“I Knew That It Was the Spirit of the Lord”

K. Douglas Bassett

John 16:7; Answers to Book of Mormon Questions, Sperry, pp. 27-30; Book of Mormon Compendium, Sperry, pp. 116-118; Conference Report, Apr., 1974, p. 131; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 77

“That the Spirit of the Lord is capable of manifesting Himself in the form and figure of man, is indicated by the wonderful interview between the Spirit and Nephi, in which He revealed Himself to the prophet, questioned him concerning his desires and belief, instructed him in the things of God, speaking face to face with the man [1 Nephi 11:11]. However, the Holy Ghost does not possess a body of flesh and bones, as do both the Father and the Son, but is a personage of spirit. Much of the confusion existing in human conceptions concerning the nature of the Holy Ghost arises from the common failure to segregate His person and powers. Plainly, such expressions as being filled with the Holy Ghost, and His falling upon persons, have reference to the powers and influences that emanate from God, and which are characteristic of Him; for the Holy Ghost may in this way operate simultaneously upon many persons even though they be widely separated, whereas the actual person of the Holy ghost cannot be in more than one place at a time.” (James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, p. 42)
“The Holy Ghost is a male personage. Note how often Jesus refers to the Holy Ghost as ‘he’ and ‘him.’” (LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, p. 115)

Latter-Day Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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