NOTES.
1. Effect of the Holy Ghost on the Individual.—"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God Himself. But these are possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind. The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."—Parley P. Pratt, Key to Theology, pp. 96-97 (4th ed.).
2. The Laying on of Hands.—From the scriptures cited, it is plain that the usual ceremony of bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost consisted in part in the imposition of hands by those in authority (Acts viii, 17; ix, 17; xix, 2-6; Alma xxxi, 36; III Nephi xviii, 36-37; Doc. and Cov. xx, 41). The same outward sign has marked other authoritative acts: for example, ordination to the priesthood; and administration to the sick. It is probable that Paul had reference to Timothy's ordination when he exhorts him thus: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (I Tim. iv, 14). And again, "Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands" (II Tim. i, 6). The first ordination to the priesthood in latter times was done by the imposition of hands by John the Baptist (Doc. and Cov. xiii). That Christ in healing the sick sometimes laid His hands upon the afflicted ones is certain (Mark vi, 5); and He left with His apostles a promise that healing should follow the authoritative laying on of hands (Mark xvi, 15, 18). The same promise has been repeated in this day (Doc. and Cov. xlii, 43-44). Yet, notwithstanding the importance given to this sign of authority, the laying on of hands is but exceptional among the practices of the many sects professing Christianity to-day.
3. Operation of the Holy Ghost.—The means through which the Holy Ghost operates are no more truly the Holy Ghost in person than are the light and heat and actinic energy of the sun, the sun itself. The influence, spirit, or power of the Holy Ghost is that of enlightenment and progression, and this is given unto men in proportion to their receptiveness and worthiness; but the right to the special ministrations of the third member of the Godhead is obtainable only through compliance with the preliminary requirements of the Gospel—faith, repentance, and baptism.
4. Mode of Conferring the Holy Ghost.—Questions have arisen as to the ceremony of confirmation and the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, particularly as to the propriety of saying: Receive ye the Holy Ghost; or Receive ye the Gift of the Holy Ghost.. Since the companionship of the Holy Ghost embraces all the spiritual graces and gift in so far as such are deserved by and appropriate to the person, the Church teaches that officiating Elders in confirming baptized candidates should use the form: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
In explaining the reception of the Holy Ghost by the apostles of old, the First Presidency of the Church issued an instructive statement Feb. 5, 1916. See Deseret News of that date, and Improvement Era, March, 1916; and for excerpt from same see "Jesus the Christ" (third and later editions), p. 720.