Keskustelu:Holy Ghost/Burning in the bosom

I have real misgivings about some statements in this article, especially since it was just printed on Meridian Magazine. In places, it seems to minimize the importance of spiritual feelings:

An LDS “spiritual” experience has as much—or more—intellectual content as it does emotions of peace or joy. ... [D&C 6:22–23] ... The solution for later doubts or concerns is not reliance on “a feeling,” but an admonition to recall specific information communicated earlier. ...

[After quoting D&C 9:7-9] "Again, the united witness of intellect and heart are essential. If either does not agree, then revelation has not confirmed the matter under consideration. Anyone who relies exclusively on a "feeling" does not understand or obey LDS teaching on this matter.

This approach seems to adopt the same assumption that the critic does---that one's intellect is superior to one's spirit. But there are times when the Holy Spirit only communicates through feelings. Sometimes it does not convey intellectual information. So to rely on "just" feelings does not mean a person is misunderstanding or disobeying LDS doctrines.

The critics assert that (1) intellect is more trustworthy than feelings and (2) LDS rely on feelings. The portions quoted above spend their time trying to disprove the second assertion, when they should probably be addressing the first one.

I think a far better approach would be to distinguish between emotions and feelings, which this article does near the end.