Manifest According to Faith

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul asked them this question: “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”  A few verses later he similarly asked, “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2)  I believe that to these questions the correct answer was by the hearing of faith.  The Spirit is not received by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.  Later in the same chapter Paul spoke of “the blessing of Abraham” that come to the “Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).  Here again there is a connection between receiving the Spirit and having faith.  Paul’s teachings here suggest that to receive the Holy Ghost, having faith in Jesus Christ is more important than strict works of the law.

             Other passages of scripture similarly suggest a link between faith in Christ and receiving the Spirit.  Nephi taught about his father, “The things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God” (1 Nephi 10:17).  Truly believing in the Son of God brings to us the power of the Spirit.  Nephi said again later that God “manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith” (2 Nephi 26:13).  The Holy Ghost is given to those who believe in Him and have faith.  Jarom bore a similar witness, saying, “And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith” (Jarom 1:4).  The Holy Spirit will be manifest to those who have faith and are not stiffnecked.  Ammon testified to something similar to King Lamoni when he was explaining the powers he had: “And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God” (Alma 18:35).  Ammon had power through the Spirit because of his faith and desires.  In our dispensation the Lord affirmed this principle: “And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14).  The Spirit is given by prayers that are full of faith.  This was also emphasized in another revelation: “Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:18).  When we pray in faith, truly believing, the Lord will grant us His Spirit, the greatest blessing we could hope for in this life.