Gospel Principles Lesson 7
Adam and Eve had to begin working after they left the Garden of Eden. They had to till the earth and perform other labors necessary for their survival. Adam and Eve had many children. (Some people think that they only had Cain and Abel because we read about them in the old Testament; but, Adam and Even lived nearly 1000 years, and they had many children.) Their sons and daughters became of age, were married, and they also had children. (See Moses 5:1-3) So Heavenly Father's Plan was underway. We, His spirit children, began to leave His presence to come to live on earth. (See Abraham 3:24-25) A veil of forgetfulness accompanies us when we are born, but Heavenly Father still wanted us to feel His influence and to learn about Him. "He sent the Holy Ghost to comfort and help and guide all of his spirit children." (See Gospel Principles Lesson 7)
Adam and Even continued to pray to Heavenly Father. "He spoke to them and gave them commandments." They were obedient to Heavenly Father. The Lord sent an angel to teach Adam and Eve about the Plan of Salvation. He also sent the Holy Ghost to testify of the Father and the Son and to help Adam and Even learn how to live the gospel.
Because Adam had the Holy Ghost with him, he was able to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth. In Moses 5:10 Adam said, "Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God." Because Eve had the Holy Ghost with her, she testified in Moses 5:11, "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient." Their transgression is what brought about the Fall, and it was a necessary part of Heavenly Father's Plan.
Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are called the Godhead. They are one in purpose. They seek to bring about our salvation and exaltation. Though they are one in purpose, they each play a particular role in the Plan. "Our Heavenly Father is our Father and Ruler. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of truth. The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father's messenger and is a special gift to us." (See Gospel Principles Lesson 7)
Although both Heavenly Father and Jesus (since His resurrection) both have physical, resurrected bodies, we know that the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit. (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) His influence can be felt everywhere.
The Holy Ghost's number one mission is to bear witness of our Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ. He also can help us to know the truth of all things. Through the Holy Ghost, we can learn that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. (See 3 Nephi 28:11; Doctrine and Covenants 20:27) We can learn that our Heavenl yFather truly is the father of our spirits. We can learn that we can become like our Heavenly Father. (See Romans 8:16-17) The Holy Ghost can witness to us that all these things are true. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5)
It is only through the Holy Ghost that we can know that Jesus is the Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 12:3) Jesus said, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. The witness of the Holy Ghost is strong and powerful, leaving no room for doubt.
“When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [1957–66], 2:151).
President Smith also said, “Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:48).
We need to live worthily to have the Holy Ghost present in our lives. The testifying power of the Holy Ghost is available to all of God's children. That is how we come to know the truth about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for ourselves. As we make and keep sacred covenants, we can have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and we can feel his comforting guidance always.
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