Chapter 5: The Holy Ghost, A: The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead

The Holy Ghost is a spirit. He does not have a body, but possesses all the characteristics of a member of the Godhead.

The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangile as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
D&C 130:22

And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof--for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.
1 Nephi 11:11

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a Spirit, in the form of a man. . . . The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, and has a spirit body only. His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. As a Spirit personage the Holy Ghost has size and dimensions. He does not fill the immensity of space, and cannot be everywhere present in person at the same time. He is also call the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Truth, and the Comforter.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:38

The Holy Ghost as a personage of Spirit can no more be omnipresent in person than can the Father or the Son, by by his intelligence, his knowledge, his power, and influence, over and through the laws of nature, he is and can be omnipresent throughout all the works of God.
Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 61

The Holy Ghost knows all things. He must know all things so that he can teach us of them.

Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.
D&C 35:19

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Moroni 10:5

The Holy Ghost testitifies of the Father and Son. As the the third member of the Godhead his chief role seems to be to point towards the Father and Son.

As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son.
D&C 20:27

And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me.
3 Nephi 28:11

"Alma . . . Did Judge Righteous Judgments" Mosiah 29; Alma 1-4

Today, as a break away from my traditional study, I am writing up my preparation for the Sunday School lesson today. Enjoy.

What does Mosiah's words teach about the kind of leaders who will help "make peace for the people"?

A king with absolute power can be a great blessing for the people, but a kind who is wicked could bring down the whole kingdom. Mosiah taught the people that it is better to have a system of judges so that if the leaders became wicked they could be removed from power without a revolution.

Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge this people according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have men for your kings who would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people--I say unto you, if this would be xpedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you.
Mosiah 29:13

Now, I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you. For behold, how much inquity doth one wicked king cause to be comitted, yea, and what great destruction!
Mosiah 29:17

What had Nehor been teaching the people?

That every priest or teacher ought to become opular; and they ought not to labor with theirhands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. And he also testitifed unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and they need not fear nor termble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice.
Alma 1:3-4

What was the effect of his teachings?

The people gave him money and he, himself, became very prideful about his church. When he started arguing with an old man about his teachings, and losing the argument, he became so angry he killed him. (Alma 1:5-9) He was put to death.

His teachings remained popular among the people. Preachers liked it because they could get money. The people who followed those teachings became increasingly prideful and fought more and more with others who did not agree with them.

The tension got so great that Amlici led an attempted coup d'etat against the Nephite government. There was a great war, and then another war when the defeated Amlicites joined forces with the Nephites. Many people died.

Why do you think Nehor's teachings were appealing to so many people?

They were appealing because Nehor taught that everyone would be saved no matter what they did. This allowed people to do whatever they wanted without feeling guilty. They were able to deal with their guilt by justifying that the were giving money to Nehor.

Which of these same teachings have you heard in our day?

Priestcraft is the rule among the churches today. The preacher is always supported by the congregation. Our church is actually considered different from the average religion because only the people at the very highest levels are compensated for their work, and that because they are so busy they cannot support their families without money from the church.

It is also a popular teaching that all you have to do is "accept" Christ to be saved. When people believe that salvation comes without sacrifice, they stop working on the things they really do need to do to be happy.

What did Alma do in response to the increasing pride and iniquity of the people?

He left his job as chief judge an went on a mission so he could preach directly to the people.

How can preaching the word of God "stir [people] up in rememberance of their duty"?

It helps people to change their lives when they learn about the gospel. President Packer says that true doctrine understood, changes behavior and that learning doctrine will change behavior faster than a study of behavior will change behavior.

How can preaching the word of God "pull down" pride, craftiness, and contention?

As people change they are humbled, and humble people do not suffer from pride, and without pride you won't have much contention.

Why do you think there was no way for Alma to help the people other than by "bearing down in pure testimony against them"?

In Alma's day he could not reach out through a television screen and talk to everyone at once. In order to really get their attention he had to come to them. The only way for him to reach the people in their hearts was to go and talk to them directly.

What problems in the world today could be solved by preaching and living the gospel?

Preaching and truly living the gospel will bring peace to the world. A lot of people use their religion as a way to fight with the other people. Even members of the church can sometimes bring sorrow to other people through false commitment to their religion. If we are truly living the gospel we will love everyone and we will do whatever it takes to help others.

Chapter 4: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, C: As the Son of God, Jesus Fills Many Roles Essential to Our Salvation

The following points each describe an aspect of the Savior. Knowing the Savior is vitally important to us spiritually. Learning about all his aspects will help us in many ways.

Whether descriptibely designated as Creator, Only Begotten Son, Prince of Peace, Advocate, Mediator, Son of God, Savior, Messiah, Author and Finisher of Slavation, King of Kings--Iwitness that Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven whereby one can be saved! (see D&C 18:23.) I testify that He is utterly incomparable in what He is, what He knows, what He has accomplished, and what He has experienced. Yet, movingly, He call us His friends. (See John 15:15). We can trust, worship, and even ador Him without any reservation! As the only Perfect Person to sojourn on this planet, there in none like Him! (See Isiah 46:9). In intelligence and performance, He far surpasses the individual and the composite capacities and achievements of all who have lived, live now, and will yet live! (See Abraham 3:19). He rejoices in our genuine goodness and ahcievement, but any assessment of where we stand in relation to HIm tells us that we do not stand at all! We kneel!
Neal A. Maxwell, in Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 9; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 9

The Savior created the Earth from direction from the Father.

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.
3 Nephi 9:15

Jesus Christ is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament

Behold, Gos is my slavation; I will trust, and not be afriad: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2

Christ came to the Earth as an example for us, so that we could see what we should do.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shal ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do.
3 Nephi 27:21

We are saved only through Jesus Christ. There is no other name through which we can gain salvation.

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. Ther is no other name given whereby slavation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
Mosiah 5:8

Through the Atonement, the Savior gave us the way to be saved from physical and spiritual death.

For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement--save it should be an infinite atonement this corrutpion could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. O the widsom of God, his mercy and grace! for behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transforemth himself night unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave. And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall devliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up thier dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurection of the Holy One of Isreal. O how great the plan of our God! For one the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a pefect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
2 Nephi 9:6-13

The Savior is our advocate with the Father.

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him--Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou was well please; behold the blood of they Son which was shed, the blood of him who thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.
D&C 45:3-5

The Savior is our perfect judge.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
John 5:22

The Father's will is carried out with perfection by the Son

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 4:34

Jesus is sometimes called the Father. This is a figurative title and works as Jesus acts for the Father many times.

And now that Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son--The Father because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son--And they are one God, yea the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.
Mosiah 15:1-8

Christ is the Father in the sense that he is the Creator, the Make, the Organizer of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. . . . He is the Father of all those who are born again. . . . He is the Father by what has aptly been termed divine investiture of authority. That is, since he is one with the Father in all of the attributes of perfection, and since e exercises the power and authority of the Father, it follows that everything he say or does is and would be exactly and precisely what the Father would say and do under the same cirucmstances. Accordingly, the Father put his own name on the Son and authorizes him to speak in the first person as though he were the Father.
McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 130

Jesus Christ is the rock of our foundation to overcome Satan.

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Chris, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that wehn the devil shall send forth is mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm hsall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, becuase of the rock upon which ye are build, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fail.
Helaman 5:12

Chapter 4: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, B: Jesus Christ is a Being of Glory, Might, and Majesty

Christ has all power, in heaven and earth. He has power over the Earth just like the Father does.

And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
D&C 93:17

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:18

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
1 Peter 3:22

Christ has a fullness of the Father's attributes. Christ is a full member of the Godhead and the member who we seem to deal with most directly. We can trust that he has the fulness of attributes and power of God, which he gained piece by piece.

And I, John, saw that received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; And he received not of the fulness at first, but continue from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thsu he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first. And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven sayin: This is my beloved Son. And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father; And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
D&C 93:12-17

Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eys; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.
D&C 38:1-3

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:9-10

The Savior did not have a fulness at first, but after received his body and the resurrection all power was given unto him both in heaven and in earth. Although he was a God, even the Son of God, with power and authority to create this earth and other eaths, yet there were some things lacking which he did not receive until after his resurrection. In other words he had not received the fulness until he got a resurrected body.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:33

Christ is the light of the world. I believe this is part literal and part figurative. There are a lot of meanings you can draw from this statement, which I'm sure is intended. One meaning I think is important is to remember that all hope and happiness in this life is made possible by the Savior.

And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
D&C 93:2

The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
D&C 93:9

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:4

The spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

See also D&C 88:5-13

Chapter 4: Jesus Christ, the Son of God A: Jesus Christ is literally the son of God the Eternal Father

Jesus Christ is the first born spirit son of God. As such, he is our elder brother. Jesus Christ was hence "in the beginning with God."

And now verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn.
D&C 93:21

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a son? And again, when he bringeth the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Hebrews 1:5-6

Among the spirit children of Elohim, the firstborn was and is Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, to whom all others are juniors.
Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 70

Jesus Christ is the only Son begotten of God in the flesh. God was literally Jesus's father of the body as he is father of our spirits. God needed to be His father so that he would have power over death.

He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Holy Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
JST John 1:13-14

And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
1 Nephi 11:20-21

I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.
Alma 5:48

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him; That he lives! For we saw him, even on teh right hand of God; and we heard the voice bering record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begtten sons and daughters unto God.
D&C 76:22-24

That Child to be born of Mary was begotten of Elohim, the Eternal Father, no in violation of natural law but in accoradance with a higher manifestation thereof; and, the offspring from that association of supreme sanctity, celestial Sireship, and pure though mortal maternity, was of right to be called the "Son of the Highest."
James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 81

Chapter 3: God the Eternal Father, E: The Father Presides Over the Godhead

The Godhead comprises the The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. The Father presides over the Godhead, like a president over his presidency.

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Article of Faith 1

[Christ speaking.] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 14:28

Know ye not that [Christ] was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
2 Nephi 31:7

The Godhead is made up of three separate physical beings. Each being is a totally separate person physically and spiritually.

The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not well in us.
D&C 130:22

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:16-17

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Acts 7:55-56

Three glorified, exalted, and perfected personages comprise the Godhead or supreme presidency of the univers. . . . They are: God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Ghost. . . . Though each God in the Godhead is a personage, separate and distince from eacy of the others, yet they are 'one God' . . ., meaning that they are united as one in the attributes of perfection. For instance, each ahs the fulness of truth, knowledge, charity, power, justice, judgment, mercy, and faith. Accordingly they all think, act, speak, and are alike in all things; and yet they are three separate and distinct entities. Each occupies space andis and can be in but one place at one time, but each has power and influence everywhere present.
McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 319

The Godhead is one in purpose. They are one presidency, with one mission, and act as one in all things. We must understand that they are one in purpose so that we do not get confused about who to worship, or who to listen to on one thing versus another. They are three beings separate united as one as a presidency, united more perfectly than any presidency ever in this church.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Thaty they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
John 17:20-22

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.
D&C 35:2

And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
3 Nephi 11:27

There is a oneness in the Godhead as well as a distinctness of personality. This oneness is emphasized in the sayings and writing of prophets and apostles in order to guard against the erroneous idea that these three may be distinct and independent dieties and rivals for our worship.
Joseph F. Smith, "Answers to Questions," Improvement Era, Jan 1901, 228

Chapter 3: God the Eternal Father, C: God is the Supreme Being in the Universe

God is the supreme being, who is above all and ruler of all, who gives order and who is our God. There is sometimes talk in the scriptures about other Gods, but it is God the Father who we worship and who is our ultimate ruler.

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:6

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
John 10:29

By definition, God (generally meaning the Father) is the one supreme and absolute Being; the ultimate source of the universe; the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good Creator, Ruler, and Preserver of all things.
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 317

It is God the Father who we worship. The Savior defers and directs us toward God the Father. It is God who we pray to, in the name of the Savior.

And you shall fall down and worship the Father in my name.
D&C 18:40

And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
D&C 20:29

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:8

Our relationship with the Father is supreme, paramount, and preeminent over all others. He is the God we worship. It is his gospel that saves and exalts. He ordained and established the plan of salvation. He is the one who was once as we are now. The life he lives is eternal life, and if we are to gain this greatest of all the gifts of God, it will be because we become like him.
Bruce R. McConkie, "Our Relationship with the Lord," in Brigham Youn University 1981-82 Fireside and Devotional Speeches, 101

God created all thing through his Son. The Son created the world and everything from direction from the Father.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by his prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son who he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.
Hebrews 1:1-2

And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
Moses 1:32-33