#19 Symbols of the Holy Ghost
Jesus
will soon begin his formal ministry and teachings. He will use much symbolism
including those which help in understanding the Holy Ghost. Societies, both
ancient and modern day have used, and now use, symbols to greatly facilitate
communicating and understanding. Obviously mental pictures and images show and
explain much more to our minds than any lengthy description of words can
accomplish. This was a common teaching and learning technique among the Jews at
Jesus' time on the earth and He was, of course, a master in its use.
A
few examples of Jesus’ great use of symbolism to teach:
Spiritual
Reception to the Gospel:
Sowers and Soils – Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke
8
Humility,
Prayer, and Forgiveness:
Leaven of Pharisees – Matthew 16; Mark 8;
Luke 12
Duty,
Obedience, Resourcefulness:
Unprofitable Servants – Luke 17
Worldly
Riches and Sacrifice:
Foolish Rich Man – Luke 12
Prepare
for Final Judgment;
Ten Virgins – Matthew 25
Rebuke
for Self-Righteousness:
Lost Sheep, Coin, Prodigal Son – Luke15
Fit
or Unfit for Kingdom of God:
Royal Marriage Feast – Matthew 22
Kingdom
of God on Earth:
Wheat and Tares – Matthew 13
Specific
Symbols of the Holy Ghost:
Fire; Oil; Wind
Fire
Fire
has been used as a symbol of the Holy Ghost from the earliest days of
scripture. Beginning with Adam fire represented God's
holiness and glory. It was a symbol of God's presence and power as shown to
ancient people in both the Old and New Testaments. Fire served then as a purifier,
a refiner, a cleansing force and thus was a natural symbol for the
Holy Ghost who is God's sanctifier. And so it is for us today.
Both
the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants repeatedly refer to those who
have received the companionship of the Spirit as those who have received “the
baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.” (2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 9; D&C 19:31;
D&C 20:41) That is, they have been purged of sin ... the spiritual dross
has been burned from their souls ... they have been purified and are worthy to
receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost. They are now eligible for
priceless gifts of the Spirit. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is as a
burning light within our souls giving us feelings of warmth and righteousness.
It is a power with which we can turn any unclean thing away from us.
Scripturally
God's ancient people (as we do today) viewed fire as a symbol of spiritual
power, illuminating, inspiring, and enlightening; but also in association with
being tested. We are tested and “tried by fire” while on this earth, but with
the gift of the Holy Ghost, one might say we have fire with which to fight
fire.
Pure Olive Oil
Parable
of the Ten Virgins
“And
then at that day, before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall
be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the
bridegroom. And five of them were wise,
and five of them were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took
no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (JST Matthew 25:1-6)
That
we might more fully understand the teaching that Jesus was giving with this
parable, He has given us an interpretation of it for our time.
“At
that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I
spake concerning the ten Virgins. For they that are wise and have received the
truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been
deceived ... verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into
the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45: 56-57) The oil that will guide
the pure to the royal marriage feast will be the sacred covenants that have
been made with the Savior and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Pure
olive oil is an excellent simile or metaphor for the Holy Ghost. Anciently it
was a source of light, food, warmth, and healing. It was used medically as an
antidote for poisons, and various sicknesses (internally), and as a poultice or
ointment for infections, bruises,
wounds,
and open sores (externally).
In
Old Testament times anointing was a principle part of the ceremony in the
inaugurating of kings, priests and prophets. This anointing was a ritual, a
consecrating or setting apart of the individual for sacred purposes. Pure olive
oil was poured upon the head of the person in a symbolic
representation of the Spirit of the Lord that was to be poured out, through
him, upon the nation of Israel. Each king, priest, or prophet was standing in
place of the Christ who would come as THE great Prophet, Priest and King.
Israel would then walk in paths of righteousness. The anointing of the head
with pure olive oil represents the spiritual blessings to come from God.
Today,
the ritual of washing and anointing with oil consecrates the person's mind,
body, and desires to the Lord's service. Pure olive oil is used by the Elders
in administering to the sick, and symbolizes the need for an outpouring of
healing from the Holy Ghost.
Continuing
his instruction on the Holy Ghost, the Prophet Joseph Smith then said: “We
believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost being enjoyed now as much as it was in
the (early) apostle’s days; we believe that it is necessary to make and to
organize the priesthood, that no man can be called to fill any office in the
ministry without it; we also believe in
prophecy, in tongues, in visions, and in revelations, in gifts, and in
healings; and that these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy
Ghost. We believe that the holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost, and that holy men in these days speak by the same principle; we believe
in its’ being a comforter and a witness bearer, that it brings things past to
our remembrance, leads us into all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe
that no man can know Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Wind
We
cannot see the wind, but we see its effects, and so with the Holy Ghost. In
Hebrew the words for spirit and wind are identical.
On
the day of Pentecost the Spirit was there in the “rushing mighty wind and
filled all the house.”
In
the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, the prophet Joseph prayed, “Let
thy house be filled, as with a rushing mighty wind, with thy glory,” and so it
was.
I
know these things are true and bear witness to the reality of the Holy Ghost,
the third member of the Godhead. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Glenn
R. McGettigan
June
2012; Revised March 2015
References:
“Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith”
“Parables
of Jesus Christ.” Matthews
Bible,
Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Book of Mormon
“Journals
of Discourse”
“Discourses
of the Holy Ghost.” Lundall
“The
Holy Ghost.” 1989. Fielding, McConkie, Millet
