Blasphemy

[Ron_1970]

I have a quick question to ask. What is the true definition of the unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the holy ghost. I have been reading about this and I am still lost on what it means. If blasphemy against the holy ghost is the unforgivable sin, is that defined as what one has done in the past concerning this unforgivable sin, or can it be defined as what a person is doing in the present. If one has blasphemed against the holy ghost in the past but regrets it now, does the regret the person feels now for those actions/words actually mean anything or is it to late and that person is just out of luck because he/she can never be forgiven?

I am not sure if I am explaining this clearly. If not please let me know and I can try and clarify it some more.

[LionHeart]

I too wondered about this for a while, however I always heard it called the sin against the Holy Ghost and not blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. But I studied it and searched for an answer. The conclusion I came to is this:

The Holy Ghost manifests all truth. If a person is taught the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, if it is the true gospel, then the Holy Ghost will burn within him and this will be a manifestation of the truthfulness of that teaching. If he ignores the Holy Ghost and rejects the gospel he just received, and he dies in that condition, then he has sinned against the Holy Ghost, for which there is no forgiveness. It is also alot worse for a person who has already accepted, gained a better understanding of it, and then turns away from it and rejects it. But as long as he is still alive, there is yet hope for him.

I hope this helps.

[prisonchaplain]

I have a quick question to ask. What is the true definition of the unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the holy ghost.

The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is not returning to a former sin. It is the continual rejection of the Holy Ghost's conviction. For example, you commit a sin, and the Holy Ghost makes you feel guilty. You ignore the feeling, and the sin becomes habitual overtime. Eventually, you don't even feel a twinge of guilt. You may come to realize that you've lost fellowship with God, but you do not care. Your heart has hardened. You have blasphemed the Holy Ghost.

If you still feel guilt, and a desire to turn away from sin and back to God, then you have not YET committed the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. Make the turn. Repent. Come back to God. And praise him for his unending mercy!

[DisRuptive1]

The unforgivable sin is to deny knowledge that has been manifested unto you.

[prisonchaplain]

DisRuptive1 says:  The unforgivable sin is to deny knowledge that has been manifested unto you.

My only adjustment would be that God, in his mercy, often gives us multiple opportunities to respond, and often chases after us when we try to run away from him. So, my argument is that the unforgivable sin is to continually deny knowledge that has been manifested.

[roman]

The unforgivable sin is unbelief----a continual denying of the wittness of the Spirit of God as he reveals the true and living God------How can this ever be forgiven?

[Setheus]

The "unforgivable" sin is to reject the Holy Ghost and the truth of all things. Hower not just anyone can commit this sin. To 'reject all truth" you must have a "fullness of knowledge" ie more than just faith is required. Such people that would fit this standard include but may not be limited to ...Adam, Caine, Able, Noah, Moses, Enoch, Abraham, Joseph Smith......

The reason these can commit this sin is because they have seen and heard the truth. Face to face. They had no need for faith because they KNEW the truth.

Even people like Billy Grahm and Gordon B. Hinkley and the Pope can not commit this sin unless they have recieved a fullness of the truth. No one can commit this sin where faith is still required of them.

If you "know" and reject-----unpardonable

If you "believe" and then fall out of faith------repentable and very forgivable

[Ron_1970]

THese replies do help a lot, I have a lot to think about. A Thank you to everyone.

I would like to ask one more thing. Setheus, is this a belief (what you wrote below,) held by the LDS? This forum is new to me and a bit confusing. It appears that many different people/beliefs are here and everyone actually gets along.... Which is a nice change from what is currently seen in the rest of the world.

Originally posted by Setheus@Dec 11 2005, 10:35 PM

The "unforgivable" sin is to reject the Holy Ghost and the truth of all things.  Hower not just anyone can commit this sin.  To 'reject all truth" you must have a "fullness of knowledge"  ie more than just faith is required.  Such people that would fit this standard include but may not be limited to ...Adam, Caine, Able, Noah, Moses, Enoch, Abraham, Joseph Smith......

The reason these can commit this sin is because they have seen and heard the truth.  Face to face.  They had no need for faith because they KNEW the truth.

Even people like Billy Grahm and Gordon B. Hinkley and the Pope can not commit this sin unless they have recieved a fullness of the truth.  No one can commit this sin where faith is still required of them.

If you "know" and reject-----unpardonable

If you "believe" and then fall out of faith------repentable and very forgivable

←

[Setheus]

its what I've been taught in the Church and doesnt it just make sense.

[Ron_1970]

Originally posted by Setheus@Dec 11 2005, 11:12 PM

its what I've been taught in the Church and doesnt it just make sense.

←

It does make sense. It also makes me feel a little better about things. I had left Christianity (in general) awhile ago, but I have learned some things that have made me re-think my position, my choices and life for that matter.

For some reason I have been more drawn to the LDS then anything else. I am not sure why but I thought this may be the best place to start. I am glad I found this forum. You have a mix of people and it has been very helpful.

I studied with Mormons briefly, for a couple of months several years ago. But at that time I had a lot I needed to learn about life in general, actually I still have a lot to learn about life.

Right now I am listening to the mp3's at the LDS website. I am seriously considering studying again.

In one area it eases my mind to understand this better. Another part of me feels guilty and some what like an idiot for all that I have done. Again thanks for all the help, to everyone.

[LionHeart]

"In one area it eases my mind to understand this better. Another part of me feels guilty and some what like an idiot for all that I have done. Again thanks for all the help, to everyone."

My suggestion on a good place to start would be to read "Joseph Smith's Hstory" in the Pearl Of Great Price. This will enlighten you with the facts of how it all got started.

Pay particular attention to the part where he was talking about when he fell into various temptations and was feeling condemned for it; on account that he fell into those temptations after he had seen the Lord.

I mention this because assuming that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then God must have forgiven him for this. And in many cases, our greatest sins are much less than this, so if Joseph Smith was forgiven and still upheld in his position as a prophet, then surely, there must be forgiveness for us.

[Ron_1970]

Thanks. I will check that out right now.

Originally posted by LionHeart@Dec 12 2005, 01:37 AM

"In one area it eases my mind to understand this better. Another part of me feels guilty and some what like an idiot for all that I have done. Again thanks for all the help, to everyone."

My suggestion on a good place to start would be to read "Joseph Smith's Hstory" in the Pearl Of Great Price. This will enlighten you with the facts of how it all got started.

    Pay particular attention to the part where he was talking about when he fell into various temptations and was feeling condemned for it; on account that he fell into those temptations after he had seen the Lord.

    I mention this because assuming that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then God must have forgiven him for this. And in many cases, our greatest sins are much less than this, so if Joseph Smith was forgiven and still upheld in his position as a prophet, then surely, there must be forgiveness for us.

←

[Ron_1970]

I am listening to the second half of Joseph Smith's history now. I fell asleep half way though it last night, it was late and I was tired It is interesting what I am hearing. I have always hated the fighting and petty arguments between different Christian sects. It made no sense why everyone had to scream at each other and the like about who is right and who is wrong. It also irritates me when some one says one thing is a sin and how evil one is for doing it but then turns around and does that same sin frequently and while still condeming others for that sin with out really caring about helping but wanting to just hear themselves talk plus it has always worked when one focus on anothers fault, it takes away from their own.

Well back to the topic. After listening to Joseph Smith's history and thinking about some old testament stories, Like how moses murdered an egyptian before he ran, makes me think there may still be hope for me. Though I didn't do what Moses did I still feel like I really screwed up saying things I can't/wouldn't repeat here or anywhere else. I have a hard time seeing that all the things I have done can be that easily forgiven. But then again I am only human so I can only see one piece of the whole at one time.

I am going to start a couple of other threads shortly with some more questions.

Originally posted by Ron_1970+Dec 12 2005, 01:41 AM-->

Thanks. I will check that out right now.

<!--QuoteBegin-LionHeart@Dec 12 2005, 01:37 AM

"In one area it eases my mind to understand this better. Another part of me feels guilty and some what like an idiot for all that I have done. Again thanks for all the help, to everyone."

My suggestion on a good place to start would be to read "Joseph Smith's Hstory" in the Pearl Of Great Price. This will enlighten you with the facts of how it all got started. 

    Pay particular attention to the part where he was talking about when he fell into various temptations and was feeling condemned for it; on account that he fell into those temptations after he had seen the Lord. 

    I mention this because assuming that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then God must have forgiven him for this. And in many cases, our greatest sins are much less than this, so if Joseph Smith was forgiven and still upheld in his position as a prophet, then surely, there must be forgiveness for us.

←

←

[Jason]

Hi Ron,

It's always a good idea to follow your inner guide about religious matters. I think you'll find that Mormonism is a good religion. Now, not wanting to sound like an advocate for this faith, there are some things that I don't like about this religion, but overall, it's pretty good. I hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck.

[Ron_1970]

That is what I found out. My inner guide (or voice) does have a bit more wisdom at times then I do, :) Also I found out that there is no perfect religion, I think that is only because there is no perfect human on earth. Our planet and society is really going in the wrong direction with many things. None of these "games" people play are really going to matter in the end and seem to have no real purpose or lasting purpose. So what seems to matter to me now, more then ever before, is my spirituality and Like I already mentioned I feel drawn to Mormons over others. I am not sure why. I have studied with many Christian sects (Grew up Catholic), as well as non-Christian beliefs/religions/spirituality. So why I would feel like this with only one is beyond me. But here I am, starting my journey.

Originally posted by Jason@Dec 12 2005, 01:10 PM

Hi Ron, 

It's always a good idea to follow your inner guide about religious matters.  I think you'll find that Mormonism is a good religion.  Now, not wanting to sound like an advocate for this faith, there are some things that I don't like about this religion, but overall, it's pretty good. I hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck.

←

[Ray]

Originally posted by LionHeart@Dec 11 2005, 11:37 PM

"In one area it eases my mind to understand this better. Another part of me feels guilty and some what like an idiot for all that I have done. Again thanks for all the help, to everyone."

My suggestion on a good place to start would be to read "Joseph Smith's Hstory" in the Pearl Of Great Price. This will enlighten you with the facts of how it all got started.

    Pay particular attention to the part where he was talking about when he fell into various temptations and was feeling condemned for it; on account that he fell into those temptations after he had seen the Lord.

    I mention this because assuming that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then God must have forgiven him for this. And in many cases, our greatest sins are much less than this, so if Joseph Smith was forgiven and still upheld in his position as a prophet, then surely, there must be forgiveness for us.

←

The apostle Peter was also forgiven, after denying our Lord 3 times, and that was after Peter had received a testimony of Christ from our Father in heaven, which is another example of how far we can go wrong while still being able to receive forgiveness.

[Jason]

Originally posted by Ron_1970@Dec 12 2005, 12:27 PM

That is what I found out. My inner guide (or voice) does have a bit more wisdom at times then I do, :) Also I found out that there is no perfect religion, I think that is only because there is no perfect human on earth. Our planet and society is really going in the wrong direction with many things. None of these "games" people play are really going to matter in the end and seem to have no real purpose or lasting purpose. So what seems to matter to me now, more then ever before, is my spirituality and Like I already mentioned I feel drawn to Mormons over others. I am not sure why. I have studied with many Christian sects (Grew up Catholic), as well as non-Christian beliefs/religions/spirituality. So why I would feel like this with only one is beyond me.  But here I am, starting my journey. 

Maybe there's something about it that you need to learn, and that's why you're headed in that direction. Goodness knows I got a lot out of it when I was LDS.

[Urim]

First the Unforgivable Sin Unarguably is the SIn of: Not Accepting Forgiveness by Repentance.  How can you forgive a sin that one will not accept forgiveness for?  It is this simple.  End of Story.

Second.  The Church of Jesus CHrist of Latter Day Saints is the Only TRUE Church of Jesus Christ on the face of the Earth.  Even the enemy know this.

 

Study up in fear and trembling.

 

 

[zil]

Hello, @Urim.  Welcome to the forums!