And the Holy Ghost
After yesterday’s little rant, I suppose I should get back to my study.
So I’m continuing this study even though I know that I will never convert, I did tell my friend I would study. Even though perhaps this is a strange promise to keep, I intend on keeping it because the Holy Book says: O you who believe! Fulfill your promises! (Surah 5:1) And education never hurt anyone.
I’m moving into chapter seven of the Gospel Principles book that deals with the Holy Spirit. In Mormonism, the Holy Ghost is the third and final member of the Godhead. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the Godhead consists of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. They do not accept the Trinity, but they do accept this set of gods as the ruling divine for this earth.
In Mormonism, the Holy Ghost is preset to provide comfort, help, and remembrance, bring understanding of the gospel and testify of the Father and the Son. The Gospel Principles book states that the Holy Ghost is the reveler and testifier of all truth. (Gospel Principles pp. 32)
In Islam the Holy Ghost stands as a messenger and a supporter from Allah. Muslims believe that the Holy Ghost is the angel Gabriel, the same angel who appeared to Mary in the New Testament and also to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Holy Ghost, therefore, is a created being who serves Allah and is not part of the Godhead, since Muslims believe that there is only one God: For Allah is one God… (Surah 4:171)
Now in all honesty, this is an issue I don’t really understand. I’m still learning, however to suggest the Holy Ghost is a god like unto Allah to me is wrong.
The Bible, which the Mormons also use along side of the Book of Mormon, teaches that God is one God:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord… Deuteronomy 6:4
Jesus (PBUH) declared: Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
The Book of Mormon even teaches: …for there is one God…over all the earth. (1 Nephi 13:41)
So there you have it. The Holy Ghost can’t be “God” because God is one God. (Confused yet?)
I do believe that the Holy Ghost (even if called Gabriel) can help people on earth. He can bring the messages of Allah and strengthen those who believe in God (even if they are non-Muslims). But I can’t agree that the Holy Ghost is part of God or the Godhead outside of being created by Allah.
I know that the Holy Ghost is an important part of Mormonism and I respect that, but some pretty strong evidence would have to be given to me to suggest that I should be he is a god.
I love my Mormon brethren anyway though.
