Claymore

Dear Readers,

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the anime Claymore. This anime reminds me a bit of Tokko in a few ways. First with the Yoma and then with the Claymore themselves. I would like to point out that I will only be talking about the anime and what is on claymore.wikia because I have not read the manga.

Yoma Image Link

So, what are Yoma? The anime and wikia is very vague, they are just creatures that eat human flesh that are able to transform and appear as human, that they can take control of someone's mind. I would endeavor to define Yoma as humans possessed with a demon, like the Phantoms from Tokko. Indeed, they have similar appearance and appetite for human flesh, not to mention the powers they have.

Clare a Claymore Image Link

So, what is a Claymore? A Claymore, or a silver eyed witch, is an individual, almost always female, but not necessarily, who has Yoma tissue infused into their body. Like the Simbiotes from Tokko, the evil spirit lurking inside of them awakens their body to immense power. This power changes the coloring of their eyes, into silver, and also gives them longevity, vitality, healing, and a decreased appetite.

Yoki Aura

Now, both Claymore and Yoma posses what I will call a "brand" or special subgroup of energy called yoki. As I have defined reishi and chakra from Bleach and Naruto respectively as spiritual energy and a combination of spiritual and physical energy, I am slightly torn between defining yoki as a type of reishi or chakra. I do lean towards defining it as a type of chakra created from the habitation of the demonic spirit in a human body, physically changing the body. This would be congruent with the types of chakra in Naruto, like the tailed beast chakra being red while human chakra is blue.

Claymore Stigma Image Link

This would also allow for a comparison between the sealing of a tailed beast inside of a human within a different dimension to simply taking flesh of the beast and fusing it within that human's body. Thus allowing that individual to not only use or borrow the beast's chakra, but to make it themselves with their own body. In effect, creating the hybrid of the creature and a human, or Yoma and human into a Claymore.

Yoki stages Image Link

By releasing their yoki, a Claymore gains more physical strength and speed, but at the cost, probably due to the demonic nature of this brand of chakra. If too much of the yoki is released, a Claymore will transform into a very powerful Yoma called an awakened being. This verge of becoming an awakened being is compared to sexual arousal. It is so much harder to stop these kinds of emotions the longer they are allowed to progress. Because of this, male Claymore became awakened beings much more often than females.

Awakened Beings Image Link

An awakened being is very similar to, say, Naruto in his Kyuubi form before he could control it. A raging creature hell bent on destruction. However, after time passes, their former consciousness can begin to take hold again, and they return to a near human stage. Alas, they still have the incredible craving for human flesh. It is also important to note that they become like their inner creature, again like Naruto transforming in the Kyuubi.

Well, now that we have these terms defined, lets talk about some of these powers and how they work.

Irene's Quick Sword Image Link

First up is Irene's Quick Sword. Irene pumps so much of her Yoki into her arm that it awakens. Thus, her arm goes out of control with speed while the rest of her body is used to maintain her physical, mental and spiritual strength over the arm to keep from completely awakening and taking her over. This speed allows her arm, and by extension her sword, to move so quickly that it is not seen and the very wind from the blade is able to strike and destroy from a distance.

Miria's Phantom Mirage

Next up is Miria's Phantom Mirage. Much like Irene's Quick Sword technique, Miria uses her Yoki to increase her speed to the point that by jumping between three or so locations she rests long enough for her body to be seen at each location. Thus creating three versions of her that can each strike an attack and each have an attack pass through them. To counter, one would have to attack all three at once. I would easily compare this technique to the Pokemon attack Double Team.

Ophelia's Rippling Sword Image Link

Third is Ophelia's Rippling Sword. Again, very similar to Irene's Quick Sword, Ophelia moves her arm or arms back and forth like a vibration. This is at such an intense frequency that the blade claymore blade bends and weaves like rubber or water. Meaning, if someone tries to block the blade, the tip not blocked can bend around the blocking sword and still strike the opponent.

Adam and the Earthquake Machine from Mythbusters Episode 60 Image Link

This is all under the premise that an object can vibrate at a frequency that will effect it at a molecular level. Tesla's Oscillator is a prime realistic example of this. Supposedly, his device found the frequency of the ground and caused an earthquake in New York. I am aware that Mythbusters, in episode 60 "Earthquake Machine", created a similar device and it failed to bring down a bridge they tested it on. However, with my knowledge of frequencies, and acknowledging that they the did find the frequency of the metal bridge, that only serves to vibrate the bridge, which it did, but by slowly increasing the frequency is what would need to occur to vibrate the bridge enough to pull the bonds apart. Thus, in my opinion, the Mythbusters did not perform that experiment properly.

Jean's Drill Sword Image Link

Fourth is Jean's Drill Sword. Now, because of a Claymore's regeneration abilities, Jean is able to twist her arm around multiple times. Because of the rubber like elastic properties of skin, muscles and tendons, this causes a spinning strike with the sword. The blade spins like a drill and is thus able to penetrate deeper in a single strike. Of course it is extremely painful and takes time to recover the arm afterwords, but a Claymore is no worse for the wear afterwords.

Rachel uses at technique called Strong Sword in which, like a flicking finger, she drags the blade through the ground creating tension that is then suddenly released when the sword breaks free from the earth.

Sixth, Raftela uses Sensory Control much like a specialized genjutsu from Naruto to create paralysis and cause hallucinations in the mind of her opponent. Another reason why yoki is more of a demonic form of chakra.

That about sums up what I wanted to talk about Claymore, what they are, how they are, how they are able to do what they do. If you have any questions or remarks, I would love to hear them. I hope that you enjoyed this post.

love,
Jacobugoth

One Piece 2: Devil Fruit

Dear Readers,

As my second installment of One Piece, I am talking about Devil Fruit. So, what is Devil Fruit?

Devil Fruit raining down Image Link

Devil Fruit are mystical, well, pieces of fruit that when ingested grant the eater powers. However, if a Devil Fruit eater eats a second fruit, the two powers rip their body apart. Also, there is a side effect, that all Devil Fruit eaters can no longer swim. Indeed the sea, and sea stone, weakens them and drains their strength. I have a very strange theory about this.

The Book of Revelations found the New Testament talks about things in the premortal life, the history of this mortal world, and even thing about the world when it is reborn. Specifically, I want to focus on Revelation 22:1-2 "1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the thrown of God and of the Lamb. 2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yeilded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Tree of Life from Revelations Image Link

Now, to put this in more context, during the millennium the New Jerusalem is established on the earth again, indeed the city of Enoch called Zion has come down from heaven. Therein is God's temple and His throne. From Hist throne flows a river of pure water. At some point along this river there is a tree so big and large that is spans from one side of the river to the other, allowing the water to flow between its roots. Now, this tree is called the tree of life, so it is likely the same tree from the Garden of Eden. This one tree has twelve different kinds of fruit, and produces this fruit monthly. Now, this could all be metaphorical, as John the Revelator was known to prophecy with. However, for this arguments sake, what if it isn't metaphorical and is a real river with a real tree?

Because the tree of life is known as the tree that gave Adam and Eve immortality in the Garden of Eden, what if each of the different fruits give parts of that immortal power. Like all of the Devil Fruits in One Piece. Now clearly there are more than twelve, but the power correlated premise could indeed be there. So, why would eating more than one Devil Fruit destroy the body? Because this fruit is not meant for mortals to partake of. Our fallen bodies can barely handle the power of one fruit, let alone all of them. Yet, the purpose of each of these fruits are to be united in one whole. All of the powers in one perfect being, an immortal being.

Brook and Luffy loosing strength in sea water Image Link

As for the loss of power in water, that could have something to do with the river passing under the tree. See, trees draw up water and nutrients into themselves like a straw and build up fruit as a way to reproduce. What if the fruit, or rather the power within, does not want to return to the water from whence it came? What if it wants to continue to progress? I know that this could be a bit of a leap, but it could make some sense. Especially when compared to the fruit's reincarnation cycle.

With the fruit's reincarnation cycle, it is the power, or spirit that transfers. Not necessary creating a new body, but borrowing that of mortal or telestial fruit. When that fruit is eaten, that spirit or power is given to that individual, and when they die, that power enters fruit to continue the process.

Elijah ascending into heaven, leaving mantle to Elisha. Image Link

 I would like to make the distinction that this is not the usual concept of reincarnation, that it is more like priesthood power being passed among those who have authority. Like when Elijah gave the "mantle" of the priesthood and authority of a prophet to Elisha in 2 Kings 2. This was not Elijah's spirit, but was indeed the power that he held from God allowing Elisha to work miracles. 

Now there are three different "types" of Devil Fruit, though I would have defined them differently.

Luffy's rubber body Image Link

Paramecia type Devil Fruit produces from the body or transforms the individual into a non element. That is the proper definition, but I would rather redefine it as a "parasite" paramecia, and limit it to productions from the body. Thus, technically, Luffy's rubber body is a paramecia because it is not an element, but I would define it more as a logia because it changed his body itself. 

Ace's Fire Image Link

Logia Devil Fruit change the individual's body into an element. This is most notable with Ace's Mera Mera fruit turning him into fire. Again, I would redefine this to including all body changing Devil Fruit and thus include Luffy's Gum Gum fruit. 

Chopper's forms or "points" Image Link

Lastly, Zoan Devil Fruit change the individual into an animal. These fruit allow for three stages, a complete change to the animal, a hybrid form, and the normal human form. I am completely fine with this current definition. It is, however, important to note that specialized medicines could be made to change and effect the body chemistry allowing for more forms for a zoan to take, as with Chopper who was a deer who ate a human zoan fruit. Because of the nature of the human fruit, it could be quite likely for a human to eat the fruit and gain no power, because they are already human, and only loose their ability to swim.

Blackbeard's duo powers Image Link

Now, though eating more than one fruit will kill the host, the powers still seem to be able to spread. This was the most blatantly obvious when Blackbeard used his yami yami fruit and its darkness powers which also effect gravity to pull the gura gura tremor powers from Whitebeard into himself. This allowed him to both have his darkness logia power as well as the tremor or earthquake paramecia power.

Luffy Red Hawk Punch Image Link

From this cannon experience, I think that it is quite possible that all of the Devil Fruit have some way to be reunited in one host. This is hinted by how Luffy uses haki to recreate Ace's fire by releasing the energy stored in the haki has heat and fire for his Red Hawk Punch.

Luffy's Spring Bullet Image Link

He even uses his haki to recreate the spring legs of Bellamy for his Spring Bullet technique.

Though, with Luffy, those powers did not actually enter his body, it is important to note that it doesn't really matter that much, he has acquired the use of those powers even if it was by some other means.

Well, there are infinite ways of using these powers, and there are countless Devil Fruit both cannon and not. Thus I will leave you with my hypothesis, that all of the fruit are trying to be reunited and that each as some way in which it could be used to gain all of the other powers.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and feel free to use a comment.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Previous: Once Piece 1: Haki

One Piece

Dear Readers,

Today I have decided to talk about One Piece. I am hoping to cover the main aspects all in one post, but I might divi it up. First I am going to talk about haki. Though it was introduced later in the series, its importance cannot be ignored.

Now, One Piece Wikia has described haki as follows, "Haki is a mysterious power that is found in every living being in the world. It is not that different from the normal senses. However, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it. Broadly, there are two types of Haki common to everyone, given the proper training; however, there is a third type that only a certain group of 'chosen ones' are said to possess. In simple terms, Haki is an ability to sense spiritual energy (Kenbunshoku), use life force (Busoshoku) and overpower enemies (Haoshoku)."

Silvers Rayleigh explained it quite similarly to Luffy, "'Haki' is a power that lies dormant in all the world's creatures... 'Presence', 'fighting spirit' and 'intimidation'... It is not different form the things that humans can naturally sense such as these... 'The act of not doubting'. That is strength!"

Lastly, "The term 'Haki' is a word that has multiple meanings when translated into English. It can mean 'ambition', 'will power', 'drive', 'spirit', 'vigor' and 'aspiration' to name a few."

From all of these definitions, I found it interesting to try to figure out what haki is. First, let us focus on the different types,
"Kenbunshoku Haki, which grants users a sixth sense of the world around them and limited precognitive abilities;
Busoshoku Haki, which allows the user to use their spirit as armor to defend against attacks or to make their own attacks more potent; and
Haoshoku Haki,... which grants the user the ability to overpower the will of others."

Luffy dodging water darts Image Link

Kenbunshoku haki reminds me of reiryoku from Bleach, being spiritual sensitivity. In Bleach this includes seeing spirits and being able to track and recognize people by their spirits. It seems that kenbunshoku haki is taking reiryoku one step further to being able to sense other's actions before they happen, like a "spidey sense". Though Kenbunshoku seems to require the intent from the other person to be sensed to predict the attack. Like when Luffy punched a wall to deflect his fists randomly because Enel had incredible kenbunshoku haki.

Luffy releasing his haoshoku haki to knock out attacking marines Image Link

Haoshoku haki reminds me of reiatsu or spirit pressure. This pressure has the ability to knock people down and incapacitate them, even crush nearby objects. Like when Luffy first uses it by accident and causes everyone around him to pass out. It seems that haoshoku haki is reiatsu used in the physical world.

Luffy's haki armor Image Link

Lastly, busoshoku haki does not remind me of anything really, except for maybe an arrancar's hierro from Bleach. It is spiritually created hard skin. Thus hierro is reishi, or spirit matter, organized like armor. This is what I think busoshoku haki is, only it is so compressed that it is visually manifest in the physical world.

Because the three types of haki all seem to correlate quite easily with spiritual powers from Bleach, it is easy to say that "haki" is spiritual powers of a human being. This is in agreement with this next statement from One Piece Wikia, "Due to the fact that Haki originates from an individual's spirit and not their body, even if the user's spirit is transferred into another body, they are still capable of using Haki as if they were in their original body. However, Busoshoku Haki is finite, and overusing it will render the user unable to use it for a set period while it regenerates."

Thus, it is likely that these are the powers of the spirit and that busoshoku haki is generated from the spirit through some kind of process. I would endeavor to compare this process to ingestion. 2 Nephi 32:3 says, "...feast upon the words of Christ..." This knowledge that comes from the scriptures can be considered intelligence, and thus you are feeding your spirit intelligence when you study the scriptures. As one needs to keep their body fed, it is the same with the spirit, and through whatever process of "digestion" or "molding" or "conversion" this new intelligence become part of that individual's spirit and can then be used and harnessed. This would explain who busoshoku haki needs to be recharged.

Luffy fourth gear Image Link

Now, I would like to briefly talk about the unique way Luffy uses his busoshoku haki in his "fourth gear". Now, because reishi is spirit matter, it behaves on a spiritual plane. Thus it can be solid in place, like how shinigami can stand on air in the physical world.

Luffy's chasing punch hitting Doflamingo Image Link

 Luffy uses the haki covering his arms to solidify a portion in a position allowing his punch to change direction in mid-air. Like a rubber ball hitting a wall.

Well, I think this is good enough for post one. I will talk about Devil Fruit later on. I hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to leave comments.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next: One Piece Post 2: Devil Fruit

Tokko

Dear Readers,

WARNING: 

Content may not be suitable for younger readers, parental discretion advised. 

Image Link

Today I wanted to talk a little about the first "anime" I ever watched. One of my favorite channels was always the Scifi channel. At one point, they began having something called "Ani-Mondays", during which they would have animes on Monday nights. Now, I have watched other "cartoons", for in my mind that is what they were, before like Yu-Gi-Oh, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, Digimon, etc. However, the anime Tokko was the first anime that I watched realizing that it was indeed anime. Oddly, I really enjoyed it.

Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh Image Link

Tokko Puzzle Box of Dirge

Hellraiser Lemarchand Puzzle Box crafted by Destro2k on Deviantart

The premise of this anime is that some alchemists forged a puzzle box, similar to the Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh, that would grant the user control over demons, though the anime calls them phantoms. This ability, coupled with the square shape, similar to that of the puzzle boxes from Hellraiser, leads me to think that there is a justifiable comparison to be made between discovering and putting together truth and a equivalent resistance or persistence from the Adversary.

Anyway, much like the puzzle box in Hellraiser, it ended up making a portal to hell allowing the phantoms to enter our world and posses human bodies. However, there is another aspect, a phantom possesses someone locking a piece of the box inside of them. Thus, the point is to kill all of the phantoms to collect the puzzle pieces for the purpose of sealing the spirits back inside the box. The plot has holes, I admit, but I have found the concept quite fascinating.

Image Link

Now, when a phantom enters a body, it is usually through some kind of physical and psychological trauma, and the inhabitation of the phantom changes the person into a carnivorous monster. This state could easily be compared to a demoniac from the Holy Bible, a Deadite from Evil Dead, a Cenobite from Hellraiser, or some other demon possessed being.

Ranmaru Shindo and his inner Phantom Image Link

However, when an individual is first infected or possessed, they can fight for control. Does the phantom "eat you"? or do you "eat" the phantom. Essentially it is a fight for control over one's self for dominance of the body. This is much like fighting inner demons. If an individual is successful in "eating" their phantom, they maintain control of their body and gain powers from the phantom. These individuals are called symbiotes, which I would compare to Jaffa from Stargate who have snake like larva living in their guts.

Sakura Rokujou's Sword

These powers I could easily compare to a zampakuto from Bleach, which you could read more about on my blog post on the subject here. Similar to how a zampakuto is pulled out of one's spirit body, a Tokko sword, or knife, is manifested through blood.

Ranmaru's Sword Power

These swords have unique powers, much like a shikai or bankai from Bleach, which I go into more here.

When swung, these blades create waves much like Ichigo's Getsuga from Bleach which could be compared to a release of reishi or spirit matter. Though, since it is in a physical body, it could either be seen through spiritual eyes, or be more along the lines of chakra from Naruto which you could read about here. In either case, the same principle remains of inner power being released along the blade as it is waved.

There are even seals or spells that are used, like the defensive spell that appears while blocking.

Alas, similar to how the body is changed to allow the manifestation of the blade, there are other changes to the body, like increased healing. In this case, the wounds steam and burn as the energy is used to seal and mend the wounds.

Sakura's tattoo

Indeed, the greatest, or at least the most visually noticeable change is in a tattoo that forms.

Though, the tattoo does not reflect the phantom itself. As with Sakura's tattoo, it is in the shape of a Chinese dragon.

However, her phantom is a female version off Ranmaru's. By this difference, I could easily say that the tattoo is more a representation of the powers that individual gained. Almost like the tattoo represents the zampakuto which is now physically awakened while the phantom remains as a separate being.

Anyway, as one last point I would like to make, for those individuals who are "eaten" by their phantoms, they do exercise control over lesser phantom spirits, creating physical forms for them to spread and infect others. This holds true when one realizes that there are greater and lesser evil spirits (Matthew 12:45, Luke 11:26 ).

This is quite apparent in the first episode where a phantom created an army of ghouls who were being controlled by phantom parasites. One last criticism to go with this, I don't understand why the cops did not realize that they needed to shoot the little parasite faces after shooting the host bodies several times failed.

I hope that you have enjoyed my take on this anime. I do recommend it, however, I advise watching it censured. There are some scenes containing nudity, luckily for me, the Scifi channel, now Syfy, was very good at censuring those scenes. Feel free to leave any comments you may have!

Love,
Jacobugoth

Final Fantasy: Spirits Within

Dear Readers,

Image Link

One of my favorite animated movies is Final Fantasy: Spirits Within. This movie has some very interesting concepts that I would like to talk about. First, that Earth itself has a spirit called Gaia.

Screen frame of spiritual earth from the LDS video Creation

Though the name of Gaia may not be accurate, but as a word "gaia" could be a word for a planetary spirit. The scriptures do say that everything was created spiritually before they were physically created (Moses 3:5), thus it is not a reach to say that the Earth it self was made spiritually and thus has a spirit or gaia.

Gaia in the movie image link

Now this is where the the movie becomes more false and yet more interesting. The concept that all living spirits on the Earth are pieces of the Earth's gaia sent out or produced to enable the gaia to experience, learn, and grow. It is true that part of our purpose in this life to to experience, learn and grow but the Earth is not learning vicariously through us. It is also true that our physically bodies are taken from the Earth and thus have the part of the Earth's gaia bonded with that matter. Now, exactly what that means when we are resurrected and receive permanent physical bodies I do not know, but I like to think that while in mortality we are simply borrowing our bodies from the Earth, and if we treat our bodies with respect and use them righteously, then it is more likely that the Earth will be please with us keeping them in the hereafter.

I have made some assumptions on this subject, but let me clarify, the Earth has a will, personality and a gender, female (Job 12:8, Jeremiah 4:28, Isaiah 24:4-6, Luke 19:40).

alien gaia from the movie image link

Anyway, that is our relationship with Earth's gaia, both in the movie and in reality. But is that all the plot of the movie? No. See, there is a crisis taking place. A meteor fell from the sky and now there are beings called phantoms wandering around killing people. As it turns out, this meteor is what is left of an alien planet. Its gaia is still producing spirits, but these spirits are all full of rage because of the hatred experienced by the inhabitants in their final days of war.

humanoid phantom from the movie image link

Now these phantoms are generally invisible, unless certain kinds of energy is added to them. Some are the humanoids.

large phantom from the movie image link

Yet there are also other animals, creatures equivalent to elephants.

flying phantom from the movie image link

And even flying serpents.

humanoid phantom removing the spirit from a living body image link

Again, there are some interesting concepts here. Not only do these phantoms exist and pass through solid objects, but they devour other spirits as well. That spirit can interact with other spirit and even have a hunger or craving. Even to the point of forcefully removing a spirit from a living body.

phantom matter inside of a human image link

Also, a major aspect of the movie is that humans can create technology that influences these phantoms.

barrier city image link

Shields that they cannot pass through.

Zeus Cannon image link

Even weapons that can hurt them like a laser.

Simply put, this movie involves the ideas of not only there being more to life, but that there are things we can do, in our behavior and thoughts, that can hurt the world and have a lasting effect.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Ghost, Spirit, Soul

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to have a quick post about some differences in terms. Being of a firm belief that no two words, at least in the same language, mean exactly the same thing, I like to figure out and discover what those meanings are. This is probably due to a deep seated desire I have to be understood.

Anyway, my words for this post are "ghost", "spirit", and "soul". Though I have listed "ghost" first, I will be saving it for last, because it is the most intriguing in my personal view. So, let us begin with "spirit".

The "spirit" is the "...part of the living being which exists before mortal birth, which dwells in the physical body during mortality, and which exists after death as a separate being until the resurrection." (The Guide to the Scriptures: Spirit). I find it extremely hard to define it further. However, there are some attributes or at least details about the "spirit" that are worth mentioning. First: spirit is matter (Doctrine and Covenants 131:7).
Second: our spirit bodies look like our physical bodies, meaning human if we are human (Ether 3:15-16) and animals for animals (Doctrine and Covenants 77:2), etc.
Third: all humans have a spirit, animals as well, plants too, and even the very earth itself (Moses 3:4-5)
Fourth: physical matter, like our bodies, do not "feel" spirit bodies when contact is made (Doctrine and Covenants 129:8)
Fifth: multiple spirits can inhabit the same body, as with the countless cases of demons, devils, and unclean spirits possessing people which Christ cured by casting the spirits out. (Mark 1:27, 34, 39) One of the most notable ones being a being by the name of Legion in whom about 2,000 "devils" were residing. (Mark 5:9-13)
Sixth: not only can multiple spirit beings inhabit the same physical body, but spirit beings of different orders can inhabit different bodies. I say "order" instead of "species" because as far as I know the criteria for a species no longer applies to a spirit being. Anyway, it makes sense to me that spirit beings of a higher order could take possession of bodies of an equal or lower order. As evidence of this, there is, again, Legion, "devils" or "demons" who are personages of spirit and thus humanoid inhabiting either a human body or the bodies of swine. (Mark 5:13). Now, as far as I know, an animal spirit cannot inhabit a human body, but that would be kind of cool if it could. I am unaware of any scriptures or revelation on that subject.
Seventh: This is a big one. The Holy Ghost, the name of a distinct, individual spirit being can "dwell in us" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22-23). The gift of the Holy Ghost, meaning the Holy Ghost's very presence, is given to every member of the Church after their baptism. This means that one spirit being can be within several people at the same time. I plan on sharing my theories as to how this could be possible in another post, but it sufficeth me to say that this is so.

Okay, so now that "spirit" is defined to the best of my ability, now is time for "soul". Though most religions, and the television show Supernatural, consider "soul" to be completely interchangeable with "spirit", that is not the case. In the most straight forward way, "...the spirit and the body are the soul of man." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15). This is verified in the Old Testament when Adam gained life: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground," meaning the physical body "and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;" the spirit "and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).

Now, what is the purpose of a "soul"? If we have spirits that exist with or without our physical bodies, then why is it important that we have these bodies? Doctrine and Covenants 93:33-34 answers it quite simply, "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." We have bodies, or are souls, because we want joy, and a fullness of joy only comes from having our spirits "inseparably" connected with our bodies. This only comes after we are resurrected and we gain true immortality. Resurrection is different than raising the dead in that, as with the example of Lazarus, he was still mortal and would die again (John 11), while a resurrected being, like when Christ rose from the tomb, will never die again.

Lastly, now is the time for "ghost". I find this the most intriguing because "ghost" is not used very often in the scriptures or in the LDS Church except for in The Holy Ghost which has been used seemingly interchangeably with Holy Spirit or Spirit of God. I also have not been able to find any scriptural or doctrinal definition for "ghost". Thus, this definition is my own and is fun to think about.

image link

Google defines "ghost" as "an apparition of a dead person that is believed to appear or become manifest to the living, typically as a nebulous image." Though this is an interesting definition, I do not think it is quite right. Why does a "ghost" have to be a dead person? The Holy Ghost has never received a body, thus He is a pre-mortal being who has never died. Also, why can't a "ghost" be a clear image of the person instead of a "nebulous image"?

To answer these questions, I have come up with my own definition, "a 'ghost' is the manifestation of a spirit to the senses." By this definition, either a "nebulous image" or a full length spirit being appearing would be a ghost. Also, smells, sounds, et cetera. Using this definition, a separation can now be made between Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is the being Himself while The Holy Ghost is The Holy Spirit in us. Working through us, manifesting in us, and speaking with us.

Now, I am not saying that you should blindly accept this definition, but it works for me, and it brings a deeper meaning our, and my own, relationship with the Holy Ghost. Especially when I pray for the Holy Ghost to be with me.

Alas, there is an interesting scriptural use of "ghost". This may either be appropriate or inaccurate, however I have no way of knowing. John 19:30 gives the account of Christ's death in the verbiage of "...gave up the ghost." This is a way of expressing death given several times in the scriptures. However, with my definition of "ghost" it gives it new meaning. On the extreme end of the spectrum, what if Christ's "Ghost" was actually visually seen leaving His body? How awesome would that be? Alas, because of how frequently and casually it is used, it could more easily be correlated with the "lights going out in their eyes" which would be a visual manifestation of the spirit leaving.

There are so many mysteries in this world, and death is not the least of them. I just feel that I have tried to make sense of my ideas and the world around me by defining words in the language I am fluent in. Take this as you will. Please leave your ideas and comments on this subject.

Love,
Jacobugoth