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Conscience - Page 2

I found this in the "Recent Addresses" on the LDS website.

The Light of Christ: What Everyone Called to Preach the Gospel, Teach the Gospel, or Live the Gospel Should Know

By President Boyd K. Packer
Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From an address given on June 22, 2004, at a seminar for new mission presidents, Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah

Most members of the Church have a basic understanding of the Holy Ghost. Most have experienced its promptings and understand why the Holy Ghost is called the Comforter.

They know 'the Holy Ghost . . . is a personage of Spirit" (D&C 130:22) and a member of the Godhead (see Articles of Faith 1:1).

But many do not know that there is another Spirit-'the light of Christ" (D&C 88:7)-another source of inspiration, which each of us possesses in common with all other members of the human family. If we know about the Light of Christ, we will understand that there is something inside all of us, and we can appeal to that in our desire to share truth.

The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are different from each other. While they are sometimes described in the scriptures with the same words, they are two different and distinct entities. It is important for you to know about both of them.

The more we know about the Light of Christ, the more we will understand about life and the more we will have a deep love for all mankind. We will be better teachers and missionaries and parents, and better men and women and children. We will have deeper regard for our brothers and sisters in the Church and for those who do not believe and have not yet had conferred upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Regardless of whether this inner light, this knowledge of right and wrong, is called the Light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it can direct us to moderate our actions-unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it.

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This inner Light can warn and guard and guide. But it can be repulsed by anything that is ugly or unworthy or wicked or immoral or selfish.

The Light of Christ existed in you before you were born (see D&C 93:23, 29-30), and it will be with you every moment that you live and will not perish when the mortal part of you has turned to dust. It is ever there.

Every man, woman, and child of every nation, creed, or color-everyone, no matter where they live or what they believe or what they do-has within them the imperishable Light of Christ. In this respect, all men are created equally. The Light of Christ in everyone is a testimony that God is no respecter of persons (see D&C 1:35). He treats everyone equally in that endowment with the Light of Christ.

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If we understand the reality of the Light of Christ in everyone we see and in every meeting we attend and within ourselves, and understand the great challenge that we have-the surroundings in which we live, the danger which sometimes besets us-we will have courage and inspiration beyond that which we have known heretofore. And it must be so! And it will be so! All of this is a dimension of gospel truth that too few understand.

https://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,...-2783-3,00.html

Conscience

The Light of Christ and the conscience are one in the same. And is it possible to lose it. Yes it is, we read in the scriptures when someone is past feeling, not only is that refering to the Holy Ghost but also to the Light of Christ. In my life I have met some men who would have no problem killing anyone, (man woman or child) and not think anything of it. That is the point of past feeling remorse or guilt, at that point the light of Christ has gone out of him completely.

Conscience Studies Doctrine Mormon

Yes, there certainly are such people in the world.

As for the Light of Christ being the conscience, there is certianly a strong association between the two in the words of modern prophets; but I am aware of no statement that says they are exactly one and the same. Indeed, the Light of Christ seems to be something that exists outside our own spirits, flowing forth from the Throne of God...

If that light enlightens our minds and gives us understanding, then what part of us is being illuminated? I think there's more to it, but in simple terms we can perhaps speak of the conscience being a part of the light of Christ within us.