The identity of the Holy Ghost is knowledge that has been sealed from the mankind (in general), but is now beginning to be revealed again in its fullness. This knowledge was well understood by men in different times and places. Joseph Smith understood the concept as well as many others of the time. But, it is now hidden from nearly all except those who truly desire in their hearts to know and are willing to search, ponder, and ASK. The purpose of this essay is to provide a unique view (at least for our day) that will assist those who are desiring to find the answer themselves.
The greatest truths are meant to be discovered. By seeking, ye shall find; In finding, you will be amazed. Once you comprehend the identity of the Holy Ghost, you will never view the world around you the same way as you do now!
Interesting views of others. Prior to continuing with this essay, it may be necessary to briefly mention some of the views that are currently held among a variety of restoration religious groups. Although, the LDS church and many related restoration groups do not discuss the identity of the Holy Ghost, there are a variety of fundamentalist LDS groups that openly and privately teach that Joseph Smith is the personage of the Holy Ghost. Those who adhere to this idea usually point to certain statements that Joseph was reported to have made when he was in mortality. These statements nearly always include, but are not limited to, the following:
"…'Many men,' said he, 'will say, I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times', but the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens, and are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people to kill the prophets in this generation. WOULD TO GOD, BRETHERN, I COULD TELL YOU WHO I AM1 Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life." (Joseph Smith, Jr., as quoted by Heber C. Kimball, Life of Heber C. Kimball, by Orson F. Whitney, pg. 322-323.)(capitals added for emphasis)
"…Joseph also said that THE HOLY GHOST IS NOW IN A STATE OF PROBATION which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." ("Scriptural Items", F.D. Richards quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith, Adrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, Grandin Book, Orem, Utah, 1991 pg. 245.)
The first statement about Joseph’s identity is mysterious and does not say that Joseph is the personage of the Holy Ghost (nor refutes it). However, many individuals reason that if Joseph had a great identity in the heavens, then the Holy Ghost would certainly fit that bill. This reasoning is coupled with other perspectives that are beyond the scope of this essay, but include the idea that Adam was God who came in the beginning, Jesus (the Son of God) came in the meridian of time, and Joseph (as the Holy Ghost) came in the last days. When these ideas are coupled with the second statement that the Holy Ghost is now (then) in a state of probation, there seems to be a solid case that Joseph is the personage of the Holy Ghost. While this may be true, the author of this essay wonders if too much of a focus on this idea leads one into believing a half-truth. While the view may be accurate, the whole and complete picture is never seen. Hopefully, what is meant will become more clear as this essay progresses.
But, the Holy Ghost is yet Spirit. Most groups that adhere to the doctrine that Joseph Smith is the personage of the Holy Ghost tend to ignore what appears as contradicting statements by Joseph that were made a few months later than the statement about the Holy Ghost being now in a state of probation:
"…But THE HOLY GHOST IS YET A SPIRITUAL BODY AND WAITING TO TAKE HIMSELF A BODY. as the Savior did or as god did or the gods before them took bodies…" (George Laub Journal quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith, Adrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, Grandin Book, Orem, Utah, 1991, pg. 382)
At first glance, the two statements by Joseph Smith seem contradictory and confusing, but when the truth is known, a great light of understanding breaks forth. The truth is unveiled and the paradox is solved by reconciling what appears to be opposing ideas into a single all-encompassing view. Could it be that Joseph was correct in both cases? That is, the Holy Ghost is in a state of probation and the Holy Ghost is yet to obtain a body? Could it be that we do not comprehend because we are limited by our own narrow views? Please hold onto this thought and we will return to it later in this essay.
Scriptural Keys. Prior to completing this essay, it may be necessary to take a look at some particular passages of scripture that give clues to the topic at hand. It may be profitable for one to personally study D&C 93 verses 1 through 35. When reading this passage, notice how the same things that are ascribed to the Savior (Jesus Christ) are also ascribed to each of us. Since this passage is rather long, we will pull out some key phrases that convey key concepts:
"Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation- The light and the Redeemer of the world; the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, .... And he (Jesus) RECEIVED NOT A FULLNESS AT FIRST, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; ..... For IF YOU keep my commandments YOU SHALL RECEIVE OF HIS FULNESS (as did Jesus), and be glorified in me AS I AM IN THE FATHER (be one with them); therefore, I say unto you, YOU SHALL RECEIVE GRACE FOR GRACE, (just as the Savior did). .... YE WERE ALSO IN THE BEGINNING WITH THE FATHER; THAT WHICH IS SPIRIT (like Jesus), EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. ... Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because THAT WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING IS PLAINLY MANIFEST unto them (and what would that be?), and they receive not the light. ... FOR MAN IS SPIRIT. The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, MAN IS THE TABERNACLE OF GOD, EVEN TEMPLES." (D&C 93:1-35)
Do we sometimes like to ignore phrases such as "man is spirit" because it is difficult to fit into our own narrow (carnal) concepts of God? Carnal man is always making God in the image of man and the phrase that "man is spirit" does not fit well with the image of God that carnal man has created for himself. However, the passage above not only makes it plain that MAN IS SPIRIT, but that he (man as spirit) is even THAT WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING (just like Jesus Christ), even the SPIRIT OF TRUTH!
The Journal of Discourses contains record of a second revelation that may contain information that will assist us in further understanding. First of all, one needs to realize that not all revelations received by Joseph Smith or others in the early church made it into the LDS cannon. A discourse by Orson Pratt refers to one of these revelations (to Joseph Smith) that addresses the different parts of God:
" … There is one revelation that this people are not generally acquainted with. I think it has never been published, but probably it will be in the Church History. It is given in questions and answers. The first question is, "WHAT IS THE NAME OF GOD IN THE PURE LANGUAGE?" THE ANSWER SAYS "AHMAN." "WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD?" ANSWER, "SON AHMAN-THE GREATEST OF ALL THE PARTS OF GOD EXCEPTING AHMAN." "WHAT IS THE NAME OF MEN?" "SONS AHMAN," IS THE ANSWER. "What is the name of angels in the pure language?" "Anglo-man." THIS REVELATION GOES ON TO SAY THAT SONS AHMAN ARE THE GREATEST OF ALL THE PARTS OF GOD EXCEPTING SON AHMAN AND AHMAN, and that Anglo-man are the greatest of all the parts of God excepting Sons Ahman, Son Ahman, and Ahman, showing that the angels are a little lower than man. What is the conclusion to be drawn from this? It is, that THESE INTELLIGENT BEINGS ARE ALL PARTS OF GOD, AND THAT THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST OF THE PARTS OF GOD ARE THE GREATEST, OR NEXT TO GOD, AND THOSE WHO HAVE THE NEXT GREATEST PORTIONS OF THE PARTS OF GOD, ARE THE NEXT GREATEST, OR NEAREST TO THE FULNESS OF GOD; AND SO WE MIGHT GO ON TO TRACE THE SCALE OF INTELLIGENCES FROM THE HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST, tracing the parts and portions of God so far as we are made acquainted with them. HENCE WE SEE THAT WHEREVER A GREAT AMOUNT OF THIS INTELLIGET SPIRIT EXISTS, THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OR PROPORTION OF GOD, WHICH MAY GROW AND INCREASE UNTIL THERE IS A FULNESS OF THIS SPIRIT, AND THEN THERE IS A FULNESS OF GOD." (Orson Pratt, 1855, Journal of Discourses Vol 2, page 340)
At risk of belaboring what should be obvious, there is a hierarchy that the above passage brings out. Simply put, it is (i) God (Ahman), (ii) Redeemer (Son Ahman) and (iii) man (Sons Ahman).
The identity of the Holy Ghost. Many who find themselves comfortable in thinking they have long ago solved the question of "Who am I?" may find renewal in the understanding that they themselves are the third member of the Godhead. It is each of us as SONS OF GOD, who were in the beginning THE HOLY SPIRITS. We minister to each other on this side of the veil as well as the other side of the veil in varying degrees of Godliness. Thus, the Holy Ghost ministers to the Telestial world (the one in which we now live).... "And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star (each one of us) differs from another star (another of us) in glory, even so differs one from another (like the stars differ) in glory in the telestial world." (D&C 76:98)
Now let us return to the words of Joseph that appeared to be in contraction that the Holy Ghost is now in a state of probation and that the Holy Ghost is yet to gain a body. Dear reader, in hearing are you beginning to understand, and in seeing, beginning to percieve?
When you are admonished after baptism with the words ".... we say unto you, receive the Holy Spirit!", do you finally understand that your body is being admonished to receive the governance of your Spirit? Do you realize that, like Jesus Christ, we are admonished in THIS LIFE to RECEIVE GRACE UPON GRACE until we RECEIVE A FULLNESS!
The next time we look upon a dear unfortunate brother, will we SEE HIM AS HE IS and see ourselves AS WE ARE? Look through these eyes and the world will change about you.