Something that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints offers that no other church upon the earth does is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Yet, it is nonetheless true that there are miracles and promptings of The Spirit of God found in other churches and in lives of members and non members alike. Thus, I will proceed to explain the differences and levels of how close we can be to the Holy Ghost.
At the root of how each of us view the world, there is a choice in that view. Do we believe that humans are inherently good? Or do we believe that humans are inherently evil? I think that most people do not agree with either extreme, because of evidence to the contrary in lives of people all around us. However, God knows the truth of what we are. "For the natural man is an enemy of God..." that is to say that our natures, our tendencies because of the flesh and our mortal bodies is towards evil, for what is more evil than being an enemy of God. "...unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint..." (Mosiah 3:19) Though we are indeed inherently evil, as we listen to the part of us that encourages us to be good we can actually change our nature, becoming saintly, having "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2)
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| Robert Neilsen 2013 London Riots Image Link |
With the view that, yes we are evil, but we can change and become better through Christ, it shapes how one views the world. If you look at all of the destruction, rioting, and evil going on in the world, if you believe that humans are inherently good then you blame their surroundings and their environment for why they are so outrageous. However, with the realization that humans are pulled more towards evil than good, that good is indeed a harder choice to make, it is obvious that their actions are their own. They are choosing darkness and evil instead of the uphill battle of righteousness. Their choices may be biased because they were never taught right from wrong, but that does not mean that they cannot learn now.
Though our natures are evil, God has given each and every one of us something to help us fight this nature. We call this the Light of Christ. Most people refer to the manifestation of this light as a conscience. Yet "it is more than a psychological effect that takes place within people" (David A Bednar, Patterns of Light: The Light of Christ). The Light of Christ is the reason that when we see someone struggling, we want to reach out and help them. We feel compassion and charity which is the pure love of Christ for those people (Moroni 7:47). Doctrine and Covenants 84 explains it this way, "...whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit." (44-46) Every one of us, male and female, who are children of God and of the human family, also called mankind, have light and truth within us. That light inside "cleaveth unto light" as "intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; [and] truth embraceth truth;" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:40).
The question remains, if the Light of Christ or conscience is more than a "psychological effect" then what is it? "...Intelligence, or the light of truth..." (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29). I have talked about intelligence in many blogs, most selectively was one about "The Glory of God is Intelligence". If intelligences are little living pieces of light, then the Light of Christ within us could simply be our true selves. However, I like to think it is more than that as well. When Christ performed the atonement He suffered both body and spirit. This occurred in the garden of Gethsemane and all along the road to the cross. Between the bleeding from every pore, having flesh ripped from His back by a cat-of-nine-tails, crowned with thorns, nails driven into his hands and feet, and lastly being pierced in the side He suffered for us.
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| Caravagio "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas |
Thus, one of the perplexities and potential contradictions was expressed when Christ rose the third day. In the ensuing weeks He visited His disciples and they saw that He was resurrected with a physical body, and they touched the holes in His hands, feet, and side (John 20:27). When we are resurrected we are promised that our new bodies will be perfect, and not one hair of the head will be lost (Alma 40:23). How then was Christ's resurrected body riddled with scars of mortality? Because it was both physical and spiritual suffering, I had always figured that as the nails were hammered into his hands and feet, the nails pierced both His body and His spirit. Thus when He was resurrected, His body reflected His spirit. Alas, as I write this, I am perceiving more. In the temple we learn that certain "tokens" were laid from the foundation of this world, and by the tokens in His hands we would know Christ (LDS Hymn 29 A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief verse 7). What if Christ literally gave each and every one of us part of His spirit, to take with us into mortality. That He both spiritually, temporally and metaphorically engraved us upon His hands (Isaiah 49:6). That would make the truth of the words, "Know ye not that your bodies are the member of Christ?..." (1 Corinthians 6:15) ring all the louder.
Whether the light of Christ in each of us is our true selves, or a piece of Christ that He has given us, the important thing is to know that if we do not heed that light it can be drowned out. That is how true psychopaths are created. They smother the light of truth and righteousness out of their hearts and live from lie and deception to narcissism and ill-begot gain.
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| dreamstime.com stock photo |
Like with the analogy of the two dogs, we each have this nature or bad dog, and the light of Christ or good dog, within us continually fighting. With the analogy, the dog that wins is the one you feed the most. By comparing this to our lives, its not necessarily feeding our bodies as feeding our "bad dog" but that could be part of it. It is feeding the appetites of the flesh, or our carnal natures (Our Mortal Body -- A Sacred Gift by Sara Lee Gibb, Guide to the Scriptures: Natural Man). Thus, if our craving for food turns into gluttony, then our natural desires begin feeding that "bad dog". Yet we are told to, "...feast upon the words of Christ..." (2 Nephi 32:3). These can be the scriptures and the spiritual power and influence they can give us in our lives. This nourishes and feeds our "good dog".
If by doing the things God commands we feed our "good dog" and by disobeying His commandments we feed our "bad dog", how long do you think it will be before the "bad dog" becomes hungry enough to eat what you are feeding the "good dog"? As it said in Mosiah, "...putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord..." I believe that we can actually change our human nature to become something better, something more.
Wonderfully, even if someone smothers that light of Christ within (starving the "good dog"), the personage of the Holy Ghost, an actual spiritual being, is still there waiting to reach out and rekindle that light. Though only members who have had the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon them can receive of the fullness of what the Spirit of God has to offer, it does not mean that the Holy Spirit leaves the rest of us out to dry.
As I have personally seen, when an investigator (non member of the church) meets with the missionaries. The Holy Ghost can be there, in the midst, and testify to them of truths that the missionaries have to share. The same goes for when the investigator studies the Book of Mormon and other scriptures and feels the power of the words. This is most certainly the power of the Holy Ghost. However, those feelings are the Holy Ghost touching and growing the light of Christ within us. "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:..." (Galations 5:22-23). These are all promptings and feelings that come from the Spirit talking to us. Other descriptions are also that of a burning bosom (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8).
There are also gifts, not just fruits, but gifts or powers of the Spirit that can be given to us.
"To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that [H]e was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration... to some to know the diversities of operations... the word of wisdom... the word of knowledge... faith to be healed... faith to heal... working of miracles... prophesy... discerning of spirits... speak with tongues... interpretation of tongues... And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God."(Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-26 Bold added)
"...teach the word of wisdom... teach the word of knowledge... exceedingly great faith... gifts of healing...work mighty miracles... prophesy concerning all things...beholding of angles and ministering spirits... all kinds of tongues... interpretation of languages and of diverse kinds of tongues." (Moroni 10:9-16 Bold added)
"...the word of wisdom... word of knowledge... faith... gifts of healing... working of miracles... prophecy... discerning of spirits... divers kinds of tongues... interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Though many of these gifts are repeated, often times they are worded slightly different to reveal more meaning. As for me, I know I was given the gift of faith that I know Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world. I received this gift long before I was ever baptized. Indeed, I have had it all my life. Unexplainable, I know it is true. Even when I entered into the state of life when I could go either way, I knew that I had a Father in Heaven, and that Jesus Christ is His Son. Where my doubt was whether or not Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and if the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith was indeed a Prophet of God, and the Book of Mormon is the fruit God has given for us to know that he was.
As I have served a mission, I feel as though there were some who have the faith to believe on my words, and on the words of other missionaries.
I have not yet received the gift to know the differences of administration or the diversities of operations, though portions of the marvelous workings of God's kingdom I have been permitted to see.
The gift of the word of wisdom is not necessarily in reference to The Word of Wisdom which is God's commandment concerning taking care of our bodies (Doctrine and Covenants 89). The gift of wisdom and knowledge, I feel, are more deeply rooted in what John A. Morrison described: "Knowledge comes by taking things apart: analysis. But wisdom comes from putting things together: synthesis." Some have the gift of being able to put things together with logic and the wonders of their minds. Others have the gift of being able to look at a situation and break it down and figure out what is happening. Then, in the Moroni description of these gifts, to some it is given to be able to teach these ways of thinking.
There are those, like Ephraim Hanks, a real man who was represented in the movie Ephraim's Rescue, that have the gift to heal. Though it did not come until after he received the authority from God to do so, we see how often hearts are touched in a more temporal manner to heal. With the learning of doctors and physicians, there are those who have sought to acquire this gift.
I remember how M. Night Shyamalan's movie A Lady in the Water spread the comparison, that though the gift of healing can be learned, there is more divinity to it, if only we recognize it.
Then there are those who are blessed with the faith to be healed. We see this with account of the woman diseased with an issue of blood for 12 years (Mark 5:25-34). She had enough faith, that she told herself that if she could only touch the edge of his robe, then she would be healed. By that faith, she was healed.
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| Plague 7: Rain of Fire from "Prince of Egypt" movie |
What some people do not realize is that the ability to perform miracles is a gift of the Spirit. These miracles can be as extreme as the plagues that Moses called forth (Exodus 7-12) or as small as knowing what to say to brighten someone's day.
The gift of prophecy is an interesting one. We usually think of prophecy as predicting the future. Yet John the Revelator described it like this, "...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10). This is profound, because though not all of us will receive direction and inspiration for the world, we can receive a testimony of Jesus. If we have a testimony of Jesus Christ being the Son of God, the very Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), then we know that He is our Savior and Redeemer who paid for our sins and gave up His life upon the cross for us. If we know that He is our Mediator, who rose again the third day, then we know that He lives. If He lives, then the prophecies about His second coming are true. Therefore, if we have a testimony of Jesus Christ, and we testify and bear witness of Him and that He will one day return, then we are prophesying by the spirit of prophecy.
Common questions that often arise are: is a feeling or idea from God? Is it my own idea? Is it a temptation from the devil?
Discerning of spirits is knowing if something is from God or not. Like others, this one can be learned as well. "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil: for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him." (Moroni 7:16-17).
Elder David A. Bednar "Patterns of Light: Discerning Light"
Therefore, one can realize that it matters not if a righteous prompting is from the Holy Ghost or the light of Christ within us, because if it is the right thing to do, both with testify to you of it. Similarly evil people and evil thoughts, whether inspired by Satan or our natural desires, will entice us to do things that are not right. Actions that are evil and conniving.
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| Angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith Jr. |
In similar manner, we have been taught in Doctrine and Covenants 129 how to discern physical manifestations of spirits or angelic messengers. The only beings that have resurrected bodies that are permitted to visit this world are Celestial righteous beings. Thus, if you can touch them, then they are of God. Yet God can also send spiritual angels as well. With Joseph Smith's instruction of asking them to shake your hand. Righteous spirits would refuse, for as true servants of God they are not permitted to deceive, and reaching to shake your hand only to pass through would be deceit. While only an unrighteous spirit, not sent from God, would reach for your hand and pass through your flesh.
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| Joseph Smith's First Vision of God the Father and the Savior Jesus Christ |
This very much goes along with the gift of beholding angels and ministering spirits. Clearly, it would be a gift from God for Him to send one such messenger, but how is it a gift of the Spirit? For angelic, resurrecting beings of a higher glory to appear unto us, we have to be, "cloaked" in the Holy Ghost. Else their glory would consume us like fire. This is how Joseph Smith was able to behold God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ before he was ever baptized, let alone receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Lastly, there are two more gifts closely related: The gift of tongues (speaking different languages) and the gift of interpretation of tongues (understanding different languages). As most people know, these gifts can be acquired from learning and study, and mastery of both for a language makes one fluent. However, the process can be expedited with prayer and accepting the Holy Ghost's help. After Christ's ascension into heaven, He sent His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to His disciples. As the Spirit came upon them, they spoke in diverse tongues (Acts 2:4) allowing everyone of the several different cultures that had come to celebrate a festival hear in their own language the message of Jesus Christ they had to share (Acts 2:8).
The gift of tongues was given that those speakers of a language could hear and understand. Sadly, too often the gift of tongues is misinterpreted, and people claim they are filled with the Spirit of God and babble incoherent words, when the spirit, if any, that fills them is far from that of God. To them I say with the Apostle Paul, "will they not say that ye are mad?" (1 Corinthians 14:23) "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret." (1 Corinthians 14:27). I have seen this in action many times. My ward, here in Arizona, has a Spanish Group. On occasion, one of these members will be asked to give a talk, or sermon, in church. Speaking in Spanish, which for me is basically an unknown tongue, they are usually accompanied by an English translator or "interpreter".
However, there is more than just speaking another language and interpreting it. There is a universal language, the language of The Spirit (Elder Boyd K. Packer "Language of the Spirit" March 1977 New Era). I first gained my testimony of this aspect of the Spirit while at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah. My district (the grouping of missionaries larger than a companionship) included some missionaries called to serve in American Sign Language. As the were learning this new language, they were encouraged to use it often. One young Elder (Elder being the title of a male missionary) bore to us his testimony in American Sign Language, without an interpreter. Though no words were translated, the Spirit and power of his testimony shared his witness with us that his words were true. There was amazement, wonder, and emotion that filled the silence of his words.
Since I have been home from my mission, I have had further witnesses of this universal language of The Spirit. Whether prayers spoken in Portuguese or Navajo, testimonies given in Spanish or Mandarin. The Spirit has testified of the truths that they speak.
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:4). The Spirit of God is responsible for all of these gifts. "For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." (Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-12). None of us have all of these gifts, and sometimes we may loose a gift to gain another. Yet, God gives us these gifts through the Holy Ghost to help us, and help those around us who might need someone who has one of these gifts. Someone who is sick might need a healer. Someone who has no faith may need to lean on the faith of another.
Alas, all of these gifts from the Spirit are not the gift of the Holy Ghost. As I have said, the feelings of the Spirit is the Holy Ghost touching the light of Christ within us. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God dwelling in us.
As we go through life, we have to be doing the right things at the right times in order to feel the Spirit before baptism. Basically, we have to come to where He already is. However, have the gift of the Holy Ghost enable Him to be wherever we are. Maintaining that gift requires obedience on our end, like being the proper conductor for electricity. If we sin, it is like trying to make a circuit out of aluminum. The chances of having the Holy Ghost work with you is severely diminished. However, righteousness is like using copper or gold, which allows for a stronger connection and more power to be transferred in.
Much of the reason why we do not have the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon us until after baptism, is because it is only after we have been washed clean from our sins that we can be pure enough have Him with us. Another reason, is because we have covenanted (made a two-way promise) with God, we are held under more condemnation should we sin, and we need a stronger bearer of testimony, a stronger friend to always walk with us as we try to live righteously.
In much the same way as our bodies make senses and emotions more amazing and amplified for our spirits, the Holy Ghost dwelling in us enables us to feel His influence more potently than before when we were merely in His presence (June 2010 Ensign Elder David A Bednar "Things as They Really Are").
Yet, what has intrigued me the most is how the Holy Ghost has the capacity to potentially be inside of all of us, even though He is an actual being and not just an energy field.
Now, because of my beliefs about the fourth dimension (see "Death" and "Gravity, Science, and the Spirit World") the Holy Ghost would be on a plane where He could see into us. Like a three dimensional being looking at the inside of a circle on a two dimensional plane.
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| Flatland's mysterious Sphere |
Then there is the Holy Ghost inside of us. In Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions, there is a sphere that passes through the two dimensional plane. First as a dot, the shape grows into a circle before it shrinks into a dot again and vanishes. Similarly, the Holy Ghost can pass through and into us.
Like the great old science fiction explanation, for a two dimensional being, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
However, for a three dimensional being, one can fold that flat plane through the third dimension and bring the points next to each other. The distance between the two dots is the same on the paper, but the folding would allow an object to pass through both.
To imagine this on a world wide scale, picture a map of the world. Time to make it more difficult, imagine ever person, some seven billion people, all on this map.
Now imagine each person point on that map pinching out like the middle of a tissue. Then someone reaches towards the map and touches all of these points because the two dimensional plane is warped through the third dimension, allowing all of these points potentially be touched or have a three dimensional being pass through them all.
I wish I could represent this more visually, alas, imagination will have to do for now. It will suffice me to speculate that maybe a spirit being in the fourth dimension could interact similarly with our third dimension, able to be where they want, as far as they want, with whom they want, and that maybe, those small openings of the fourth dimension that physicists theorize are just points in space that the fourth dimension can use to pull and move our third dimension (Again see my Death blog).
Hopefully you have enjoyed this post and found it intriguing and helpful in understanding why it is so important to have the Holy Ghost in our lives, to help us become better humans, and improved beings, feeding the "good dog" within each of us with these delicious and wonderful gifts God and His Spirit gives us.
Love,
Jacobugoth
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