The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
The Light of Christ
The Holy Ghost
The Holy Spirit of Promise
These are important terms. It is important to understand them correctly if we desire to exercise faith unto salvation.1 An incorrect understanding causes us to doubt, a correct understanding brings enough hope and life and dispels darkness Satan would prefer we stay under.
It is sacred enough that it should not be spoken casually, or turned into just another set of vocabulary terms. I won't say all I have come to understand, but will offer this:
Joseph was a celestial being who condescended to come and remain among a bickering, trifling and vain people. He descended below much to serve those telestial beings he loved. Joseph wrote the Lectures on Faith on the basis that he knew what he was talking about. He was not speculating like we do, but knew. Telestial beings (or the blind leading the blind), or scribes without authority who never had an open vision inserted asterisks, footnotes and clarifications into the Lectures, because "surely Joseph didn't mean what he said," because our feeble understanding can't reconcile it with other scripture. Others still, who, without sanction, removed them from the canon scriptures altogether.
Read the lectures; read them without the footnotes.
The Holy Spirit is very close to us.2 All our prayers are known, all our true desires and pretentions are known. All our thoughts are known.
What was it God placed to prevent casual access. Why is it important that we have that in place? What is the purpose of this veiled mortality?
Why was Denver's first experience in which he recognized the Holy Ghost so important a teaching tool that he repeats it? What does it teach? Why does heaven respond to questions? Why does the Lord not open to the proud, the learned, the rich, the wise?3 What are the defects of adults? Why does Denver talk about children and their unique ability to solve and Bongar puzzles?4
With this mind, read some of Denver's posts on this subject. It will not open to a casual or unbelieving intent.
Nephi on Holy Spirit
Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit
God's Many Works, Part 1
God's Many Works, Part 2
God's Many Works, Part 3
God's Many Works, Part 4
God's Many Works, Part 5
God's Many Works, Conclusion
--
Notes
1. "Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, The idea that he actually exists. Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes. Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding, it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Third Lecture. Emphasis in original)
2. "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it." (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)
3. "And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them." (2 Nephi 9:42)
See Also
Lectures on Faith
1835 Edition by The Joseph Smith Papers
1835 Edition by OneClimbs.com