Is Gramps Right Here?

[inquiringmind]

I was just reading this, and I don't understand it.

Is the Holy Ghost a position that is filled and re-filled? I know the Holy Ghost must be a spirit so that He isn’t limited with a body but, if the Holy Ghost never has a body, He doesn’t have the experience necessary right? Christ had a body and was resurrected, and we’re taught that as we are, God once was. So, Heavenly Father has a body...How does it work with the Holy Ghost? I mean no disrespect to the Godhead, just curious.

Steven

_____________

Steven,

I believe a pertinent question to ask yourself regarding the position of the Holy Ghost being re-filled is to ask if the role of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are refilled? The answer is an astounding “No.”

The God-head represents three distinct individuals: God the Eternal Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is a spirit so that he may dwell within us. Two physical bodies cannot physically dwell within each other.

Yes, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have a body of flesh and bones as taught in scripture D&C 130: 22.

Satan and his followers have been punished due to their personal choice of rejecting and rebelling against God. As a result of their personal rebellion they are no longer able to receive a body of flesh and bones. The Holy Ghost has not rebelled, nor has he rejected the plan of salvation. The Holy Ghost’s waiting period is no different than those who have been born in different dispensations. All of God’s children have waited for a period of time to receive a mortal body. The Holy Ghost’s time will come, as with all others who have kept their first estate.

Sincerely,

Gramps

http://www.askgramps...ost-a-position/

What I don't understand is that last part.

"The Holy Ghost’s waiting period is no different than those who have been born in different dispensations. All of God’s children have waited for a period of time to receive a mortal body. The Holy Ghost’s time will come, as with all others who have kept their first estate."

Receiving The Holy Ghost is part of "The Plan of Salvation."

If The Holy Ghost couldn't dwell within us with a body of flesh and bone (and His position wont be filled by another once He has one), wouldn't His time have to come only after every other child of God was exalted?

Does that mean that God's family will only expand so far, and the whole plan will wrap up sooner or latter?

And if our flesh and bone bodies are temples of The Holy Ghost, does He really need a flesh and bone body of His own?

Edited January 4, 2013 by inquiringmind

[Garden Girl]

Hello Inquiring...

I'm not sure the last part that the HG's time will come for him to receive a body is absolutely known, and the question has been raised from time to time... I do believe that the questions you ask require a lot of speculative responses simply because we have no solid revelation that provides answers. I think common sense tells us that if the Holy Ghost is to receive the full blessings of the Plan of Salvation that someday/somehow he will receive a body of flesh and bone... but that is just opinion in view of the lack of concrete revelation. If there was, we'd receive more talks in conference, etc regarding this.

GG

[Nathair/|\]

There is a theory that the HG had a brief mortal probation during Christ's mortal life. Thus, why the Apostles had to wait until Pentecost to receive him. I personally don't believe it, but you may find it helpful.

[mfbukowski]

Nobody knows. There is a lot of speculation but all the GA's will tell you that we don't know a whole lot about the mission of the HG or how it is all supposed to work out for Him.

If you search LDS.org you will find there is not much about this at all. There is a reason for that!

Edited January 4, 2013 by mfbukowski

[Freedom]

What we know is only in reference to our own salvation. We know virtually nothing about the overall plan of salvation and of beings from other worlds. Since there have been worlds without number it could well be that each creative period has its own savior and holy ghost. If we take the line of thought that we will one day be gods, it is reasonable to presume that our creations will also need a savior and a holy ghost. Speculation is futile due to a lack of data.

[pogi]

Could you imagine being the proud parents! They would probably sport a bumper-sticker that says something like, "your kid may be an Eagle Scout, but my kid is the Holy Ghost."

[JAHS]

Joseph Smith once said that, "The Holy Ghost is yet a spiritual body and is waiting to take to himself a body, as the Savior did."[Joseph Smith, Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith's Teachings, edited by Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q. Cannon (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997)]

and;

"The Holy Ghost is now in a state of probation which if he should perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has." (Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245; Sabbath address, Nauvoo, 27 August 1843. Reported by Franklin D. Richards.)

However these statements from Joseph should probably be considered as speculation at best, since he nor any other prophet has proclaimed it official church doctrine. We are not even really that certain that the Holy Ghost ever needs to obtain a body. He is already considered a God without one, the same as Jesus was before He came to earth.

President Joseph Fielding Smith was asked the same question and this was his answer:

"There is so much in relation to the gospel that we are required to do and so many commandments to observe and ordinances to receive in order that we may obtain an exaltation in the kingdom of God, that we should have no time to enter into speculation in relation to the Holy Ghost.

Too many members of the Church bother themselves about something which does not concern us and which has not been revealed. They neglect the weightier matters and fail to seek for the light and truth which is revealed and also to obtain and be true to the ordinances and covenants so essential to our salvation."(Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 2 p. 148)

[rpn]

My personal speculation is that the Holy Ghost in one world, may be the Savior in another.

[mfbukowski]

My personal speculation is that the Holy Ghost in one world, may be the Savior in another.

That is a VERY interesting idea that I don't think I have heard before!

Edit: But thinking about it, how can he have a body in one world and not in the other?

A definite fly in the ointment.

Edited January 6, 2013 by mfbukowski

[JAHS]

My personal speculation is that the Holy Ghost in one world, may be the Savior in another.

One problem with this idea is that past church leaders have said that Jesus is the savior for all worlds that exist in the universe.

For example President Marion G. Romney said,

"Jesus Christ, is the Lord of the whole universe. Except for his mortal ministry accomplished on this earth, his service and relationship to other worlds and their inhabitants are the same as his service and relationship to this earth and its inhabitants." ("Jesus Christ, Lord of the Universe," Improvement Era, November 1968, p.46)

I suppose the Holy Ghost could be the savior for a different universe and takes a body on a world in that universe to bring about the atonement for people living in that universe. But before that he would have to act as a creator and premortal god for that universe at the same time he is Holy Ghost for this universe. This is really stretching things.

Edited January 6, 2013 by JAHS

[Calm]

That is a VERY interesting idea that I don't think I have heard before!

Edit: But thinking about it, how can he have a body in one world and not in the other?

A definite fly in the ointment.

I think he meant he fulfills the role of Holy Ghost first in one world, and then when that world fulfills its destiny and is celestialized, he becomes the Saviour of another world that is newly created, at that time being born and thus receiving a body. Edited January 6, 2013 by calmoriah

[Calm]

But before that he would have to act as a creator and premortal god for that universe at the same time he is Holy Ghost for this universe. This is really stretching things.

Why couldn't the other universe be created at a later point than then this one? If universes have beginnings, then there is no reason to assume that they all begin at the same time.

[mfbukowski]

I think he meant he fulfills the role of Holy Ghost first in one world, and then when that world fulfills its destiny and is celestialized, he becomes the Saviour of another world that is newly created, at that time being born and thus receiving a body.

Ahh- ok- I like that!