Is it possible for multiple spirit bodies to occupy one physical body? I think so.

[nuclearfuels]

Mark 5:9 (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/5?lang=eng) - unless the unclean spirit was lying - suggests more than one spirit body can occupy a physical body. Other New Testament examples of unclean, blind, deaf, etc. spirits being cast out - noen of which killed the physical person - suggest the owner of the physical body had a spirit body present throughout the "co-tenancy" if you will. Also the story below suggests a peaceful cohabitation / co-tenancy. 

 

Shanti Devi, a girl born in Delhi, India in 1926, had an extraordinary claim from a young age.

She insisted that she was not from Delhi but from Mathura and had a husband and family there. At first, her parents dismissed these assertions as mere imagination. However, Shanti's determination led her to run away at the age of six, only to be brought back home. It was then that she confided in her headmaster, speaking in the Mathura dialect and revealing specific details about her alleged husband, Kedar Nath. Shanti described him as a fair-skinned shopkeeper with glasses and a wart on his left cheek. She also claimed that she had died ten days after giving birth to a child.

Intrigued by her story, the headmaster decided to investigate. To his astonishment, he discovered a shopkeeper named Kedarnath Chaube, who had lost his wife, Lugdi Devi, nine years earlier, just as Shanti had described. Lugdi Devi had indeed passed away ten days after giving birth to their son.

Intrigued by the uncanny similarities, Chaube disguised himself and traveled to Delhi. As soon as Shanti saw him, she immediately recognized him. Convinced that Shanti was the reincarnation of his late wife, Chaube affirmed their connection.

The story of Shanti Devi gained national attention and even reached Mahatma Gandhi, who decided to investigate further. In 1935, Shanti was taken to Mathura, where she was able to recognize several family members and recall promises that Chaube had made to Lugdi Devi on her deathbed, including his commitment not to remarry. Gandhi's commission report in 1936 confirmed that Shanti was indeed the reincarnation of Lugdi Devi.

Over the years, Shanti was interviewed by various researchers, with some supporting her claims while others disputed them. She never married and passed away in 1987 at the age of 61, leaving behind a fascinating story that continues to captivate those interested in the mysteries of life and death.

See this video to know the full story of this curious case of Shanti Devi ; Shanti Devi, The Girl Who Claimed She Was Reincarnated

[Pyreaux]

Dybbuks will hide in vessels, animals, and people to avoid the angels that chase after them until judgement day. They don't usually fit in animals, and the animal will go crazy. Infamously, Legion was many spirits in one body, then they went into some pigs, then the pigs went crazy and killed themselves.

[OGHoosier]

@manol, this is a topic of some interest to you if I recall. 

The New Testament definitely suggests that multiple spirits can exist in one body. Could be. It could also be the result of some form of memory sharing from the other side. I do expect that our Spirit-world education involves experience-sharing with others the way Christ did on Gethsemane. Perhaps Lugdi was called upon to share some experiences with Shanti before her birth and the memories remained. Or perhaps this is an elaborate put-up, I really couldn't say.

[JustAnAustralian]

Isn't the Shanti claim a claim of reincarnation (which would still be one spirit one body) rather than the spirit of Lugdi sharing her body?

[manol]

3 hours ago, OGHoosier said:

@manol, this is a topic of some interest to you if I recall. 

I do expect that our Spirit-world education involves experience-sharing with others the way Christ did on Gethsemane.

That's the way I see it too, whether or not reincarnation or something like it is also true (imo there are arguments both ways, but our job here and now is the same either way). 

My current, loosely-held belief is that, if the Veil were not in place, we could experience connection or union or oneness to the extent that we could actually share (and benefit from!) one another's experiences as if they were our own.

My own belief in this experience-sharing connectedness arises from a description of such by a near-death experiencer. Experience-sharing strikes me as highly efficient, especially compared with the inherently limited number and scope of first-hand experiences for one person in one lifetime. One implication is that our experiences (the good, the bad, the whatever) become gifts that we offer to all. So in a sense, this expands “all these things shall work together for your good” into “all these things shall work together for the good of all.”

In my opinion.

 

Edited August 30, 2023 by manol

[CV75]

12 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Mark 5:9 (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/5?lang=eng) - unless the unclean spirit was lying - suggests more than one spirit body can occupy a physical body. Other New Testament examples of unclean, blind, deaf, etc. spirits being cast out - noen of which killed the physical person - suggest the owner of the physical body had a spirit body present throughout the "co-tenancy" if you will. Also the story below suggests a peaceful cohabitation / co-tenancy. 

 

Shanti Devi, a girl born in Delhi, India in 1926, had an extraordinary claim from a young age.

She insisted that she was not from Delhi but from Mathura and had a husband and family there. At first, her parents dismissed these assertions as mere imagination. However, Shanti's determination led her to run away at the age of six, only to be brought back home. It was then that she confided in her headmaster, speaking in the Mathura dialect and revealing specific details about her alleged husband, Kedar Nath. Shanti described him as a fair-skinned shopkeeper with glasses and a wart on his left cheek. She also claimed that she had died ten days after giving birth to a child.

Intrigued by her story, the headmaster decided to investigate. To his astonishment, he discovered a shopkeeper named Kedarnath Chaube, who had lost his wife, Lugdi Devi, nine years earlier, just as Shanti had described. Lugdi Devi had indeed passed away ten days after giving birth to their son.

Intrigued by the uncanny similarities, Chaube disguised himself and traveled to Delhi. As soon as Shanti saw him, she immediately recognized him. Convinced that Shanti was the reincarnation of his late wife, Chaube affirmed their connection.

The story of Shanti Devi gained national attention and even reached Mahatma Gandhi, who decided to investigate further. In 1935, Shanti was taken to Mathura, where she was able to recognize several family members and recall promises that Chaube had made to Lugdi Devi on her deathbed, including his commitment not to remarry. Gandhi's commission report in 1936 confirmed that Shanti was indeed the reincarnation of Lugdi Devi.

Over the years, Shanti was interviewed by various researchers, with some supporting her claims while others disputed them. She never married and passed away in 1987 at the age of 61, leaving behind a fascinating story that continues to captivate those interested in the mysteries of life and death.

See this video to know the full story of this curious case of Shanti Devi ; Shanti Devi, The Girl Who Claimed She Was Reincarnated

You should see them dance on a pinhead!

[MustardSeed]

Imo what we read about in bible is now recognized as mental illness. 

[Anakin7]

 I just read/saw yesterday of a man Marrying 2 woman who only have 1 Body [ 1 Chest, 1 Stomach, 1 rear end, 2 arms, 2 hands, 2 legs, 2 feet ]  I asked 2 friends of mine 1 who used to be a Stake President and his son who was a Bishop If they got Baptized would they only need to be Baptized once or twice. Both stated that they would need to be Baptized 2 times because they are 2 separate individuals, which I thought that was correct before they gave me their answer. 

[Sara H]

13 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Mark 5:9 (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/5?lang=eng) - unless the unclean spirit was lying - suggests more than one spirit body can occupy a physical body. Other New Testament examples of unclean, blind, deaf, etc. spirits being cast out - noen of which killed the physical person - suggest the owner of the physical body had a spirit body present throughout the "co-tenancy" if you will. Also the story below suggests a peaceful cohabitation / co-tenancy. 

 

Shanti Devi, a girl born in Delhi, India in 1926, had an extraordinary claim from a young age.

She insisted that she was not from Delhi but from Mathura and had a husband and family there. At first, her parents dismissed these assertions as mere imagination. However, Shanti's determination led her to run away at the age of six, only to be brought back home. It was then that she confided in her headmaster, speaking in the Mathura dialect and revealing specific details about her alleged husband, Kedar Nath. Shanti described him as a fair-skinned shopkeeper with glasses and a wart on his left cheek. She also claimed that she had died ten days after giving birth to a child.

Intrigued by her story, the headmaster decided to investigate. To his astonishment, he discovered a shopkeeper named Kedarnath Chaube, who had lost his wife, Lugdi Devi, nine years earlier, just as Shanti had described. Lugdi Devi had indeed passed away ten days after giving birth to their son.

Intrigued by the uncanny similarities, Chaube disguised himself and traveled to Delhi. As soon as Shanti saw him, she immediately recognized him. Convinced that Shanti was the reincarnation of his late wife, Chaube affirmed their connection.

The story of Shanti Devi gained national attention and even reached Mahatma Gandhi, who decided to investigate further. In 1935, Shanti was taken to Mathura, where she was able to recognize several family members and recall promises that Chaube had made to Lugdi Devi on her deathbed, including his commitment not to remarry. Gandhi's commission report in 1936 confirmed that Shanti was indeed the reincarnation of Lugdi Devi.

Over the years, Shanti was interviewed by various researchers, with some supporting her claims while others disputed them. She never married and passed away in 1987 at the age of 61, leaving behind a fascinating story that continues to captivate those interested in the mysteries of life and death.

See this video to know the full story of this curious case of Shanti Devi ; Shanti Devi, The Girl Who Claimed She Was Reincarnated

Do I technically have two spirits inside my body if I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? The real query is whether or not we can have three spirits living inside of us simultaneously if the Holy Ghost and a spirit loyal to our brother Satan coexist in our mortal body.

[The Nehor]

“I am legion for we are many”

That sounds like someone who had some kind of psychotic break over the Roman occupation.

[blackstrap]

6 hours ago, The Nehor said:

That sounds like someone who had some kind of psychotic break over the Roman occupation.

Tell that to the pigs ! 😈

[blackstrap]

Youtube has several videos of interviews with Catholic priests who are trained as exorcists. Very interesting to hear about their experiences and how they distinguish between demon possession and mental illness. 

[jonah747]

There's scriptural evidence for evil spirits to exist in one physical human body but I have
not seen multiple good spirits inhabiting one human body.

[Sara H]

7 minutes ago, jonah747 said:

There's scriptural evidence for evil spirits to exist in one physical human body but I have
not seen multiple good spirits inhabiting one human body.

I have always been under the assumption that the Holy Ghost does not have a physical body because, if he did, he would not be able to enter into our body if he did have a body. 

[jonah747]

1 minute ago, Sara H said:

I have always been under the assumption that the Holy Ghost does not have a physical body because, if he did, he would not be able to enter into our body if he did have a body. 

Spirit is said to be matter (Doctrine and Covenants 131:7) so I assume matter is physical.

[nuclearfuels]

On 8/29/2023 at 9:50 PM, OGHoosier said:

It could also be the result of some form of memory sharing from the other side. I do expect that our Spirit-world education involves experience-sharing with others the way Christ did on Gethsemane

 

On 8/30/2023 at 1:15 AM, manol said:

Experience-sharing strikes me as highly efficient, especially compared with the inherently limited number and scope of first-hand experiences for one person in one lifetime. One implication is that our experiences (the good, the bad, the whatever) become gifts that we offer to all. So in a sense, this expands “all these things shall work together for your good” into “all these things shall work together for the good of all.”

Memory-sharing / experience sharing in the way @OGHoosier and @manol describe sounds quite similar to blessings I've recieved and blessings I've given. (Also reminds me of the book, the Giver.) Since the Savior is the Anointed One, I wonder if Those who anointed Him shared experiences and memories of when They served in similar callings? Would love any Journal of DIscourses of non-General Authority suggestions/speeches, etc. on this possibility.

On 8/31/2023 at 1:08 PM, jonah747 said:

There's scriptural evidence for evil spirits to exist in one physical human body but I have
not seen multiple good spirits inhabiting one human body.

Good point @jonah747. I suppose the good spirits obey the law of the space they occupy and defer to the Holy Ghost whose general presence prevails in those who try and keep the commandments.

[Sara H]

On 8/31/2023 at 1:19 PM, jonah747 said:

Spirit is said to be matter (Doctrine and Covenants 131:7) so I assume matter is physical.

So the Holy Ghost can not enter someone's body?

[MustardSeed]

4 hours ago, Sara H said:

So the Holy Ghost can not enter someone's body?

I don’t believe so.  ? Why should it? 

[The Nehor]

On 8/30/2023 at 10:14 AM, Sara H said:

Do I technically have two spirits inside my body if I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? The real query is whether or not we can have three spirits living inside of us simultaneously if the Holy Ghost and a spirit loyal to our brother Satan coexist in our mortal body.

Probably not, the Holy Ghost is more often portrayed as a being that exists distinctly from us but has some power to communicate with all of us.

[Sara H]

2 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

I don’t believe so.  ? Why should it? 

 

2 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

I don’t believe so.  ? Why should it? 

Holy Ghost doesn't have a body and remains spirit so he can enter mortal bodies. I have always thought this to be the case.

[webbles]

2 hours ago, Sara H said:

 

Holy Ghost doesn't have a body and remains spirit so he can enter mortal bodies. I have always thought this to be the case.

I've actually been recently looking for any statements about whether the Holy Ghost enters our body.  D&C 130:22 says:

Quote

22 The ^aFather has a ^bbody of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of ^cSpirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not ^ddwell in us.

Other than that, I can't find any reference that the Holy Ghost enters our body.

Also, the Holy Ghost is a being so He can't be in multiple places at the same time which makes it difficult for Him to dwell in all of our bodies (see "Supporting Statements" on https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/5-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng😞

Quote

“As a Spirit personage the Holy Ghost has size and dimensions. He does not fill the immensity of space, and cannot be everywhere present in person at the same time. He is also called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Truth, and the Comforter” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:38).

So, if He does actually enter our body, it would only be one at a time.

[Calm]

27 minutes ago, webbles said:

I've actually been recently looking for any statements about whether the Holy Ghost enters our body.  D&C 130:22 says:

Other than that, I can't find any reference that the Holy Ghost enters our body.

Also, the Holy Ghost is a being so He can't be in multiple places at the same time which makes it difficult for Him to dwell in all of our bodies (see "Supporting Statements" on https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/5-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng😞

So, if He does actually enter our body, it would only be one at a time.

So being our constant companion must be something other than in a location sense.

[MustardSeed]

I’ve never assumed that any spirit, Holy Ghost or satanic, has been physically inside my body.  I’m accountable for every action. Anything else seems pretty anti free will to me. 

[jonah747]

On 9/3/2023 at 6:58 AM, Sara H said:

So the Holy Ghost can not enter someone's body?

I am not clear on how the Holy Spirit can indwell multiple people at the same time.

[Sara H]

29 minutes ago, jonah747 said:

I am not clear on how the Holy Spirit can indwell multiple people at the same time.

Apparently the Holy Ghost and the Devil can. My Grandfather would routinely give Priesthood blessings to members who felt as if they were possessed by the Devil or one of his angels. 

What do you think about this information?

 

Edited September 4, 2023 by Sara H