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Scientific Explanation Of The Holy Ghost

Scientific Explanation Of The Holy Ghost
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Name: Roslie

Comments: Mormons tell you that the Holy Ghost gives you this warm feeling inside when you hear the truth. Is there a scientific explanation for this?

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Ghost Holy The Explanation Scientific

I don't believe there is a scientific explanation. I say this because I think science recognizes an emotional feeling (that can also give you a warm feeling in your heart) , but not the feeling from the Holy Ghost, which often times are called "unspeakable" or rather lumps it in with what people call an emotional feeling.

The Holy Ghost is a Testifier, so with the witness it gives (which often times is a warm feeling), it also teaches us, or witnesses to us what we have just experienced is true, or correct, or good as the case maybe.

I think you have a good question, but according to my studies the things of the Spirit can only be understood by the Spirit. Of course this is just my opinion and I hope I have not offended you in my response.

Scientific Explanation Of The Holy Ghost Studies Doctrine Mormon

If I recall correctly, only about 4 or 5 percent of the mass of the universe is visible matter. The rest is "dark" matter and and "dark" energy which can't be directly detected; only by their effects on visible (detectable) matter. And as many LDS know, spirit is matter but matter which at least at the time of the revelation, was not detectable (D&C 131:7).

On top of that, we have forces like gravity which operate over vast distances.

So considering those things, maybe they don't directly explain the actual warm feelings one gets, but it might explain how we can be affected in nondetectable ways over vast distances depending on where/how you think heaven exists.

Such might also help explain the Book of Abraham facsimile 2 note 5. The notion of stars borrowing light through a medium is quite unscientific on the surface; until one considers gravity and dark matter and energy.

Of course it could just be Abraham's comparatively limited understanding of astronomical matters as well.

Sorry to diverge from the topic a little. Just thinking... (a dangerous pasttime, I know).

Ghost Holy The Explanation Scientific

I agree with wnevil, something like the Holy Ghost can only be understood in concepts of faith and not science however I believe bcspace is giving a very interesting take on how we are "affected in nondetectable ways over vast distances depending on where/how you think heaven exists". Having said that, most scientists want to prove that it is just our brains making us believe what we feel.

Ghost Holy The Explanation Scientific

Perhaps a more mundane scientific explanation can be found in how you feel when you do well on say, a test. Or how well you feel just before a test when you have studied well. You feel confident and have little or no fear.

Or how about when you get your test back and you see you got a perfect score? That would be confirmation that you know your stuff. So likewise the Holy Ghost tells you through the burning of the bosom that something is true and right.

Now consider what happened to the two who met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus:

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Luke 24:32

Edited: bcspace on 13th Jul, 2011 - 4:54am

Scientific Explanation Of The Holy Ghost

Feelings are very deceiving and that's why antis and others who are critical of the Church used this as a weapon against us. I don't know if there is a scientific term for it maybe mass hysteria if it felt in a group.

Scientific Explanation The Holy Ghost

Sure. Was it the Spirit or a bit of gravy or rancid meat? However, feelings are the fruit of the Spirit and antis who claim to be christian cannot gainsay the feeling angle in light of Galatians and Luke 24 without denying the very scriptures they claim to believe.

I've never really classified the burning heart/bosom as a feeling but rather as a "knowing", but I suppose ultimately that is a type of feeling too.

For the atheist, it may on the surface appear to be more difficult, but I recall two recent sets of German exchange students who cried when they came to our Church and couldn't figure out why because they hardly understood a word being said. Technically they understood english fairly well, but not being religious, the concepts taught (and some of the words) were alien.

Scientific Explanation The Holy Ghost Mormon Doctrine Studies

I recall Elder Dunn's fake stories and other examples and people crying and saying they felt the Spirit. I must confess often times I feel like an outcast because I find it absurd.