Holy Ghost, gift of

A right or privilege bestowed through the confirmation ordinance. Individuals were confirmed members of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands. The Book of Mormon explained that remission of sins requires not only repentance and baptism by water, but also baptism “by fire, and by the Holy Ghost.” This second “baptism” also bestowed spiritual gifts and blessings through the Holy Ghost. JS’s revelations specified that elders could lead meetings, prophesy, and perform healings and other miracles by the power of the Holy Ghost. In the 1840s, JS taught that baptism and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost were among the ordinances that church members could perform by proxy for those who died without these saving ordinances. See also “” and “.”