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The scriptures have explained that the "Holy Ghost" which dwells in you - this personage of Spirit - has the following other descriptions, or attributes:
-the Comforter
-the record of heaven
-the truth of all things
-the peacable things of immortal glory
-that which quickeneth all things
-that which knoweth all things
-that which has all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice and judgment.
(Moses 6: 61.)
This is a description of the personage of Spirit which dwells inside you. This is the Holy Ghost. This is something that can be in contact with the Holy Spirit, or the "mind of the Father and Son."

2 Nephi 32: 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

This is another clue as to who or what is the Holy Ghost. From what I have observed, angels who watch over us and speak to us are usually relatives from our past or our future. They are working out their salvation as they guide us in working out our salvation.
This is just what I have observed from stories of people who have had near death experiences-I'm not going to quote any scriptures on this. This would corroborate what Son of Zion said to some degree-that there are many Holy Ghosts in a sense. This would also go along with the thought that the Light of Christ fills the universe.

26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.

This is a wonderful chapter about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As was discussed in the chapter, the scriptures consistently define the Gospel of Jesus Christ as:

1. Repentance
2. Baptism
3. Receive the Holy Ghost

And, faith is often described in connection with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well. But, the chapter makes the jump to a conclusion that the fulness of the gospel is also these three things because of the role of the Holy Ghost.

I would like to pose a question. Is there more to the fulness of the gospel? It seems that there are other scriptures that define the Fulness of the Gospel. For example, the chapter quotes D&C 39:6 as part of establishing just what the Gospel of Jesus Christ includes -

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6 And this is my gospel--repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.


The chapter does not quote D&C 39:11 -

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11 And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.


This verse establishes that, having received the gospel, James Covill is ready for a greater work, teaching the fulness of the gospel. The fulness of the gospel is then defined as the covenant which the Lord has sent forth to recover His people of the house of Israel. This same definition is supported in D&C 66:2 and D&C 133:57 where the fulness of the gospel is equated with the everlasting covenant.

I agree that we will understand what is included in the fulness of the gospel by studying the Savior's ministry in the Book of Mormon. The following is a brief outline of the series of events and teaching during this visit of the Savior:

- Jesus defines His doctrine, given to Him by His Father. It is, in essence, to believe, repent, be baptized and receive the record of the Father through the Holy Ghost. (See 3 Nephi 11:32-39, also note that this topic is elaborated upon in 2 Nephi 31-32.)

- We are commanded to accept and follow this doctrine as we become as a little child (See 3 Nephi 11:37-38)

- Chapter 12-14 contain important teachings that are not the focus of this discussion.

- Chapters 15 and 16 contain teachings about "other sheep." The decedents of Lehi find that they are the "other sheep" Jesus spoke of to his disciples in Jerusalem. But, those disciples never learned of Lehi's family because they never asked after Jesus told them about the other sheep. So, the Father told Jesus to say no more (3 Nephi 15:17-21). Next, Jesus explained that he had yet other sheep (3 Nephi 16:1-3). Now, those who were listening had just been told that the disciples in Jerusalem never learned about the other sheep because they did not ask. Then after explaining this, Jesus said there are yet other sheep (hint, hint, hint) and by the end of chapter 16 nobody asked about them. So, Jesus said, "I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words ..." (3 Nephi 17:2). He taught them to ask, seek and knock. He told them about how the disciples at Jerusalem didn't learn because they didn't ask. Then he gave them something to ask about, and they didn't ask. It seems that the people were not ready to learn about Jesus' sheep (the family of Israel).

- Jesus does not just leave in disappointment. Rather, He was filled with compassion and healed all of the sick or afflicted among them (3 Nephi 17:6-9). Then he asked for all their little children to be brought and he stood in their midst and prayed for all the people using words that cannot be written. Imagine the joy of this experience! These people witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed in mortality, and more.

- In Chapter 18 Jesus institutes the sacrament, commands the people to pray, to be a light to the world, and to teach others of Jesus Christ. He gave the disciples the power to give the Holy Ghost. and then ascended into Heaven. These things He did to prepare the people for what would happen the next day, and beyond.

- Those who were there the first day went home to gather everyone else to the temple for the return of Jesus the next day. In the morning the disciples taught what Jesus had taught the day before. Then all were baptized and received the Holy Ghost. Thus prepared, Jesus returned and stood in their midst. Everyone kneeled down and prayed. Jesus moved off a little way and prayed thanking the Father for giving these people, whom He had chosen, the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 19:20). Then, returning He finds that they are praying as directed by the Spirit and they are coming to have the same countenance as Jesus. He went a little way off again and thanked the Father for purifying these people (3 Nephi 19:28). Finally, he prays to the Father that these may all be one with Him and the Father. After observing them again, He prays using words that cannot be recorded.

- In 3 Nephi 20:10 he says that people are ready and he will finish the commandment of the Father that he could not complete back in chapter 17 when He saw that the people were not ready. We can learn great lessons from this sequence. The things that happen in chapters 17, 18 and 19 are hints at the things that need to happen in our own lives for us to be ready to be taught about the covenant of the Father with Israel. That is the topic of chapters 20-26 which cover the rest of Jesus' teachings during this visit. And, the result of this sequence is the establishment of a Zion-like people.

It would seem, then, that the fulness of the gospel is, as defined in the D&C and as delivered by the Savior as recorded in the Book of Mormon is the gospel of Jesus Christ PLUS the covenant to recover His people. In other words, could it be that the fulness of the gospel is more than just individual salvation through repentance baptism and the Holy Ghost, but it also includes the gathering of God's people by those who have received the gospel?

What do you think?

core of the gospel.

> Wednesday, December 28, 2011
> The whole not the parts

> There are a few important ideas that define my understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith. These are the ideas that make the Gospel whole, and not just a group of disconnected thoughts. Until these were part of the core of my understanding, I was left with disconnected dots and no overall harmony from which to orient myself.
>
> First and foremost is that we are not to follow any man or men. No man is worthy of discipleship. Not me, not another. There is only one who is worth following. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14: 16). Beside Him there is no other person who can save you (Mosiah 3: 17).
>
> This first principle is what has motivated all I have written. It is a mistake to think there is a departure in Passing the Heavenly Gift from the topic begun in The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. They are both necessary. They do not reflect a change in my testimony or commitment to the truth, only an elaboration on the essential core principle that we are not going to be saved by following men. Rather, you will become "darkened in your mind" if you do so. (TPJS p. 237.)
>
> Second and equally important, it is not the depth of your study that matters, but the quality of your connection with heaven that matters. Expounding doctrine is not only insufficient, it is oftentimes a distraction from what matters. We go from unbelief to belief when we learn truth. Not every source, including institutional sources, can be trusted to tell you the truth. Only the light of Christ, followed by the Holy Ghost is a reliable guide to distinguish between unbelief and belief. We go from belief to faith as we take action consistent with belief in truth. Faith is a principle of power. It will lead you to receive angels who still minister to those of a sound mind, not given to flights of fantasy or unstable behavior (Moroni 7: 30). We are brought from faith to knowledge as angels prepare us through their ministry. (Moroni 7: 31; Moroni 7: 25; Alma 32: 23.) Knowledge comes from contact with Jesus Christ. (Ether 3: 19.) This is the knowledge that saves, and nothing else. (John 17: 3.) The idea that knowledge of Christ through His personal appearance to you is now unavailable is an old sectarian notion and is false. (John 14: 23; D&C 130: 3.)
>
> Third, there is no written record, including the scriptures, which are able to tell you all you must know. You can only know the truth by having it revealed to you from heaven itself. (D&C 76: 114-118.) This is the reason Joseph said if you could gaze into heaven for five minutes you would know more than you would by reading everything that has ever been written on the subject. (TPJS p. 324.) Either you do as James says, and ask of God, or you will forever remain ignorant of the only knowledge which can save a man. (JS-H 1: 13, referring to James 1: 5.)
>
> Fourth, the truth is intended to save us. We should welcome corrections. Too often, however, we are offended and think the truth is a hard thing to endure. (1 Ne. 16: 1-3.) That is a product of pride and arrogance. It is impossible to learn what must be learned unless we are willing to be corrected. (Mosiah 3: 19.) Therefore, only the qualified will arrive at the gates, because the rest are unwilling to take the trip required of them.
>
> Fifth, this is a personal journey which each must take for themselves. It cannot be shared. You must approach the Throne yourself. Joseph was alone when he met the Father and Son. Moses was alone when he ascended the Mount to meet the Lord. Enoch was alone when he was caught up to heaven. Elijah was alone on the mountain when the whirlwind, lightning and earthquake preceded the Lord's own voice. Daniel alone saw the vision of the Lord. Paul alone saw the light. Nephi alone saw his father's vision. Enos was alone in the wilderness in his encounter with God. Abraham was alone when the Lord spoke to him. Jacob slept alone when the ladder to heaven descended for him. You will also be alone should the Lord come to visit you. This cannot be borrowed from another.
>
> These are the core. This core is what faith, repentance, baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost are meant to bring about. The religion of heaven always involves heaven. It does not involve men and administration and popularity. It is solitary, between you and God. The proud, however, are content to proclaim their righteousness and sit in judgment of others. They live without God in the world (Mormon 5: 16), and their end will be destruction. They think their own imagination is revelation, and they foolishly value only their conceit. (Proverbs 26: 11-12.)
>
> I will never flatter you. But I will never lie to you, either. My faith in the Gospel is stronger now than the day I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My fidelity to the church is greater now than it has ever been. It offered me baptism and I gladly accepted. If offered me scriptures, and I gladly accepted. It offered me ordination, laying on hands, washings, anointings, covenants and sacraments, and I gladly accepted them all. It gives me fellowship, and I value it. But my faith is in Christ alone.

I believe time is temporary.

TI was totally shocked to find no consensus; the answers were just all over the map. Some would go on for a very long time without taking a breath, as if hunting for a good answer, laying out the entire plan of salvation, marching out the ten tribes and putting them back again, and including the sealed book portions and brother of Jared's undisclosed experience and all the records in the hill cumorah and degrees of glory and on and on and on. I don't recall anyone just quoting D&C 39:6 or the various similar definitions in 3 Nephi that the Lord gave to the ancient inhabitants. I never interrupted or offered my opinion in these interviews. I never mentioned that the Lord has consistently defined the gospel as just the preparation for and receiving of this thing we are calling the Holy Ghost. However, if I asked the question a little differently such as, What are the first principles and ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then there was always a total instant consensus. It seems we have been programmed very well. I decided to take my personal research project and extend it to non-members of various descriptions to see what I got. I found that the responses were always something along the line that the gospel is the good news that: and then a lot of jesus words strung together that had no meaning because it was nothing that you could actually act upon or do anything with, and left you flat footed not knowing how to proceed. However, I did get a lot of free pamphlets.

I once was asked to sub as a gospel doctrine teacher. For that class I purposely stuck very tightly to the lesson material, but I purposely used unfamiliar terms and synonyms in everything I said. One brother finally jumped to his feet and told the class that I was teaching the devil's doctrine and that his brother-in-law used to talk like I was and now he is an apostate!

I am still very infantile in my understanding of the mysteries of God. . . . I already know that I don't know.

I believe that the holy ghost IS the key to comprehending the truth of all things.

A little girl in Sunday School was asked, What do we learn from the story of Jesus turning water into wine?
The little girl innocently replied, The more wine we get the better the wedding is.

When I was almost 8 years old, I remember thinking that I had figured out many of life's mysteries. I believed my teachers lived at school and that's why they were never late. I also believed that doctors sold babies at the hospital. At least I used to believe that's where babies came from until one night at the family dinner table I received additional light and revelation on the matter.

I was entering the 3rd grade at the time of my new revelation. My dad told me to spit out my gum because we don't chew gum at the dinner table. I protested that it was not gum. Well then Allisa, what are you chewing? I pulled a condom out of my mouth. My older brother started howling with laughter. My mother, half choking, demanded that I give her that dirty thing immediately! I said, No. Not until you tell me what it is. My dad with a purple face exploded, It's so men can make babies! Now give it to your mother. NOW!! I remember sitting there within the tribal chaos that had ignited thinking, So that's how babies are made! I couldn't wait to tell my best friend of my amazing breakthrough discovery.

I am still very infantile in my understanding of the mysteries of God. My 8 year old self, like the little Sunday School girl, felt like she had such a firm grasp on life's mysteries but really it was mostly just gleanings from stuff that I heard others say and dots that I connected. In reality I had no complete understandings but only small sweet bits of truth swirled in to each of my understandings like the m&m pieces in a dairy queen shake.

My point in taking you down my memory lane is simply this: we are indeed just children here in a sandbox, showing and laughing and playing. I already know that I don't know. I'm just a ridiculous redheaded undergrad desperately seeking the truth and anxious to consider any and every thing you have to say. I believe that the holy ghost IS the key to comprehending the truth of all things. I send my sincere love and gratitude to all of you guys that have taken time to contribute to this interesting conversation.

A little girl in Sunday School was asked, What do we learn from the story of Jesus turning water into wine?
The little girl innocently replied, The more wine we get the better the wedding is.

When I was almost 8 years old, I remember thinking that I had figured out many of life's mysteries. I believed my teachers lived at school and that's why they were never late. I also believed that doctors sold babies at the hospital. At least I used to believe that's where babies came from until one night at the family dinner table I received additional light and revelation on the matter.

I was entering the 3rd grade at the time of my new revelation. My dad told me to spit out my gum because we don't chew gum at the dinner table. I protested that it was not gum. Well then Allisa, what are you chewing? I pulled a condom out of my mouth. My older brother started howling with laughter. My mother, half choking, demanded that I give her that dirty thing immediately! I said, No. Not until you tell me what it is. My dad with a purple face exploded, It's so men can make babies! Now give it to your mother. NOW!! I remember sitting there within the tribal chaos that had ignited thinking, So that's how babies are made! I couldn't wait to tell my best friend of my amazing breakthrough discovery.

I am still very infantile in my understanding of the mysteries of God. My 8 year old self, like the little Sunday School girl, felt like she had such a firm grasp on life's mysteries but really it was mostly just gleanings from stuff that I heard others say and dots that I connected. In reality I had no complete understandings but only small sweet bits of truth swirled in to each of my understandings like the m&m pieces in a dairy queen shake.

My point in taking you down my memory lane is simply this: we are indeed just children here in a sandbox, showing and laughing and playing. I already know that I don't know. I'm just a ridiculous redheaded undergrad desperately seeking the truth and anxious to consider any and every thing you have to say. I believe that the holy ghost IS the key to comprehending the truth of all things. I send my sincere love and gratitude to all of you guys that have taken time to contribute to this interesting conversation.