First experience with the Holy Ghost

[_Gazelam]

I've heard a few times from some of the ex-mos here that they believed at one time that they had experienced the Holy Ghost testifying to them. Now many state that they write it off to "cognitive dissonace" or whatever.

What I would like to hear is what you recall of that time. What were the circumstances surrounding that first testimony ?

As for myself, having grown up in the church, the Holy Ghost was kind of always around. I just didn't know what I knew.

It wasn't until I started out on my mission that I learned what I already knew. A little further into things I had to put Moronis test to the test, and it payed off big time.
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[_GoodK]

I've heard a few times from some of the ex-mos here that they believed at one time that they had experienced the Holy Ghost testifying to them. Now many state that they write it off to "cognitive dissonace" or whatever.

What I would like to hear is what you recall of that time. What were the circumstances surrounding that first testimony ?

As for myself, having grown up in the church, the Holy Ghost was kind of always around. I just didn't know what I knew.

It wasn't until I started out on my mission that I learned what I already knew. A little further into things I had to put Moronis test to the test, and it payed off big time.
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.
.
.
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.
.

Prepare to be underwhelmed...

I was sitting at the Utah Boys Ranch in a wool blanket, a green t-shirt and a rope/leash around my waist. I had just found out that I was going to be there until I was 18. I had gotten a letter from my step-dad about faith and Alma 32. I was feeling really depressed and sorry for myself. I decided to try "planting a mustard seed" and said to myself (or to God, take your pick) " I am going to be OK because Jesus will take care of me. " That was all the faith I needed to show. I instantly went from feeling hopeless to feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I was absolutely convinced that the church was true. I had a few more similar experiences shortly after that, but that was the first and most significant experience I had with the Holy Ghost.

[_Jersey Girl]

That was all the faith I needed to show. I instantly went from feeling hopeless to feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Why do LDS so often equate the Holy Spirit with feelings of warmth and comfort? Do LDS not allow for other types of feelings as evidence of the Holy Spirit testifying?

[_Gazelam]

GoodK,

Actually, one of my early experiences was very similar. I went from listening to music all day every day prior to my mission, as well as enjoying jeans and t-shirts and never studying the gospel, to beign immersed completely into the life of a missionary. I knew I was supposed to be on a mission, but I really didn't have a full picture of what was going on.

This led to a series of very embarrasing letters to my mission president about how the whole mission thing was on a trial basis etc.. etc.. He let these letters flow as they woud for a short time, and then I got the phone call. "We are having a Zone Conference tommorow, if you don't want to be here then bring your bags and we'll have you on the next flight out. I don't want to get any more of these letters, so make up your mind."

So that was it. What was I there for? I'd been in Scotland for about a month, and was still viewing it as a trial basis thing. No more fence sitting, what was I going to do? I did what we told the investigators to do, I asked God.

I didn't get any overwhelming "Bam its true !" thing. But what I did get was a sort of inner attitude change. I just got a strong sense that everything was as it should be, and that I was in the right place.

I stayed, and I felt that it was a very good thing. I changed my attitude and grew from that point on. It was the Holy Ghosts gift to me of a sense of Peace and Joy that did it, and I was better for it.

Cause if it was up to me I would have just gone home. I missed my music and jeans.

[_Gazelam]

Jersey,

Why do LDS so often equate the Holy Spirit with feelings of warmth and comfort? Do LDS not allow for other types of feelings as evidence of the Holy Spirit testifying?

My experience with the Holy Ghost was just that. Along with the sense of being filled with light was the feeling of being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Like your parent when you were a kid tucking you in.

[_Jason Bourne]

Why do LDS so often equate the Holy Spirit with feelings of warmth and comfort? Do LDS not allow for other types of feelings as evidence of the Holy Spirit testifying?

Because their leaders have constantly emphasized that such feelings indicate the HG.

There are also two verses in the D&C. One says the HG will tell you somethings in your mind and in your hears. Then there is another where the HG is said to give peace in the affirmative and a stupor of thought in the negative.

[_Jersey Girl]

Jersey,

Why do LDS so often equate the Holy Spirit with feelings of warmth and comfort? Do LDS not allow for other types of feelings as evidence of the Holy Spirit testifying?

My experience with the Holy Ghost was just that. Along with the sense of being filled with light was the feeling of being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Like your parent when you were a kid tucking you in.

Are you saying that you only associate positive feelings with the Holy Spirit?

[_Gazelam]

Jersey,

Are you saying that you only associate positive feelings with the Holy Spirit?

Well, I do know that wehn I do something wrong I feel the Holy Ghost leaving me. The place he takes up in my "heart" gets a very empty and hollow feeling.

Take that for what you will.

[_Jersey Girl]

There are also two verses in the D&C. One says the HG will tell you somethings in your mind and in your hears. Then there is another where the HG is said to give peace in the affirmative and a stupor of thought in the negative.

To what do LDS attribute feelings of "convictedness" or guilt?

[_Gazelam]

Jersey,

To what do LDS attribute feelings of "convictedness" or guilt?

I would say the Holy Ghost. When baptised you get that gift of an "educated concience". You know right from wrong instinctively, and oyu feel when the Holy Ghost does not want to be near you.

By the way, you can answer the OP as well ya know. : ) This sint about just knowign the church is true. Its about your experience with the Holy Ghost.