Emotion
The scriptures do not either advocate reliance on emotions or give examples of any prophetic figures doing so. They tell a much different story. They tell of people who have faith sufficient to receive the word of the Lord and then seek for and obtain some confirmation of the veracity of that word. They seek for a witness, not through emotions, but from objectively observable, demonstrable signs confirming the truth of the words they have been given. Faith is required to receive the word in the first instance and is also required to obtain objective confirmation. Mankind is repeatedly commended to follow this scriptural pattern. For those who have been raised as Latter-day Saints, the process of becoming acquainted with the Spirit can be a difficult one. Converts to Mormonism have an advantage here: The process of converting requires some contact with the Spirit, and after baptism, the conferral of the Holy Ghost is a distinct experience that is usually gained in adulthood. The contrast this brings allows any convert to know, with clarity, they have encountered the Spirit.1 This contrast can also be evident for those who have been rebaptized in adulthood.
“The Holy Ghost is informational. Its purpose is to enlighten the mind and to inform you. It is a revelator. Our reaction to the information can be very emotional. How we react is up to us. I’ve had very strong emotional reactions to some of the things revealed by the Holy Ghost to me. Those aren’t always those positive, warm feelings. It has been sometimes dread. It has been sometimes fear. It has been sometimes anxiety, and being troubled in mind, body, and spirit.”2
Many people believe they have the Holy Ghost with them when their emotions are stirred or they are thrilled by some appealing talk, comment, praise, or flattery. However, these incidents do not increase light and truth, comprehension, or intelligence and are not the Holy Ghost. They are only emotional experiences. Emotional experiences can be replicated in a number of ways. Music, movies, television commercials, general conference talks, books, testimonies, prayers, and any number of physical experiences can create tears, goosebumps, or other things that are incorrectly associated with the Holy Ghost. Very often the truth conveyed by the Holy Ghost is hard to hear, difficult to follow, and breaks one’s heart. Sometimes the truth is bitter, but bitter truth is better than pleasing lies and flattery. It is a profound misunderstanding of the Holy Ghost when a person concludes it can never convey a message that condemns, convicts, or challenges. Much of what the Holy Ghost will convey — light and truth — causes pain and provokes change and repentance because one is convicted of errors. The Holy Ghost does not thrill; it informs and gives understanding. Thrilling music can rouse; a great TV show can give one goose bumps. That is not the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost enlightens minds, it enlivens senses, and it delivers light with a new and more complete understanding. “The first Comforter, or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence” (TPJS, 149). “No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator” (TPJS, 328). Understanding, comprehension, light and truth — these are the effects of the Holy Ghost.3 So many teachers resort to sentimentality and emotion in their teaching, talks, books, and testimonies. Some are fooled into thinking an emotional reaction is the same as a witness of the Spirit. Emotions rarely communicate light and truth or intelligence. The Spirit bears witness of the truth, conveys light and intelligence, and may not at all be emotional.4
1 Nephi’s Isaiah, 286–287, 287n387.
2 “A Visit with Denver Snuffer,” interview by Tim Malone, May 13, 2015, transcript, 23.
3 “Thoughts on Holy Ghost,” January 21, 2015, blog post.
4 “2 Nephi 28:26,” August 4, 2010, blog post.