by the person having authority laying their hands upon the head of the person who was baptized and giving them a blessing to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:14-18). Whether or not we then receive this great gift depends on our keeping the commandments of God. (https://www.mormon.org/faq/holy-ghostblessings)

Another article is similar in content, adding that “receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is often spoken of as a baptism by fire.” (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/gift-of-the-holy-ghost)

The gift of the Holy Ghost is not the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Anyone who keeps God’s commandments will receive the Holy Ghost as often and to the degree that they keep the commandments. Instead, the gift is to receive the baptism by fire, which is an intense, overwhelming purging experience that changes a person by filling them with the love of God and their fellowman, purifying them to the extent that they can more fully feel the influence of God in their lives.

And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; (Mosiah 27:25.)

The gift of the Holy Ghost is always accompanied not only by internal feelings (which can be counterfeited), but also by outward signs.¹

[The gift of the Holy Ghost's] internal fruits are faith, knowledge, wisdom, joy, peace, patience, temperance, long suffering, brotherly kindness and charity. Its external gifts are manifested in prophecies, visions, discernments, healings, miracles, power over evil spirits, speaking in various tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. (First Presidency Counselor Charles W. Penrose, “Mormon Doctrine, Plain and Simple,” p 17.)

No matter the definition in use for the phrase, the gift of the Holy Ghost does not come as a result of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the case of the companionship of the Holy Ghost, anyone who keeps God’s commandments will enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Men were able to keep the commandments of God before 1830, and were blessed by the companionship of the Holy Ghost accordingly. Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not control who does or does not receive the baptism of fire. As demonstrated by Cornelius and the Lamanites, the baptism of fire comes by full purpose of heart in repentance.⁴ It comes to all who fulfill this requirement, no matter their status in or out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Some in the church teach that baptism by fire is a process, not an event, and can be experienced without noticing it.² This is not true, and would only be taught by someone who had never experienced it. Perhaps one reason for the confusion is the misinterpretation of 3 Nephi 9:20:³ And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

The story of the Lamanites spoken of is given in Helaman 5:

And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us? And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you. And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed. And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying: Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world. (Helaman 5:40-47.)

These Lamanites did indeed receive the baptism of fire. However, to imply that they did not know that something dramatic was happening to them is ridiculous. They were surrounded by fire, saw angels, and spoke forth marvelous words. Their testimony of that day was sufficient to cause them to immediately repent of their sins, go out preaching the gospel, and abandon the traditions of their fathers. They knew that something happened to them, and it was not a gradual process! They simply did not know what was happening at the time, which is completely understandable considering they had received the sum total of about five minutes of gospel instruction.

As quoted, the church teaches that the Holy Ghost is received at confirmation. However, President Snow taught that he did not receive the Holy Ghost until some time after his baptism:

This manifestation did not immediately follow my baptism, as I expected....some two or three weeks after I was baptized...I began to feel very uneasy. I laid aside my books, left the house and wandered around through the fields under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit, while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelop me. I had been accustomed, at the close of the day, to retire for secret prayer to a grove...I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than I heard a sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt! No language can describe the instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that time imparted to my understanding. I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the gospel. It was a complete baptism—a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or element, the Holy Ghost... (“Teachings of the Presidents: Lorenzo Snow”)

As with the Apostles in Jesus’ day, the baptism of fire rarely accompanies members at the time of their baptism, but comes some time later, when the member has truly submitted themselves to Christ.

For some few who are able to truly humble themselves before God at or prior to their baptism by water,⁴ the baptism of fire comes immediately upon conversion:

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. (Alma 19:13.)

As in the case of the Lamanites in Helaman 5, Cornelius immediately received the gift of the Holy Ghost upon hearing the gospel, prior to baptism. As Joseph taught, Cornelius did not receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost before baptism,⁵ rather he received the converting, purifying event of justification of his sins and gifts of the Spirit. Baptism by fire is not an optional event. Jesus taught:

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:5-7.)

Nephi explained that baptism by fire is merely the gate to the path which leads to eternal life. It is required but insufficient in order to obtain salvation:

For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. (2 Nephi 31:17-18.)

Baptism by fire is required for true justification, as well as to begin the process of sanctification which comes through the acquisition of knowledge through personal revelation only available for those who have been baptized by fire.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way....feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:1,3,5.)

For this reason, Joseph taught that

You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (History of the Church, 5:499.)

Nephi taught that there is no other way:

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God}. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. (2 Nephi 31:19-21.)