The laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, characterized the primitive Gospel dispensation, as recorded in the New Testament. Peter and John laid their hands on the people of Samaria, who had been baptized, and they received the Holy Ghost; Acts 8. 17.
Ananias laid hands on Saul, by special commandment, before he was baptized, that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost; 9. 17.
Paul found some people at Ephesus, that claimed to be disciples of John the Baptist, who had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. When he had baptized them, "and when he had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied;" 19. 2-6.
The laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost characterized both the Mosaic and Gospel dispensations among the Nephites. "Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit;" Alma 31. 36. We are informed that the Nephites, at this time, were very strict in observing the ordinances of God according to the law of Moses; 30. 3.
When our Savior organized the Council of Twelve Apostles among the Nephites, he touched them with his hand and gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. "And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them; and the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bear record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost;" 3 Nephi 18. 36, 37.
The Apostles of this dispensation are especially instructed to lay hands on those who have been baptized into the church, "For the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;" Doc. & Cov. 20. 41.
When the few who had received the Gospel first met to organize the church, the prophet Joseph laid his hands on O. Cowdery and ordained him an elder in the church, after which O. Cowdery ordained the prophet Joseph to the same office. They then administered the sacrament to the Saints. Afterwards they laid their hands "on each individual member of the church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ;" His. of J. Smith, April 6, 1830. This was the first time in this dispensation that hands were publicly laid on for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, and for confirmation.
FOR HEALING THE SICK.
Jesus Christ has left us his example for laying hands on the sick, that they might be healed. He touched the hand of Peter's wife's mother, and the fever left her; Matt. 8. 15. "He laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them;" Mark 6. 5.