Within the passages of the Wentworth Letter, published in March 1842, Joseph Smith included 13 tenets of Gospel doctrine—the Articles of Faith. The foundational statement of those Articles include this declaration:
“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”
Article of Faith #1, as it’s known, represents LDS basic belief of the “presidency” of Heaven. An Holy triad. A governing Council.
These three individuals comprise the “Godhead.” And, the Holy Ghost is the third member of that Godhead.
Elder Dallin H Oaks in April Conference 2017 taught, “… These personages … are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator. “[It is] the province of the Father to preside as the Chief or President, Jesus as the Mediator, and the Holy Ghost as the Testator or Witness.” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, p. 42)
The Godhead constitutes a “Presidency” of the Church of the Firstborn (Heb 12:23), inheritors of the society of Eternal Lives; whereas, the First Presidency constitutes the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a provisional institution consisting of a membership of covenant (baptized) disciples of Christ. (Some have questioned the necessity of an Holy Ghost following the institution of the Terrestrial state—during the Millennial Era. The Holy Ghost is the administrator of the Telestial state. Doc & Cov 76:86)
Unlike general Christian society’s teaching that these three persons are one-in-the-same, three-in-one, one-in-three, a Holy Trinity, LDS doctrine maintains that these persons are three very separate and distinct individuals, three entirely disconnectedly men, physically—but, one in purpose and priesthood.
