What does it mean to sin against the Holy Ghost?

[ute4ever]

i.e. commit the unpardonable sin?

I may have done that in a prayer very recently.

[Colly Wolly]

Go on....

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

i.e. commit the unpardonable sin?

I may have done that in a prayer very recently.

Joseph Smith explains it as: "To commit the unpardonable sin, a person 'must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.'"

The part for me that is difficult to wrap my brain around is "knowing God", as I'm not sure if that is literally or figuratively. Are only those who have actually seen him - perhaps apostles - capable of committing that sin? Or is anyone who has received witness through the Holy Ghost? If that's the case, there's probably a good argument that all of us are condemned for eternity.

Personally, I believe that "having the heavens opened unto him" is the key, in that only those who have actually seen God/Christ are capable of committing this sin. But perhaps that is to make myself feel better about my own weaknesses.

[All-American]

I think it is essentially saying that you have absolute knowledge of God and Christ, but you reject them anyway. That Joseph Smith quote has led a few to surmise that the rank and file member of the church is probably not capable of committing the unpardonable sin.