There is a tendency that once people know a name, they begin using that instead of a title. Even in the Old Testament, the Lord’s name was revealed and yet they were cautioned to not speak it unless with the utmost reverence. This was the very reason why the Melchizadek Priesthood was named as such, so as not to speak our Creator’s name in excess. We were given a command early on to not use his holy name in vain, but look at the world we live in now. Even small children are breaking this commandment because of the examples set before them.

Good or Bad Memories

Have you ever heard a name spoken that brought back memories of someone else for good or bad? The Holy Ghost has a unique mission to assist each individual back home. I don’t know if I could feel as close to Heavenly Father or the Savior if I had to receive messages by a spirit named Peter, or Ronald, certainly not Henry because of the feelings that I have attached to that name. This is not meant to be disrespectful in any way. If we had more personal information about the Holy Ghost, it would distract from the essential mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the mission that He fulfilled for each one of us personally.

The beauty of the Spirit’s mission is that none of us feel the whisperings of the Holy Ghost in the same way. Galatians 5:22–23 reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

To some, he brings a spirit of love. To others, he might communicate through peace or happiness. To others still, it may come through joy, light, a feeling of expansion, or gratitude. There is no shortage of attributes that he possesses. His presence is more than a name, it is a feeling that reaches the soul so deeply that it cannot be denied.

Title and Purpose

Parley P. Pratt said, “The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use.”1 How can such a powerful spirit have only one name when his titles and purposes are many.

Lastly, I discovered a gem in John 14:26. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Holy Spirit is sent in the name of Jesus Christ. No name is needed other than the Savior’s. The Holy Ghost does all things in the name of our Lord and Savior, of the Word made flesh. His purpose is to glorify God and teach truth to each of us in order to bring us home and in so doing, the Holy Spirit has taken upon himself the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. In this, his name is revealed.

1. Key to the Science of Theology,9th ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1965, p. 101