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To: DoorGunner
Is your thinking on this verse based on the concept that these two disciples had a physical sensation within their physical chests? If so, you should consider that the word "heart" is used as an idiomatic expression--a figure of speech, in the Bible.

No. We agree that it is symbolic, and not a physical "heart burn." I would tend to say that it is a feeling of spirit talking to spirit. It is what I would feel if the Holy Spirit touched my spirit.

There are over 500 uses of the word "heart" in the Holy Bible. I am unable to find ANY which refer to the physical heart, or chest, or bosom.

I suspect that Ex 28:30 does the trick, at least the first use of heart seems to be in reference to the location on Aaron's body. The second is symbolic. 2 Kgs. 9: 24 also speaks directly of a physical heart (And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.) But I know that is not what you are saying here.

However, I think we can better describe what we feel by looking at Deut 29:4 "Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day."

This is Moses talking to the Israelites. He is telling them how they have not understood the Lord's works upon them "until this day." Note the use of "an heart to perceive." This is the heart we LDS are referring to when we talk of a heart burning.

I can find only one reference to this concept, in the LDS distinctive scriptures:

D&C 9: 8

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

It looks, to me, that this passage (all of D&C 9) is a personal prophecy to Oliver Cowdery, not to the LDS in general.

Indeed, it is a personal prophecy to Oliver Cowdery. And it does frustrate me when LDS use it to describe a method for prayer, without understanding where it comes from. However, like most things in the scriptures, we can relate the concept to ourselves. After all, most things in the Bible are directed to a person or a group, but we are all ok with relating them to us.

Is there an online location where someone could learn more about this concept, so we could discuss the reality of it, instead of our (non-LDS) possible minconceptions of it?

Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. The Holy Ghost from the Mormons.org website covers what the LDS church teaches about this. From this page, follow the "learn more" topics to get the whole story. I would suggest "How can the Holy Ghost help me?" then "The gift of the Holy Ghost," then "Testifier," then How do I recognize the Holy Ghost?", but looking around could be fun, too.

Yes, these are small bites, but they do tell what we believe.

As for other sites, I'm sure there are many out there, and many that go in depth. For example, you could go to www.LDS.org, then pick Gospel Library, then pick Church Publications - HTML, then on the quick search bar, enter "burning" and "bosom" and select Ensign in the "Search in ..." bar. But I suspect that that would be more work than many would like to do.

Thanks for contributing to the discussion.

542 posted on 12/30/2002 9:48:37 AM PST by T. P. Pole
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To: T. P. Pole
Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. The Holy Ghost from the Mormons.org website covers what the LDS church teaches about this.

Thanks. I will look into this site when I am able.

DG

545 posted on 12/30/2002 11:22:52 AM PST by DoorGunner
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