We Believe: Doctrines of Mormonism

President David O. McKay

Joseph Smith

We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.

2. We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. (Declaration of belief regarding governments and laws, Aug. 17, 1835) D&C 134:1-2

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

The function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property, and anything more or less than this is usurpation and oppression. CR1968Apr:49

President David O. McKay

I believe with others that government, institutions, and organizations exist primarily for the purpose of securing to the individual his rights, his happiness, and proper development of his character. When organizations fail to accomplish this purpose, their usefulness ends. "So act," says Kant, "as to treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, in every case as an end, never as a means only."

In all ages of the world men have been prone to ignore the personality of others, to disregard men's rights by closing against them the opportunity to develop. The worth of man is a good measuring rod by which we may judge the rightfulness or the wrongfulness of a policy or principle, whether in government, in business or in social activities. CR1962Oct:5-6

Related Witnesses:

Mosiah, son of Benjamin,

quoted by Mormon

And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land. (Mosiah tells the people unrighteous kings lead the people to sin, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:32

304. Civil governments should secure to all individuals freedom to worship how, where, or what they may.

Mormon

President Heber J. Grant

Joseph Smith

We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. . . .

7. We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. (Declaration of belief regarding governments and laws, Aug. 17, 1835) D&C 134:4,7

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

We believe that the Lord has been preparing that when he should bring forth his work that, when the set time should fully come, there might be a place upon his footstool where sufficient liberty of conscience should exist, that his Saints might dwell in peace under the broad panoply of constitutional law and equal rights. In this view we consider that the men in the Revolution were inspired by the Almighty, to throw off the shackles of the mother government, with her established religion. For this cause were Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, and a host of others inspired to deeds of resistance to the acts of the King of Great Britain, who might also have been led to those aggressive acts, for aught we know, to bring to pass the purposes of God, in thus establishing a new government upon a principle of greater freedom, a basis of self-government allowing the free exercise of religious worship. (In Tabernacle, Feb. 18, 1855, JD2:170) DBY:359-60

Mormon

But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.

7. Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.

8. For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

9. Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.

10. But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.

11. For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man's belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds. (Korihor, Anti-Christ comes to Zarahemla, 74 B.C.) Alma 30:6-11

Joseph Smith

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. (The eleventh of the thirteen Articles of Faith; letter to John Wentworth, March 1, 1842) Articles of Faith :11

President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay

(First Presidency)

We condemn the outcome which wicked and designing men are now planning, namely: the worldwide establishment and perpetuation of some form of Communism on the one side, or of some form of Nazism or Fascism on the other. Each of these systems destroys liberty, wipes out free institutions, blots out free agency, stifles free press and free speech, crushes out freedom of religion and conscience. Free peoples cannot and do not survive under these systems. Free peoples the world over will view with horror the establishment of either Communism or Nazism as a worldwide system. Each system is fostered by those who deny the right and the ability of the common people who govern themselves. We proclaim that the common people have both this right and this ability.

We review our declaration that international disputes can and should be settled by peaceful means. This is the way of the Lord. CR1942Oct:15

Related Witnesses:

Joshua

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua counsels the people of Israel) Joshua 24:14-15

305. Civil governments should function by the voice of the people.

Parley P. Pratt

Joseph Smith

In the United States the people are the government, and their united voice is the only sovereign that should rule, the only power that should be obeyed, and the only gentlemen that should be honored at home and abroad, on the land and on the sea. Wherefore, were I the president of the United States, by the voice of a virtuous people, I would honor the old paths of the venerated fathers of freedom; I would walk in the tracks of the illustrious patriots who carried the ark of the Government upon their shoulders with an eye single to the glory of the people, and when that people petitioned to abolish slavery in the slave states, I would use all honorable means to have their prayers granted, and, give liberty to the captive by paying the Southern gentlemen a reasonable equivalent for his property, that the whole nation might be free indeed (From Joseph's "Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States," Feb. 7, 1844) HC6:208

Mosiah, son of Benjamin,

quoted by Mormon

Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

27. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land. (Mosiah tells the people unrighteous kings lead the people to sin, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:26-27

Mosiah, son of Benjamin,

quoted by Mormon

And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lord; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no king; that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads.

31. For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings.

32. And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land. (Mosiah tells the people unrighteous kings lead the people to sin, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:30-32

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

A republican government consists in letting the people rule by their united voice, without a dissension, —in learning what is for the best, and unitedly doing it. That is true republicanism. (In Bowery, Sept. 13, 1857, JD5:228) DBY:365

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

[I]nstead of seeking to destroy the very best Government in the world, as seems to be the fears of some, we, like all other good citizens, should seek to place those men in power, who will feel the obligations and responsibilities they are under to a mighty people; who would feel and realize the important trusts reposed in them by the voice of the people who call them to administer law under the solemn sanction of an oath of fidelity to that heaven inspired instrument, to the inviolate preservation of which we look for the perpetuity of our free institutions. (In Tabernacle, Feb. 18, 1855, JD2:175) DBY:362

Related Witnesses:

Parley P. Pratt

God is the origin of power, the Sovereign. He made the people and the earth, and He has the right to reign. There will be good times and good government, when the world will acknowledge the God of heaven as the Lawgiver, and not till then; and if I could live under His government, I should be thankful, although I am a real Republican in principle, and would rather live under the voice of the people than the voice of one man. But it will be for the good and happiness of man when that government is established, which we pray for when we say, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;" and until that time arrives we must pray for it. (Conference of the Twelve, Boylston Hall, Boston, Mass., Sept. 9, 1843) HC6:15

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

Keep in mind that the people who have created their government can give to that government only such powers as they themselves have. They cannot give that which they do not possess. . . .

The proper function of government is limited only to those spheres of activity within which the individual citizen has the right to act. By deriving its just powers from the governed, government becomes primarily a mechanism for defense against bodily harm, theft, involuntary servitude. It cannot claim the power to redistribute the wealth or force reluctant citizens to perform acts of charity against their will. Government is created by man. No man can delegate a power that he does not possess. The creature cannot exceed the creator. . . .CR1968Oct:18-19

Mosiah, son of Benjamin,

quoted by Mormon

Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge this people according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have men for your kings who would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people—I say unto you, if this could always be the case then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you. . . .16. Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you.

17. For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction (Mosiah tells the people unrighteous kings lead the people to sin, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:13,16-17

Author's Note: Civil governments should function by the voice of the people (D-305)—until Christ shall reign, until the millennial government when a theocracy will replace civil governments as we know them.

306. Church and state should remain separate from each other, neither one interfering with the rights and functions of the other.

President Spencer W. Kimball

President Heber J. Grant

President Joseph F. Smith

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; the non-interference of church authority in political matters; and the absolute freedom and independence of the individual in the performance of his political duties. If, at any time, there has been conduct at variance with this doctrine, it has been in violation of the well settled principles and policy of the Church.

We declare that from principle and policy, we favor:

The absolute separation of church and state;

No domination of the state by the church;

No church interference with the functions of the state;

No state interference with the functions of the church, or with the free exercise of religion.

The absolute freedom of the individual from the domination of ecclesiastical authority in political affairs;

The equality of all churches before the law. . . .

. . . [I]t is sometimes pointed out that the members of the Church are looking for the actual coming of a Kingdom of God on earth, that shall gather all kingdoms of the world into one visible, divine empire, over which the risen Messiah shall reign. . . .

[Neither] our belief in divine revelation, or our anticipation of the coming kingdom of God, weakens in any degree the genuineness of our allegiance to our country. When the divine empire will be established, we may not know any more than other Christians who pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven;" but we do know that our allegiance and loyalty to country are strengthened by the fact that while awaiting the advent of the Messiah's kingdom, we are under a commandment from God to be subject to the powers that be, until He comes "whose right it is to reign." (Joseph F. Smith, An Address from the First Presidency of the Church to the world, delivered to and accepted by vote of the Church in general conference, April 1907) CR1907Apr(Appendix)14

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

Let us first consider the origin of those freedoms we have come to know as human rights. Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. Reason, necessity, tradition, and religious convictions all lead me to accept the divine origin of these rights. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government.

I support the doctrine of separation of church and state as traditionally interpreted to prohibit the establishment of an official national religion. But this does not mean that we should divorce government from any formal recognition of God. To do so strikes a potentially fatal blow at the concept of the divine origin of our rights and unlocks the door for an easy entry of future tyranny. If Americans should ever come to believe that their rights and freedoms are instituted among men by politicians and bureaucrats, then they will no longer carry the proud inheritance of their forefathers, but will grovel before their masters seeking favors and dispensations, a throwback to the feudal system of the Dark Ages.

Since God created man with certain inalienable rights, and man, in turn, created government to help secure and safeguard those rights, it follows that man is superior to the creature which he created. Man is superior to government and should remain master over it, not the other way around. Even the nonbeliever can appreciate the logic of this relationship.

A government is nothing more or less than a relatively small group of citizens who have been hired, in a sense, by the rest of us to perform certain functions and discharge certain responsibilities which have been authorized. The government itself has no innate power or privilege to do anything. Its only source of authority and power is from the people who created it. CR1968Oct:18

President Heber J. Grant

The Church stands for the separation of church and state. The Church has no civil political functions. As the Church may not assume the functions of the state, so the state may not assume the functions of the church. The Church is responsible for and must carry on the work of the Lord, directing the conduct of its members, one towards the other, as followers of the lowly Christ, not forgetting the humble, the poor and needy, and those in distress, leading them all to righteous living and a spiritual life that shall bring them to salvation, exaltation, and eternal progression in wisdom, knowledge, understanding and power. . . .

The state is responsible for the civil control of its citizens or subjects, for their political welfare, and for the carrying forward of political policies, domestic, and foreign, of body politic. For these policies, their success or failure, the state is alone responsible and it must carry its burdens. All these matters involve and directly affect Church members because they are part of the body politic, and members must give allegiance to their sovereign and render it loyal service when called thereto. But the Church, itself, as such, has no responsibility for these policies, as to which it has no means of doing more than urging its members fully to render that loyalty to their country and to free institutions which the loftiest patriotism calls for.

Nevertheless, as a correlative of the principle of separation of the church and the State, themselves, there is an obligation running from every citizen or subject to the state. This obligation is voiced in that Article of Faith which declares:

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." CR1942Apr:92-93

Author's Note: Church and state should remain separate from each other, neither one interfering with the rights and functioning of the other—until Christ shall reign, until the millennial government when a theocracy will replace civil governments as we know them.

307. Promoting righteous civil government and sharing the burden of government is the responsibility of every citizen.

Henry D. Moyle

Anthony W. Ivins

President Ezra Taft Benson

Mormon

And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every man might bear his part. (King Benjamin tells the people that even a righteous king ought not bear all the burdens of government) Mosiah 29:34

Elder John Taylor

As we have progressed the mist has been removed, and in relation to these matters, the Elders of Israel begin to understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political interests of man, and to learn and be able to teach that which would be best calculated to promote the interests of the world. (In Tabernacle, April 13, 1862, JD9:340) TLDP:261

Joseph Smith

3. We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic. . . .

5. We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; . . .

8. . . . [F]or the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment. (Declaration of belief regarding governments and laws, Aug. 17, 1835) D&C 134:1,3,5,8

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

9. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

10. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. (Revelation received Aug. 6, 1833 in consequence of the persecution of the saints, the Lord justifies the Saints in befriending the constitutional law of the land) D&C 98:8-10

Richard L. Evans,

also quoting Joseph Smith

Of course the world has troubles, uncertainties, problems. Of course we are impatient and puzzled at times, but the means and the reason for improving and repenting and for solving the problems are given us in our Father's plan and purposes.

May I cite two oft-quoted scriptures, and put some added emphasis on them:

"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness (D&C 58:27italics added)."

The emphasis could well be on good and righteousness.

Another: "Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold. . . ." (D&C 98:10)

I infer from this that we have an obligation to be active in public issues, in civic problems, and to provide honest and good men and wise men to serve and give leadership on public affairs.

We shouldn't be sideline sitters. CR1968Oct:44

President Spencer W. Kimball

The only way we can keep our freedom is to work at it. Not some of us. All of us. Not some of the time, but all of the time.

So if you value your citizenship and want to keep it for yourself and your children and their children, give it your faith, your belief, and give it your active support in civic affairs. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 405) TLDP:261

Henry D. Moyle

If we are to be a God-fearing nation and enjoy the blessings of peace, then each one of us who has faith in God must do our duty, take our part to accomplish our purpose in government. We should become intimately familiar with those who are active politically; we ought to be part and parcel of them. They should not be strangers to us. We should see to it that those men who have true qualities of leadership are placed in positions of trust and responsibility in the government; these fundamental principles of truth apply to every political party alike. There is no hope and can be no hope for our government, or any government, to which this principle does not apply. . . .

I hope and pray, my brethren and sisters, that we will not feel that politics has become so degraded that we are too good to participate. If any of us believe politics to be in that kind of state, we need only to enter into politics, go into it with our honesty and our integrity and our devotion to truth and to righteousness, and the standards will be raised. We cannot expect in this country a better government than the leaders are good, and so if we want a good government we must have good leaders. Let us participate in our mass meetings, in our party organization meetings, in our conventions; then when we go to the polls, we may have somebody worthy of our vote on our tickets. CR1952Apr:36-37

Anthony W. Ivins

My idea of loyal citizenship is just to abide loyally by the laws of our state and country, to sustain loyally the men who enact those laws, and the men who execute them. You ask me the question, Does our citizenship require us to sustain and uphold men who are not righteous in the administration of the law; does it require us to acknowledge and sustain and uphold laws which are not just? No, it does not; but it requires that those laws be changed or abrogated or amended if experience proves that they are not good, wholesome laws; and the same with men who administer them. There may be times when men go wrong; there may be times when they sell the authority which they have for money; there may be times when they are not honest; there may be times when it becomes necessary to remove them; but that, too, must be done lawfully; it must be done patiently; it must be done in the order that is provided by the law of the country, and not arbitrarily. (IE1921Jul:840) TLDP:261

Related Witnesses:

Elder Ezra Taft Benson

Could many of our ills today have resulted from our failure to train a strong citizenry from the only source we have—the boys and girls of each community? Have they grown up to believe in politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without effort, wealth without work, business without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice?

I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care, when the spiritual forces that make us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men, when we disregard the importance of law and order. CR1968Apr:50

308. Each individual contributes to good civil government by living a righteous life and by influencing others to do the same.

Anthony W. Ivins

N. Eldon Tanner

Neal A. Maxwell

Peter

Anthony W. Ivins

My idea of citizenship is, to be true to every principle of right, as our conscience prompts us to do the right. God has planted in the hearts of all men knowledge of good and evil, and I believe that no man or woman does wrong without knowing it. That is what makes us responsible before God and before the law for our acts. We know it. . . .Whenever we violate that, either as it applies to our loyalty to the Church or to the Government, we cease to be good citizens as we might and ought to be, and we cease to be devoted members of the Church to which we profess allegiance, as we might be. (IE1921Jul:840) TLDP:261

N. Eldon Tanner

When I was in East Germany meeting with the district presidents in that area, I was most encouraged to see how these men were prepared to honor and sustain the law of the country. . . . They all adopted the attitude that it was their responsibility to teach the Gospel wherever possible, to live its teachings strictly, and to encourage the members of the Church to live, as far as possible, all the commandments of God and the teachings of the Church under the existing laws of the country. They realized that living and teaching the Gospel and getting the people to accept it would do more for the cause of peace than anything else they could do. They expressed their belief and bore their testimonies that, if they kept the commandments of God and magnified their callings in the Church, all would be well and they would have nothing to fear. ("Submission to Secular Authority," Instructor, Oct. 1963, p. 353) MPSG1989:240

L. Tom Perry

We have been blessed with the light of the gospel to lead us and to guide and direct our lives. Through our understanding and study of the scriptures, we have a knowledge of the laws of the Lord by which we should govern our earthly conduct. With this great blessing comes an obligation to be a part of the communities in which we live. Our influence should be felt to safeguard the moral standards in the villages, in the towns, and in the cities where our homes are located in all parts of the world. I challenge you to become involved in lifting the moral standards of the communities where your homes are. CR1977Apr:89

Neal A. Maxwell

Individual decency and constitutional viability are thus irrevocably intertwined. For instance, the loss of inner controls in individual citizens inevitably merely brings more outer controls with the resultant diminution of individual liberty. (Grant Stake Bicentennial of the Constitution, May 1987) MPSG1989:237

President Ezra Taft Benson

We have no right to expect a higher degree of morality from those who represent us than what we ourselves are. In the final analysis, people generally get the kind of government they deserve. ("The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner," p. 28) MPSG1989:237

Peter

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (Letter to the churches in modern Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) 1 Peter 2:13-16

Related Witnesses:

Mosiah, son of Benjamin,

quoted by Mormon

Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right. . . .

27. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you. . . .(Mosiah tells the people unrighteous kings lead the people to sin, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:26-27

Moroni, son of Mormon

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ. . . . (Moroni's comments, as he pauses in making the abridged record of the Jaredites covering the period of time of the Tower of Babel) Ether 2:12

309. We are to sustain and uphold the government under which we reside.

Howard W. Hunter

310. By faith we are saved by the grace of God, not by works alone without true faith.

Howard W. Hunter

In some countries [the] supreme power is vested in one person, the sovereign. Other countries have republican forms of government in which sovereignty resides in the people, and the supreme power is usually expressed by the legislative body. Regardless of whether sovereignty is administered by an individual or by the people, citizens become subject to that supreme power. They have rights and privileges afforded them under the law, and they have the duty to comply with the provisions of the law. . . .

Citizens do not have the right to take the law into their own hands or exercise physical force. The sovereign laws of the state must be sustained, and persons living under those laws must obey them for the good of the whole. In this regard The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes a strong position. CR1968Apr:63; MPSG1989:239-40

Joseph Smith

We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience. (Declaration of belief regarding governments and laws, Aug. 17, 1835) D&C 134:5

Joseph Smith

Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.

22. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, Aug. 1, 1831) D&C 58:21-22

Joseph Smith

And thus all things shall be made sure, according to the laws of the land. (Revelation May 1831) D&C 51:6

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

5. And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

6. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

7. And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.

8. I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

9. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

Joseph Smith

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. (The twelfth of the thirteen Articles of Faith; letter to John Wentworth, March 1, 1842) Articles of Faith :12

President Joseph F. Smith

Neither in mental attitude nor in conduct have we [the Church] been disloyal to the government under whose guarantee of religious freedom our church was founded. . . . [W]e have no place in our hearts for disloyal sentiments, nor is there likelihood of treason in our conduct. . . .

. . . [W]e declare to all men that there is nothing treasonable or disloyal in any ordinance, ceremony, or ritual of the Church.

The overthrow of earthly governments; the union of church and state; domination of the state by the church; ecclesiastical interference with the political freedom and rights of the citizen,—all such things are contrary to the principles and policy of the Church, and directly at variance with the oft repeated declarations of its chief presiding authorities and of the Church itself, speaking through its general conferences. (Address from the First Presidency of the Church to the world, delivered to and accepted by vote of the Church in general conference, April 1907) CR1907Apr(Appendix)10,13

Jesus,
recorded in Matthew

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18. But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19. Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21. They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. Matthew 22:17-21

Paul

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 13:7

Peter

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (Letter to the churches in modern Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) 1 Peter 2:13-16

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

And it shall come to pass, that if any persons among you shall kill they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land; for remember that he hath no forgiveness; and it shall be proved according to the laws of the land. . . .

84. And if a man or woman shall rob, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of the land.

85. And if he or she shall steal, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of the land.

86. And if he or she shall lie, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of the land. (Revelation "embracing the law of the Church," Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:79,84-86

Author's Note: With regard to the citation, "A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1835": The occasion was a meeting of Church leaders, brought together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. At that time this declaration was given the following preamble: "That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present at the close of this volume our opinion concerning the same." (Headnote to D&C Section 134) (HC2:247-249)

Grace

List of Doctrines on "Grace"

311. Eternal life is a gift of God, and even though the obtaining of eternal life requires good works, it cannot be wholly earned by us.

310. By faith we are saved by the grace of God, not by works alone without true faith.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Paul taught these people—who thought that they could be saved by some power that was within them, or by observing the law of Moses —he pointed out to them the fact that if it were not for the mission of Jesus Christ, if it were not for this great atoning sacrifice, they could not be redeemed. And therefore it was by the grace of God that they are saved, not by any work on their part, for they were absolutely helpless. Paul was absolutely right.

And on the other hand, James taught just as the Lord taught, just as Paul had taught in other scripture, that it is our duty, of necessity, to labor, to strive in diligence and faith, keeping the commandments of the Lord, if we would obtain that inheritance which is promised to the faithful, and which shall be given unto them through their faithfulness to the end. There is no conflict in the doctrines of these two men. There is no need for the world to be in conflict in regard to this question. It is merely due to the fact that they cannot or do not comprehend the mission of Jesus Christ. They do not understand what salvation means. They do not know upon what it is based. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:310-11) TLDP:181

Joseph Smith

Who cannot see, then, that salvation is the effect of faith? for, as we have previously observed, all the heavenly beings work by this principle; and it is because they are able so to do that they are saved, for nothing but this could save them. And this is the lesson which the God of heaven, by the mouth of his holy prophets, has been endeavoring to teach to the world. Hence we are told, that "Without faith it is impossible to please God"; and that salvation "is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed." (Romans 4:16) And that Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law; for they stumbled at that stumblingstone. (Romans 9:32) And Jesus said unto the man who brought his son to him, to get the devil who tormented him cast out: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23) These with a multitude of other scriptures which might be quoted plainly set forth the light in which the Savior, as well as the Former-day Saints, viewed the plan of salvation. That it was a system of faith—it begins with faith, and continues by faith; and every blessing which is obtained in relation to it is the effect of faith, whether it pertains to this life or that which is to come. To this all the revelations of God bear witness. . . . And through the whole history of the scheme of life and salvation, it is a matter of faith: every man received according to his faith— according as his faith was, so were his blessings and privileges; and nothing was withheld from him when his faith was sufficient to receive it. He could stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword, wax valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of the aliens; women could, by their faith, receive their dead children to life again; in a word, there was nothing impossible with them who had faith. All things were in subjection to the Former-day Saints, according as their faith was.

20. From this we may extend as far as any circumstances may require, whether on earth or in heaven, and we will find it the testimony of all inspired men, or heavenly messengers, that all things that pertain to life and godliness are the effects of faith and nothing else; all learning, wisdom and prudence fail, and every thing else as a means of salvation but faith. . . . For where faith is, there will the knowledge of God be also, with all things which pertain thereto— revelations, visions, and dreams, as well as every necessary thing, in order that the possessors of faith may be perfected, and obtain salvation. . . . And he who possesses it will, through it, obtain all necessary knowledge and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has sent—whom to know is eternal life. Amen. (Lectures on Faith delivered to the School of the Prophets, 1834-35) LOF7:17,20

Paul

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (Letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 9:31-32

Paul

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Letter to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, about A.D. 55) Galatians 2:16

Related Witnesses:

John A. Widtsoe

The problem of faith as of every gift of the Lord, is twofold: to secure it, and to use it. We speak easily of faith, but altogether too often fail to use it. We recall that it is knowledge, high knowledge, but forget that it is also power, mighty power, and therefore fail to use the greatest force placed within our reach in every issue of life. It has been said: "Without faith it is impossible to please God;" and it may have been added that without the use of faith it is impossible to win the full happiness in life that the Lord has destined for his children.

Latter-day Saints, trained in these truths, possessing a religion resting upon faith, should eagerly use their knowledge for their own and others' good. They should remember that faith may deliver us from evil and secure for us the good that we need. (Man and the Dragon, p. 142) TLDP:181

Joseph Smith

Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation. (Revelation Aug. 1831) D&C 63:11

James

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (Letter to his brethren in the church) James 2:17-26

Paul

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Letter to the Saints at Ephesus in Asia Minor, about A.D. 62) Ephesians 2:4-5

Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi

Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

24. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

25. Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. (To the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 10:23-25

311. Eternal life is a gift of God, and even though the obtaining of eternal life requires good works, it cannot be wholly earned by us.

Nephi, son of Lehi

312. God requires us to render thanks to Him.

Paul

Nephi, son of Lehi

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (The writings of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 25:23

Bruce R. McConkie

Jesus . . . makes a pronouncement of wondrous import:

If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

This is the sum and substance of the whole matter. Salvation, eternal life, rewards in all their degrees and varieties—all come by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Salvation must be won; it is not a free gift. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13) But what of grace? Grace is the love, mercy, and condescension of God in making salvation available to men. "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23) Eternal life is freely available; salvation is free in that all may drink of the waters of life; all may come and partake; but none gains so high a reward as eternal life until he is tried and tested and found worthy, as were the ancients. . . .

Eternal life can come to those only who put first in their lives the things of God's kingdom; who love the riches of eternity more than a handful of mortal pelf; who are willing to forsake all and follow Christ. Where a man's treasure is, there will his heart be also. (The Mortal Messiah, 3:302-04) TLDP:161

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[W]e are all transgressors of the law to some extent, no matter how good we have tried to be—we are therefore unable in and of ourselves to receive redemption from our sins by any act of our own.

. . .[I]t is by the grace of Jesus Christ that we are saved. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:309) DCSM:34

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (Revelation for David Whitmer, June 1829) D&C 14:7

Elder Heber J. Grant

God tells us in the Doctrine and Covenants there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation. We as Latter-day Saints have all started out for the gift of salvation, and we should so order our lives that when we have finished our work we shall be worthy to go back into the presence of our Father, and be worthy not only to receive an exaltation ourselves, but also to receive our wives and our children that have been sealed unto us that we shall possess them. No amount of testimony, no amount of knowledge, even knowledge that this is God's work will ever save a man . . . but the keeping of the commandments of God will entitle him to that blessing. CR1900Oct:59

Orson F. Whitney

God's greatest gift is eternal life, but that pertains to Eternity. The greatest blessing that our Heavenly Father can bestow upon us in time, or while we are here, is the power to lay hold upon eternal life. The everlasting Gospel, through obedience to its every requirement, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, gives this power. It not only saves—it exalts men to where God and Christ dwell in the fulness of celestial glory. CR1929Oct:30

Joseph Smith

If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation. (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:13

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. (Revelation for Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, the three special witnesses, June 1829) D&C 17:8

Joseph B. Wirthlin

No amount of money can purchase this exalted state. Eternal life is a gift from a loving Heavenly Father, offered freely and liberally to all who heed the call of the Man of Galilee. (CR 2002Apr; “Follow Me”, Ensign, May 2002, p.15)

Russell M. Nelson

His gift of eternal life is subject to conditions established by Him. Those conditions constitute a plan, or, to use my analogy, a spiritual road map. And when trouble comes, guidance is needed most. (CR 2000Oct; Living by Scriptural Guidance, Ensign, November 2000, p.16)

Jeffrey R. Holland

When we are lost, we can “come to ourselves,” but we may not always be able to “find ourselves,” and, worlds without end, we cannot “save ourselves.” Only the Father and His Only Begotten Son can do that. Salvation is in Them only. So we pray that They will help us, that They will “come out” to meet and embrace us and bring us into the feast They have prepared. (CR 2002Apr; The Other Prodigal, Ensign, May 2002, p.62)

Related Witnesses:

Paul

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 6:23

Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

Paul

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Letter to the Saints at Ephesus in Asia Minor, about A.D. 62) Ephesians 2:8-9

Paul

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (Letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 2 Timothy 1:9

Gratitude

List of Doctrines on "Gratitude"

Marion G. Romney

President David O. McKay

Paul

Hugh B. Brown

Recorded in 1 Chronicles

Mormon

313. In the postmortal spirit world, the spirits of the wicked live in a state of unhappiness or misery, called hell, until the day of redemption and final judgment.

Dallin H. Oaks

Jesus

N. Eldon Tanner

Joseph Smith

And ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with. (Revelation relative to the gifts of the Spirit, March 8, 1831) D&C 46:32

Marion G. Romney

The Lord puts the commandment to be thankful along with other strong commandments. He said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it. Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things" (D&C 59:5-7. It is perfectly evident from this scripture that to thank the Lord in all things is not merely a courtesy. It is a commandment as binding upon us as any other commandment. ACR(San Jose)1977:12

James E. Talmage

Gratitude is an ennobling quality in man; and he in whose soul it has no place is [defective]. . . .

Gratitude is twin sister to humility; pride is a foe to both. The man who has come into close communion with God cannot fail to be thankful; for he feels, he knows, that for all he has and all he is, he is indebted to the Supreme Giver; and one would think that there is no need of commandment in the matter of thanksgiving. Yet we find that because of man's propensities toward forgetfulness and selfishness the Scriptures abound in admonitions to render thanks unto the Lord. . . .

God requires thanksgiving, praise and worship, not for His gratification as the recipient of adulation, but for the good of His children who thus recognize and acknowledge Him, and so develop that abiding faith, such as shall lead to repentance, without which none can attain salvation in His kingdom. SNT:483,486

Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice. (Jacob teaches the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:52

President David O. McKay

The young man who closes the door behind him, who draws the curtains, and there in silence pleads with God for help, should first pour out his soul in gratitude for health, for friends, for loved ones, for the gospel, for the manifestations of God's existence. He should first count his many blessings and name them one by one. CR1961Apr:8

President Joseph F. Smith

Testimony bearing is chiefly for the benefit of those who bear the testimony, in that their gratitude and appreciation are deepened. Testimony bearing is not the accumulation of arguments or evidences solely for the satisfaction and testimony of others. Let the testimonies, then, of the young people include the training of their feelings by way of making them more appreciative and more thankful for the blessings they enjoy, and the children should be made to understand what these blessings are and how they come to them. It is an excellent way to make people helpful and thankful to others, by first making them thankful to God. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 208) TLDP:688

Paul

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (Letter to the Church at Thessalonica, comprising Jews and many pagan converts, A.D. 50) 1Thess. 5:18

Hugh B. Brown

How rich and radiant is the soul of a man who has a thankful heart. His gratitude increases with his unfolding awareness of himself, the universe and his Creator. Appreciation, like love, enriches both giver and receiver, and, when spontaneously expressed in word or deed, reveals a depth and delicacy of fine-grain character. True gratitude is motivated by a recognition of favors received. Its counterfeit is fawning anticipation of favors to come.

Serious consideration of the mystery of life, its vastness and incalculability, gives depth to appreciation for blessings gratuitously bestowed. They who have eyes to see, ears to hear, understanding hearts, will see the bounteous love of God everywhere manifest and will be inclined to reverently remove their shoes and exclaim:

"For the rock and for the river, The valley's fertile sod, For the strength of the hills we bless thee, Our God, our fathers' God." ["For the Strength of the Hills," HYMNS:35] ("Gratitude Is a Spiritual Attribute," Instructor, Nov. 1957, p. 332) TLDP:269-70

Recorded in 1 Chronicles

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. (David delivers a Psalm of Thanksgiving) 1 Chronicles 16:8

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

One of the greatest sins, both in magnitude and extent—for it enters into the lives of every one of us without exception to some degree—is the sin of ingratitude. When we violate a commandment, no matter how small and insignificant we may think it to be, we show our ingratitude to our Redeemer. It is impossible for us to comprehend the extent of his suffering when he carried the burden of the sins of the whole world, a punishment so severe that we are informed that blood came from the pores of his body, and this was before he was taken to the cross. The punishment of physical pain coming from the nails driven in his hands and feet, was not the greatest of his suffering, excruciating as that surely was. The greater suffering was the spiritual and mental anguish coming from the load of our transgressions which he carried. If we understood the extent of that suffering and his suffering on the cross, surely none of us would wilfully be guilty of sin. We would not give way to the temptations, the gratification of unholy appetites and desires and Satan could find no place in our hearts. As it is, whenever we sin, we show our ingratitude and disregard of the suffering of the Son of God by and through which we shall rise from the dead and live forever. If we really understood and could feel even to a small degree, the love and gracious willingness on the part of Jesus Christ to suffer for our sins we would be willing to repent of all our transgressions and serve him. (The Restoration of All Things, p. 199) TLDP:270

Mormon

And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God. (Alma organizes the Church of Christ and ordains priests, about 148 B.C.) Mosiah 18:23

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

Ingratitude is a distressing sin which kindles the Lord's anger. (See D&C 59:21.) It is often manifest in "disobedience to parents," which Paul condemns. Many young people demand and receive much from parents and then show little or no gratitude, as though the parents owed it to them without any consideration or appreciation on their part. There must have been children in Paul's day who thanklessly took for granted their many blessings and opportunities, for he continued to warn the saints at Rome and others against this weakness.

When the Savior healed the ten lepers and only one thanked him, he pointed out the nine ingrates as a lesson to all when he said, "Were there not ten cleansed?" (Luke 17:17) Adults as well as the youth are often guilty, being disobedient and unthankful to their Heavenly Father who gives them all. Many fail to show their gratitude through service, through family prayers, through the payment of their tithes, and in numerous other ways God has a right to expect. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 58-59) TLDP:270

Dallin H. Oaks

The children of God have always been commanded to give thanks. There are examples throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Apostle Paul wrote, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thes. 5:18). The prophet Alma taught, “When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God” (Alma 37:37). And in modern revelation the Lord declared that “he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold” (CR 2003Apr; D&C 78:19). (Give Thanks in All Things, Ensign, May 2003, p.95)

Related Witnesses:

Jesus,
recorded in Luke

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Jesus heals the ten lepers, one returns to give thanks) Luke 17:11-19

N. Eldon Tanner

If children pray for their parents, it makes them more appreciative of their parents, and as they pray for one another, they feel closer to one another and part of each other, especially as they realize that they are talking to their Father in heaven while on their knees. (Prayer, p. 129) MPSG1983:130

Author's Note: Gratitude expressed with the spirit of the Lord will have its best opportunity to reach those who hear the words spoken. "[F]or when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (Nephi's writings, between 559-545 B.C.) (2 Nephi 33:1)

Hell

List of Doctrines on "Hell"

314. Hell is not endless; there is an exit to hell as well as an entrance—there is an end to the torment of the damned.

315. Perdition is a permanent place of hell where there is no forgiveness and no redemption.

313. In the postmortal spirit world, the spirits of the wicked live in a state of unhappiness or misery, called hell, until the day of redemption and final judgment.

George Q. Cannon

George Q. Cannon

I have thought sometimes that some of our people are inclined to think there is no hell and that nobody is going to hell. I tell you there will be a large number of people go to hell; they will suffer torment and will go where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth; they will be in outer darkness and suffer far beyond anything we can conceive of. Latter-day Saints especially who commit sin, if they die in their sin, will go to hell, and they will suffer torment there until the day of redemption. But think of the length of time during which they will be in this torment (Gospel Truth, 1:85) TLDP:639

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

All liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers and all who love and make a lie, shall not receive the resurrection at this time, but for a thousand years shall be thrust down into hell where they shall suffer the wrath of God until they pay the price of their sinning, if it is possible, by the things which they shall suffer. [See Church News, April 23, 1932, p.

6.]

These are the "Spirits of men who are to be judged and are found under condemnation; And these are the rest of the dead; and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth." [D&C 88: 100-01]. . . .

These are the hosts of the telestial world who are commanded to "suffer the wrath of God on earth;" and who are "cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work" [Era, vol 45, p. 781; D&C 76:104-06. . . .

This suffering will be a means of cleansing, or purifying, and through it the wicked shall be brought to a condition whereby they may, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, obtain immortality. Their spirits and bodies shall be again united, and they shall dwell in the telestial kingdom. But this resurrection will not come until the end of the world. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:295-98) TLDP:564-65

Parley P. Pratt

[T]o those who deserve it [The spirit world after mortality] . . . is a place of punishment, a purgatory or hell, where spirits are buffeted till the day of redemption. (Key to the Science of Theology, pp. 132-33) TLDP:637

Peter

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; . . . (Peter says the Lord knows how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement; letter to members of the Church, about A.D. 60-64) 2 Peter 2:4

Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection. (Alma speaks to his son Corianton, concerning the resurrection of the dead, about 73 B.C.) Alma 40:13-14

James E. Talmage

That righteous and unrighteous dwell apart during the interval between death and resurrection is clear. Paradise, or as the Jews like to designate that blessed abode, "Abraham's bosom," [See parable of Lazarus and the Rich man in Luke 16:19-31.] is not the place of final glory, any more than the hell to which the rich man's spirit was consigned is the final habitation of the condemned. To that preliminary or intermediate state, however, men's works do follow them; and the dead shall surely find that their abode is that for which they have qualified themselves while in the flesh. JTC:468

Joseph Smith

These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie. 104. These are they who suffer the wrath of God on earth. 105. These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. 106. These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; (Vision to Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, Feb. 16, 1832) D&C 76:103-106

Jacob, brother of Nephi,
quoted by Nephi

O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

11. And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

12. And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. (Jacob teaches the doctrine of the atonement to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:10-12

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Those who enter into the telestial kingdom . . . are the ungodly, the filthy who suffer the wrath of God on earth, who are thrust down to hell where they will be required to pay the uttermost farthing before their redemption comes. These are they who receive not the gospel of Christ and consequently could not deny the Holy Spirit while living on the earth.

They have no part in the first resurrection and are not redeemed from the devil and his angels until the last resurrection, because of their wicked lives and their evil deeds. Nevertheless, even these are heirs of salvation, but before they are redeemed and enter the kingdom, they must repent of their sins, and receive the gospel, and bow the knee, and acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:22) DGSM:93

Related Witnesses:

James E. Talmage

Upon all who reject the word of God in this life will fall the penalties provided; but after the debt has been paid the prison doors shall be opened, and the spirits once confined in suffering, then chastened and clean, shall come forth to partake of the glory provided for their class. AF:134

Joseph Smith

There is no pain so awful as that of suspense. This is the punishment of the wicked; their doubt, anxiety and suspense cause weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. (General conference, Nauvoo, April 1843) HC5:340

Joseph Smith

The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death, is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers. (At the Stand in Nauvoo, Ill., June 11, 1843) HC5:425

James E. Talmage

The false assumption, based upon sectarian dogma, that in the hereafter there shall be but two places, states or conditions for the souls of mankind—heaven or hell, with the same glory in all parts of the one and the same terrors throughout the other—is untenable in the light of divine revelation. AF:82-83

John

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (John sees the judgment of man at the end of the Millennium) Revelation 20:12-13

Author's Note: Bruce R. McConkie explains why the word "hell" is used by prophets: "Messianic prophecies . . . describe in a most graphic way how the Lord saves men from the direful fate that would be theirs if he had not atoned for their sins. It is known as freeing the hosts of men from prison—from the prison of death, of hell, of the devil, and of endless torment. And how apt and pointed the illustration is, for the prisons of ancient times were hell holes of death, disease, and despair. They were dungeons of filth, corruption, and creeping denizens. Sheol itself was known as the pit, the dungeon of despair, the nether realms of torment, the Hades of hell. To be in prison was worse than a living hell, and to be freed therefrom was to arise from death to life. It is no wonder that the prophetic mind seized upon this illustration to teach what the Redeemer would do to ransom men from the fate that would be theirs if there were no atonement." (The Promised Messiah, pp. 238-39)

314. Hell is not endless; there is an exit to hell as well as an entrance—there is an end to the torment of the damned.

James E. Talmage

Even to hell there is an exit as well as an entrance; and when sentence has been served, commuted perhaps by repentance and its attendant works, the prison doors shall open and the penitent captive be afforded opportunity to comply with the law, which he aforetime violated. . . .

The inhabitants of the telestial world—the lowest of the kingdoms of glory prepared for resurrected souls, shall include those "who are thrust down to hell" and "who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection." (D&C 76:82-85And though these may be delivered from hell and attain to a measure of glory with possibilities of progression, yet their lot shall be that of "servants of the Most High, but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end." (v.112)

Deliverance from hell is not admittance to heaven. (The Vitality of Mormonism, pp. 255-56) DGSM:93

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless.

5. Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand.

6. Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.

7. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name's glory.

8. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.

9. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.

10. For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—

11. Eternal punishment is God's punishment.

12. Endless punishment is God's punishment. (A commandment of God for Martin Harris, March 1830) D&C 19:4-12

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

James E. Talmage

What is it to be damned? Does it mean that all who come under that sentence shall be cast into hell, there to dwell forever and forever? The light of the century, given by the Lord, declares the falsity of that construction.

Salvation is graded ever upward until it culminates in the glorious condition of exaltation. . . . [S]o [also] damnation is graded; else what did the Lord mean as recorded in the twelfth chapter of Mark . . . . "These shall receive greater damnation?" Well, if there be a greater damnation there are lesser degrees of damnation and the term is used in the sense of deprivation and forfeiture. That man enters into a degree of damnation who has forfeited his opportunities and therefore has rendered himself incapable of the advancement that would otherwise be possible. . . .

[E]xcept for those few . . . who have betrayed their trust and who have forfeited the very ability to repent—and they are few—every soul that has ever been tabernacled in flesh upon the earth shall be redeemed and shall be saved in his degree of worthiness and desert.

During this hundred years [since 1830 when the gospel was restored to earth] many other great truths not known before, have been declared to the people, and one of the greatest is that to hell there is an exit as well as an entrance. Hell is no place to which a vindictive judge sends prisoners to suffer and to be punished principally for his glory; but it is a place prepared for the teaching, the disciplining of those who failed to learn here upon the earth what they should have learned. True, we read of everlasting punishment, unending suffering, eternal damnation. That is a direful expression; but in his mercy the Lord has made plain what those words mean. "Eternal punishment," he says, is God's punishment, for he is eternal; and that condition or state or possibility will ever exist for the sinner who deserves and really needs such condemnation; but this does not mean that the individual sufferer or sinner is to be eternally and everlastingly made to endure and suffer. No man will be kept in hell longer than is necessary to bring him to a fitness for something better. When he reaches that stage the prison doors will open and there will be rejoicing among the hosts who welcome him into a better state. CR1930Apr:95-97

James E. Talmage,

also quoting Joseph Smith

So general were the ill effects of the commonly accepted doctrine, unscriptural and untrue though it was, regarding the endless torment awaiting every sinner, that even before the Church had been formally organized in the present dispensation, the Lord gave a revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith touching this matter, in which we read: "And surely every man must repent or suffer; for I, God, am endless. Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand. Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation. . . . For behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore, Eternal punishment is God's punishment. Endless punishment is God's punishment." (D&C 19:4-10AF:56

Author's Note: "There is an exit to hell as well as an entrance—there is an end to the torment of the damned," except for the sons of perdition. In the words of Bruce R. McConkie, "for those who are heirs of some salvation, which includes all except the sons of perdition (D&C 76:44), hell has an end, but for those who have wholly given themselves over for satanic purposes there is no redemption from the consuming fires and torment of conscience. They go on forever in the hell that is prepared for them." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:578-79)

315. Perdition is a permanent place of hell where there is no forgiveness and no redemption.

316. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed on those who have repented of their sins and have been properly baptized.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[A place has been prepared for the punishment of the wicked, it is a] place where those who cannot be redeemed and who are called sons of Perdition will go into outer darkness. This is the real hell where those who once knew the truth and had the testimony of it and then turned away and blasphemed the name of Jesus Christ, will go. These are they who have sinned against the Holy Ghost. For them there is no forgiveness, and the Lord said he had prepared a place for them. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:208-10) TLDP:127

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[T]here have been remarks made concerning all men being redeemed from hell; but I say that those who sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven in this world or in the world to come; they shall die the second death. Those who commit the unpardonable sin are doomed to Gnolom—to dwell in hell, worlds without end. As they concoct scenes of bloodshed in this world, so they shall rise to that resurrection which is as the lake of fire and brimstone. Some shall rise to the everlasting burnings of God; for God dwells in everlasting burnings, and some shall rise to the damnation of their own filthiness, which is as exquisite a torment as the lake of fire and brimstone. (To the Church in general conference—to a congregation of 20,000—,"King Follett Sermon" April 7, 1844) (See HC6:302-317, also see The Words of Joseph Smith, pp. 340-62.) TPJS:361

President Joseph F. Smith

God will not condemn any man to utter destruction, neither shall any man be thrust down to hell irredeemably, until he has been brought to the possession of the greater light that comes through repentance and obedience to the laws and commandments of God; but if, after he has received light and knowledge, he shall sin against the light and will not repent, then, indeed, he becomes a lost soul, a son of perdition. ("I Know That My Redeemer Lives," IE1908Mar:381) TLDP:634

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power—

32. They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born;

33. For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity;

34. Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—

35. Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.

36. These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—

37. And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power. . . .

44. Wherefore, he saves all except them—they shall go away into everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment—

45. And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows;

46. Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof;

47. Nevertheless, I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but straightway shut it up again;

48. Wherefore, the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation. (Vision to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Feb. 16, 1832) D&C 76:31-37,44-48

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

[F]or, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;

37. And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels;

38. And, behold, there is a place prepared for them from the beginning, which place is hell. (Revelation received Sept. 1830) D&C 29:36-38

Holy Ghost: Gift of

List of Doctrines on "Holy Ghost: Gift of"

317. The gift of the Holy Ghost differs from the temporary witness of the Spirit, for the gift conveys the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

318. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed by the laying on of hands by elders of the Church holding the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

319. Although we may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we may benefit from that gift only to the extent we make ourselves worthy to receive its manifestations.

320. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

321. Receiving the Holy Ghost is a "baptism of fire" (it has a sanctifying, purifying effect on the person who has been baptized by water).

322. Only those who are baptized of the water and of the Spirit, namely, the Holy Ghost, will enter the kingdom of God.

323. The truth of all things may be made known to those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

324. Members of the Church are entitled to revelation and guidance from the Holy Ghost.

316. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed on those who have repented of their sins and have been properly baptized.

Elder Spencer W. Kimball

Every person who has reached or passed the age of accountability of eight years, and who with a totally repentant heart is baptized properly, positively will receive the Holy Ghost. If heeded, this member of the Godhead will guide, inspire, and warn, and will neutralize the promptings of the evil one. (Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 14-15) TLDP:282

James E. Talmage

[T]he actual companionship of the Holy Ghost, the divinely-bestowed right to His ministrations, the sanctifying baptism with fire, are given as a permanent and personal possession only to the faithful, repentant, baptized candidate for salvation; and with all such this gift shall abide unless it be forfeited through transgression. AF:149

Joseph Smith

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (The fourth of the thirteen Articles of Faith; letter to John Wentworth, March 1, 1842) Articles of Faith :4

Joseph Smith

Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that we do the will of God, and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved, and enter into the kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost. (In the Grove near the temple at Nauvoo, Ill., March 20, 1842. ) HC4:555

Joseph Smith,

translating the Book of Moses

And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you. (The record of Moses : Enoch testifies to the people) Moses 6:52

L. Tom Perry

About this gift, President Joseph F. Smith said: “ ‘The gift of the Holy Ghost,’ is a special blessing sealed upon baptized repentant believers in Jesus Christ, and is ‘an abiding witness.’ The spirit of God may be enjoyed as a temporary influence by which divine light and power come to mankind for special purposes and occasions. But the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was received by the apostles on the day of Pentecost, and is bestowed in confirmation, is a permanent witness and higher endowment” (CR 2002Apr; Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is, Ensign, May 2002, p.39)

Robert D. Hales

By using the Light of Christ to discern and choose what is right, we can be led to an even greater light: the gift of the Holy Ghost. I testify that through the Restoration of the gospel and the holy priesthood of God, disciples of Jesus Christ in these latter days have the power to give the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is bestowed by the laying on of hands by those who have the authority of the priesthood, and it is received by those who have followed the principles of faith and repentance and have received the ordinance of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. (CR 2002Apr; Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light, Ensign, May 2002, p.69)

Related Witnesses:

Elder Harold B. Lee

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death and burial of the man of sin; and the coming forth out of the water, the resurrection to a newness of spiritual life. After baptism, hands are laid upon the head of the baptized believer, and he is blessed to receive the Holy Ghost. Thus does the one baptized receive the promise or gift of the Holy Ghost or the privilege of being brought back into the presence of one of the Godhead, by obedience to whom and through his faithfulness one so blessed might receive the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in his daily walks and talks, even as Adam walked and talked in the Garden of Eden with God, his Heavenly Father. To receive such guidance and such direction from the Holy Ghost is to be spiritually reborn. CR1947Oct:64; DCSM:42

317. The gift of the Holy Ghost differs from the temporary witness of the Spirit, for the gift conveys the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Robert D. Hales

Joseph Smith

There is a difference between the Holy Ghost, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized; which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the gospel; but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign, or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him. (Times and Seasons, April 15, 1842, p. 752) TLDP:276

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The Lord will grant to any honest person who earnestly seeks to know the truth one manifestation by the Holy Ghost; but he is not entitled to repeated manifestations. After such a revelation is given, he is to act, for the Holy Ghost cannot be appealed to for continued manifestations until after baptism and the gift has been bestowed. (Answer to Gospel Questions, 4:89) TLDP:279

Bruce R. McConkie

True it is that honest truth seekers come to know of the truth and divinity of the Lord's work by the power of the Holy Ghost: they receive a flash of revelation telling them that Jesus is the Lord, that Joseph Smith is his prophet, that the Book of Mormon is the mind and will and voice of the Lord, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church upon the whole earth. They gain a testimony before baptism. But it is only after they pledge their all in the cause of Christ that they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. . . . (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 98-99) DGSM:45

James E. Talmage

In another sense the Holy Ghost has frequently operated for good through persons that were unbaptized; indeed, some measure of His power is given to all mankind; for, as seen already, the Holy Spirit is the medium of intelligence, of wise direction, of development, of life. Manifestations of the power of God, as made plain through the operations of the Spirit, are seen in the triumphs of ennobling art, the discoveries of science, and the events of history; with all of which the carnal mind may believe that God takes no direct concern. Not a truth has ever been made the property of humankind except through the power of that great Spirit who exists to do the bidding of the Father and the Son. And yet the actual companionship of the Holy Ghost, the divinely-bestowed right to His ministrations, the sanctifying baptism with fire, are given as a permanent and personal possession only to the faithful, repentant, baptized candidate for salvation; and with all such this gift shall abide unless it be forfeited through transgression. AF:149

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Every man can receive manifestation of the Holy Ghost, even when he is out of the Church, if he is earnestly seeking for the light and for the truth. The Holy Ghost will come and give the man the testimony he is seeking, and then withdraw; and the man does not have a claim upon another visit or constant visits and manifestations from him. He may have the constant guidance of that other Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Every man may receive such a manifestation from the Holy Ghost when he is seeking for the truth, but not the power to call upon the Holy Ghost whenever he feels he needs the help, as a man does who is a member of the Church. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:42) TLDP:279

Robert D. Hales

We are able to receive this spiritual manifestation because the Holy Ghost is “a personage of Spirit” who can “dwell in us.” His mission is to witness of the Father and the Son, convey Their will to us, and teach us “all things what [we] should do.” People everywhere may feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time in their lives. But only those who have been baptized and confirmed can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by one in authority, which makes His constant companionship possible. (CR 2003Oct; Receiving a Testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, Ensign, November 2003, p.28)

318. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed by the laying on of hands by elders of the Church holding the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Elder Wilford Woodruff

Recorded in Luke

Paul

Robert D. Hales

Elder Wilford Woodruff

This holy gift [the Holy Ghost] is bestowed today as it was anciently, by the laying on of hands by men possessing the authority to administer in the ordinances of the Gospel. (In Tabernacle, May 14, 1882, JD23:127) TLDP:277

Joseph Smith

Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;

14. And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church. (Revelation received March 1831) D&C 49:13-14

Joseph Smith

An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize; . . .

41. And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures; (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830) D&C 20:38,41

Joseph Smith

He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me. (John the Baptist appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, May 15, 1829) JS-H 1:70

President Joseph F. Smith

The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . is not given unto all men until they repent of their sins and come to a state of worthiness before the Lord. Then they receive it by the laying on of the hands of those who are authorized of God to bestow his blessings upon the heads of the children of men. ("Editor's Table," IE1908Mar:380-81) TLDP:277

Recorded in Luke

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John :

15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Peter and John come to Samaria and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost) Acts 8:12-20

Paul

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (Letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D.64) 2 Timothy 1:6

Robert D. Hales

When the child reaches eight years of age, the age of accountability, he or she is immersed in the waters of baptism by one who holds the priesthood. The young boy or girl is then confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by one holding the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. In this ordinance, the child is given the gift of the Holy Ghost. (CR 1995Oct; Blessings of the Priesthood, Ensign, November 1995, p.32)

Related Witnesses:

Moroni, son of Mormon

The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them—

2. And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles.

3. Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples heard it; and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holy Ghost. (Moroni writes for the benefit of the Lamanites, A.D. 400-421) Moroni 2:1-3

319. Although we may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we may benefit from that gift only to the extent we make ourselves worthy to receive its manifestations.

President Spencer W. Kimball

Anthony W. Ivins

John A. Widtsoe

Dallin H. Oaks

L. Tom Perry

George Q. Cannon

Mormon

Elder Joseph F. Smith

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[I]t is my judgment that there are many members of this Church who have been baptized for the remission of their sins, who have had hands laid upon their heads for the gift of the Holy Ghost, who have never received that gift, that is, the manifestations of it. Why? Because they have never put themselves in order to receive these manifestations. They have never humbled themselves. They have never taken the steps that would prepare them for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. CR1958Oct:21

Anthony W. Ivins

While the Holy Ghost may be conferred upon us, and is designed to be our guide and support, it is only restrained and manifested in its fulness in our guidance and defence in proportion to the degree to which we cultivate it and listen to its promptings. We may lose it entirely through indifference or transgression and once deprived of its presence we are left in darkness more dense than before its reception. Cultivate it, my brethren and sisters, and it will become in reality the iron rod, which is the word of God, and will lead us back to him. CR1934Apr:101-02

President Spencer W. Kimball

The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and comes into our lives to lead us in the paths of righteousness. Each person on whom authoritative hands have been placed will receive the Holy Ghost. He will lead us unto all truth. And so we are a blessed people with all these special blessings. If one does not receive the great gift of the Holy Ghost, then it is his fault, that he hasn't been spiritual enough or close enough to Heavenly Father. (Seoul Korea Area conference, Aug. 1975) DGSM:45

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

We want to live so as to have the Spirit every day, every hour of the day, every minute of the day, and every Latter-day Saint is entitled to the Spirit of God, to the power of the Holy Ghost, to lead him in his individual duties. (In Tabernacle, May 15, 1864, JD10:296) DBY:82

John A. Widtsoe

The gift of the Holy Ghost confers upon a person the right to receive, as he may desire and need, the presence, light and intelligence of the Holy Ghost. It gives, as it were, an official claim upon the mighty assistance and comforting assurance of the Holy Ghost. When the servants of the Lord display a spiritual power beyond the command of man; when the grief-laden heart beats with joy; when failure is converted into victory, it is by the visitation of the Holy Ghost. It is the Spirit of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost that quickeneth all things.

The gift of the Holy Ghost remains inoperative unless a person leads a blameless life. Worthiness determines whether a person shall enjoy the privileges promised when the "gift" is conferred. It is useless to expect this high official assistance unless there is daily conformity to the laws of the gospel. Faith and prayer, out of the heart and unceasing, will fit a person for the presence of the Holy Ghost, and to such a life he will respond in power.

Latter-day Saints have received, under the hands of those divinely empowered, this inexpressibly glorious "gift," which will lead them if they are fitted, into the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and win for them intelligence and power to win joy in life and exaltation in the world to come. Those who have been so blessed have not always understood the greatness of that which has been given them, or have not earnestly sought its help. So powerful a gift, with such boundless promise, justifies every attempt to cleanse body and soul. Certain it is, that only with the aid of the Holy Ghost shall we be able to rise to the heights of salvation of which we dream and for which we pray. (Man and the Dragon, pp. 150-51) TLDP:276-77

Dallin H. Oaks

To have the continuous companionship of the Holy Ghost is the most precious possession we can have in mortality. The gift of the Holy Ghost was conferred upon us by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood after our baptism. But to realize the blessings of that gift, we must keep ourselves free from sin. When we commit sin, we become unclean and the Spirit of the Lord withdraws from us. (CR 1998Oct; The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament, Ensign, November 1998, p.37)

L. Tom Perry

I bear witness of the power and comfort the gift of the Holy Ghost is to those who live worthy of it. What a reassurance it is for us to know that we are not left alone to find the course that we must follow to merit the eternal blessings of our Father in Heaven. We do not need man-made rating systems to determine what we should read, what we should watch, what we should listen to, or how we should conduct our lives. What we do need to do is live worthy of the continued companionship of the Holy Ghost and have the courage to follow the promptings that come into our lives. (CR 1997Apr; “That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good”, Ensign, May 1997, p.68)

Related Witnesses:

Moroni, son of Mormon

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (Moroni, records the prayer for the sacramental bread, A.D. 400-421) Moroni 4:3

George Q. Cannon

The only way to maintain our position in the Kingdom of God is to so conduct ourselves that we may have a living testimony of the truth continually dwelling in our bosoms, to live so that the Spirit of the Lord may be a constant and abiding quest with us, whether in the privacy of our chamber, in the domestic circle or in the midst of the crowded thoroughfares, the busy scenes and anxious cares of life. He who will pursue this course will never lack for knowledge; he will never be in doubt or in darkness, nor will his mind ever be clouded by the gloomy pall of unbelief; on the contrary his hopes will be bright; his faith will be strong; his joy will be full; he will be able each succeeding day to comprehend the unfolding purposes of Jehovah and to rejoice in the glorious liberty and happiness which all the faithful children of God enjoy.

. . . . We can only retain the testimony of the truth in our heart by living near unto God. If we call upon Him in faith to bless us and seek to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Spirit, so ordering our lives that God can, consistently, bless us and the Spirit of the Lord can abide with us, we receive strength to overcome every evil and our minds instinctively recoil from the commission of any act which might grieve that Spirit or bring a stain upon our own character or upon the divine cause in which we are engaged. (Gospel Truth, 1:343-33) TLDP:284

President Joseph F. Smith

[We] should live so near to the Lord, be so humble in our spirits, so tractable and pliable, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, that we will be able to know the mind and will of the Father concerning us as individuals and as officers in the Church of Christ under all circumstances. And when we live so that we can hear and understand the whisperings of the still small voice of the Spirit of God, let us do whatsoever that Spirit directs, without fear of the consequences. It does not make any difference whether it meet the minds of carpers or critics, or of the enemies of the kingdom of God, or not. Is it agreeable to the will of the Lord? Is it compatible with the spirit of the great latter-day work in which we are engaged? Is the end aimed at likely to advance the Church and to strengthen it in the earth? If its trend is in that direction, let us do it, no matter what men may say or think. CR1903Oct:86

Joseph Smith

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. (Revelation received while in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839; the priesthood should be used only in righteousness) D&C 121:45-46

Mormon

And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God. (Epistle to his son Moroni, prior to A.D. 384) Moroni 8:26

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The Holy Ghost will not dwell in unclean tabernacles or disobedient tabernacles. The Holy Ghost will not dwell with that person who is unwilling to obey and keep the commandments of God or who violates those commandments willingly. In such a soul the spirit of the Holy Ghost cannot enter.

That great gift comes to us only through humility and faith and obedience. Therefore, a great many members of the Church do not have that guidance. Then some cunning, crafty individual will come along teaching that which is not true, and without the guidance which is promised to us through our faithfulness, people are unable to discern and are led astray. It depends on our faithfulness and our obedience to the commandments of the Lord if we have the teachings, the enlightening instruction, that comes from the Holy Ghost. (Take Heed to Yourselves, p. 364) TLDP:279

Elder Joseph F. Smith

Of what use is it that we know the truth, if we lack its spirit? Our knowledge, in this event, becomes a condemnation to us, failing to bear fruit. It is not sufficient that we know the truth, but we must be humble and with this knowledge possess the spirit to actuate us to good deeds. Baptism, as well as all other outward ordinances, without the spirit accompanying, is useless. We remain but baptized sinners.

It is the duty of the young men of Israel to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and leave other things to follow; to seek the spirit of truth so as to possess the knowledge of God, which giveth them a desire for purity, light, truth; and a spirit to despise evil and to turn away from all that is not of God. ("Editor's Table," IE1899Jul:699-700) TLDP:284-85

320. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Marion G. Romney

Elder Harold B. Lee

Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

What is the gift of the Holy Ghost? Nothing more nor less than the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:40) TLDP:276

Marion G. Romney

The gift of the Holy Ghost is an endowment that gives one the right to enjoy the enlightenment, companionship, and guidance of the Spirit and the influence of the Holy Spirit as long as one complies with the commandments of God. (Learning for the Eternities, p. 22) TLDP:277

Elder Harold B. Lee

What do we mean when we say the gift of the Holy Ghost? I think that perhaps one of the most lucid explanations is made by President Joseph F. Smith. He said:

"Therefore, the presentation of 'gift' of the Holy Ghost simply confers upon a man the right to receive at any time, when he is worthy of it and desires it, the power and light of truth of the Holy Ghost, although he may often be left to his own spirit and judgment." [Gospel Doctrine, eleventh edition, 1959, pp. 60-61]

The bestowal of the gift is actually, then, a command to so live that when we need and desire it, we may have the accomplishment of the power of the Holy Ghost. (To seminary and institute teachers, June 1962) (Stand Ye in Holy Places, pp. 56-57) TLDP:277

James E. Talmage

And yet the actual companionship of the Holy Ghost, the divinely-bestowed right to His ministrations, the sanctifying baptism with fire, are given as a permanent and personal possession only to the faithful, repentant, baptized candidate for salvation; and with all such this gift shall abide unless it be forfeited through transgression. AF:149

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

This Comforter is, by his influence, to be a constant companion to every baptized person, and to administer unto the members of the church by revelation and guidance, knowledge of the truth that they may walk in its light. It is the Holy Ghost who enlightens the mind of the truly baptized member. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:149-50) DGSM:12

Dallin H. Oaks

The gift of the Holy Ghost includes the right to constant companionship, that we may “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (CR 1996Oct; D&C 20:77). (“Always Have His Spirit”, Ensign, November 1996, p.59)

Bruce R. McConkie

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead based on faithfulness. It is the right to receive revelation, to see visions, to be in tune with the Infinite. (CR 1977Oct; The Ten Blessings of the Priesthood, Ensign, November 1977, p.33)

321. Receiving the Holy Ghost is a "baptism of fire" (it has a sanctifying, purifying effect on the person who has been baptized by water).

Marion G. Romney

This "mighty change" wrought by the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost should and does, if the proselyte is prepared to receive it, occur when he is baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and receives the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—the two required ordinances for being "born of water and of the spirit." (Look to God and Live, pp. 269-70) DGSM:49

Bruce R. McConkie

As starving men crave a crust of bread, as choking men thirst for water, so do the righteous yearn for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a Revelator; he is a Sanctifier; he reveals truth, and he cleanses human souls. He is the Spirit of Truth, and his baptism is one of fire; he burns dross and evil out of repentant souls as though by fire. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest of all the gifts of God, as pertaining to this life; and those who enjoy that gift here and now, will inherit eternal life hereafter, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God in eternity. (The Mortal Messiah, 2:122) TLDP:276

Nephi, son of Lehi

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. 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. (Nephi writes, between 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 31:17

James E. Talmage

John the Baptist,
recorded in Matthew

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (John the Baptist baptizes the repentant) Matthew 3:11

Joseph Smith

And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. (A commandment of God for Martin Harris, March 1830) D&C 19:31

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. (Revelation received Jan. 5, 1831) D&C 39:6

Joseph Smith,

translating Matthew,

quoting, in part, John the Baptist

I indeed baptize you with water, upon your repentance; and when he of whom I bear record cometh, who is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, (or whose place I am not able to fill,) as I said, I indeed baptize you before he cometh, that when he cometh he may baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire. . . .

40. Thus came John, preaching and baptizing in the river of Jordan; bearing record, that he who was coming after him had power to baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. (John the Baptist baptizes the repentant) JST(Matthew 3:38,40 in Appendix)

Marion G. Romney

The importance of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is beyond expression. It is the baptism of fire referred to by John. (CR 1974Apr; See Luke 3:16.) It is the “spirit” birth of which Jesus spoke to Nicodemus. (The Holy Ghost, Ensign, May 1974, p.90)

Related Witnesses:

Parley P. Pratt

The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . 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 invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens 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. (Key to the Science of Theology, p. 61) DGSM:45

Jesus,
quoted by Mormon

Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and 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. (The resurrected Jesus instructs his twelve Nephite disciples, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 27:20

Mormon

And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

14. And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them. (The twelve disciples are baptized, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 19:13-14

322. Only those who are baptized of the water and of the Spirit, namely, the Holy Ghost, will enter the kingdom of God.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

Now, baptism into the Church is not enough to save us. It is for the remission of sins, that is true, but there is another baptism which is just as essential, and that is the baptism of the spirit, or the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. CR1958Oct:21

Jesus,
quoted by Mormon

Jesus,
quoted by John

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5. Jesus answered, 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.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Jesus tells Nicodemus men must be born again) John 3:1-8

Joseph Smith,

translating the Book of Moses

That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

60. For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; . . .

64. And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.

65. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

66. And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever; (The record of Moses : Enoch recounts God speaking to Adam) Moses 6:59-60,64-66

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit— (Revelation received at the request of Martin Harris, March 1829; the Lord promises to supply three witnesses to the Book of Mormon) D&C 5:16

John the Baptist,
recorded in Matthew

Joseph Smith,

translating Matthew,

quoting, in part, John the Baptist

Recorded in Mark

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: (Mark writes of John the Baptist) Mark 1:9-10

323. The truth of all things may be made known to those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

President John Taylor

Delbert L. Stapley

Jesus

President Spencer W. Kimball

Henry B. Eyring

Noah

Moroni, son of Mormon

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (The final writings of Moroni, about A.D. 421) Moroni 10:5

President John Taylor

Now, what did Jesus tell His disciples the Holy Ghost should do when it came? He promised—"It shall lead you into all truth" What shall it do? Lead you into all truth—not into a diversity of sentiments, not into differences of doctrine, not into a variety of ordinances, but you shall see alike, comprehend alike and understand alike. "It shall lead you into all truth." (In Assembly Hall, Feb. 11, 1883, JD23:374) TLDP:272

Delbert L. Stapley

The Holy Ghost is a revelator of truth. . . . CR1966Oct:112

Jesus,
quoted by John

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (Jesus discourses on the mission of the Holy Ghost) John 16:13

Jesus,
quoted by John

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. . . .

26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Jesus promises his disciples to send the Holy Ghost) John 14:16-17,26

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[W]e believe that it [the gift of the Holy Ghost] . . . brings things past to our remembrance, leads us into all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that "no man can know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost." (Editorial in "Times and Seasons," June 1842) HC5:27; TPJS:243; TLDP:274

Joseph Smith,

translating the Book of Moses

Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. (The record of Moses : Enoch recounts God speaking to Adam) Moses 6:61

President Spencer W. Kimball

Each person on whom authoritative hands have been placed will receive the Holy Ghost. He will lead us unto all truth. (Seoul Korea Area conference, Aug. 1975) DGSM:45

Bruce R. McConkie

[I]t is only after [honest truth seekers] pledge their all in the cause of Christ that they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the heavenly endowment of which Jesus spoke. Then they receive a fulfillment of the promise: "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5) Then they receive the "spirit of revelation," and the Lord tells them in their heart and in their mind whatsoever he will. (D&C 8:1-3(The Millennial Messiah, pp. 98-99) DGSM:45

Henry B. Eyring

I wonder if any of those guards prayed that night. The Holy Ghost was ready to tell them that the remarkable message was true. With a testimony of the Spirit they would have known that they should ask for baptism. And then they could have received the priceless gift of the Holy Ghost. With that gift, they could know the truth of all things. I wonder if any of them sensed that night how close they were to starting down the only path which would lead them to the Savior in the world to come, to see His face with pleasure and hear the words, “Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.” (CR 2003Oct; Enos 1:27.) (An Enduring Testimony of the Mission of the Prophet Joseph, Ensign, November 2003, p.89)

Related Witnesses:

Noah,
quoted by Joseph Smith,

translating the Book of Moses

Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless they hearkened not. (The record of Moses : Noah preaches to the people) Moses 8:24

324. Members of the Church are entitled to revelation and guidance from the Holy Ghost.

Nephi, son of Lehi

Charles A. Callis