Spirits, Ghosts?

[justaname]

I didnt want to hijack the other thread so I thought Id start a new one. Sorry for any redundancy.

Ive never been one to believe in "ghosts". Maybe its because most of the stories I hear about them, or about paranormal activity usually comes from some kind of nut job. I hear people talking about inviting bad spirits or some place being haunted and I just cant buy into it. Honestly, I dont really know much about it. I believe in the power that Satan has, but know nothing of its limits.

At the same time, I also dont know what to think about stories about ancestors coming back to comfort their kin, or stories of "guardian angels". I have never had experiences with anything like this, and each time I hear of people telling stories like this, I have no once felt any spiritual influence or calmness about these stories. I want to know more about this stuff. The "administering of angels" is something I know very little about and I want to know more.

To summarize, here are the specifics of what Id like to know:

1. Are there such thing as "ghosts"? If so, what purposes do they serve and from where do the come? Have they ever had a body?

2. In what forms can Satan's angels or servants appear? How would you know them?

3. If one is striving to stay close to the Lord, is there any reason to fear such beings?

4. What is the doctrine behind the administering of angels?

5. In what form would an angel appear?

6. Why would we need a "guardian angel" if we have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost? If there are "guardian angels", who are they? Have they, or will they have bodies?

7. What dangers does one risk not believing in angels and evil spirits?

Thanks for any input!

[Vanhin]

I didnt want to hijack the other thread so I thought Id start a new one. Sorry for any redundancy.

Ive never been one to believe in "ghosts". Maybe its because most of the stories I hear about them, or about paranormal activity usually comes from some kind of nut job. I hear people talking about inviting bad spirits or some place being haunted and I just cant buy into it. Honestly, I dont really know much about it. I believe in the power that Satan has, but know nothing of its limits.

At the same time, I also dont know what to think about stories about ancestors coming back to comfort their kin, or stories of "guardian angels". I have never had experiences with anything like this, and each time I hear of people telling stories like this, I have no once felt any spiritual influence or calmness about these stories. I want to know more about this stuff. The "administering of angels" is something I know very little about and I want to know more.

To summarize, here are the specifics of what Id like to know:

1. Are there such thing as "ghosts"? If so, what purposes do they serve and from where do the come? Have they ever had a body?

The spirits of man kind are either unembodied or embodied in either mortal tabernacles or immortal resurrected tabernacles. The unembodied spirits of mankind are either premortal or postmortal. After a person dies, his spirit lives on. Spirit is synonymous with "ghost" (like Holy Spirit/Ghost). So yes, ghosts exist.

2. In what forms can Satan's angels or servants appear? How would you know them?

Moses gives a good lesson on how to tell. Moses was only able to behold God after being transfigured, but he could behold Satan with his natural eyes.

For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?

Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve. Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not...(Moses 1:14-16)

3. If one is striving to stay close to the Lord, is there any reason to fear such beings?

There is no reason for the righteous to fear anything. You can command Satan (or any of his angels) to depart, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Those are my thoughts on the first 3 questions.

Regards,

Vanhin

[Traveler]

1. Spirits exist – they serve the purpose of the G-d they worship. There are clean spirits that serve G-d and unclean spirits the serve Satan. There are un-embodied spirits – Spirits that have not received a body. Disembodied spirits – Spirits that had a body and are waiting for the resurrection. All unclean spirits are un-embodied spirits.

2. Satan and his angles can appear in many different ways – even as an angel of light (even attempting to appear as a resurrected being) but seldom does a spirit need to appear to accomplish their purpose.

3. Those that covenant with G-d in the priesthood and are loyal to their covenants have nothing to fear. Taunting unclean spirits is not part of the priesthood covenant and is never a good idea.

4. D & C section 4 – among others.

5. As with most things - concern about appearance is not really that important.

6. What purpose do home teachers serve for those that have received the Holy Ghost? The greatest need of guardian angels is when the Melchizedek Priesthood is not present.

7. The shock of finding out their belief is incomplete – among other things.

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

I didnt want to hijack the other thread so I thought Id start a new one. Sorry for any redundancy.

Ive never been one to believe in "ghosts". Maybe its because most of the stories I hear about them, or about paranormal activity usually comes from some kind of nut job. I hear people talking about inviting bad spirits or some place being haunted and I just cant buy into it. Honestly, I dont really know much about it. I believe in the power that Satan has, but know nothing of its limits.

At the same time, I also dont know what to think about stories about ancestors coming back to comfort their kin, or stories of "guardian angels". I have never had experiences with anything like this, and each time I hear of people telling stories like this, I have no once felt any spiritual influence or calmness about these stories. I want to know more about this stuff. The "administering of angels" is something I know very little about and I want to know more.

To summarize, here are the specifics of what Id like to know:

1. Are there such thing as "ghosts"? If so, what purposes do they serve and from where do the come? Have they ever had a body?

2. In what forms can Satan's angels or servants appear? How would you know them?

3. If one is striving to stay close to the Lord, is there any reason to fear such beings?

4. What is the doctrine behind the administering of angels?

5. In what form would an angel appear?

6. Why would we need a "guardian angel" if we have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost? If there are "guardian angels", who are they? Have they, or will they have bodies?

7. What dangers does one risk not believing in angels and evil spirits?

Thanks for any input!

First, it is good to see you thinking about others on the forum and seeking to keep the thread to its original OP. I have in the past been guilty of such and seek to address this issue myself. A welcome example…

Not all members I had met, communicated with, and listened to countless talks, over the years in the church have ever witnessed such an event and it is not expect of you to have seen it. For some, this type of event can be such an emotional impact; it could alter their lives in such away that could be negative ordeal. For others, with reading past church journals and the few who opened up in telling their encounters, not as bad ordeal but in the end, give the person a positive outlook in mortality to what expect after death.

Justaname, don’t feel bad or believe there is something wrong with you if throughout your life, you had not experience these type events. It goes to reason, on the same note of prayer and asking for specific answer that is outside of the norm. When a person presents this to the FATHER and still have may not receive an answer for long period of time. When to expect it? When GOD feels the individual is ready and mature enough to receive it. A lot of factors go into giving answers. Some are on the spot confirmation by the Holy Ghost. Some come by promptings of the Spirit. Then a few are given it in either a vision or dream.

1] Defining ghost, Vanhin and Traveler stated the obvious answer. Adding to Vanhin post, this term is more of the world in trying to describe anything beyond the mortal realm. We simply call it spirits, angels, ministering beings, immortal beings, and glorified beings. If you seen one or visited by one with your natural eyes, it is a spirit and not a glorified being [same as GOD]. For what purpose they reveal themselves, only you would know it.

2] Angel of light but discernable by physical sight. It really depends on your level of spiritual maturity and the using priesthood discernment to know who it is. Joseph Smith gave the answer on how to discern with a simple handshake and feeling nothing. A real angel of light would not give forth his hand, nor a non-resurrected being who awaits his exaltation. They call you by name and give the message and move on. With any vision or dream of presenting GOD, there is no need, you will know it. There are specific details that are left out here but you know who they are once in their presence; you will not be alone. See Moses, Abraham, Enoch, and Joseph Smith stories to see what I mean. See also Vanhin and Traveler posting…simple to the point.

3] None at all. See Vanhin and Traveler posting. Adding more to their postings, what could be consider frightening, the impact of seeing a spirit at first or perhaps, evil spirit in the case of Joseph Smith. But, what is notable in the First Vision, there is warmth loves that will envelope you as it did Joseph. The fear will be dispelled immediately. Noticed both Moses and Joseph account of having the presence of an evil spirit versus GOD or the Savior?

4] Traveler answered this…adding more, it is suspected, we have administering angel or one who is assigned. I noticed in my conversions of one of my daughters. What is significant, you may never know who it is or may have to await to you cross the veil. There are assigned by GOD or the Savior specifically to you. Nephi give an excellent account of his conversions with such being.

5] Depends on that individual is there. Stranger, is a story of what manner they come and go. What they wear. What is given and how it is given. If it is the Godhead member, you will need to be overcome by the Spirit for protection. See the account of Moses and the First Vision. Glory is indefinable by mortal words according to the earlier writings. But, I concur with Traveler, it doesn’t really matter. The message or what is being revealed is of greater important.

6] This is where I digress on what Traveler given as an answer. This is rare in any member’s life but it does happen. That individual I could state in my opinion, have an important business assigned to him/her for this earth. A good story is Michael who was a guardian being for Joseph Smith when Lucifer appeared as an angel of light upon the bank of the river. This was not his first only encounter with Lucifer. Some may have bodies and some may not be resurrected at the time of instruction. Even in the case of witnessing John with Peter and James by both Joseph and Oliver. Did they have a body in order to give them both the Melchezidek priesthood? What about John the Baptist in giving the Aaronic Priesthood to both Joseph and Oliver? Read Lucy Mack Biography book or Joseph journals to see numerous account of those who ministered to the earlier members.

7] None at all…my friend who is still serving as Stake President, never witnessed an account. Yet, stalwart member of the church. Read the second paragraph.

Good questions and great answers from both sides. We can all be edified at times when we listen to the testimonies of people who have witnessed an event and who haven’t.

Now, what is going to be a big difference in the near future, those who will be living in the millennium period of time. Their sight frequency range will change to the point of seeing across the veil of angels face-to-face without terror. It will be a normal part of life.

God bless…

Edited July 13, 2010 by Hemidakota

[Blackmarch]

I didnt want to hijack the other thread so I thought Id start a new one. Sorry for any redundancy.

Ive never been one to believe in "ghosts". Maybe its because most of the stories I hear about them, or about paranormal activity usually comes from some kind of nut job. I hear people talking about inviting bad spirits or some place being haunted and I just cant buy into it. Honestly, I dont really know much about it. I believe in the power that Satan has, but know nothing of its limits.

At the same time, I also dont know what to think about stories about ancestors coming back to comfort their kin, or stories of "guardian angels". I have never had experiences with anything like this, and each time I hear of people telling stories like this, I have no once felt any spiritual influence or calmness about these stories. I want to know more about this stuff. The "administering of angels" is something I know very little about and I want to know more.

To summarize, here are the specifics of what Id like to know:

1. Are there such thing as "ghosts"? If so, what purposes do they serve and from where do the come? Have they ever had a body?

Spirits are Ghosts, spirits have bodies of spirit, which in form would be similar to a physical one, altho of different properties. A spirit could be a disembodied person (someone who has died), or someone who has not yet been given a physical body.

2. In what forms can Satan's angels or servants appear? How would you know them?

If they appear they would appear in the form of a person

3. If one is striving to stay close to the Lord, is there any reason to fear such beings?

Not much beyond being tempted.. altho they can exercise power to the point of influencing the environment somewhat, but that is rvery rare.

4. What is the doctrine behind the administering of angels?

Angels are the messengers of God, in biblical references it almost always refers to a heavenly messenger (either a spirit or a resurrected being). Angels can be spirits, but they can also be resurrected beings, or sometimes mortal beings.

5. In what form would an angel appear?

As a person, and usually in glory that is mighty and awe inspiring. It's interesteing to note that almost every encounter with a heavenly being starts with; "Fear not,...."

6. Why would we need a "guardian angel" if we have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost? If there are "guardian angels", who are they? Have they, or will they have bodies?

Technically Guardian angel tradition is more mythological than factual... however that being said, I doubt the angels of heaven sit around twiddling thumbs and toes or playing harps... and are often the means which God exercises his power.. possibly one way of binding evil spirits so that their influence is limited (not sure on that second poart tho)

7. What dangers does one risk not believing in angels and evil spirits?

possibly the dangers of ignorance, perhaps not being able to adequately understand and or take the best actions in the rare occasions where there is direct heavenly or devilish influence.

Thanks for any input!

no problem hope my ramble helps ^.^