The Spirit - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

MikeWaters · 07-23-2007, 03:58 AM

Some folks in other religions refer to people being "in the Spirit" or not. Meaning, I suppose, whether a person "gets it" when it comes to spiritual manifestations.

I remember while at BYU I was speaking to one of my roommates. We talked about our testimonies and what they were based on. Mine was based on the ecstatic and charismatic, that is, something ineffable that I had emotionally ("emotion" is not the right word, so perhaps "spiritually" would be more accurate) experienced. In talking to my roommate, he explained it as something akin to "intellectual clarity". That it makes sense. The more we talked, the more I was convinced we were talking about two different things.

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning. Not the Spirit of God like QED is proving.

Anyway, years later I am in the church, and my friend/roommate has had his records withdrawn.

I don't know why it seems that some don't have spiritual experiences that lead to conviction and testimony. Some of them end up going along for many years, if not their entire lives, not really convinced of any of it, despite what is described as sincere and longstanding effort.

I have no explanation for it. Just like I really don't have an easily describable explanation for my own experience. All I know is God says "try me." And through that, I've come away with a sense of the divine. Maybe just a hint of it, but enough to keep me going.

All-American · 07-23-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Some folks in other religions refer to people being "in the Spirit" or not. Meaning, I suppose, whether a person "gets it" when it comes to spiritual manifestations.

I remember while at BYU I was speaking to one of my roommates. We talked about our testimonies and what they were based on. Mine was based on the ecstatic and charismatic, that is, something ineffable that I had emotionally ("emotion" is not the right word, so perhaps "spiritually" would be more accurate) experienced. In talking to my roommate, he explained it as something akin to "intellectual clarity". That it makes sense. The more we talked, the more I was convinced we were talking about two different things.

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning. Not the Spirit of God like QED is proving.

Anyway, years later I am in the church, and my friend/roommate has had his records withdrawn.

I don't know why it seems that some don't have spiritual experiences that lead to conviction and testimony. Some of them end up going along for many years, if not their entire lives, not really convinced of any of it, despite what is described as sincere and longstanding effort.

I have no explanation for it. Just like I really don't have an easily describable explanation for my own experience. All I know is God says "try me." And through that, I've come away with a sense of the divine. Maybe just a hint of it, but enough to keep me going.

Joseph Smith said "This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence." This implies to me that whenever you feel the spirit, whether it is an emotional feeling or a thought, it is trying to tell you something. If you don't know what it is the spirit just tried to communicate to you, either you weren't listening well enough, or it wasn't the spirit.

RockyBalboa · 07-23-2007, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-American

Joseph Smith said "This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence." This implies to me that whenever you feel the spirit, whether it is an emotional feeling or a thought, it is trying to tell you something. If you don't know what it is the spirit just tried to communicate to you, either you weren't listening well enough, or it wasn't the spirit.

Or that someone is too stubborn and arrogant in their "intellectual" being to accept that the spirit truly is stronger than the mind.

Archaea · 07-23-2007, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Or that someone is too stubborn and arrogant in their "intellectual" being to accept that the spirit truly is stronger than the mind.

Disagree.

The Spirit when I recognize it, enlightens my mind and my thought flows more freely.

All-American · 07-23-2007, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Or that someone is too stubborn and arrogant in their "intellectual" being to accept that the spirit truly is stronger than the mind.

I think I covered that well enough without the shot at Taq, thanks.

The mind and the spirit work together to the enlightenment of man. There's no question of which is stronger or more important to the man who recognizes that both are essential.

SeattleUte · 07-23-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I don't know why it seems that some don't have spiritual experiences that lead to conviction and testimony. Some of them end up going along for many years, if not their entire lives, not really convinced of any of it, despite what is described as sincere and longstanding effort.

I have no explanation for it. Just like I really don't have an easily describable explanation for my own experience. All I know is God says "try me." And through that, I've come away with a sense of the divine. Maybe just a hint of it, but enough to keep me going.

Mike, I think it means you're one of the 144,000. Congratulations. I also note you have a temple recommend.

Jeff Lebowski · 07-23-2007, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Mike, I think it means you're one of the 144,000. Congratulations. I also note you have a temple recommend.

That's really a cheap shot, SU. This is a legitimate topic raised by Taq Man earlier today. What is up with you lately?

SeattleUte · 07-23-2007, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

That's really a cheap shot, SU. This is a legitimate topic raised by Taq Man earlier today. What is up with you lately?

Oh...come....on. And this tired piety, "Too bad spiritual defects like you didn't get a vision like me," isn't?

Goatnapper'96 · 07-23-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Oh...come....on. And this tired piety, "Too bad spiritual defects like you didn't get a vision like me," isn't?

Hey pussy, what do you expect to come across on a BYU sports site with a religious area?

For the love of yourself, if you are not able to take religious and spiritual opinions from converted individuals of the faith of your youth without taking personal offense, why don't you just piss off? It is a simple concept, if this type of talk offends you take your ball and go home.

But know this Seattle, Jesus loves you and by golly I am trying!

SeattleUte · 07-23-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatnapper'96

Hey pussy, what do you expect to come across on a BYU sports site with a religious area?

For the love of yourself, if you are not able to take religious and spiritual opinions from converted individuals of the faith of your youth without taking personal offense, why don't you just piss off? It is a simple concept, if this type of talk offends you take your ball and go home.

But know this Seattle, Jesus loves you and by golly I am trying!

I'm sorry. What made you think I took personal offense? Do I seem offended?

07-23-2007, 03:58 AM	#1
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	The Spirit Some folks in other religions refer to people being "in the Spirit" or not. Meaning, I suppose, whether a person "gets it" when it comes to spiritual manifestations. I remember while at BYU I was speaking to one of my roommates. We talked about our testimonies and what they were based on. Mine was based on the ecstatic and charismatic, that is, something ineffable that I had emotionally ("emotion" is not the right word, so perhaps "spiritually" would be more accurate) experienced. In talking to my roommate, he explained it as something akin to "intellectual clarity". That it makes sense. The more we talked, the more I was convinced we were talking about two different things. The Spirit of God like a fire is burning. Not the Spirit of God like QED is proving. Anyway, years later I am in the church, and my friend/roommate has had his records withdrawn. I don't know why it seems that some don't have spiritual experiences that lead to conviction and testimony. Some of them end up going along for many years, if not their entire lives, not really convinced of any of it, despite what is described as sincere and longstanding effort. I have no explanation for it. Just like I really don't have an easily describable explanation for my own experience. All I know is God says "try me." And through that, I've come away with a sense of the divine. Maybe just a hint of it, but enough to keep me going.