Jesus touched his leader-disciples, one by one, authorizing them to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost on others once he departed (Moroni later recorded a fuller description of this conferral of power; see Moroni 2:1–3). All ordinances are physical; they all involve touch. Touch can provide a tangible transmission of power and love. When we experience a scene like this in our own lives, it is, as we say, “touching,” because it affects us emotionally and spiritually. As with the ancient leaders, we hope Jesus will continue to touch our souls and symbolically place his hands upon our lives, so that we may live.
For further explanation about the cloud in which the Lord appeared and disappeared, see commentary at Helaman 5:23–50.61