The Heart is the Command Center of the Soul

Have you ever tried to define the human heart from a body, mind, spirit perspective? What influence does it have on mental and emotional health? This presentation attempts to define the heart and begins to ask questions about heart health and mental health.

1. The Heart of the Soul Command Central

2. In our discussion of the mind, we created two divisions: (1) the mind which belongs to the spirit and intelligence, and (2) the brain and nervous system which belongs to the physical body. A complete discussion of the heart requires three divisions: (1) The spirit heart which belongs to the spirit and intelligence, (2) the physical heart, or the organ that circulates blood, and (3) the character heart or the seat of our emotions and attributes.

3. The Spirit Heart A place where the intelligence resides Our intelligence is found in both the mind and heart. Heart and mind will be in harmony when we find truth and when we receive revelation The Physical Organ The heart pumps and circulates blood throughout the body and receives the blood again to send to the lungs for gas exchange. This heart includes a bundle of neurons to send signals out to the whole body, including the brain. The Heart as the Command Center for the Soul This is where we find our character and the attributes that make up who we are at any given moment. It is the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes. This heart is capable of change and transformation as we learn and grow through experience. This heart has spiritual and physical properties. In Chinese Medicine, this heart includes the interaction of the vital organs and bowels.

4. How can we define the heart?

5. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary The heart is “the seat of the affections and passions, as love, joy, grief, enmity, courage, pleasure. The seat of understanding. The seat of will. Character, courage, conscience, strength and power of producing.”

6. How is the heart defined in scripture? “The center of both physical and spiritual well-being. The Book of Mormon contains many references to the heart, only a few of which refer to it as a physical organ . . . In the Book of Mormon, the heart is most often spoken of as both the seat of emotion, the inner core of being, and the receptor for spiritual infusions. The term “heart” is used figuratively and frequently to suggest qualities of character, either negative or positive.” Book of Mormon Reference Companion, entry for Heart, page 319. Dennis L. Largey, General Editor, Deseret Book, 2003.

7. Elder David A. Bednar: “The word heart is used over 1,000 times in the standard works. This simple but significant word often denotes the inner feelings of an individual. Our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes—define who we are and determine what we will become. And the essence of the Lord’s work is changing, turning, and purifying hearts through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances."​ Elder David A. Bednar, “Let This House Be Built Unto My Name”, April 2020 General Conference.

8. Elder Marvin J. Ashton: "The heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup. We often use phrases about the heart to describe the total person. Thus, we describe people as being “big-hearted” or “goodhearted” or having a “heart of gold.” Or we speak of people with faint hearts, wise hearts, pure hearts, willing hearts, deceitful hearts, conniving hearts, courageous hearts, cold hearts, hearts of stone, or selfish hearts. The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts. Elder Marvin J. Ashton, October 1988 General Conference.

9. The Physical Organ Researchers at HeartMath : “ Historically, in almost every culture of the world, the heart was ascribed a far more multifaceted role in the human system, being regarded as a source of wisdom, spiritual insight, thought, and emotion. Intriguingly, scientific research over the past several decades has begun to provide evidence that many of these long-surviving associations may well be more than simply metaphorical. These developments have led science to once again to revise and expand its understanding of the heart and the role of this amazing organ.”

10. “In the new field of neurocardiology , for example, scientists have discovered that the heart possesses its own intrinsic nervous system—a network of nerves so functionally sophisticated as to earn the description of a “heart brain.” Containing over 40,000 neurons, this “little brain” gives the heart the ability to independently sense, process information, make decisions, and even to demonstrate a type of learning and memory. In essence, it appears that the heart is truly an intelligent system.”

11. “Research has also revealed that the heart is a hormonal gland, manufacturing and secreting numerous hormones and neurotransmitters that profoundly affect brain and body function. Among the hormones the heart produces is oxytocin—well known as the “love” or “bonding hormone.” Science has only begun to understand the effects of the electromagnetic fields produced by the heart, but there is evidence that the information contained in the heart’s powerful field may play a vital synchronizing role in the human body—and that it may affect others around us as well.”

12. “Research has also shown that the heart is a key component of the emotional system. Scientists now understand that the heart not only responds to emotion, but that the signals generated by its rhythmic activity actually play a major part in determining the quality of our emotional experience from moment to moment. As described next, these heart signals also profoundly impact perception and cognitive function by virtue of the heart’s extensive communication network with the brain.”

13. Finally, rigorous electrophysiological studies conducted at the HeartMath Institute have even indicated that the heart appears to play a key role in intuition. Although there is much yet to be understood, it appears that the age-old associations of the heart with thought, feeling, and insight may indeed have a basis in science.” HeartMath , The Intelligent Heart, Science page, https://www.heartmath.com/science/# retrieved 2/16/2025

14. Many ancient cultures understood the heart to be more than just a pump to circulate blood through the body. Ancient Egyptian doctors believed the heart was the source of intellect, emotion, memory, and personality . The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, believed it was the heart instead of the brain that controlled the body. He insisted that it was the first organ to come to life and the last to die. He considered the heart to be the seat of intelligence and sensation. ID  64858383  |  Ancient Cultures  ©  Multipedia2014  |  Dreamstime.com

15. If we go further east and look at the beliefs of ancient India and China, we discover that in Hinduism and Buddhism, the heart is viewed as the center of life . It expands beyond the body to include the soul and spirit. Western philosophy gives the mind the attributes of consciousness, action, and emotion. Whereas, in Eastern philosophy, these attributes belong to the heart. Ayurveda philosophy originating in ancient India recognized two hearts: the physical heart that serve as a pump for the blood, and an emotional heart that experiences joy and sorrow. These two work together and both physical and emotional factors significantly influence the functioning of the heart . Both must be addressed and treated to achieve optimal heart health. ID  29873048  |  Ancient Buddhism  ©  Martin Malchev  |  Dreamstime.com

16. Of all the cultures in the Far East, ancient China gave the greatest importance to the heart. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart was viewed as the supreme ruler and was responsible for maintaining peace and harmony throughout the entire body kingdom. They believed the heart coordinated all activity in the body, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Intelligence, wisdom, and spiritual transformation takes place in the heart.

17. The three treasures of Chinese medicine are the Qi (energy), Essence (combination of spiritual and physical elements), and Shen (countenance, intelligence ). The Chinese believe that one of the heart’s most important functions is to house the Shen – which includes both the spirit and the mind. The concept of Shen in Chinese medicine is very complex. In summary, it is the place where governing thought, planning, and intelligence reside. This is where intuition and sensory processing takes place. The Shen has a supervisory role in determining how the body responds to all incoming information.

18. Ellen Brown summarized it well when she said: “The heart-centered holism of Chinese medicine reflects a very different understanding of the loci of human awareness and intention versus the head-heart dualism of the west. Indeed, Chinese medicine stresses the holistic unity of the body and self, versus the west, which emphasizes the radical opposition (and even competition) of the material body and immaterial mind. Instead, Chinese medical theory argues that the so-called mind (as it is known in English) is “embodied” within the heart, “ruling” not only the body, but also our thoughts, feelings and awareness.” Ellen Brown, L.Ac . DACM. “The heart-its ancient cultural and medical significant in the east and west”, February 15, 2019. www.the-alchemy-project.com Retrieved February 19, 2025.

19. “A mighty change of heart” Lehi and his descendants would have been familiar with the philosophy of the heart according to eastern tradition. When they wrote about a “mighty change of heart”, in the Book of Mormon, it would be a mighty change indeed. For this change would include body, mind, and spirit and ultimately the inner core and desires of the individual.

20. The Heart-Gut Connection The “heart” in ancient Chinese medicine expands beyond the organ in the center of the chest that pumps blood. It is the grand master organ of the vital organs and bowel structures in the torso region of the body. The five vital organs are: Heart Spleen/Pancreas Lung Kidney Liver

21. The bowels are hollow organs. Their function is to store fluids or hold contents secreted by the other organs. The five bowel structures include: Small Intestine Stomach Large Intestine Urinary bladder Gallbladder The broader term “heart” in TCM includes the interaction of all five vital organs and bowel structures.

22. The Gut-Brain connection? Is it possible this connection takes place on three levels? Spiritually: “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost” (D&C 8:2) Emotionally: If someone asks you “where in the body do you feel that?” How often to you point to the torso region of your body? What comes first, the gut instincts followed by a release of hormones and neurotransmitters? Or is it the other way around? Either way, there is a strong connection between the brain and the vital organs and bowels. Physically: The latest scientific discoveries are demonstrating the strong connection between the microbiome of the gut and mental health. Nutritionists refer to this as the psychobiome .

23. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long emphasized the importance of the digestive system in maintaining health and preventing disease. The gut is viewed as the root of vitality and the foundation of wellness. It is impossible to separate gut health from heart health in TCM because they are so interconnected.

24. The Spiritual Heart Heart intelligence belongs to our Spirit. It is connected to the perfect DNA we inherited for heavenly parents. The Intelligence resides in both the mind and heart. The heart responds to light and truth, and can become darkened when light and truth are taken away. (D&C 93:39) The Physical Heart (TCM) The vital organs and bowel structures belong to our physical body. They are subject to injury, disease, and decay. The physical organs in the gut are part of the network that generates the emotions we feel in our body. Physical ailments of these structures produce symptoms of poor digestion, autoimmune disease, difficulties with memory, learning, and attention, obsessions, fears and anxiety, depression. The Heart as the Command Center for the Soul The heart is the seat of emotion, the inner core of being, and the receptor for spiritual infusions. It is the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes. This heart helps us make decisions, Feel inspiration and motivation, connect with others, choose obedience to God and feel joy and sorrow. This heart is capable of change and transformation as we learn and grow through experience. Summary