Latter-Day Saints and other Christians...... I recently went out with the Elder Missionaries to a ladies home.

Question

She had posed a question when we were talking about baptism and the laying on of hands for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. The question was...Why do I need to have someone lay their hands on my head for a gift that I believe is from God and not man? And if I believe I already have the gift of the Holy Ghost?

How would you answer this question?

If you are non-LDS and have nothing nice or good to say then don't bother asking.

I talked with someone else he said Baptism has to do with the Priesthood Authority. You can read in the sciptures where the Apostles had to re-baptize people because they were baptized without the proper authority. He said it would be good to be able to show the Line of Authority.

Fish "I do not consider the Holy Spirit a gift. He is God Himself who dwells in each of us when we become Christians. "
Then why is it that Jesus Christ told his Apostles that he would send him the Gift of the Holy Spirit as a comforter and guide and so on?

And why is it taught that they are 3 seperate beings? If they are the same person?

Answer 1

Because you referrenced LDS, I have included scriptural referrences from this doctrine.

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.

He "witnesses of the Father and the Son" (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches "the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.

Through Him, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and those we love and serve(see D&C 46:9–11).

He is the Comforter (John 14:26). whose whisperings can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of our life, and comfort us when we grieve. The Holy Ghost can fill us "with hope and perfect love" and "teach the peaceable things of the kingdom" (Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2).

Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to our covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26). He confirms that the priesthood ordinances we have received and the covenants we have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on our continued faithfulness

All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. But, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy.

After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the person's head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if he or she keeps the commandments

Answer 2

I would tell her that there is a difference between feeling the Holy Ghost and having the gift of the Holy Ghost. Anyone and everyone can feel the Holy Ghost if they are spiritually sensitive enough. We've all heard about the still small voice, and have felt the Holy Ghost even if we didn't know it was the Holy Ghost at the time. However, the Gift of the Holy Ghost is different. While investigators certainly have the Holy Ghost with them when they are learning and accepting the teachings of the Gospel from the missionaries, if they don't act on what they know to be true, then the Spirit leaves. When you have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, then the only thing that can make the Spirit leave is your own disobedience. With the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can have the influence of the Holy Ghost with you always.

However, I didn't know that church rules had changed so drastically as to allow a woman to go with Elder missionaries when they taught someone, especially another woman. I knew that men could go with Elders, but I thought women had to go with Sister missionaries. Or are you talking about Senior missionaries? (elder as in older, not Elder as in a priesthood office)

Answer 3

Sound like there is a mixe up of our LDS teachings with other religious belief from your question.

First thing first.

We believe God the eternal Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate Godly beings.

Holy Ghost , (one of the God head) is not the same as the "Gift of the Holy Ghost" .
The Gift of Holy Ghost is a privilege given to a baptized church member in which he has the constant influence from the Holy Ghost ( God head).

And the gift of the Holy ghost are given through the laying on of hands by a person with the proper Priesthood.

It is illogical to believe that every one automatically has the Holy Ghost with them, since so many people is doing things that is conflicting to what the Holy Ghost teaches.

Do keep an open mind on what doctrine should be from what everyone think the doctrine should be.

Answer 4

You need to explain to her that the gift of the Holy Ghost can only be given by someone who has the priesthood and the proper authority. Yes, it is a gift from God, but it still has to be given to you by those who have been called to give it to you. If that makes sense :) Everyone has the "light of Christ" which is an essence of the Holy Ghost, basically your conscience, but it is not the same as having the Holy Ghost with you at all times. That is what she has to understand. The gift of the Holy Ghost is not something that you can acquire on your own, like she thinks. It has to be given by the proper priesthood authority.


like imaMormon2 said, people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but that does not mean that they have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. They are two separate things.

Answer 5

The true answer is that every one is entitled to the gift of the Holy Ghost if that wasn't so then she would never be able to know the truth that would convince her that this is the true church. However being baptized with the Holy Ghost is not the same thing. It allows you other privileges that are not had from occasional visits of the Holy Ghost. The main one is the influence of the Holy Ghost at all times and in all things. Except when you are not worthy. That is the biggest reason she would find is that even with small somewhat trivial matters she would have the influence of the holy ghost to help her make decisions. However she would still have to learn to recognize and listen to that still small voice it will not over ride you right to chose your action just help in knowing the right course of action.

Answer 6

Does she believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, like the Bible?

If so, then she must believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.

If so, then anything from teh Doctrine & Covenants that says one must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

Here is the formula from "Book of Mormon; Key to Conversion" by Glenn L. Pearson

Formula for Showing That All Objections Are ReallyOnly Objections to Revelation.

The formula consists of the following four steps:

1. Recognize the objection.

2. Give answer from modern revelation.

3. Explain that the correctness of the answer depends on whether or not we have modern prophets and modern revelation.

4. Explain that whether or not we have modern prophets and modern revelation depends on whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. Hence, the only problem the investigator has to solve for himself is whether or not the Book of Mormon is true.

D&C 20:38 The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;
39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;
40 And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—
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;


D&C 33:15 And whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, by the laying on of the hands, and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them.

This is a couple to begin with. If she believes the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God, then she would also accept the Doctrine & Covenants as the word of God and that's what the D&C says.

Answer 7

A great scripture to share would be Acts 8. Philip goes to Samaria and preaches the gospel. People convert and he baptizes them. But for these new converts to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the apostles had to come to lay hands on them.
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/acts/8

People can feel the Holy Ghost without having the gift of the Holy Ghost, otherwise, no one would convert. The Bible Dictionary also has a good explanation

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/56

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with the laying of hands if someone wants to be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. There is no requirement not to or to lay hands for one to get baptized. The requirement is for one to "Believe and be baptized". Laying on of hands was used in the OT period to confer blessing, to commission a perosn fro a new responbility, etc. In the NT period, laying on of hands was observed in healing, blessing, ordaining or commissioning, and imparting of spiritual gifts. Knowing what the Mormons believe and not believe in, I would have asked them to show the Scripture where it says laying of hands if a requirement to be Baptize in the Holy Spirit. True in ideed the gift comes from God.

Answer 9

If you go to the web site -- www.biblegateway.com -- and type in "laying on of hands" (use the new King James Version) you'll see several references of this practice in the N.T. church. But also notice Hebrews 6:2. God can work in any way he chooses. Man tends to see a move of God in some form or fashion and then he makes it a doctrine. The laying on of hands during prayer just seems natural if you're praying for someone. I think it is believed to be an impartation from one to another. I don't see any place in the Bible where it is required. But it sure is powerful. That's why it is referred to several times in the N.T.

Answer 10

I would tell her the she is right, the Holy Ghost is a gift from God that anyone can feel, but unless it is given by the proper authority, it doesn't always stay with you. When the Holy Ghost is given by priesthood power, it is always with them as long as the commandments are followed. They can have it with them no matter what situation they are in, and it will help them discern right from wrong and will be a comforter when ever they need it.