In science and in theology man must be content "to see through a glass, darkly." Until the essential nature of infinitude itself shall be understood, man must be content to learn to use unexplained laws. Science is the great explainer, but she explains relations and not the absolute foundations of phenomena.
After faith or knowledge has been obtained, the alpha and omega of religious or scientific progress is obedience. The cry of universal nature is, Obedience!
Viewed rationally, therefore, the baptism taught in theology is an ordinance which has its counterpart in every department of science. Joseph Smith was strcitly scientific in classing baptism as the third great principle governing human action.
Chapter XII.
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
[Sidenote: The gift of the Holy Ghost is a gift of intelligence.]
Baptism by water is insufficient to open the door to God's Kingdom. The Gift of the Holy Ghost, obtained by the laying on of Hands by one having authority, completes the ordinance. Not only Joseph Smith, but the Savior Himself taught distinctly that to enter the Kingdom of God, a person must be baptized by water and by fire; and the promise is given that those are "baptized by water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost."[A]
[Footnote A: Doctrine and Covenants, 84:63, 64.]
Jesus, speaking to His disciples, taught that "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."[A] This clearly implies that the promised gift is essentially a gift of increased intelligence with the added power that results from a more intelligent action. That this is the Mormon view of the effect of the Gift of the Holy Ghost may be amply demonstrated from the standard works of the Church and from the writings of the leading interpreters of Mormon doctrine. Parley P. Pratt in the Key to Theology says, "It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affection * * * *. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man."[B] The Prophet Joseph Smith declared "This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is * * * * powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge."[C] Concisely expressed, therefore, Joseph Smith and the Church he restored, teach that the Gift of the Holy Ghost, is a gift of "intelligence."
[Footnote A: John 14:26.]