After baptism we are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the right to have the Spirit with us at all times as long as we live worthily. "Baptism of water without the bestowal of the Holy Ghost would be incomplete, and would be but half a baptism" (Bible Dictionary, Confirmation) Having the Gift of the Holy Ghost is essential to complete baptism and make it valid. The ordinance of confirmation is also when we become official members of the Church. When Nicodemus came to Christ to ask what he must do to inherit the Kingdom of God, Jesus answered,"... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3: 3-5)
Through this we learn that baptism by water, though necessary, is not enough alone. We must also have a baptism by the Spirit, which comes from receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Having the Holy Ghost is essential to conversion to the truth. Though the Gift of the Holy Ghost can come only after baptism, those who are not yet to that point can still receive guidance, direction, comfort, and testimony though the Spirit. This is called the Power of the Holy Ghost, and is available to anyone. The difference is that the Power of the Holy Ghost is fleeting, while the Gift of the Holy Ghost is constant. The Power of the Holy Ghost can come to one who is investigating the Church to witness to them that the things they are hearing are true. It can build someone's testimony sufficiently to lead them to joining the Church, at which point they can receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Gift of the Holy Ghost can transform one's testimony and strengthen it immensely. I think the best illustration of this is in the Apostle Peter. Peter was a man of great faith, enough so that he was briefly able to walk on the water with Christ. He was sure enough in his testimony of the Savior that he claimed he was ready to die for him. This story is found toward the end of Christ's life as recorded by Luke:
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."(Luke 22: 31-34)
Peter walked with Christ through most of His earthly ministry. He knew as much as anyone on the earth at that time that Jesus was the Christ. He gave up his trade and more or less his life to follow the Savior, yet Christ said when thou art converted. Christ's word proved to be prophetic and Peter did indeed deny him three times before the morning. Not too long afterward, but some time after the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Peter was preaching to a crowd, likely many of the same that accused him of being with Christ that night, Possibly some of the same that he denied knowing Him to. Yet this time he was bold, bluntly accusing the people in the multitude of crucifying their Lord. This is obviously a different man than the one who denied his association with the Lord earlier. So what happened to Peter to change him from a man who knew that Christ was the Savior yet couldn't stand up to his beliefs, to the man who called out an entire crowd for murdering Jesus? The answer is that in between these episodes he gained the Gift of the Holy Ghost. In Acts chapter 2 we read about the bestowal of the Holy Ghost to the disciples. Though Christ had previously promised them the Gift of the Holy Ghost, it didn't come to them until the Day of Pentecost. Receiving this Gift transformed Peter, along with the other disciples, so they were ready for their ministry. After having received the Spirit, Peter became one of the most stalwart men in history regarding his testimony of Christ, and eventually made good on his promise to die for the Savior many years later. Having the Gift of the Holy Ghost was what made the difference for Peter. He truly was converted by it's power. All his time with Christ had not fully converted him, but the witness of the Spirit had.
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