Light of Christ Archives — Denver Snuffer

Section 88 continues the explanation with the following:

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; (D&C 88: 11.)

This is not just environmental. This is now touching you. It is the “light of Christ” which “enlighteneth your eyes.” What does that mean? Could you see if this were withdrawn?

What does it mean that the “light of Christ” is what “quickeneth your understandings?” Without the light of Christ would you be able to understand anything? How intimately are you connected to the “light of Christ?” How dependent are you on His light?

It continues:

Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space— The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (D&C 88: 12-13.)

We have been reading about Christ and the “light of Christ” which empowers all of this creation. But now the source from which it proceeds is being identified. This “proceedeth forth from the presence of God.” Who is this referring to? Is this Christ still?

Who “sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity?” Who “is in the midst of all things?” Is this still Christ?

Steven saw Christ in heaven standing beside the Throne of the Father. (Acts 7: 56.) Joseph and Sidney saw Christ on the Father’s right hand. (D&C 76: 21.) John received the testimony of Jesus where Christ affirmed that all who overcome will be able to also sit on the Father’s Throne, just as He (Christ) had overcome and could sit on the Father’s Throne. (Rev. 3: 21.) If Christ had to first “overcome” and complete the descent and ascent, then whose throne (the Father’s or Christ’s) is referred to in D&C 88 verses 12-13 above?

Assuming it is the Father’s Throne, and the Father is the one who has been sitting on it from the beginning, then what harmony is there between Christ and the Father? How can the Father’s power proceed forth in all directions, but Christ be the one who is “the light and life of the world?” How complete is the harmony found in the relationship between Christ and the Father if the power originates from the Father, but is given to the Son to become “the light and life of the world?”

What does it mean that this light “giveth life to all things?” How dependent are you on this “light” for your own life? What does it mean that “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.” (D&C 93: 29.) If “the light of truth” cannot be made or created, then what does it mean that the light “proceeds forth from the Throne of God?”

What source flows from God and proceeds throughout all creation? What is the “power” behind all creation?

If this power bestows “life” upon its recipients, then can it also bestow something else?

I was asked this question:

Can you comment on the Holy Ghost vs. The Holy Spirit and who Jesus is and who the Father is, etc… Also, is it possible that Jesus is the same Spirit as the Holy Ghost? Moses 5:9

This is fraught with debatable language in the scriptures. There are those who will absolutely disagree with what I have to say. I can explain how I have sorted it out to my understanding, but you should recognize that there are others who would take a different view of the scriptures and of the definition of these roles of the Godhead.

First the clarification:

The Holy Ghost is a personage. It is an individual. It is a Spirit that will dwell inside you. (D&C 130: 22.)

The Holy Spirit is the power of God which fills the immensity of space. (D&C 88: 12-13.)

Now the problem:

Sometimes the Holy Spirit is called the “Light of Christ” rather than the Holy Spirit. (D&C 88: 7-11.)

Sometimes the Holy Ghost is called the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11: 13.)

Whether you are reading something about the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is something that must be determined by the context, not the language used.

The relationship between the Holy Spirit or Light of Christ and every living thing, whether a planet, plant, animal, human or ecosystem is direct, immediate and continual. They are all borrowing power from the Holy Spirit to live, move breath, remain organized, and do according to their own wills. (Mosiah 2: 21-25.) This is the means by which the Holy Ghost, which resides inside of you, receives intelligence from Christ.

The Holy Ghost is the “record of heaven” which lives inside you and that you have lost contact with because of the veil. It is a personage of spirit who resides inside you, and you must “receive” it after baptism by finally listening to that inner “truth of all things” or “record of the Father and the Son.” (Moses 6: 61, 66.)

The Holy Ghost bears record of the Son. When the Son speaks to you through the Holy Ghost you hear the words in the first-person. Hence the Holy Ghost speaking that it “is the Son” in Moses 5: 9.

I’m keeping this short because the more I explain the more questions will arise. So clarity on this topic is almost invariably related to brevity.