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What is the difference between the influence of The Holy Ghost, The Gift of The Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ?

Is the influence of the Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ the same thing?

The Holy Ghost is a Spirit. He is the third member of the Godhead, along with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and walk humbly before God He can always be with us. We call it a gift because the Holy Ghost is given to us from God to guide us as we face difficult decisions, comfort us when we are sad, influence our minds and feelings, and help us recognize when something is true. This kind of divine help reminds us that God loves each one of us and wants to help us through the difficulties of our lives.
Mormon.org

Basically
Anyone can feel guided by the Holy Ghost - it is how non members get to know that the Book of Mormon is true.

Only Mormons get the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the same as what non members get but it can be with you all the time. Sat-Nav for the soul 24/7. As opposed to non members who only get it when they read the Book of Mormon and believe it or when significant other non members do something that the Mormons like and want to be associated with.

As a rule of Mormon thumb, if your decisions turn out well then you have listened to the Holy Ghost. If they turn out bad it's because you didn't listen even if you thought you had.

The light of Christ is what anybody can display through acts of charity and selflessness.

inquiringmind wrote:What is the difference between the influence of The Holy Ghost, The Gift of The Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ?

Is the influence of the Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ the same thing?

its best if your rely on appropriate sources for answers to questions such as yours.
i recommend starting with an easy search on LDS.org
The answers are quite simple to grasp and less cynical as some may portray.

Light of Christ (http://LDS.org/ensign/2005/04/the-light ... ght+Christ)
Is basically the knowledge of right and wrong. It is your moral sense, your conscience. (D&C 88:7)
It is " in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed”

The Holy Ghost (http://LDS.org/manual/gospel-principles ... t?lang=eng)
Is a personage of Spirit (D&C 130:22). Is what reveals and teaches us the truth of things. The HG influences and guides us. Ever had that "feeling" that you "knew" better?

The Gift of the HG (http://LDS.org/manual/gospel-principles ... t?lang=eng)
Is an ordinance that gives the privilege to people of having the time-to-time presence of the HG, described above, "upgraded" to a constant companionship provided commandments are honored and kept.

Peace


Contentment and Strength


Faith, Hope, Charity and Redemption

.

inquiringmind wrote:What is the difference between the influence of The Holy Ghost, The Gift of The Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ?

Is the influence of the Holy Ghost, and The Light of Christ the same thing?

Mentalgymnast has given you the orthodox correlated answers.

But I think these answers have been arrived at over the past century as an LDS attempt to have conclusive answers to the questions, not necessarily because they are correct.

Such is indicated by the fact that the correlated answers have problems of their own, not to mention problems with the scriptures they seek to explicate.

For instance, the correlated answer is that one does not receive the Holy Ghost until after one is baptized, which baptism brings the remission of sins.

D&C 20:37, however, has remission of sins coming through the Holy Ghost before baptism:

And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

I think these problems stem from mankind's need to pigeonhole (dovehole?) everything into hermetically sealed categories, while failing to recognize it was Jesus who said of the Holy Spirit that it is like the wind, which we cannot see, and which blows here and there invisibly for no discernible reason that man can divine. (Okay, there was a little literary license thre, but that's what I get out of John 3:8.)

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

subgenius wrote:
The Gift of the HG (http://LDS.org/manual/gospel-principles ... t?lang=eng)
Is an ordinance that gives the privilege to people of having the time-to-time presence of the HG, described above, "upgraded" to a constant companionship provided commandments are honored and kept.

This is from your source:
Every worthy elder of the Church, when authorized, may give the gift of the Holy Ghost to another person. However, there is no guarantee that the person will receive inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost just because the elders have laid their hands on his or her head. Each person must “receive the Holy Ghost.” This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us only when we are faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger.

To be worthy to have the help of the Holy Ghost, we must seek earnestly to obey the commandments of God. We must keep our thoughts and actions pure.

This is so ignorant as to be laughable. To some up the both of you you most vulgarly assume that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is something like a, I don't know, a coupon, you can redeem WHENEVER you really, really, want to and so you behave just right. If you happen to misbehave then your coupon is immediately confiscated and you lose your gift. Sounds like the Lord is The Spirit Nazi. NO SPIRIT FOR YOU!

Just when you needed him most he will jettison himself away leaving you hapless and alone and destitute of guidance and right thinking because you, I don't know, perhaps what (?) went to the store on Sunday, saw an R rated movie, had an unclean or impure thought?

This is hypocrisy that has you shortchanged. Listen up because I am weary of teaching the truth over and over again to the deaf. The only way you come into possession of the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, regardless of ordinances, is when you are visited of the Father and truly wrought upon and cleansed by the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. You need to be sanctified so that you are clean and that not of yourself but by the grace of Christ Jesus whose shed blood bought you making you his son or daughter by the power to conceive you his seed. That never happens to Mormons, does it. Pity. The Book of Mormon is filled with it. Joseph Smith taught it. The Bible is filled with it. That gift is not some fleeting whim of capriciousness wholly incapable of helping you through rough seas. (see 3Nephi 11)

You do not get it in this GIVEN A NEW HEART FROM GOD way without going at it precisely right. Take no thought for your life while you seek to enter into THE kingdom. Be meek and lowly of heart. Submit to Christ's scepter in all things, meaning that you live the life he sends to you, not your own lusts and ambitions and dreams and plans. Oh, that's it, isn't it? To excel in the world today you must be all about your own business and seek the honors of this world to open the doors of your future success and security and fame............hmmmm. NO GIFTS FOR YOU!

The sad fact that LDS THINK that they win and lose the spirit according to their conduct proves that it is nothing but pride. If you esteem it lightly and go about it lightly you have no problem losing it lightly and gee, I don't know, what (?) oh yeah, you get it back whenever you partake of the sacrament. Ha ha ha ha. What an easy and light triviality. When they can believe themselves worthy they suddenly can feel it. When they believe themselves unworthy they lose the Spirit. Proves also too well that the have no clue what they are about. They certainly do not align with scripture. No need, you have your, TR, coupon don't you?

Nightlion wrote:...To be worthy to have the help of the Holy Ghost, we must seek earnestly to obey the commandments of God. We must keep our thoughts and actions pure.

This is so ignorant as to be laughable. To some up...

"sum" up....see me after class.

... the both of you you most vulgarly assume that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is something like a, I don't know, a coupon, you can redeem WHENEVER you really, really, want to and so you behave just right. If you happen to misbehave then your coupon is immediately confiscated and you lose your gift. Sounds like the Lord is The Spirit Nazi. NO SPIRIT FOR YOU!

The whole of scriptures is blatantly clear on how blessings and gifts from Heavenly Father are usually in the form of a covenant. A simple and fundamental inquiry into the Bible, Book of Mormon, and their teachings reveal this simple truth. I believe it is a major fallacy, and an unsupported assumption, that Heavenly Father expects nothing from us.

Just when you needed him most he will jettison himself away leaving you hapless and alone and destitute of guidance and right thinking because you, I don't know, perhaps what (?) went to the store on Sunday, saw an R rated movie, had an unclean or impure thought?

you are making an incorrect conclusion here. He does not jettison Himself away. It is quite simple, the "guarantee" of constant HG companionship is simply no longer there. Not upholding your end of the bargain in a covenant relationship has implications. The key aspect you are neglecting is "free-agency" and its inherent implications.

This is hypocrisy that has you shortchanged. Listen up because I am weary of teaching the truth over and over again to the deaf. The only way you come into possession of the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, regardless of ordinances, is when you are visited of the Father and truly wrought upon and cleansed by the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.

"Teaching" seems to be an un-buttressed claim and this apparent deafness seems to be preferential to the apparent blindness on this issue.... as in ability to read
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
or Acts 5:32
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."(emphasis mine)
or 1 Cor 6:19
"What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have of God, and you are not your own?"

etc....

You need to be sanctified so that you are clean and that not of yourself but by the grace of Christ Jesus whose shed blood bought you making you his son or daughter by the power to conceive you his seed. That never happens to Mormons, does it. Pity. The Book of Mormon is filled with it. Joseph Smith taught it. The Bible is filled with it. That gift is not some fleeting whim of capriciousness wholly incapable of helping you through rough seas. (see 3Nephi 11)

fleeting whim of capriciousness? i do not it consider it as such, nor have i met anyone that does. speculation on your part, i suspect.

You do not get it in this GIVEN A NEW HEART FROM GOD way without going at it precisely right. Take no thought for your life while you seek to enter into THE kingdom. Be meek and lowly of heart. Submit to Christ's scepter in all things, meaning that you live the life he sends to you, not your own lusts and ambitions and dreams and plans. Oh, that's it, isn't it? To excel in the world today you must be all about your own business and seek the honors of this world to open the doors of your future success and security and fame............hmmmm. NO GIFTS FOR YOU!

this seems a little off the reservation, please clarify.

The sad fact that LDS THINK that they win and lose the spirit according to their conduct proves that it is nothing but pride.

actually it proves that what we think is correct. The scriptures are completely "conduct" based. Your actions are the fundamental cause, effect, and meaning behind every chapter and verse. Heavenly Father and Christ command conduct, and they command it in very specific and deliberate manners. To assume you can simply be an arm-chair believer is the doctrine of Satan.
Does the prodigal son receive blessings without action? no
Do the workers in the vineyard receive wages without working? no
Is there any scripture that supports the notion of God requiring nothing, as in no action, from a person?
Reference James chapter 2, Hebrews chapter 11, John 6:44-45, Acts 3:22-23,
or even
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (emphasis mine)

If you esteem it lightly and go about it lightly you have no problem losing it lightly and gee, I don't know, what (?) oh yeah, you get it back whenever you partake of the sacrament. Ha ha ha ha. What an easy and light triviality. When they can believe themselves worthy they suddenly can feel it. When they believe themselves unworthy they lose the Spirit. Proves also too well that the have no clue what they are about. They certainly do not align with scripture. No need, you have your, TR, coupon don't you?

[/quote]
There seems to be a dramatic exaggeration of your apparent misunderstanding of basic LDS doctrine. Perhaps you could provide citations for your absurd conclusions. I am not sure that anything positive can be experienced from a simple exchange opinionated ramblings and diatribes.

subgenius wrote:The whole of scriptures is blatantly clear on how blessings and gifts from Heavenly Father are usually in the form of a covenant. A simple and fundamental inquiry into the Bible, Book of Mormon, and their teachings reveal this simple truth. I believe it is a major fallacy, and an unsupported assumption, that Heavenly Father expects nothing from us.

I do not see how a gift can be a covenant.

A gift (or a present) is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return.

A covenant is a solemn agreement to engage in or refrain from a specified action.

Should the "gift of the Holy Ghost" be renamed as "the two way contractual agreement specifying the terms of use of the Holy Ghost"?

Additional question.
In what way(s) is the Holy Ghost that only worthy members experience, different to the Holy Ghost that unworthy non members are told they will experience when they read the Book of Mormon with the intent of finding out if it's true?

Additional question (this one is just for fun)
How does the Holy Ghost have the time to help so many members find their car keys?

Drifting wrote:I do not see how a gift can be a covenant.

2 examples previously cited:
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Here we clearly see that the gift has requirements in order to receive it
or Acts 5:32
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Here we clearly see that the gift has requirements in order to receive it

So, obviously there are conditions that must be met in order to receive the gift.
But what about keeping the Spirit?
What do we read about in John 8:35? Psalms 51:10-11?
As i said before, the Spirit is not "removed" but you lose the guarantee of His "constant" companionship.

A gift (or a present) is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return.

A covenant is a solemn agreement to engage in or refrain from a specified action.

rather simple, i would add that a covenant is a "mutual" agreement.

Should the "gift of the Holy Ghost" be renamed as "the two way contractual agreement specifying the terms of use of the Holy Ghost"?

As i said before, the Spirit is not "removed" but you lose the guarantee of His "constant" companionship.

Additional question.
In what way(s) is the Holy Ghost that only worthy members experience, different to the Holy Ghost that unworthy non members are told they will experience when they read the Book of Mormon with the intent of finding out if it's true?

Pay attention....constant versus not-constant

Additional question (this one is just for fun)
How does the Holy Ghost have the time to help so many members find their car keys?

i do not know what you mean here.

subgenius wrote:

Drifting wrote:I do not see how a gift can be a covenant.

2 examples previously cited:
Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Here we clearly see that the gift has requirements in order to receive it
or Acts 5:32
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
Here we clearly see that the gift has requirements in order to receive it

So, obviously there are conditions that must be met in order to receive the gift.
But what about keeping the Spirit?
What do we read about in John 8:35? Psalms 51:10-11?
As i said before, the Spirit is not "removed" but you lose the guarantee of His "constant" companionship.

A gift (or a present) is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return.

A covenant is a solemn agreement to engage in or refrain from a specified action.

rather simple, i would add that a covenant is a "mutual" agreement.

So the term 'gift' is a little misleading wouldn't you say? A bit disingenuous in that the giver expects something in return or else the gift is taken back.

Imagine giving your wife/husband/significant other a gift at Christmas but saying "now dear, you can have this as long as you buy me that motorbike I want". What might be the reaction?

It's actually more of a loan agreement. You can have the Holy Ghost's constant companionship providing you do x, y and z. Fail on that and we remove a portion of that companionship.

How much is removed?
10%, 20%, 50%, 95%?
(It can't be 100% because even non member sinners are entitled to some companionship.
Or does that depend on what you haven't done?
Miss Sacrament meeting one week = 10% removal of the gift.
Miss Tithing one month = 50% removal of the gift.
Fail to resist self abuse = 95% removal.

Is there a scale or is that one of those unknown things that aren't essential to know?

The jest about missing car keys is based on the inordinate amount of times people will credit the Holy Ghost with inspiring them to remember where they put them. If you haven't heard that at least 3 times a year at fast & testimony meeting then you either aren't a Mormon or you are the one member in the North East Kangiqsualujjuaq First Ward...