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Lingering / Wandering Spirits & Mormon Experiences - Page 8

I'm sorry I don't remember who said this as I copied it pages ago, but remember that faith...believing in that we can not see...can be stronger than sight. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris all saw Moroni as he presented the golden plates to them. While they never denied that experience, they still lost their faith and fell away from the Church. Laman and Lemuel had numerous spiritual experiences. They saw angels. Without faith, they were back to their murmuring ways just minutes after an angel appeared to them and stopped them from beating Nephi and Sam.

(warning...I do not post often, so when I do it tends to be long. My apologies.)

I, too, have had numerous interactions, both good and bad, with the Spirit World. I will relay one of the strongest:
On my mission followers of Satan surrounded our apartment every night in an area that was closed to missionaries more than it was open to them. Missionaries there tended to forget their purpose and do things they shouldn't. I was transferred there after 1 month with my trainer. I spent 3 months with a companion with horrible negativity issues that attracted the spirits of Satan in the hundreds. I was shaken quite badly and scared, but I was also young and quite self-righteous. It is well documented that a number of the early members of the church were deceived by Satan and his followers. Some left the church and never returned. Sidney Rigdon is an excellent example. Upon Joseph Smith's death he claimed that he should be the protector of the Church and started his own faction (see B.H. Roberts, History of the Church, Vol 7 Chapter XVIII). Another example comes to us in Doctrine and Covenants 28. This revelation was given to Joseph Smith in response to a claim by Hiram Page that he was receiving revelation for the Church through a certain stone and had many people believing him, including Oliver Cowdery. Hiram took the counsel of Joseph and realized that he had been deceived. During the first 3 months I was in this area my companion and I started getting very precise direction in response to our prayers. We were told when to tract, where to tract. While this isn't an unusual answer to a missionary companionship's prayers for guidance the manner was unusual. We spent hours driving through this little town and pointing at homes we felt we should come back and visit, but also felt that we didn't need to write down addresses as there was no way we would forget (upon returning weeks later, we remembered very little). We also felt strongly that there was a massive amount of work that needed to be done and that only we could do it. We didn't need help and should tell no one. Many more things were "revealed" to us and I began to be uneasy. The directions were simple and clear at first, but became more and more confusing and complicated. I couldn't keep track of all the information we were receiving. About this time we went to a Zone Conference (this was the only time we saw other missionaries as this area was quite remote). While there I felt this same feeling of "revelation" instructing me to keep myself as separated as I could from the other missionaries. My companion felt the same. This caused me to stop and analyze what I was feeling. I KNEW that couldn't be right. When we returned back to our area I spent some time reading the Book of Mormon full of humility. I then pleaded with my Heavenly Father for understanding. Immediately the sweet feeling of the Spirit came over me with the words "If it's confusing, it's not of me". At that moment I realized that through my self-righteousness I had allowed Satan to answer my self-serving prayers for nearly 2 months. He wasted our time and kept us away from the work at hand. After further prayer I also came to the realization that my fear of the followers of Satan that were surrounding our apartment (hundreds every night) was what attracted them. They fed on that fear and knew as long as we were afraid God's work was slowed. Unfortunately my companion would not be persuaded and continued his self-righteous and very negative thought patterns. By the way, he was also very aware of the spirits surrounding the apartment. He was transferred shortly after the Spirit helped me to understand Satan's deception.

My next companion was a 'greenie'. In no way did I feel prepared to train. My faith had been shaken and tested and I felt completely inadequate, yet there he was. I decided I would not tell him of any of my experiences and see if he noticed the nightly visitors, who, by this time realized that I was no longer afraid and their numbers had diminished dramatically, though there were always a few every night. They no longer entered our apartment, however as they sometimes had in the past. As I watched him read his scriptures sitting at our table where he had view of 2 doors (both open for ventilation) he would read for a time and then his head would whip up to look at one or other of the doors. After watching him for a few nights he asked if I ever felt as though someone was watching us. I simply answered "you noticed." We then had a long conversation and I reminded him that our Heavenly Father promised that Satan can not have power over us if we are humble and full faith AND that faith and fear cannot exist together. Our visitors continued, but without fear and negativity to feed on seldom stayed for long.

About 2 weeks before I was transferred out of the area we finally had a convert baptism. We'd had many discussions and numerous investigators commit to a date, but they always backed out. This brings me to one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. On the day of the baptism we went early to the church to fill the font. While my companion was filling the font I was recording a song that my sister had requested I record so she could play it at her wedding reception. My companion later told me that as the font was filling he was trying to read his Scriptures in the hallway, but was not able to. There were so many spirits walking through the halls he couldn't concentrate. Spiritual activity in this area was so common that he wasn't necessarily even surprised. Of course, these spirits were followers of our Heavenly Father and my companion felt very strongly that this was an important baptism and they were there to oversee it. He got so caught up in all the activity he nearly forgot the font. Luckily, one of these very busy spirits didn't and reminded him. He said he felt as if a spirit came and stood right next to him and "told" him to check the font. He couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed as they were constantly going in and out of where I was recording, but I was quite focused on this project for my sister.

The baptism went very well. It was beautiful.

After the baptism we were in our car about to leave when I remembered I had forgotten to return the TV and VCR (yes...it was before DVD's) to the Library. I went back into the church and entered the Chapel where we'd used them. As soon as I entered I knew that I'd interrupted something. The Chapel was full of spirits as if in a meeting receiving instruction. While I couldn't see them I had the strongest sensation that the everyone in the Chapel was waiting for me to leave so they could continue. I quickly got the TV/VCR and as I left felt compelled to apologize (out loud) for interrupting.

That convert baptism was the first convert baptism in that area in ten years. The next few months there saw another 9 in rather quick succession. I know for a fact that Satan had a strong hold there and fought against the missionaries in every way he could. Six months later the area was closed again because missionaries were again breaking rules and became ineffective.

By the time I was transferred I was extremely exhausted from this very real struggle and prayed that I could be in an area that was not full of such spiritual turmoil. Heavenly Father heard my prayers and my next area was extremely peaceful. Over the next 10 days I fell into bed just as soon as we arrived home and my companion was not able to wake me up before 11am. Never before or since have I ever had such fatigue.

I know that many people feel that spiritual experiences can be explained away. To the person who posted that Sleep Paralysis was a likely explanation, the reverse could also be true. Sleep Paralysis may be man's explanation for a spiritual attack just as many try to explain away our testimonies as a type of group hypnosis.

Something else to keep in mind is that some people are more sensitive to the Spirit World than others. For example, the missionary that replaced me in the area where I and both of my companions had daily experiences with both good and evil spirits never noticed a thing. He went on to be a very effective Assistant to the President. Also, I have lived in places where I had no connection to the Spirit World in any way, though the Holy Ghost was present. For some reason, some places on earth have more activity than others.

I realize there are always skeptics, but I can tell you that I know through both faith and first-hand knowledge is that the Spirit World is as real as the physical world and is always around us.

I'll leave you with a quote:

I believe this in a truly literal sense.

Experiences Mormon and Spirits Wandering Lingering

Name: Sam

Comments: I was the person who was talking about sleep paralysis, I wasn't claiming that every experience was sleep paralysis, just a few stories in this thread sounded exactly like it. If you do a Google search there is lots of information about it. I am in no way dismissing any claims as false, I just wanted to let people know about sleep paralysis possibly being a cause of demonic visions.

Lingering / Wandering Spirits & Mormon Experiences Studies Doctrine Mormon

My immediate family has had some interactions with the spirit world, mostly good, but also an encounter with an evil presence. I don't really want a lengthy post, but many of these experiences are inter-related so I feel I need to put them together. I do feel that it will hopefully be a worthwhile read. I have been in this board before and did not feel ready to share these experiences, as they are sacred to me. However, for some reason, I feel prompted to share them tonight.

I am the youngest of six children. My oldest brother died six weeks before his 8th birthday. I was not yet born. My parents only had two boys at this time--my brother that was 7 and my other brother that was 6 at the time. They were very busy with two boys that were only 10 months apart in age and did not plan on having any more children. My two brothers were very close in age and were best friends. Several weeks before my brother became sick, he would tell my mother that there was a man in his room, and my mother assured him that it was just his brother. My oldest brother insisted that there was another man in the room besides my brother. My mother brushed this aside, until after he died. He also would point to objects in his bedroom, such as my mother's sewing machine, and he would tell her, "Look at those pretty flowers over there." My mother thought he was day-dreaming. Things like this continued to happen. Then, my brother contacted appendicitis. The appendix had ruptured. The doctors treated the infection, and then removed the appendix. Upon surgery, my brother was given a medication that we did not know he was allergic to and his organs began shutting down one at a time, and he died. To connect the next story, my parents lived closed to my grandparents at the time of his death. My parents used to take my grandmother home from church while my grandfather attended to some meetings. My brother would always tell my grandma, "Come on, grandma, we'll take you home."

Upon my grandmother's death (about 20 years later), my aunt had a dream that my brother had come to my grandmother and he told her, "Come on, grandma, I'll take you home."

About 7 years after this, I had an experience with my brother who had previously died. I was 16 at the time and on a spiritual high after a youth conference. I had prepared for bed after a great youth conference, read my scriptures, said my prayers, and laid down in bed. I had a dream that my oldest brother came to me and wanted me to pass along some messages for him. First of all, he wanted me to tell my parents how much he loved them, that he was happy and not to worry about him because he was with Grandma now. He also told me that I needed to pass along a message to my brother--the one he grew up with. It was a message of warning. My brother was not active in the church, as a young adult he had gotten involved with drugs and alcohol, and at one time was involved with the mafia in Washington D.C. We had to move to get him out of trouble and move our family out of serious danger. My brother was now a grown man, had cleaned up his life for the most part, married and had two daughters. He was still not active in the church and still smoked and drank alcohol.

My oldest brother told me in this dream that I needed to warn my brother that if he did not change his lifestyle, his health would be threatened and that his family would be torn apart. My brother emphasized how important this message was for me to pass along, and I learned of his great love and concern for our family. My brother appeared to me in the form of a child, how I recognized him from pictures I had seen growing up. He was dressed in white and had a glorious glow about him, which I cannot even begin to describe. I did not ever see his mouth move, rather, I knew exactly what he was saying--as if I knew his thoughts. When I awoke from this dream, I felt extreme peace and love inside. The next day was Sunday. I did not tell my parents of this experience as I did not have the time to yet--getting ready for church and such. However, as the sacrament was being passed at church that day, I felt my oldest brother's presence again. I felt and saw him come and sit by me while the sacrament was being distributed. I began crying, full of the spirit. My mother, of course, noticed this and thought something was wrong. I had to quietly tell her right there that I was not sad, but felt the spirit strong. I told her that my brother had come and was sitting by me. She, of course, starting crying to. After church, my parents and I came home and discussed what had happened. My parents were so relieved to know that my brother was happy and well, and that grandma was with him.

After sharing this experience with my parents, I knew I needed to deliver this message to my other brother--who lived about three hours away. I was trying to figure out how to deliver this message, and did not want my brother to think that I was just crazy. I started to doubt myself. I prayed and read my scriptures so that I would know the best way to express this message. About two or three nights after this experience, I had the most horrible presence enter my bedroom. It felt as though thick, dark smoke was invading my bedroom. It was the most scared I have ever been in my whole life, and was the most terrible feeling I have ever felt. I felt like something very evil was in my room. I prayed most of the night, as I only felt safe if I was praying. I did not sleep much that night, if at all. For the next week, my mother had to sleep in my bedroom with me until I fell asleep, because the presence seemed to remain. I spoke with my bishop and he felt as though Satan's influences were around me and trying to get me not to share the message with my brother. He felt that perhaps once the message delivered, the evil feelings would depart. That is exactly what happened.

I had the opportunity to spend the summer with my brother babysitting his little girls. I had the privilege of sharing this experience with my brother, who was inactive at the time. He told me that he had not felt the spirit in a long time, and when I told him of my experience with our brother, he felt something that he had not had in a long time. He believed what I was saying was true. He knew he needed to change his lifestyle and wanted to become better for his family. My brother's wife started taking missionary discussions, my brother stopped smoking and drinking at the time, but eventually, his old habits had become so addictive that he returned to his former ways. He did start drinking again. He was separated from his wife and daughters because of his drunken habits. His wife did have a change of heart and became religious. About two years after sharing this experience with my brother, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and died about 1 1/2 later.

My brother was very sick, and the last week of his life, entered into a coma. However, on Easter morning, his body that had not moved in a week, all of a sudden sat up and looked around. My mother told my brother how much we loved him, that his little girls would be taken care good care of by their good mother, and if he needed to go it was okay. After my mother spoke to him, he smiled real big, he reached out his arms as if he were embracing someone and then laid down and died.

About 10 years after this experience, my son was baptized at the age of 8. After my son came up out of the water, he saw some family members who had previously died, attending his baptism. He told me that when it was time for him to be confirmed, my father who had recently died and my husband's grandfather who had died about 2 years ago, had come up to help confirm him a member of the church. During his baptism, he said that his grandfathers were sitting right next to his living grandmothers (their spouses). He said that he also saw my brothers kind of appear in his head while he was being confirmed. He said my brothers were not confirming him, but rather he just pictured that there presence was there. Just prior to these experiences, before he was baptized, he would often tell me that he felt like satan was trying to get into his head and wanted me to teach him how to keep him away. I suggested praying, reading your scriptures, singing a hymn. During this time, I would go to his room with him and sing to him to get him to fall asleep.

My last experience that I share is that I did also see my husband's grandfather while in attendance at his funeral. I was playing the piano/organ at his funeral (during his life, he always wanted me to play the piano for him and requested that I play at his funeral). I was playing the song "Families Can Be Together Forever" as the family entered the room after the family prayer (I did not go to the family prayer. I do not like to watch the casket come down. For me, it makes it look like that is the end. I don't want this to be my last memory of anyone. I want to know that life continues beyond the grave.) Well, the casket came in first, and my husband's grandfather was right there behind it, smiling big and looking extremely happy. He was wearing a white suit, not the temple clothes that were on his body in the casket. I thought at first, perhaps, that I was mistaken and that he was the funeral director, so I had to take a second look, and sure enough, it was grandpa.

Page 8 Experiences Mormon and Spirits Wandering Lingering

Wow Pianomom if I have some of those experiences I would be freaked out you know what am I saying? Just curious what did you do when you saw your husband's grandfather? I mean you was like shocked, did it mention to anyone right away, etc?

Experiences Mormon and Spirits Wandering Lingering

SuzieSu
I was not freaked out at all when I saw my brother or my husband's grandfather. It was wonderful to see them and how well they were. They were people I was familiar with and had a deep love for. When I saw them, I only felt love, a pure love beyond description. I felt of their love and concern for my family. It was a glorious experience witnessing this, and I feel blessed that I was able to see beyond the veil. These experiences have made major impacts on my life as I want to live my life in such a way that I can have those feelings again. If that is what heaven is like, then I definitely want to be there! It is difficult to put into words the wonderful, awesome feelings that I had at the time. It was grand!

On the other hand, when I felt the evil presence, it was the most horrible feeling I have ever felt, and I was terrified or "freaked out" as you put it, until I delivered the message to my brother. Then, the evil presence was gone. I was so scared of this presence that my mother stayed in my room with me until I fell asleep. If this is what hell is like, I want no part of it and I would not wish these feelings upon anyone. It was absolutely horrible!

When I saw my husband's grandfather I was playing the piano, and I had to do a double take. I am sure that I missed a few notes, as I teared up, and was very emotional being able to see him again and witness this. Yes, I was shocked, but I was comforted to know that our grandfather was still with us, and it confirmed my testimony that life does continue beyond the grave. I was so happy that I was able to play the piano for him one last time, and that he was there to enjoy it. He looked incredibly happy, not sad at all. He was the leader of our family, and he was leading the family into his own funeral. He was such a wonderful man, and we look so forward to seeing him again someday.

I did share with my husband (dbackers) of this experience almost immediately--at some point when we were sitting together at the funeral, I told him of this. I also shared this experience at a later date (when I felt this was appropriate and as the spirit directed) with all of my husband's family--which included his grandmother, parents, and siblings. It helped to comfort them, especially my husband's father and grandmother. It strengthened their testimonies of forever families and made them want to work toward becoming better people so that we could all be reunited someday. It strengthened our desires to do temple work and become more devoted to the gospel. These were pleasant experiences. I share these experiences so that others testimonies may also be strengthened to know that life does continue, and you will be able to see your loved ones again.

Lingering / Wandering Spirits & Mormon Experiences

For the past two weeks, I have experienced something very strange at home. During the night while the lights are off and particularly in the kitchen, I hear people whispering...Now before you tell me is someone outside or next door, let me tell you that this whispering is not a common one. It is one that is intended (somehow?) for ME to hear.

I tried very hard to understand what these whisperings were but so far I have been unsuccessful. They come from the kitchen area and I feel I am being observed and when I try to look back or go to the kitchen, I feel whoever is there (I feel sometimes is one person and sometimes are more than one person) tries to "hide" himself/herself from me and they stop whispering as soon as I approach the kitchen. It is extremely bizarre. I never experienced anything like that before. If anyone would like to tell me what this could be, I would appreciated. Thanks.

Lingering / Wandering Spirits & Mormon Experiences - Page 8

I have a few stories that relate to myself and others that relate to my mom. I guess I'll start with my mom first.

My mom's foster father was a member of the religious group called "I AM Activity or Society". Her father was Brother Bill, one of the high-arks and right hand man to Brother Mann. Anyhow, when the stuff hit the fan; and the Society collapsed, her father flew the coupe. Brother Mann was a very powerful man(wealthy), and paid some witch to cast spells on Brother Bill and his family.

My mom said that during the time they were moving from place to place, the places they would go would seem to be haunted. She said that doors,shelves and drawers would open and close by themselves. Her foster mother's teeth all rotted out within a week.

I know that what my mom has told me is true because she was later adopted by my grandma that I know personally, and my grandma told me that when my mom first came to live with her those things also occurred at her house. My grandma said that along with the slamming of doors etc.; one time she woke up in the middle of the night and saw a tissue box floating in the air.

I have had one such experience that I would like to share with you. When I was 20 I went to prison because of an assault that I had committed on an old friend of mine.

Anyhow, while I was in prison I was talking to this person who related to me how much he disliked God; and I not knowing much about God, asked God to punish this person for what he had said. Well, to my surprise, that night when I went to sleep I had a very disturbing dream about that person, and when I woke up I could not move my arms or legs, it was as though I was being held down by someone. When I looked over I could see this figure, who stood about 7 feet tall, he was like a black shadow of the darkest black; and he was holding me down.

I got so scared that I began to pray, and once I was done praying, this figures lost his power over me, and I got off the bottom bunk thinking maybe that was the reason this happened, maybe the bottom bunk was cursed(That being the first night I sleep down there). So I went back to sleep on the top bunk; and it happened again; and right away I remembered what I had said earlier in my prayer and how I had asked God to curse that person, and so I began to repent as I prayed the second time. After I had finished praying and swore never to do such a thing again, what happened that night never happened again.

Lingering / Wandering Spirits & Mormon Experiences Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 8

Jaga wow that's an interesting experience now taking into consideration that it happened at night could it be possible that you was dreaming the whole thing you know what am I saying? I notice with these experiences mostly occur at night when people are either sleeping or going to bed thats why I ask.