“Have Ye Received the Holy Ghost?”

Nephi promised that if we will follow the example of Jesus Christ in being baptized, “behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:13).

When Jesus visited the American continent following His death and resurrection, He gave the same assurance:

Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

3 Nephi 27:20

Joseph Smith taught, ““Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered. The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, “Chapter 7: Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost“).

Two events in the book of Acts illustrate the practice of receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands:

• Philip baptized a number of people in the city of Samaria. When the apostles in Jerusalem became aware of those baptisms, “they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost…. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:14-17).
• Paul visited the city of Ephesus briefly at the end of his second mission. (See Acts 18:19-21.) When he returned, he spoke with a group of people who had been baptized. “Have ye received the Holy Ghost,” he asked. They responded, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” After Paul explained baptism to them more clearly, “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:2-6).

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, people who choose to be baptized are confirmed shortly after. Priesthood holders lay their hands lightly on the person’s head. One of them speaks, calling the person by name, confirming them a member of the church, and then saying the words, “receive the Holy Ghost.” (See General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, section 18.8.2.)

Elder David A. Bednar commented on the meaning of this ordinance:

These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts.

“Receive the Holy Ghost,” General Conference, October 2010

Elder Bednar listed three actions we can take in order to receive this gift:

1. Sincerely desire the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
2. Invite Him into our lives.
3. Faithfully obey God’s commandments.

Today, I will strive to receive the Holy Ghost. I will remember that baptism and confirmation opened the door for me to receive this gift but that I must act for it to become operative in my life.