The main reason I tend to compare WHM and WAR is down to the idea that people are fine with WHM being the simple, easy to learn healer, similar to how WAR is the simple, easy to learn tank. So when I say something like "WHM should be more like WAR", it's more to do with cognitive load rather than a 1-to-1 copy of mechanics. PLD is certainly a more thematic choice when comparing tanks, so I think it's fair to look at PLD and see if something similar to that could be adapted to a potential WHM build.

Personally, if I was to take more mechanical inspiration for WHM, I'd rather look at BLM; a high powered turret caster that emphasises big numbers and that feeling of raw power, and long cast times that go with it. However, it shouldn't be as punishing as BLM, and should take into account that it will have to interrupt its big damage spells for heals. WHM makes a lot of sense as the holy counterpart that focuses on the natural elements and the divine compared to BLM that revels in the destructive elements and despair.