1 Nephi 11:27

In this selection, we are still with Nephi who is continuing his vision of Christ. In this verse, Nephi sees John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. He sees that Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. The heavens open and the Holy Ghost descends "in the form of a dove." When I read this one time a long time ago, I wondered, "Did the Holy Ghost transform into a dove?" In Matthew's account, Matthew 3:16-17, he says that the Holy Ghost descended "like a dove." So, I wondered what that was all about? Today, I searched in the institute manual for the New Testament and found this entry:

"What Is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending 'like a Dove'? 'All four gospel authors record that the Spirit descended 'like a dove'; Luke adds that he also came in 'bodily shape'; and the Book of Mormon accounts say he came 'in the form of a dove.' (1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:8.) Joseph Smith said that John 'led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration.' Then the Prophet gives this explanation: 'The sign of
the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.' (Smith, Teachings,
pp. 275–76. Italics added.) It thus appears that John witnessed the sign of the dove, that he saw the Holy Ghost descend in the 'bodily shape' of the personage that he is, and that the descent was 'like a dove.'" (McConkie, DNTC, 1:123–24.)

So, I guess that clears it up. : ) Well, I'm still curious as to what the "sign of the dove" is. This excerpt from the institute manual does clarify that the Holy Ghost did not confine Himself to an actual dove. We also learned that the devil cannot do the sign of the dove. Then we learned that the Holy Ghost's sign was a confirmation that the event was witnessed. Heavenly Father was also a witness. In the Matthew account, He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It is interesting to note that the three separate members of the Godhead were present for this event. Heavenly Father was in the heavens and said His statement above. Jesus Christ was in the waters of Jordan getting baptized, and the Holy Ghost descended like a dove.