Inconceivable wrote:"The gift of the Holy Ghost..
..Quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases,
enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural
passions and affections; and adapts them, by the
gift of wisdom, to their lawful use.
It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the
fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings,
and affections of our nature.
It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness,
gentleness, and charity.
It develops beauty of person, form and features. It
tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling.
It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and
intellectual man.
It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves.
In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to
the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life
to the whole being"
- Parley P. Pratt (adulterer, wife stealer)
(Key to the Science of Theology, 9th ed. [1965], 101.)
A nice piece of poetry, thanks Inconceivable. Poets obviously have their gift, they also have their share of reprobate. As do we all. Reading this piece it occured to me, one could change the subject word from the "holy ghost" to many other words, or terms, and retain the lofty sentiment.
Some examples: Charity, Equanimity, Courage, Peace, Understanding, Empathy, Confidence, Goodness, My Mother's/Father's love, A well balanced psyche... Knowledge, Wisdom, Experience... Add as you imagine...
Gaz wrote: "I think th epart here that is confusing for people is that the whole point of the Holy Ghost is to act as an instructor for us. He prompts, he directs, he helps us to make connections, and the idea is the same as that of a teacher. To get us to the point where we can stand on our own.
What good is a man if he is in need of constant prodding?
Of coarse He is a constant companion. Much the same way a teacher in a classroom is always there. But we are supposed to be doing our own work, with the teacher encouraging us and prompting us to rememebr what we've studied.
Does this lead to some confusion as we struggle to stand on our young spiritual legs, like baby deer trying to gain their footing? Sure. But at least we know we are in the right schoolroom, and that we have the correct textbooks.
It does not take much digging through religious writings, or much prayer, to understand and know that this is in fact Gods church, and that we are able to trust in these prophets that he has given us in these latter-days. The Holy Ghost does know all things, and as we draw closer to God, he shares this knowledge with us. That being said, it does not mean that a pure and innocent 8 year old who is frsh out of the water and coming out of the building after receiving the Gift of The Holy Ghost is going to be able to assemble her fathers carburetor to his 69 Camero.
But that child is filled with a knowledge of proper conduct and behavior. That is ultimately what we are really after."
Gaz, i don't mean to disparage, but you seem to suggest a somewhat Leprechaunish figure sitting on a person's sholder whispering in one's ear?
As you correctly state, we are products of teaching, and learning. Hard to escape that reality. It starts in the crib, long before the age of eight. Some have better teachers, and come from better cribs. As well some are better learners.
You might say the "holy ghost" (granting that entity) then finds some 'he' visits more responsive to 'his' promptings than others. That must be the case, as i have known many TBMs holding highest of local LDS callings whose lives are often little less than living-hells. They have my sympathy.
In MSCO the promolgation of Ghostly powers to direct the lives of Mortals is akin to using a Weegie (sp?) Board to determine investments. There are better ways of attaining fullness of life than investing in occultish Temple Rites and dependence on advice that, though well intended, is meaningless as it addresses the realities of materialistic life in this century.
You are absolutely correct: To be,
"filled with a knowledge of proper conduct and behavior. That is ultimately what we are really after."
I respectfully suggest: Don't confine yourself to Mormonism. Take from it as You choose, being aware there are other sources of information and knowledge that lead to, "proper conduct and behavior." Warm regards, Roger