Principle 2: The Truth Test (Feeling the Light)

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We are most excited about this 2nd principle, because it is independent of any worldly influence, (even independent of my own writing this post, to guide you to come to truth), in that you can know the truth, by and for yourself, without the need of influence from any other source, even though God does use his children to influence others to come to the truth, to come unto the path that will bring you, his child, the most joy, as part of the purpose of our being here on this earth.

Whether or not we can see or are blind, we have all felt the warmth of the sun. In a similar way, but on a spiritual level, discussed in this 2nd principle, the spirit of God warms the very soul, the heart and spirit of man, allowing us to feel the truth of any and all things. Before we begin to discuss this actual spiritual  feeling of the light of truth, we need to understand a few things about the Holy Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Ghost, by stating some facts about him:

• The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ (Christ is the word of truth, he has spoken and continues to speak of things as they really are, were and are to come, discussed in principle 1), so the spirit testifies of Christ, truth and light, or stated another way, the Holy Spirit testifies of Christ, the source of truth and light for us on this earth. So, Christ would be, and is, the best leader mankind could every hope for, because he speaks no lies, but truth, so we can trust him fully without doubt (which engenders faith, which faith invites knowledge and hope, which brings us to greater knowledge, etc., covered in another principle).
• He is (yes the Holy Spirit is a man, a spirit) responsible to testify of Jesus Christ and God the Father.
• The Holy Spirit is an actual being, a man without a body of flesh and bones like you and I do have, but a spirit, hence we refer to him also as a Holy Ghost. (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)
• The Holy Spirit comes to your heart, you invite him into your heart by exercising your own faith (faith is another principle of truth we will discuss in following), and he testifies to the validity or truth (knowledge of things as they really are, were and are to come) of any and all things you ask of God in sincerity and humility. – Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3, Moroni 10:3-5 Hence, you can begin to understand, that one can feel the truth of all things, especially if a leader is telling us the truth, or stretching his or her political rhetoric into the realms of falsehood and darkness.
• The Holy Spirit is the 3rd member of the three members of the Godhead, including Jesus Christ the Son and Savior, and Heavenly Father, or God.
• Light is the source of energy to all living things. Without light, nothing can live, even in the darkest abyss where bacteria lives, it lives by the energy of the light directly or indirectly, otherwise without light, energy is absent, and life cannot exist. The Holy Spirit brings light into your heart, a spiritual feeling you will know, unique and undeniable when feeling it. That feeling is the feeling of light and truth, or the Holy spirit of God.
• The Holy spirit brings light into you, when invited in by your faith, to testify of the truth to your heart and mind, which gives you truth and knowledge, as well as he can warn you of dangers seen and unseen.
• Light brings warmth. The Holy Spirit brings a warmth into your heart and body, which is a feeling of light, you can’t get otherwise. Darkness does not and cannot warm your heart, it is cold and unpleasant.
• The Holy Spirit will always testify of the truth and cannot lie (feel free to test this, as the Spirit will always be right).
• One can feel the influence of the Holy Spirit, or they can receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (2 different manifestations of the Holy Spirit), which Jesus Christ gives unto those who are baptized and receive the Gift, under the proper authority.
• The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter, because he brings warmth, peace, assurance, joy, and comfort into your heart (Galatians 5:22,23).
• The Holy Ghost will never bring you, fear, doubt, depression, despondency, or cause you to shake, convulse, loose control of yourself, etc.. Only darkness (or the absence of light and truth, the absence of the Holy Spirit of truth) can bring those feelings upon you. (Darkness comes from actual spiritual beings, Satan and his followers, who lack light because they come not unto light, through ugly disobedience and rebellion against truth, against God, but they live in darkness and lies, also discussed in another principle of truth).
• The Light of Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 88:7) is another source of inspiration, given to all members of the entire human family.
• The Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are different from each other, but sometimes described in the scriptures with the same words, but they are two different and distinct entities.
• The Light of Christ is “the spirit [which] giveth light to every man that cometh into the world”,  “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed”, “the spirit of Jesus Christ”, “the Spirit of the Lord”, “the Spirit of Truth”, “the Light of truth”, “the Spirit of God”, and the “Holy Spirit” are names that are used to refer to both the Light of Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You will be able to understand these two sources of light and truth, which work together for mankind’s benefit, in bringing us to the truth, and ultimately back to God, to continue on the path of eternal progression. (Doctrine & Covenants 88:13; see also John 1:4–9; Doctrine & Covenants 84:45–47; Doctrine & Covenants 88:6; Doctrine & Covenants 93:9, Doctrine and Covenants 84:46 )
• Spirit is matter, but more refined or pure, and can only be discerned by the pure. We all have spirit bodies within our physical bodies of flesh and bones, but that spirit is matter, and is more refined and purer than our physical bodies. Our physical eyes cannot see spirit unless we come to truth and abide in it, becoming more virtuous and pure, allowing us to discern spiritual matter (this is not just words, but actual visible matter, which God only allows the pure and virtuous to both see and discern, quite a powerful principle when understood and practiced). Hence, the Holy Ghost is not visible to the physical eyes of mankind, but his influence and power can be felt.

We could go on and on, but I think that will suffice for our purposes of this principle. Let us recap and state simply what the Holy Spirit is, what he does, how it feels when he is with you, and why you feel the way you do when he is present or withdrawn from you.

The Holy Spirit is a man made of refined spiritual matter (just like your spirit is made up of refined matter), a member of the Godhead whose commission is to testify of truth, which truth is entirely in the purest teachings, judgements, and statutes of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit may come upon any individual and that individual may feel the truth of any and all things witnessed by the Holy Ghost to them, a feeling of undeniable warmth, that only the Holy Spirit can give you, which you will feel as a sweet burning in your bosom, an actual physical/spiritual burning by the light of truth, the Holy Spirit sent by God, testifying to your intelligence of the truth of whatever matter in which you are sincerely seeking to know the truth or light and knowledge of. The feeling of Truth, or the Holy Spirit of God, is an actual spiritual physical feeling, which can purify and sanctify the heart, body, and mind of mankind.

Some examples: Many times, when discussing the Holy Spirit of God, people will tell us they have yet to feel the influence of Holy Spirit in their lives. We then begin to name events in the individual’s life, where they have ever felt peace, calm, assurance, hope, joy, faith, or any of the fruits which only come from the Holy Spirit. We are always able to find an event or experience(s) in which they had felt the fruits of the Holy Spirit, his influece, the light which comes into your heart and bosom, actually warming your heart and soul, which is part of how you may know the truth of all things, because only the Holy Spirit can give one such a burning in their bosom, a spirit to spirit physical surge of the energy of light, which is physically and spiritually warm in the bosom, unlike anything mankind can ever come close to producing otherwise.

However, one’s ability to recognize that they are feeling the Holy Spirit can depend entirely upon that individual’s ability to pay attention, be quiet enough to both hear and feel the influence of the Holy Spirit (as the Spirit can whisper to your spirit), as well as their worthiness to maintain the Holy Spirit’s companionship (which is part of the principle of purity and virtue, two requirements for the Holy Spirit to be a constant companion of yours).

One may feel the influence of the Holy Spirit, testifying of truth and light (which Christ is the source of truth and light to mankind, so when we talk of the Holy Spirit testifying of truth, we are simply stating the synonym of the Holy Spirit testifying of Jesus Christ, the source of truth to the world), to then have the Holy Spirit leave the individual with the light of Christ giving that person life.

All of us, every last person, good or bad, ever born and yet to be born on this earth, came to this earth with the light of Christ. The light of Christ is different than the Holy Spirit, both separate and distinct entities, in that it is given to every man and women, otherwise we could not live. It is the light by which we live, it is the Love of Christ given to all of us, so that we might have our chance to live on this earth and eventually become like him, eternally happy, surrounded and abiding in everlasting light (truth). Many men and women however, by choosing the bad over good, part of agency (another principle we will discuss), diminish the light of Christ in their lives, and eventually become evil, by either their own choosing, or having been brought up in the influence of evil (which is part of the principle of justice we will discuss later on).

So, let’s recap again. We are discussing both the Holy Spirit, or the feeling of Truth, as well as another element of light, which is the light of Chirst given to all mankind and all living things. The Holy Spirit is the testator, in that his commission is to testify of truth, while purifying the hearts, bodies, and minds of those who repent (another principle we discuss, an actual physical spiritual change to one’s being (true repentance), thanks to the cleansing power of both the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ’s atonement).

Application:
What have we learned about Feeling the Light of truth? If I haven’t stated it enough, it is just that, an undeniable feeling, as if you have lit a warm fire in the very center of your soul, however small or large that fire is, you will know it when you feel it. You will know you are feeling it, because nothing else can produce the peace, joy, warmth, assurance, burning in the bosom, that this actual physical spiritual being, the Holy Spirit, can give you, because his influence can touch your heart and he can, by refined spiritual energy and means we do not comprehend as of yet, cleanse your heart, body, and mind by actual physical spiritual change, as spirit is truly existing, refined, pure, matter, and has the energy of pure light, which has influence on the spiritual matter your very own intelligence is made up of, such that the Holy Spirit will come into your bosom by your invitation (as God is never compulsive, and will not force the Holy Spirit upon any of his children) and cause the energy of his light, which comes from God, to feel warm and inviting.

Apply this now. How? Simply find a quiet place, and apply this truth test in sincerity. Kneel down (where possible), close your eyes, bow your head, fold your arms (out of reverence), and before a word leaves your mouth, think and envision the actual being God is, the most loving and understanding Father of all fathers, living and breathing, focused solely on you. Envision Him now sitting by your side, about to listen to you. Then, begin your prayer (I like to whisper out loud, because it helps me focus) by simply stating His name with reverence, “Heavenly Father”. Then, thank him for whatever you are really grateful for (because all good things come from him). Then, for the purpose of this test, ask Him to allow you to feel the Holy Spirit, and to know that He exists, He lives, and He loves you. Then, the most important part, be quite, be still, and wait and listen. You will then be given of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, whose influence will come upon you, which influence will give you feelings of peace, joy, assurance, and a burning in your bosom, as well as thoughts of light you couldn’t otherwise conjure up yourself, nor can man ever reproduce such feelings. Remember to thank him for anything he gives you in feelings and thoughts, and ask Him if there is more He desires to give you. Once you have given him a chance to answer, by listening and being still and calm, you may feel to speak to him more about anything, do so, and when done, end your prayer in the name of His son, Jesus Christ, then you can state, “Amen” which means you are expressing solemn ratification or agreement with what you have said, felt, and have been given.

I promise, but more importantly, truth promises, or Christ promises, that if you do this test in sincerity, he will answer you. Whether it is right then and there (which is most likely with asking in sincerity of heart to know He loves you), or later on, God knows you perfectly well, and knows when and where it will be best to both answer you, while helping your faith grow, without taking away growing pains of experience and trust in Him.

Before we end this principle, we would hope that you have a greater understanding of light, in that you now understand that one can actually physically feel the light of truth. Those positive, and spiritually warm feelings can be coined in the phrase, “the influence of the Holy Ghost”, so when you are feeling the light of truth, you are simply feeling the influence or companionship of the Holy Ghost, testifying to you of the truth.

Also, we now understand, that individuals, because of the gift of agency, choose whether or not to “yield” to the enticing of the Holy Spirit, testifying of truth, and either become vessels of light and truth, making mistakes and repenting, becoming powerful, wise, honest, virtuous  leaders (which all light and truth engenders), or they become vessels of distorted truth, participating in, creating, and maintaining things that are designed to distort thinking and truth, with the purpose of gaining power, prestige, honors of the world, and dominion upon the souls of mankind (Sound familiar? If it doesn’t yet, by the end of these principles of truth, because truth will reveal itself plainly to your understanding, you will see how much our current powers of government, and so many of the past, live outside and away from the light of truth, things as they really are, all for the political purpose of gaining power over the world, overthrowing the freedoms of all nations, and bringing about their own agendas).

We have had the experiences, as we have adhered to these principles of truth, of being able to hear a prominent individual (be it government or otherwise), whether by radio, television, or in person, and have had the Holy Spirit whisper to us directly, with the feelings that accompany the witnessing of truth, that what we are hearing is either true or false. We especially, of late, have had multiple and repeating numerous experiences, where the Holy Spirit has whispered to us, how very much, the truth is being distorted by many of our current leaders, mainstream media (which we rarely if every attend to, as we have been given the truth of their money-fed ill-formed agendas), and other outlets of information.

Isn’t it the greatest thing ever, to know that if you desire, you can know the truth of all things? This is not just a claim, but a bold and irrefutable truth, because you don’t have to depend on me or anyone or anything else to find out for yourself. What would it be like, to have a leader, who abides and lives in truth? Even a leader as wise as the wisdom God gave Solomon of old? A leader who has refined and honed his or her ability to feel the truth of all things, and stick to them. No, we or most anyone I know of is anywhere close to being perfect in this matter, but that is why we need to have the Holy Spirit even more, because we are so imperfect, and we need that real divine intervention as the foundation of making wise decisions (Something entirely lacking in our current and so many past administrations, where they rely on false premises of scientific studies, when most of what we are told by them, is cover-ups for agendas which are frankly illegal and unconstitutional).

Again, we invite you to apply this principle of feeling the light of truth before moving onto the next principle of truth.

A SIMPLE WARNING:

With feeling the influence of the Holy Spirit, we have discovered that the adversary will attempt to put things in your life so as to distract you so much so that you are too distracted, distorted in thinking, hearing too much noise, etc., to be able to recognize the spirit’s presence and whisperings to you. May we invite you to take time to find a quiet place and learn to be quiet in your heart and mind, as we have found, living in this manner, which we strive to teach our children, invites the spirit so much so that you can literally have him as a constant companion, which is one of Christ’s promises to those who truly seek and follow him.

No, that doesn’t mean you have to be an anti-social prude… but it does mean, you put away things not conducive of that which is holy, wholesome, clean, uplifting, those things that do not have an end purpose to lift and inspire.

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