Who Is The Holy Ghost?

[Stone holm]

I was already painfully aware of that unfortunate fact, but thanks for all the bolded Hes and Hims.

I think our (current) LDS consensus is wrong. The nice thing is, with our doctrine of Heavenly Mother, we are in an excellent spot to incorporate archaeological findings into our religion, no sweat (if we'd just get over the D&C-contradicting idea that GAs are infallible and omniscient). I think the evidence related to The Enduring Symbolism Of Doves is much more in favor of a feminine Ma'at/ruach ha-kodesh/Lady Wisdom/Sophia/Dove-Goddess. See, for instance, the Acts of Thomas:

 

Holy Dove that bearest the twin young;

Come, hidden Mother;

Come, thou that art manifest in thy deeds

and dost furnish joy and rest for all that are joined with thee;

Come and partake with us in this Eucharist

Which we celebrate in thy name,

and in the love-feast in which we are gathered together at thy call. 

Or the Gospel of the Hebrews:

Origen on John, ii. 12. And if any accept the Gospel according to the Hebrews, where the Saviour himself saith, 'Even now did my mother the Holy Spirit take me by one of mine hairs, and carried me away unto the great mountain Thabor', he will be perplexed, etc. ... 

 

On Jeremiah, homily xv.4. And if anyone receive that saying, 'Even now my mother the Holy Spirit took me and carried me up unto the great mountain Thabor', and the rest. 

Or the Gospel of Philip:

Some said, "Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit." They are in error. They do not know what they are saying. When did a woman ever conceive by a woman?

 

Etc., etc..

While I sympathize with the notion of Heavenly Mother in that role, assuming we all have the same Heavenly Mother, the problem is that Heavenly Mother(s) are exalted women, and therefore have physical bodies. I suppose its possible to be one of Christ's wives.

[JLHPROF]

As far as our Heavenly Mother is concerned, I prefer to believe the old "Women of Mormondom" doctrinal speculation that there is also a trinity of women, a female Godhead corresponding with the male Godhead, rather than trying to insert Heavenly Mother into the established godhead.  I think it makes more sense, and frankly, I find something beautiful in the idea of a corresponding trinity of the female side of Godhood.

[teddyaware]

I was already painfully aware of that unfortunate fact, but thanks for all the bolded Hes and Hims.

I think our (current) LDS consensus is wrong. The nice thing is, with our doctrine of Heavenly Mother, we are in an excellent spot to incorporate archaeological findings into our religion, no sweat (if we'd just get over the D&C-contradicting idea that GAs are infallible and omniscient). I think the evidence related to The Enduring Symbolism Of Doves is much more in favor of a feminine Ma'at/ruach ha-kodesh/Lady Wisdom/Sophia/Dove-Goddess. See, for instance, the Acts of Thomas:

 

Holy Dove that bearest the twin young;

Come, hidden Mother;

Come, thou that art manifest in thy deeds

and dost furnish joy and rest for all that are joined with thee;

Come and partake with us in this Eucharist

Which we celebrate in thy name,

and in the love-feast in which we are gathered together at thy call. 

Or the Gospel of the Hebrews:

Origen on John, ii. 12. And if any accept the Gospel according to the Hebrews, where the Saviour himself saith, 'Even now did my mother the Holy Spirit take me by one of mine hairs, and carried me away unto the great mountain Thabor', he will be perplexed, etc. ... 

 

On Jeremiah, homily xv.4. And if anyone receive that saying, 'Even now my mother the Holy Spirit took me and carried me up unto the great mountain Thabor', and the rest. 

Or the Gospel of Philip:

Some said, "Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit." They are in error. They do not know what they are saying. When did a woman ever conceive by a woman?

 

Etc., etc..

I admit I'm somewhat obsessive about making sure others get my point and that I'm not misunderstood, hence my frequent use of bold Italics.

 

Although I do hold with the traditional LDS belief that the Holy Ghost is a male personage, I believe while the male perspective on truth is revealed by Him, I also believe the feminine perspective on truth is disseminated and revealed by Him as well. If all truth is circumscribed under one great whole, and if the Holy Ghost is the revelator of all truth, then the unique perspectives on eternal truth from the vantage points of both the masculine and feminine would be comprehensively incorporated within the scope of His revelatory power.       

Edited March 2, 2014 by teddyaware

[Stone holm]

As far as our Heavenly Mother is concerned, I prefer to believe the old "Women of Mormondom" doctrinal speculation that there is also a trinity of women, a female Godhead corresponding with the male Godhead, rather than trying to insert Heavenly Mother into the established godhead.  I think it makes more sense, and frankly, I find something beautiful in the idea of a corresponding trinity of the female side of Godhood.

I have not heard that, is the phrase in quotes a book title?

[CMZ]

The Universal Relief Society Presidency? Only more autonomous from the mens' organizations than the earthly Relief Society is?

[mfbukowski]

Myron Schwartz from Hoboken New Jersey.

[K-2]

From Women of Mormondom by Edward W. Tullidge, pg. 195:
 

A trinity of Mothers!
    The celestial Masonry of Womanhood!
    The other half of the grand patriarchal economy of the heavens and
the earths!
    The book of patriarchal theology is full of new conceptions. Like the
star-bespangled heavens--like the eternities which it mantles--is that
wondrous theology!
    New to the world, but old as the universe. 'Tis the everlasting book
of immortals, unsealed to mortal view, by these Mormon prophets.
    A trinity of Mothers--Eve the Mother of a world; Sarah the Mother of
the covenant; Zion the Mother of celestial sons and daughters--the Mother
of the new creation of Messiah's reign, which shall give to earth the
crown of her glory and the cup of joy all her ages of travail.

 

An example of the oddness of Tullidge's writing.

 

[VideoGameJunkie]

I hope we get to meet the Holy Ghost one day in the next life.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

One of my past institute teachers suggested that the Holy Ghost might be someone who will be the Jesus of another world one day. What are your thoughts on who the Holy Ghost is. Have they lived yet do you think?

I think that one day we will see him and know him instantly as our best of friends. Because if when we Christ and know him, it will have been the Holy Spirit that made us like him.