Rain Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 This came up in FHE last night. I had never thought of it before. We know Christ is, but I'm not aware of anything that tells of the relationship between Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. Am I just missing it?
VideoGameJunkie Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I heard in Institute once that the possibility of what the Holy Ghost is, would be a spirit that hasn't been born yet that could be a future savior of another world.
JLHPROF Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) I've seen no revelation on the subject. But there is the quote that the only spirits who have to do with this earth are those reside (or resided, or will reside presumably) on it. That indicates that the Holy Ghost is probably one of HF's children like our Savior. There was a belief that gained popularity for a while after the martyrdom that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost (you know, God the "witness" and "testator"). I can see where they got the idea, but the first presidency was forced to make a statement telling people to knock it off. Edited July 15, 2014 by JLHPROF
Bowtiemenace Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Some have said that Adam is the Holy Ghost. (Which would kind of explain the Adam God doctrine.) There definitely hasn't been revelation on it though, and I don't think Brigham Young's anomaly is enough to make one believe that. Just an interesting thing to think about.
Guest Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I heard in Institute once that the possibility of what the Holy Ghost is, would be a spirit that hasn't been born yet that could be a future savior of another world.No one could know that and I doubt it is true. It is speculation run amuck.
teddyaware Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 This came up in FHE last night. I had never thought of it before. We know Christ is, but I'm not aware of anything that tells of the relationship between Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. Am I just missing it? From the Encyclopedia of Mormonism: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the Holy Ghost is a spirit man, a spirit son of God the Father. It is fundamental Church doctrine that God is the Father of the spirits of all men and women, that Jesus is literally God's Son both in the spirit and in the flesh, and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit separate and distinct from both the Father and the Son." 3
Ahab Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I heard in Institute once that the possibility of what the Holy Ghost is, would be a spirit that hasn't been born yet that could be a future savior of another world. That's one plausible possibility. Another idea I have heard is that a child of either our Father or our Lord is called to serve in a calling that does the work the "Holy Ghost" does and the calling is and has been given to more than one person, but one at a time. And another idea I have heard is that it could be one of the 1/3 who were cast out with Satan, and maybe even the first son of our Father to become Satan himself, but who has since repented and is righteously serving for our Father, but has yet to receive, if he ever will receive, a resurrected body. 1
Brian 2.0 Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 And another idea I have heard is that it could be one of the 1/3 who were cast out with Satan, and maybe even the first son of our Father to become Satan himself, but who has since repented and is righteously serving for our Father, but has yet to receive, if he ever will receive, a resurrected body.WOW! Never heard that, but it is FANTASTIC thinking-outside-the-box speculation. 1
Brian 2.0 Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) duplicate Edited July 16, 2014 by Brian 2.0
Bikeemikey Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 I heard in Institute once that the possibility of what the Holy Ghost is, would be a spirit that hasn't been born yet that could be a future savior of another world.I heard that it might be a calling filled by lots of different people.
Brian 2.0 Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Slightly off topic...If the Holy Ghost suddenly ceased to exist, could God the Father fulfill the duty? Would spiritual witnesses and direction via the spirit cease, or be limited to light of Christ?
Ahab Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Slightly off topic...If the Holy Ghost suddenly ceased to exist, could God the Father fulfill the duty? Would spiritual witnesses and direction via the spirit cease, or be limited to light of Christ?The Holy Ghost is a spirit who has been "set apart". Holy means to be set apart. So if the spirit we refer to as the Holy Spirit ceased to be the set apart as the Holy Spirit (ceased to exist is totally impossible don't cha know) then our Father or our Lord could set apart another spirit calling him the Holy Spirit and we never would any difference as long as the Holy Spirit did the work and had the same power the Holy Spirit always does, and has. 1
halconero Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 I believe so, furthermore, his role as the testifier and testator is far more significant than one engraving a knowledge of God into our hearts. In most instances where the New Testament uses the word "testament" it actually refers to a bill of inheritance. In fact, that popular verse from Hebrews which we often use with reference to Joseph, that the testament is not in force until the blood of the testator is shed, does not refer to a statement of belief, but to a will. In other words, the writer of Hebrews is just saying "inheritance doesn't occur until the owner dies." What does this have to do with the Holy Ghost? His role as the testator isn't simply to spiritually tell us the truth, but to write for us our own bill of inheritance in the Kingdom of God. 2
Brian 2.0 Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 The Holy Ghost is a spirit who has been "set apart". Holy means to be set apart. So if the spirit we refer to as the Holy Spirit ceased to be the set apart as the Holy Spirit (ceased to exist is totally impossible don't cha know) then our Father or our Lord could set apart another spirit calling him the Holy Spirit and we never would any difference as long as the Holy Spirit did the work and had the same power the Holy Spirit always does, and has.Does this means the God is limited in this sense? He can't do something that the Holy Ghost can do?I know it makes sense in a Mormon context and I actually like theologies with "limited" Gods. But that idea would probably be sacrilege to plenty.I think I remember and old thread about this topic.
Calm Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Slightly off topic...If the Holy Ghost suddenly ceased to exist, could God the Father fulfill the duty? Would spiritual witnesses and direction via the spirit cease, or be limited to light of Christ?Since we are eternal beings, we cannot cease to exist.I think your question would be better phrased "if the HG suddenly chose to stop acting in that capacity..."That is like suggesting the Father would ever choose not to be God. I think they fill those roles because they have reached the progression they will never turn their backs on those they love and are committed to.So I think the best way to ask the question is if the Father has the same capabilities as the HG even if he chooses to delegate them. 1
halconero Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Since we are eternal beings, we cannot cease to exist.I think your question would be better phrased "if the HG suddenly chose to stop acting in that capacity..."That is like suggesting the Father would ever choose not to be God. I think they fill those roles because they have reached the progression they will never turn their backs on those they love and are committed to.So I think the best way to ask the question is if the Father has the same capabilities as the HG even if he chooses to delegate them. I'm not one to limit Heavenly Father, but the more I ponder upon it, the more that I'm inclined to say no. This is simply due to the fact that the God is the Father. In short, he cannot be the executor of his will and testament. The Holy Spirit of Promise, one of the titles of the Holy Ghost (and in some cases, Christ), is the Gospelly way of saying executor of the estate. The one who ensures that property and estate is passed on to the legal heirs. Heavenly Father, being the one from whom we inherit, cannot in that capacity, act as the legal 3rd party. 3
Tacenda Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) I never understood it before in my TBM days. But now believe, like most of the Christian world I'm thinking, that it's the spirit of the Saviour to dwell in us, because He couldn't be here in person. Edited July 16, 2014 by Tacenda
halconero Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 I never understood it before in my TBM days. But now believe, like most of the Christian world I'm thinking, that it's the spirit of the Saviour to dwell in us, because He couldn't be here in person. Not even most of the Christian world believes that. In the Trinity, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are still two separate persons, but still the same God. 2
Rain Posted July 16, 2014 Author Posted July 16, 2014 From the Encyclopedia of Mormonism:"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the Holy Ghost is a spirit man, a spirit son of God the Father. It is fundamental Church doctrine that God is the Father of the spirits of all men and women, that Jesus is literally God's Son both in the spirit and in the flesh, and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit separate and distinct from both the Father and the Son."Does it give a footnote to where it is found?
Ahab Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Does this means the God is limited in this sense? He can't do something that the Holy Ghost can do?If by God you mean our Father, since the HG is also God, then yes, because the additional witness and testator is necessary and our Father can't be more than one witness since he is only one person, although part of him is in each one of us since we are his children.I know it makes sense in a Mormon context and I actually like theologies with "limited" Gods. But that idea would probably be sacrilege to plenty.Big whoop. It's not like the truth isn't true if people don't agree with it.
Calm Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 Does it give a footnote to where it is found?No footnote, just some references: http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Holy_Ghost McConkie, Bruce R. A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, chaps. 28-31. Salt Lake City, 1985.McConkie, Joseph Fielding, and Robert L. Millet. The Holy Ghost. Salt Lake City, 1989.Written up by Jospeh Fielding McConkie...
thesometimesaint Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 This came up in FHE last night. I had never thought of it before. We know Christ is, but I'm not aware of anything that tells of the relationship between Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. Am I just missing it? We have no revelation on the subject. However it is consistent with the idea that the position of the Holy Ghost is a Calling within the Priesthood. My personal speculation is that the Holy Ghost will be the last person born on this earth.
JLHPROF Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 We have no revelation on the subject. However it is consistent with the idea that the position of the Holy Ghost is a Calling within the Priesthood. My personal speculation is that the Holy Ghost will be the last person born on this earth. My personal speculation leans more towards the Joseph Smith model.
thesometimesaint Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 My personal speculation leans more towards the Joseph Smith model. Please explain.
JAHS Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 It is likely that the Holy Ghost is one of Heavenly Father's spirit children, and when the duties performed by Him are no longer needed than He will receive a body and continue on in His eternal progression. 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.) If Joseph is right about this then it makes sense that the Holy Ghost is a spirit son of God the Father. 1
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