I feel "the spirit" now more than I have for a long time

[_Buffalo]

But only when I go to church. Back when I was still believing but troubled about a few issues, I almost never felt it in church or anywhere else. Now I feel it often - and I'm an atheist who regularly attacks not only Joseph Smith and other church leaders, but the very idea of God and Jesus. This "spirit" that I feel in church (actually, it's always in Sunday school, never in Sacrament meeting) feels identical to the feeling I always associated with "the spirit" back when I was a believer.

TBMs, how do you interpret this?

[_Infymus]

/puts on TBM critical thinking hat

Satan is tricking you, return and repent.

/puts on Daniel C. Peterson hat

I would proffer to suggest some theory of words of quite profudderance however I am scheduled to be on a flight to meet with delegates in Washington DC, but that I had the time and initiative to succumb to your level of intelligence, and should you stop by my office and note upon my walls the various degrees and nuances, I would quite think that should you not rationalize the hypothesis of the feelings of the spirit (voice fades but never ends...)

/puts on Simon Belmont hat

I had a turd once that had more feelings than you do.

/puts on Julian hat

The nerve! #delete #ban

/puts on William Schryver hat

Will you wear a black dress you when say that?

/puts on Nehor hat

You never had the “real” spirit. You were a crappy member.


Feel free to add...

[_Buffalo]

/puts on TBM critical thinking hat

Satan is tricking you, return and repent.

/puts on Daniel C. Peterson hat

I would proffer to suggest some theory of words of quite profudderance however I am scheduled to be on a flight to meet with delegates in Washington DC, but that I had the time and initiative to succumb to your level of intelligence, and should you stop by my office and note upon my walls the various degrees and nuances, I would quite think that should you not rationalize the hypothesis of the feelings of the spirit (voice fades but never ends...)

/puts on Simon Belmont hat

I had a turd once that had more feelings than you do.

/puts on Julian hat

The nerve! #delete #ban

/puts on William Schryver hat

Will you wear a black dress you when say that?

/puts on Nehor hat

You never had the “real” spirit. You were a s****y member.


Feel free to add...

I lol'd :D

[_stemelbow]

Beats me. Could be a number of possibilities.

[_consiglieri]

TBMs, how do you interpret this?

Don't know if I am a TBM, but I have had a couple of experiences with the Spirit relatively recently which I will share.

Three years ago when reading the final chapters of Second Nephi in preparation for my Gospel Doctrine class, completely unbidden and unexpected came to me the presence I associate with the Spirit of God. It was as if, in spite of everything that has happened in my life and the distance that has grown between me and God, he was tapping me on the shoulder and letting me know he is still there and the Book of Mormon is still true.

The other was last year on a Wednesday evening when I was at the ward building in advance of my high priest group leadership meeting, for which I am the secretary. Walking down the hall, I poked my head into an open doorway where a missionary meeting was being concluded. I don't know what they were talking about specifically, and the meeting was winding up, but I felt the Spirit in that room the way I felt it at the MTC over thirty years ago.

It was a cheering experience.

And made me a little wistful.

What do I make of it?

I don't know.

Maybe just that God gets around . . .

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Some Schmo]

Feeling "the spirit" while doing something church related works on people the same way large breasted, bikini clad supermodels in beer commercials makes you want to buy that beer. Your mind works in associations. One thing reminds you of another, whether they're actually logically related or not. Marketing agents take advantage of this fact.

Just because you feel warm feelings in church doesn't mean it's the church stuff giving you warm feelings. I bet the church would see a massive increase in membership if large breasted, bikini clad supermodels gave all the talks in sacrament meeting. I know I'd feel the spirit... at least, I'd feel something.

[_Buffalo]

Additional information - the feeling seems to come most often when people in the room are agreeing about something, coming to some consensus.

[_Nightlion]

Additional information - the feeling seems to come most often when people in the room are agreeing about something, coming to some consensus.

As a TBM you were allowed to interpret human joy as 'the Spirit' by hypocritical leaders who only crave your money and sustaining votes to expand their dominions. Now, when all unkind feelings are absent your natural human joy comes into your heart.
It makes you joyful. Get used to it. Stop calling it what it is not.

Most LDS testimonies are identifying human joy with Jesus, God and the gospel, the Book of Mormon, the leadership, focused at General Conference. Like patriotism and buddy movies or seeing your child accomplish something great, when you identify intimately it is joyful. Enjoy the party.

God and his Spirit do not preside over any human consensus, no matter how much humans want to use them to sanctify their coming together. We are human. If cut do we not bleed? When our hearts are broken we cry. When at peace our joy comes unto us just as sweetly for the sacred and profane.

True Religion incorporates the power of godliness and takes all this up to a state of righteousness that is of God with his purpose and power behind it ever leading and adding to us knowledge and wisdom that fits us for a better world and a fulness of joy everlasting.

It's complicated when people are grateful to God for all things as if owning his Providences, however presumptuously, glorifies them, but about the same as atheist who want to own all the glory for human goodness, progress and excellence just the same.

[_Buffalo]

Additional information - the feeling seems to come most often when people in the room are agreeing about something, coming to some consensus.

As a TBM you were allowed to interpret human joy as 'the Spirit' by hypocritical leaders who only crave your money and sustaining votes to expand their dominions. Now, when all unkind feelings are absent your natural human joy comes into your heart.
It makes you joyful. Get used to it. Stop calling it what it is not.

Most LDS testimonies are identifying human joy with Jesus, God and the gospel, the Book of Mormon, the leadership, focused at General Conference. Like patriotism and buddy movies or seeing your child accomplish something great, when you identify intimately it is joyful. Enjoy the party.

God and his Spirit do not preside over any human consensus, no matter how much humans want to use them to sanctify their coming together. We are human. If cut do we not bleed? When our hearts are broken we cry. When at peace our joy comes unto us just as sweetly for the sacred and profane.

True Religion incorporates the power of godliness and takes all this up to a state of righteousness that is of God with his purpose and power behind it ever leading and adding to us knowledge and wisdom that fits us for a better world and a fulness of joy everlasting.

It's complicated when people are grateful to God for all things as if owning his Providences, however presumptuously, glorifies them, but about the same as atheist who want to own all the glory for human goodness, progress and excellence just the same.

Nightlion:

What does the "authentic spirit" feel like?

[_The Nehor]

/puts on Nehor hat

You never had the “real” spirit. You were a s****y member.

Quick correction:

It's 'crappy member'. Carry on.