Candid

Author: Megan Licious | |

Hats off to Saussure and Levi-Strauss for the structuralist school of criticism, for developing the idea that words themselves, even all of language, has no real meaning: language has meaning only to the extent that we give it that meaning. This is just the same with ceremonies such as weddings or funerals, or even a wrestling match. They have no meaning other than to divulge common mythemes, or commonalities in the human thinking. The world only exists as we perceive it, because it is constructed entirely in the human mind, and there is no "reality."

This idea creates quite a problem when you introduce it to a room full of LDS college students, who immediately think, "Is that to suggest that there is no God? Certainly there is, so the criticism must be wrong. There must be a real object of our affections and thinkings beyond our own minds."

I do not believe Saussure and Levi-Strauss were incorrect, or that their ideas denote the non-existence of God. While the spiritual world beyond our own obviously does not exist solely in our minds, it is true that we perceive it in faith. Limits have been put upon our minds and abilities, and is certainly limited by the impure language necessary here. Indeed, testimony, or true knowledge, comes not through language at all, other than the one we define as the language of the Holy Ghost, which is not commonly understood and incomparable to the language we use on earth. We can only perceive that conversation, and the reality that comes thereby, through the spirit. I have no doubt it exists in other ways or in more significant ways that we, in our human state, are simply unable and too feeble to perceive.

For example, consider that scientists are unable, even with modern, sophisticated technology, to discover where the brain stores memories. This is because memories are stored in our spiritual bodies, not our physical bodies. This is evident when we consider that we could think, communicate, and have memory in the preexistence, probably existing as the truest form of "intelligence" more so than we realize or are capable of understanding.

It is in that realm that true knowledge comes, not through a world that we perceive only through language. That is to say, only through the given values and meanings we assign objects.

My only question remains: why then, do we need physical bodies at all, if our spirits have the higher, true way of existence? Do our bodies exist solely to perfect the mind? As another means to complicate our existence, presenting us with more choices that we may become perfect? Is that why the Sons of Perdition were cast out, because they would never chose to increase and progress, so no bodies were necessary or granted them? Will our bodies serve some other, higher (or any?) purpose after we are resurrected, and the giving of physical bodies to all those who wished them is complete?

I don't know. But I do know that faith is enough. When Korihor demanded of Alma a sign in exchange for and as the only grounds for his belief, his argument was that unless he could physically sense truth, it did not exist. Of course it was natural, in coming to earth, for us to begin to rely on our physical senses. That is why we must develop that spiritual sense to which all thought, communication, and memory belong--the light of Christ, and even more of a blessing, the Holy Ghost. The trial will make it stronger.

It gives completely new meaning to the admonitions in 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 and 14: Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I'm so grateful for the mercies of the Lord. I'm grateful to understand that this war is indeed one of the mind, included therein are the heart and the soul. That is all I need to know to have peace and to make it through.