pages/essays.md
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---
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title: Essays on Random Gospel Things
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---
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+---
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+
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+As an individual seeking to learn and grow, I have been inspired to study the
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+scriptures and related materials, with a particular focus on the principles
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+and teachings of the [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
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+Saints](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org). In writing about these topics,
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+it is not my intention to go against the leaders of the Church, but rather to
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+seek a deeper understanding of those things that may be less frequently
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+discussed, or that may present contradictions or challenges to my
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+understanding. I approach this work with humility, recognizing that I am not
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+a trained theologian or scholar, but rather a student seeking to learn and
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+grow. As such, I welcome feedback and guidance, and I strive to remain open
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+to the insights and perspectives of others.
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+
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+Not all essays here are of a spiritual nature. Some, like **A Vision of
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+Saturn**, are more of a personal commentary or thought.
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+
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+---
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[Rights, Powers and Principles](essays/rights-powers-principles)
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[A Vision of Saturn](essays/a-vision-of-saturn.md)
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+
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+[Is Consciousness the Same as Spirit?](essays/consciousness-spirt.md)
pages/essays/consciousness-spirt.md
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+# Is Consciousness the Same as Spirit?
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+
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+At the intersection of religious belief and modern philosophy lies
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+a compelling question: Is consciousness the same as spirit? This article
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+delves into the similarities and differences between the two concepts, drawing
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+from both scriptural references and philosophical discussions on panpsychism.
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+
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+## Mormonism's View on Spirit
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+
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+According to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
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+everything was created spiritually before it was naturally upon the earth.
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+This spiritual creation included not only the earth and everything on it but
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+also the spirits of all mankind. These spirits lived with God before coming to
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+the earth.
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+
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+> **Reference**: [Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/131.7-8?lang=eng) states, "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."
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+
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+## Panpsychism and Consciousness
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+
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+Panpsychism is a philosophical stance that posits consciousness as
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+a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. It suggests that even
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+the smallest particles possess some form of consciousness or experience.
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+
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+> **Reference**: [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Panpsychism](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/panpsychism/)
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+
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+## Comparing the Two
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+
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+* **Shared Beliefs**: Both Mormonism and panpsychism suggest that everything
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+ has an inherent, non-physical essence. In Mormonism, this is described as
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+ 'spirit', and in panpsychism, it's described as 'consciousness'.
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+
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+* **Challenging Perceptions**: Both beliefs challenge our typical
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+ understanding of physical vs. non-physical. Mormonism suggests that spirit
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+ is a more refined form of matter, while panpsychism suggests that
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+ consciousness is inherent in all matter.
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+
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+## Conclusion
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+
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+The comparison between 'spirit' and 'consciousness' offers a fresh perspective
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+on both religious and philosophical beliefs. While there are distinct
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+differences between the two concepts, their similarities provide a framework
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+for understanding how religious and philosophical beliefs might intersect.
pages/essays/rights-powers-principles.md
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[D&C 121:36](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121#36)
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Given this verse, how can the hosts of darkness accomplish their misdeeds, and
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-what role does the power of the priesthood play in this.
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-
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----
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-
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-Preface:
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-
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-As an individual seeking to learn and grow, I have been inspired to study the
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-scriptures and related materials, with a particular focus on the principles and
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-teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In writing about
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-these topics, it is not my intention to go against the leaders of the Church,
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-but rather to seek a deeper understanding of those things that may be less
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-frequently discussed, or that may present contradictions or challenges to my
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-understanding. I approach this work with humility, recognizing that I am not a
24
-trained theologian or scholar, but rather a student seeking to learn and grow.
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-As such, I welcome feedback and guidance, and I strive to remain open to the
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-insights and perspectives of others.
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+what role does the power of the priesthood play in this?
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---
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