If you didn't already know, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. George Barstow was writing a history of New Hampshire and wanted to include something about the members of the Church living there. Answering, Joseph Smith briefly told the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and summarized some of the basic principles in 13 short statements or articles of faith. The first one states. "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." What does that mean?
All people on Earth are spirit children of Heavenly Father and lived with Him before birth, whether they want to admit it or not. Although He understood that not all His children would choose correctly, He wanted us to choose to live with Him again. This choosing makes us stronger, if we chose correctly and humble if we made mistakes. Mistakes allow us to want help. God's Plan provides a Savior to Atone for our sins. Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son, is that Savior. Because Jesus chose to come to earth to receive a body and atone for all the sins of mankind, we can be forgiven and return to live with Him and Heavenly Father again. Unlike the first two members of the Godhead, who have bodies of flesh and bone, the third member of this godhead, Holy Ghost, has a spirit body. His job is to prompt us to make good choices, to know right from wrong, and also to comfort us during trials.
