Ice cube, water, steam.
Body, blood, breath.
Through this lens, we understand, in part, the three primary states of matter in this material world. Which has begged the question of many inquiring minds, what is in between these particles? Matter and non-matter? What is smaller than a strand of hair, a molecule, an atom, a photon, and so on? Although he was more of a theologian than a scientist, Joseph Smith Jr. received the following insight concerning "matter" dating as far back as 1843.
"There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;" (Doctrine & Covenants 131:7)
So... Solid, liquid, gas & spirit then? Wait a minute!? I thought Section 131 was about the new and everlasting covenant of marriage?? What does spiritual matter have to do with eternal marriage?
This covenant of marriage is understood by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a saving ordinance, and must be "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:18,) in order to be effectively "sealed up" (Doctrine & Covenants 131:5) Spirit, being the key word here. Yes, as far as I understand it, spiritually - purely - materially bound or sealed (perhaps even sub-atomically) - This marriage, by refined science, purity and proper authority, quite literally seals two souls together eternally.
I love the image. I envision, were I to be permitted to see with purer eyes, a golden light swirling and forming bonds that encircling a couple at the alters of sacred Temples, locking their love eternally as one, never to be broken. Could a thousand ton wight crush a single atom? And if spirit be finer still, how then can something so small as death - unable to affect the spirit - ever hope to touch the literal bonds of the Holy Spirit of promise sealing two souls together? I argue even by petty reason that it cannot.
Like to dive deep Jake? Yeah... that's number five, lets take a couple of steps back, I get ahead of myself.
So far as I have observed, five unique forms of "Spirit" found in the standard works. They are as follows:
1.) The literal spirit children of God. (Intelligences)
2.) The Spirit of Christ (aka Light of Christ)
3.) The gift of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost)
4.) The gifts of the Spirit (Spiritual Gifts)
5.) The Holy Spirit of Promise (Confirmation of the Lord's acceptance of sacred ordinances/covenants)
I believe Joseph Smith Jr spoke well when he said "fine or pure" as principles of purity and faithfulness are paramount in spiritual matters. (Temporary Laws to govern things of impermanence - Spiritual Laws to govern things eternal)
1.) The Literal Spirit Children of God
Romans 8:16 of the New Testament states "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" Likewise from Ether 3.15-16 we, like Christ, have spiritual bodies that look just like our physical bodies in the flesh. Abraham speaks of our eternal spirits in these words. "Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was;..." "And God saw these souls that they were good...for he stood among those that were spirits" (Abraham 3:22-23) Further evidence of the eternal nature of our individual intelligences (what I imagine as the very essence or identity of our spirits, perhaps centralized in our hearts) is found in Doctrine and Covenants 93:29 "Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be."
2.) The Spirit of Christ
Speaking of the light of truth, the Spirit of Christ can be understood as "the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things." (Reference)
"Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—" (Doctrine & Covenants 88:12)This, in it's most basic and literal form can be understood as a.) physical light - particles of photon produced by the solar energy of our very sun, but also in the reflecting light of the moon, and of the stars and even the b.)power by which they were made. More importantly, c.) the light of truth. But most commonly but not altogether differt on a subatomic structure - the very nature of what we call our d.) conscience. (Doctrine & Covenants 88:6-11) Yes, that's right, queue as coined by Walt Disney's classic Pinoccio, ♫ "Always let your conscience be your guide" ♫ Or as Mormon explains it "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge;..." "...seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully." (Moroni 7: 16&18)
3.) The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Comforter (The Holy Ghost) which Christ, having laid hands upon his apostles in the meridian of time, gifted so that they might not entirely be without God (Christ) on earth after his crucifixion. (John 13:26-27) Different than our individual spirits, or that of the Light of Christ, which is power and influence rather than actual constant companionship of this third member of the Godhead. "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth;" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:46)
4.) The gifts of the Spirit
These spiritual gifts can be thought of not so much as the natural talents received by our mortal parents, but god-like abilities or blessings received and or enhanced through the companionship of the Holy Ghost. (see Doctrine & Covenants 46:9) Commonly referred to gifts, like those found in the Articles of Faith 1:7 and throughout the bible. "We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth." are a few good examples of this type of spirit.
5.) The Holy Spirit of Promise
And back to where we started. The Holy Spirit of Promise, put simply is a confirmation by the Holy Ghost that acts, covenants or ordinances are accepted by the God, performed correctly, and honored faithfully. (reference) This Holy Spirit of Promise is essential, not only for eternal marriage, but any covenant, ordinance, or act in order for it to remain in affect after this life. (Doctrine & Covenants 132:7, 18–19, 26)
And so, next time you hear the word "Spirit" consider under which context it has reference.
But Jake, what about evil spirits, like those that chased the swine to their watery deaths in Mark 5:1–13 or along the same lines, those seven sons of Sceva, who without authority attempted a failed exorcism resulting in evil spirits attacking and wounding them, sending them out naked. Acts 19:13-16
Or even in general, the spirit of contention spoken of in 3 Nephi 11:29, or other like spirits of behavioral influence?
I'd put evil spirits into the 1st category, as these too are spirit children of our heavenly father who didn't keep their first estate, or in other words, chose to follow Satan before the world was, and rebelled against God's plan. (See Jude 1:6, Abraham 3:26)
And regarding spirits of behavioral influence I'll put in category 2, light of Christ, for we are free to choose good or evil, knowing how to judge for ourselves, and so able to choose how we are influenced to behave or act. See 2 Nephi 2:27
Conclusion
I hope the above ponderings have helped you feel the influence of the Spirit of Christ, and that by that good influence it may propel you to some good behavioral action. Have you been impressed with any thoughts, feelings or ideas by which you feel impressed to act on? Clicking on and studying further into any of the above links? Expressing gratitude to God or a family member? If so, I invite you to act on anything you've felt impressed to do, no matter how big or small. Doing so will only bring you closer to God, and even if only one person comes closer to God because of the time investment, how wonderful! It will have been worth both our whiles. God bless you, my supporters and readers. Thank you for making it this far.
I give one further invitation. If nothing else, I invite you to read Moroni 7, ponder its message, judge as you see good, and lay hold upon every good thing until you and I - that we all may grow closer to God.
