Light

Dear Readers,

What is light? It seems like something we should have an answer for, but in reality it seems like science has no actual idea what it is. It behaves like particles so they call these particles of light "photons".

Image Link NASA

Yet the particles also act like wavelengths, much like how sound passes through air and water. Nonetheless everything from gamma rays to radios waves are all the same particles just moving at different frequencies.

The most perplexing part is that they are considered "mass-less" (NASA emspectrum) particles because they can only be quantified while moving. They always travel at the speed of light. With their constant speed, it is just a matter of direction and wavelength. Without those photons don't seem to exist.

Even more interesting, we find that sunlight and any white light source contains all of the visible spectrum of light. The prism simply separates all of the wavelengths that normally blend together forming white. Therefore, white is full of light and black is, in reality, the absence of at least visible light.

When we paint, the pigments capture light. As with black paint, all of the visible light is absorbed thus creating the color of black. Now here is the question, if the light is absorbed, where does it go? The photons, for most scientific purposes seem to cease to exist. Nevertheless, we can perceive their effects.

Black objects get hotter because the energy from the light enters the object increasing its temperature and energy levels. This is why asphalt roads release so much heat that the air vibrates causing mirages. The air acts like the transparent prism and changes the direction of the photons slightly, but instead of separating the wavelengths, it just reflects them else where.

Hydrogen Atom

This leads me to a question I had, if photons are absorbed, where are they? Are they secretly protons or neutrons, even electrons? No, because all of those have a mass while being still and moving. So are they quarks or other building blocks of these particles, no for they too have mass. Instead of asking these questions that science has no answer for, lets look at what it does.

With photosynthesis scientists have observed that when light enters the plant cells, they activate organelles called chloroplast.

Now, inside the chloroplast are molecules called thylakoids that contain green pigments. The pigments appear green because they absorb the more energetic violet and blue wavelengths as well as the slower yellow and red wavelengths.

Thus reflecting only the green wavelengths. This optimizes the energy absorption. Yet, we already know that when photon stop they seem to stop to exist, so how does that transfer into energy?

The energy trapped by the pigments "excites" electrons making them jump from atom to atom. Being passed along the chain of atoms the electron slowly looses energy until it is trapped by creating the covalent bonds found in glucose and other fats and sugars. Some of the excited electrons help produce the energy needed for the plant to grow and live while others are stored in these bonds.

Carbohydrase is the enzyme that breaks down starch. 

For herbivores and omnivores, our protein based enzymes wedge and break apart the glucose bonds, releasing those energized electrons. The resulting sugars can also be broken down releasing even more energy that our cells can use.

Yet through all of that, the energy simply changes from the chemicals energy trapped in the bonds to the free electrons repeating back and forth until the energy is used up. So where are these photons?

When we burn wood for a fire, we introduce extreme energy that breaks downs the carbon bonds, and somehow that releases the photons we see in flames. Thus we know that somehow the photons are trapped in there.

Even with the atomic decay of different isotopes, they produce gamma rays and other radioactive rays. This is why another name for photons is electromagnetic radiation. Thus photons are experienced at the subatomic level with the decay and energized electrons. None the less, different molecule formations such as pigments, all made of nearly the same atomic structure, absorb different wavelengths of light.

This phenomenon leads us to consider how photons seem to react directly with atoms and yet are redirected or attracted at the molecular level.

edited from the Encyclopedia Britannica prism seen above. 

My personally theory on this is that the shapes of the molecules create densities or traps as the light passes through the membranes like a prism. Alas, I consign that I have not been able to research enough to have a definitive answer to that inquiry.

Wherefore, I have reached the limits of my scientific knowledge, thus I will now delve into my religious knowledge.

1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

As many of you have probably seen, a match ignited has the shadow of the stick itself, but the torch on the top has no shadow. There is no darkness in it.

Dark Crystal Urru

This is interestingly contrasted when compared to the movie Dark Crystal. In that movie the good Urru were combined with the evil Skeksis.

Dark Crystal Skeksis

This combination created an original former race called Urskek.

Dark Crystal Urskeks

Now, as my perception of how they were portrayed, they seemed to be beings of light and darkness fused together.

Another portrayal of the attempted fusions is with the light and dark attack by Lucemon in his Chaos Mode in the last episode of Digimon Frontier. His attack is depicted almost like an orb of symbols and data, almost as though the true combination of light and dark is that of knowledge or intelligence. It could also be interpreted as digital data which is the life essence of digimon.

Yet these combinations are not God, for there is no darkness in Him. Therefore He must be more like pure radiating light. However, this does not mean that He does not have a physical body, for we know that He does (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

For the chakra mode from Naruto Shippuden seems to illustrate how light and energy, being released from chakra, could make someone radiant and glorious. Indeed, having an appearance like fire (Revelation 10:1).

Nevertheless, Naruto's chakra from the Kyuubi (Nine tailed demon fox) had a limit, it could be extinguished and used up.

Then there is Saitama from One Punch Man. His power came from when he was younger and broke his limiter. During his fight with Boros (a one eyed alien capable of seeing energy), Boros remarked about the limitless energy that Saitama possessed. After contemplating what this all means, it seems less likely that Saitama is all that powerful in himself, and more like "the limiter" of his power is energy flowing through him. He expels countless energy like a vacuum, it passes through him, directed and modified by him, but it is all not his. The energy is all around, he is simply a conduit for controlling it. 

However, this still does not satisfy my concept of God. Though it might be false, I perceive a God that does not have to rely on the energy around Him, but actually produces His own light and energy ever rejuvenating, ever growing, and ever progressing.

Alas, I will yield to the scriptures:

Doctrine and Covenants 93

2 "And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;"

8-14 "Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messanger of salvation-- The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men. The world were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him. And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us. And I, John, saw that he receive not of the fulness at the first, but receive grace for grace; And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first."

From that we can see that Jesus Christ, premortal as Jehovah, is the Spirit of truth and was full of light.

23-24 "Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth; And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;"

Not only is light, truth and spirit connected, but it is ultimate truth, not relative truth.

26-36 "The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. Man was also in the beginning with God. intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation. For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy; And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy. The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, a man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple. The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."

There is quite a bit in this one, so lets break it down. Like in my blog post about Intelligence, light and truth is this intelligence and they are different from the elements or physical matter. Yet the elements house them, like a tabernacle or building. Thus we see that it is likely that the photons might actually enter into the atomic particles themselves. The elements themselves being eternal, yet the radioactive decay is the loss of their light through Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation. Also that without these intelligence, or this light, there is not existence, no self awareness, and without photons, no living life.

Doctrine and Covenants 88

7-17 "Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth froth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space--the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it."

Here it appears that there is a direct comparison to the light of Christ and actual light. The light of the sun which then reflects upon the moon and shines upon the earth. The light of all of the stars in the sky and the reflected light upon their orbiting planets and other objects. We also have some insight as to light being the driving force of the organization of the universe. For it proceeds forth similar to the Higgs Field which I talked about in another post, and that field gives mass to the elemental or physical matter. Yet photons pass through it without having mass. They pierce through so much like x-rays and radiation. Indeed, even NASA admits that the universe itself is the biggest generator of gamma radiation, aka photons, aka light particles that fill the immensity of space. I also want to note that this light is the "law by which all things are governed". We could almost see how light enters an electron and then energizes it or gives it instructions as it gets passed along the atomic shells.

25-32 "And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of the celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law--Wherefore it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it. For not withstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received."

Now we see that the light and truth we let into our lives, run our lives and laws we live by actually leave an imprint, quickening us. Then, when we are resurrected and our spirits and bodies are inseparably connected, we will have a fulness of the glory that we are willing to receive and obey.

66-67 "Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness--in the wilderness, because you cannot see him--my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound. And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."

Finally we see how, in our mortal stage, we can have the light in our eyes. How much light we let in and is then reflected out, because our inward light is full. This is incredibly like Christ's parable of light in Matthew 6:21-23.

Whether light is spirit or intelligences themselves I know not, but it does seem as though science thus far has no idea where it comes from or what it really is. Also, as far as I can tell, the scriptures revealed much truth about light that has since been proven long after Joseph Smith's day. Indeed, he was a Prophet of God. I leave you with these things in hopes that maybe you will discover more truth of "things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come" in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Dear Readers,

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Using this two dimensional to three dimensional analogy, well represented in the story "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin Abbott Abbott. Imagine that a circle on a piece of paper is a living creature. In a two dimensional plane it only sees up down, left and right, and can move in those directions, and in a combination of those directions, like North East, South West, et cetera. Now imagine a human being looking at this two dimensional world. The human can see inside of the circle, and the human can even touch or put their finger inside of the circle, which is like the Holy Ghost touching the light of Christ within us, because He is around.

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

Star Wars: The Force

Dear Readers,

In light of the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, I have decided to write a post about the force and my understanding of it. It is funny, at least to me, that I am writing this post. As a missionary I had heard other missionaries talk quite a bit about how easy it is to compare Star Wars to the gospel of Jesus Christ and with brief reflection, I agreed. Now I am actually doing it.

Big question: What is the force?

One of the first clues as to the answer of this question is "It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." (Obi Wan, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope).

So first, what is energy? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines energy as "usable power that comes from heat, electricity, etc." There are known energy fields, such as electromagnetic fields, which are fields of energy produced by electricity. There are also magnetic fields due to polarized minerals like magnetite.

The force is an energy field created by all living things. Most living things produce body heat. They also tend to produce energy through electrical means such as the nervous system. Yet, plants are living things and don't always produce either electrical fields or heat.

They do, however, produce chemical energy. That energy is often dormant in the forms of sugars, Yet the bonds of molecules together are still considered energy, potential energy. There is also the force of gravity, which produces kenetic energy. Is that to say that the earth is alive? Why not? I rather think so. Obi-Wan said that the force "...surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." Does not gravity do all these things? Does the sun's gravity bind the planets to in their orbits? Genesis 1:16 "And god made two great lights;" the sun and the moon, "the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." How can something "rule" if it is not alive.

Yoda did some clarifying Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, "For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship."

Thus the force is not any of these fields, because none of these fields fulfill all of the requirements. Thus it is likely some other field or force than these... or possibly all of them working together.

Yet, Yoda hints at the Force being spirit energy, or spirit itself. "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."(Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back), "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not." (Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)

Doctrine and Covenants 131:7 "There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;" The Force is not the spirit, but when Yoda said "luminous" it does sound a bit like intelligence, which is the light of truth (Doctrine and Covenants 93:29). We can also grow in intelligence (Doctrine and Covenants 130:19) and in light (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24).

So, if intelligence is "luminous" and can grow, how is it in and around everything? "...matter is capacitated to receive intelligence." (Journal of Discourses 7:2-3). Thus all matter has intelligence, whether spirit or physical matter. Also, if intelligence is the light of truth, then the light of Christ could be considered very similar, if not the same.

Doctrine and Covenants 88 clarifies this immensely: "6.... that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; 7. Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made....11. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; 12. Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space-"

Thus we see that not only do all of us have and are the light of truth, it also fills the immensity of space. It is almost exactly what Yoda and Obi-Wan described. So, how would we "transform into the Force" upon death? The physical death is our spirits becoming separated from our physical bodies. That does not make us intelligence or light of truth, Yet, spirits, like resurrected bodies (Book of Mormon: Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith), can shine forth their intelligence in glory. Indeed, even the Devil who has never had, nor ever will have a body can transform himself like an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Nephi 9:9). That is what Yoda meant, as far as I can tell, that the mortal physical body no longer hides the glorious intelligence that resides within the tabernacle.

Finally, is there any evidence as to the light, or power of Christ being able to affect or effect matter? How did God create the earth and all things? Did not Christ transform water into wine? or multiply bread and fish to feed a multitude? Did He not walk on water?

So, now that we have defined the Force as the light of Christ or light of truth, how do we feel and use the Force?

Yoda has said, "Feel the Force!", but what senses do we feel it with, physical touch or the heart? Moroni 7:16 says, "For behold, the Spirit of Christ" which could also mean the light of Christ or the light of truth, "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."

Here we begin to find the purpose of the light of Christ, to know good from evil. It invites "to do good" and tries to persuade people to "believe in Christ". Indeed, the light or Spirit of Christ acts quite a bit like the Holy Ghost... or rather, the Holy Ghost acts through the light within us. So, what are the feelings or "fruit" of the Spirit of God?

Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..." These are the feelings of the heart when we use the light of Christ. We physically feel like we are laboring in some task to do good, while in our hearts, or emotionally, we feel love, compassion, and peace.

Faith is one of the "fruits" of the Spirit. Indeed, it is by faith that miracles are performed (Mormon 9:16-21). These miracles include healings, casting out evil spirits (Acts 5:12-16), raising the dead (Acts 9:37-41), the commanding of the very elements (Matthew 8:23-27), and countless others, all of which, those who have faith in Christ, and His authority can perform, if worthy. One in particular I wish to mention is when Peter walked on water as he approached Christ. He leaped forth with faith, but as his faith dwindled or was shaken because of the storm surging around him, he began to sink.

Often times, I have been annoyed when someone asks me to do something, and I reply, "I will try". Then they rebuke me with Yoda's words, "Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try." (Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back) We try our choices, between good and evil. We try to learn and do new things. That is why Yoda was urging Luke first with patience: "Patience you must have my young padawan." It was only after Luke wanted end his training and prove himself that Yoda chastised him. When learning stops, and we are called upon to perform a task, that is when trying is no longer acceptable. We are either whole heartily involved and capable of accomplishing the task, or not. For Peter, he tried his faith, to walk on water, that he may have more confidence and not have to try, but do, when called to the ministry. While Luke's experience was becoming dumb struck saying "I can't believe it." to which Yoda retorted, "That is why you fail."(Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back) Not only do we have to have the faith once, but continue to nourish it and strengthen it, that we may not be found with "little faith" (Matthew 8:26). Sometimes I wonder if the angels of heaven look down on us and say something similar to Darth Vader, "I find your lack of faith... disturbing."(Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope)

What about the Dark Side of the Force? Moroni had mentioned that the light of Christ is given that everyone may "know good from evil". By this same power each of us have, we can also know evil. "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 7:17).

Some of the fruits of the spirit of the devil are: contention and anger (3 Nephi 11:29), doubt, darkness, unbelief, depression, hatred, jealousy, malice, envy, theft, lust (Gospel Truth 1:19-20). The greatest of which is pride (Proverbs 16:18, Pride). Yoda has said: "Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight."(Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back), "Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is."(Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith), and "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering."(Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace)

The knowledge of these evils also comes through the light of truth. It is between these two choices, good and evil, that we must choose and make a stand for or against. Yoda said: "To be Jedi is to face the truth, and choose. Give off light, or darkness, Padawan. Be a candle, or the night." Yoda has also spoken on how to know the good from the bad, "You will know when you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack."(Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back)

There are those who believe that feelings are not as important as the western world deems them to be. There has been countless speculations on a "sixth sense". The movie The Sixth Sense portrayed this ability as seeing spirits. What if we all have a "sixth sense" only, the world does not recognize it as such. The light of Christ is that "sixth sense". Those feelings, those emotions, for good or bad, are a sense, a physical response to stimuli. If any of you have wondered about this, I extend Darth Vader's challenge: "Search your feelings, you know it to be true."

Indeed, we can find all truth through prayer and the answers that come by the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:5). As I mentioned before, the Holy Ghost works using the light of Christ in us. I will compare this to Luke Skywalker's experience. While training with Obi Wan Kenobi, he was able to use the Force, at least in part. He had promptings and could feel and learn truth, much in the same way that one who has not been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost feel's promptings and learns truth. In comparing episodes 1-3, also called the prequels, to the original or classic three, I notice that the Jedi wish to each other, "May the Force be with you.", but when Obi Wan wishes the same for Luke, he says, "The Force will be with you... always." Obi Wan, knowing that he was soon going to the other side of the veil, was giving a promise to Luke. After Obi Wan's passing, he then actively prompts and guide Luke, beckoning him, "Use the Force, Luke." This is the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is an actual spirit being (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22) who actively seeks our well being with promptings and divine guidance. He can be comparatively seen as an Obi Wan, or Yoda whispering guidance to us from the unseen world, beckoning us to use the light of Christ, to seek Christ, grow spiritually, and rely upon Christ.

Indeed, it is important that we trust, and have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, because of the false old adage, "seeing is believing". Seeing has never been, nor ever will be believing. Obi Wan explained, "Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them. Stretch out with your feelings." Truly the scriptures are filled with accounts of people who saw, but did not believe. Laman and Lemuel, from the Book of Mormon, saw angels, yet they did not believe (1 Nephi 3:28-29). Alma the Younger was  smitten three days by an angel, yet seeing was not what converted him. As he shared in his testimony, it was turning his heart to Christ and his father's words that changed his heart (Alma 36). Even Cain spoke to God, yet he did not believe enough to trust in Him (Genesis 4:6).

Obi Wan said, "The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded." Sadly, there are some who try to come unto Christ, but are easily dissuaded by trials or temptations of the adversary. The gospel of Jesus Christ can excite as much as the dark side can betray. Like Christ's parable of the sower (Mark 4) there are those who "...[fall] on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had not depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away." Sometimes the adversary tries to teach us that good is evil, and that evil is good (Isaiah 5:20). Other times, when we find a doctrinal stumbling block, something that we are not sure if we believe, or not sure if it is true, we can pray and find truth. Sometimes, and can even be often, the answer is to wait and gain a stronger foundation first,  "These aren't problems that you should be troubled with."

There can be many stumbling blocks that hold us up. We may rely too much upon ourselves, our own skills. The scriptures describe this as "making flesh his arm" ( Jeremiah 17:5) or "putting his trust in the arm of flesh" (2 Nephi 4:34). Even Darth Vader had something to say on the matter upon seeing his subordinates become proud of the Death Star they had built, "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force." Truly, if the Force is intelligence, or light and truth, then "knowledge is power", and the understanding that the glory of God is intelligence (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36), becomes so much clearer. It is in God's all knowing, all powerful hand that we should put our trust. "Don't underestimate the Force!" (Darth Vader).

Scriptures, doctrines, and prophecy can be some stumbling blocks as well. Obi Wan was outraged because of Anakin's betrayal, "You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness." Like the Jews in Christ's day, we may not be expecting quite what will come to pass. Did Anakin destroy the Sith, yes, he killed the Emperor and died himself, but did that act end evil, no. Did it happen how any of the Jedi thought it would happen, diffidently not. The Jews were expecting a magnificent Messiah, a great warrior coming to save, redeem and free them from their oppressors. They did not understand that Christ had to be born humble and as a teacher, paying the price for us with His atonement, before He would return in power and great glory at the last day to free us forever. Because they looked beyond the mark, they were confused, offended, and angry.

"A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one, a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was....Hmm? On what he was doing." (Yoda). Sometimes we think too much ahead, like the hymn, Have I Done Any Good?, "Then wake up and do something more Than dream of your mansion above." President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us "The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live in it." Though we may not personally understand everything, we can trust that all things are in God's hands.

Yet we all can have the spirit of prophecy. This may seem extreme to declare, but it is non-the-less true. The spirit of prophecy is having faith in Christ. When we share our witnesses or testimonies of Christ, we are declaring that He is God's Son, that He has broken the bonds of death, and that He will return. Is that not a prophecy? Are we not declaring to the world that there is hope? That things will get better? That even though we have lost those we care about, we can be together with them forever. Indeed, that when we depart from this life, there is more, it is not just an endless darkness, abyss or nothingness, but that the spirit exists, our bodies will be resurrected, and we will live again.

We know that Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection, thus, playing with the idea of Yoda and Obi Wan being real, they could not be resurrected with physical bodies until after Christ. The story line of Star Wars places the events occurring "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away". This would also make sense with what Yoda said about Qui Gon Jinn, "An old friend has learned the path to immortality. One who has returned from the netherworld of the Force, your old master." All people, good and evil, as soon as they depart from this life, are taken home to God (Alma 40:11), or the "netherworld of the Force". Thus, upon returning, he had spoken to God, and finally learned about Christ and the path to true immortality, life after the resurrection. Yet, he had only learned about the path, and had not yet been resurrected.

Oh, how much do I delight in the glory of God, and I love Job's testimony, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19:25-26). When Obi Wan said, "Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." most people did not understand what that meant. Understanding that he sealed his testimony with his blood, as the Prophet Joseph Smith, and most importantly our Savior Jesus Christ did. Thus, ensured that he would be resurrected in power and glory. For his faith was so sure, that his very body was taken and stored up in heaven, like Yoda's, to wait for the promised Savior, not Anakin, who will truly free us from evil.

"Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view." (Yoda). So make sure that you always keep the eternal point of view, for those truths will aid you more and longer than the points of view found on the Dark Side.

Lastly, I leave you with a challenge. I have created this post to share my knowledge and my testimony of the power of God, and my faith in my Savior Jesus Christ. That there is hope in this world, that we can have power beyond what the world, or what we sometimes believe we can. There is evidences of these universal truths all around us, truth that span time, and are eternal. Find them and seek out every good thing. Then, as Yoda said, "Always pass on what you have learned." If you agree with what I have taught or shared, or have your own beliefs or understanding, share it in turn. "To answer power with power, the Jedi way this is not. In this war, a danger there is, of losing who we are." (Yoda). There is a spiritual war going on around us. Be careful that you share your beliefs with love and compassion, not anger and contention, that you may maintain who you are, and what you stand for. Let faith and strength in Christ and His gospel spread to the quarters of the earth. Let the Force work in you, and work in those around you. May the Force be with you, in Christ's name, Amen.

Love,
Jacobugoth

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