Question
Gramps,
What is the difference between the Light of Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
John
Answer
Hi John,
Thank you for your question.
You are correct, the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost are different from one another, yet both serve to draw us closer to God. The Light of Christ is explained exceptionally well on the Church’s website in the ‘Gospel Topics‘ section. If you are unfamiliar with this section of the website, I would suggest taking some time to look it over as it contains a vast compilation of resources on specific topics, like the “Light of Christ” and the “Holy Ghost”.
The Light of Christ is as follows:
The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. The Light of Christ influences people for good and prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost. One manifestation of the Light of Christ is what we call a conscience.
The Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space.” It is “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:12–13; see also Doctrine and Covenants 88:6–11). This power is an influence for good in the lives of all people (see John 1:9; Doctrine and Covenants 93:2). In the scriptures, the Light of Christ is sometimes called the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, or the Light of Life.
The Light of Christ should not be confused with the Holy Ghost. It is not a personage, as the Holy Ghost is. Its influence leads people to find the true gospel, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see John 12:46; Alma 26:14–15).
One other source for your consideration in your studies is the Bible Dictionary – Light of Christ:
Its [light of Christ] influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost… In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (Moro. 7:12–19
In the Gospel Topics section on the Holy Ghost, it states the following:
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.
It continues:
The Gift of the Holy Ghost
All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy… The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost.
In summary, I tend to think of the Light of Christ as Step 1 helping us get to Step 2, being The Gift of the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ is a free gift given to every person born on Earth. No individual can claim to be left without a moral compass at birth or without the opportunity, in their core, to know right from wrong.
D&C 93: 2 And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is only given to an individual after they are baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I hope this helps in your studies and that you will take advantage of the Church’s Gospel Topics section as future questions arise.
Warm regards,
Gramps
