Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Filled -- Part 3

In my studies about how "filled" is used in the scriptures, I have so far learned
  • The Hebrew root sometimes links this term to an ordinance. It can also mean "complete" or "endowed", depending on the context
  • The term is used in the Book of Mormon in the same manner for physical and spiritual nourishment indicating that the Spirit of the Lord fills our soul in similar ways to food filling our body
  • The Book of Mormon also talks about a "place" inside of us that can be filled by the Spirit of the Lord or occupied by the Spirit of the Devil
Today, I will add two points to that list

  • The Book of Mormon also teaches us that the place inside of us that can be filled with the Spirit of God is connected to the heart.
Here are some examples
And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire (Helaman 5:45)
because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts (Mosiah 5:2)
he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy (Mosiah 4:20)
And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof (Moroni 7:32)
Another observation

  •  The Book of Mormon often describes the heart as swelling (metaphorically) as a result of this.
Again, some examples
And their hearts were swollen with joy (3 Nephi 4:33)
Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts (Alma 32:28)
Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit. (Alma 19:13) 
What does this all mean? I honestly still don't know if the filling is all just a metaphor or if there really is a space inside of us that can be literally filled somehow with the Holy Ghost. At least it shows certain patterns, phrases and metaphors consistently taught throughout the Book of Mormon.