The body is like a machine that allows a spirit to function in the physical world, like a car has a driver that controls it. Without the driver, the car will not go, nor function -- it’s dead (unless it’s a zombie, or self-driving). The driver gets in the car, turns it on, and controls every aspect of its function: speed, direction, gears, lights, air conditioning, and so forth. While some functions may be automatic, each still can be controlled by the driver. Likewise, a spirit controls a body. Without the spirit, a body is just a dead machine. It has no function until inhabited by a spirit. The spirit gets in and drives the body.
I was born into a body and have learned how to manage it by trial and error. It has taken a long time to learn to manage the automatic functions of the body. I know when there are needs that must be filled, such as food for energy. I seek to make sure the body is cared-for. Just as a driver would learn to keep regular maintenance on a car, changing the oil, putting in the right kind of fuel, getting brakes checked, rotating tires, and so forth, I keep regular maintenance on my body. On a continuous basis, I eat the right kind of nutrients, sleep at the right time, bathe regularly, keep my bowel and bladder habits regular, and exercise every muscle, not waiting for the “idiot lights” to come on. I also learn to be careful about appetites, passions, and desires of the body that will cause decay and dysfunction. A “sweet-tooth” can cause dental caries, obesity, diabetes, and other problems. Any indulgence in pleasure can weaken my control over the body. Too much rest causes physical weakness. However, a total lack of pleasure may cause the body to rebel against the driver, refusing to function. Over time, I learn the right amounts of everything to keep the machine functional, and happy.
Just as a car can have many passengers, multiple spirits can be in the body at the same time. A man possessed of evil spirits was brought to Jesus, “And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.” (Luke 8:30) One drives, and the rest are passengers. Though they can take turns driving. The other spirits that are with me are continually trying to take over control and sit in the driver’s seat. They try to be indulgent of sensations. They take me down roads I don't want to go. They create anxiety, fear, depression, hopelessness, hatred, or whatever they are -- they make the body feel and do physically what they are spiritually. Because of this, they disrupt my ability to be in control. There is a continual battle for the driver’s seat.
The Holy Ghost can also inhabit my body with me, as long as I make room by getting rid of all the rebellious passengers. They will not listen to the Holy Ghost so the Spirit will not come in to my body until they are gone. The process of repentance is cleaning out my body, getting rid of rowdy, evil, dark, hateful, hurtful, and indulgent spirits.The Holy Ghost will then be the navigator, but will not take control away from me, except in an emergency. Sometimes Jesus does take the wheel. But, mostly, I remain alone in the driver’s seat to learn to drive, being in control of every aspect of the function of the body as the Holy Ghost tells me what to do. Nephi tells me “...the Holy Ghost,,, will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5)
Over time, I gain experience and become a good driver. I keep my body in good shape for the road. I’m on a road trip with the Holy Ghost. I don’t know the way. I can only see the road immediately in front of me. I have a map, the scriptures, but since I’m not familiar with the area, I’m not sure how to read them. But with the help of the Holy Ghost, Nephi also says, “the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:3). My Navigator helps me to understand every word. We have stops along the way, places to see, people to know, and things to do. My trip gives me experiences that help me to grow and learn, meaning sometimes it's hard. Everyone has a different trip, a different path with different experiences. My map is different than that of anyone else. I cannot loan my map to anyone any more than I can loan my glasses to anyone. It’s my personal trip.
Sometimes, I take a detour off the map. I see a road to the left that looks like a fun place to go. I’m in control, and I don’t need a Navigator so He leaves. I drive along for awhile, having fun, enjoying the ride, until the way gets hard, steep, and rocky. I wasn’t prepared for this, and I need help. I pray and ask the Holy Ghost to return. He gets me back on the road, and I resolve never to stray from the path again -- until something on the right looks interesting! Gradually, I learn to listen to my Navigator, and stay on the path. I grow from being dependent, to independent. At some point I have enough experience to help others who have lost their way. I don’t know their map, so I can’t point the way for them to go, I can only help them to get their Navigator, and He gets them back on their path.
While the path is amazing and filled with wonders, this road trip ends like no other. There is nothing along the way that can even compare. For each traveler, no matter how they get there, the road leads to unity of body and spirit, peace, happiness, and love. It is reaching my full potential, being all that I can be. It is “eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (D&C 14:7) There is no way to explain how wonderful it is because it must be experienced. Those who do not take this trip with the Holy Ghost, or who go off the road and never get back on will never arrive, and will never know what they might have had. Only those who “have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide” (D&C 45:57) can ever know God, a fullness of joy, and experience completely the wonders of His love.
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