I prayed about it and......???

[Iggy]

I generally have a clearing of confusion. Which way to go, which decision do I make. I think it out what the conclusion could be with each one. The direction that makes me feel less confused, less jittery is generally the one that Father wants me to take.

In decisions that require both my husband and I to work out are a bit more tricky. Because there are two of us working on it.

He is apt to let things slide and wait for the "Thunder bolt". I just don't work that way.

I make myself slow down, so that he has plenty of opportunity to ponder and pray and recieve his own revelation. But when I get real antsy and nervous about the decision, then I step up to the bat and tell him my feelings.

We then talk it out - pray about it. Quite often I will then push him for a decision, stating why I feel it needs to be made Right Now! What happens is he is hurried up just a bit, I am slowed down just a bit, we both are working on the decision and *POW* Father let's us both know when the time is right.

Both of us have a "Do it now" feeling. We both have the "Clearing of Confusion" feeling. A Clarity of thought, so to speak.

[Traveler]

How does anyone know that anything is true? Should anything be different? As a scientist and engineer - I may start on a path for many different reasons but I know I am on a journey of truth when I begin to sense that I am engaged in something special. But it is not over in a moment. Each step opens wide to new and more understanding. Pieces of confused reality begin to fit and function.

For me it is not a moment of enlightenment from a time of seeking and finely finding the answer. It is a journey of enlightenment and finding more answers years later to questions I was never wise enough to ask. The more I use the principles of truth the more offers and leads are given me to paths and new things of greater joy and understanding.

I do not believe truth is a destination – I believe truth is an endless journey. I am indeed grateful for those that convinced me to take the first steps. If you do not discover something every day that changes you for the better (better being better toward others) – you are not on the path of truth but are in the process of being lead to paths of counterfeit truths.

The Traveler

[Lost_one]

Originally Posted by HiJolly

This is called a "rare initiation", by those who study such things. You experienced both the exoteric rite, and the esoteric fullfillment of that rite, simultaneously. What a blessing!

When Wilford Woodruff was baptised, he did NOT experience this, until hours later. Still, pretty close, since I think most LDS don't experience the 'fire' for many years after baptism.

I, too had this experience, though for me it was a fire, a burning, tingling fire that spread from the crown of my head down through my entire body. Isn't it wonderful?


HiJolly

Isnt that interesting? I didnt realise it was rare. I did feel very blessed and while writing about the experience here, i remembered that feeling and how amazing it was.

Originally Posted by Traveler

How does anyone know that anything is true? Should anything be different? As a scientist and engineer - I may start on a path for many different reasons but I know I am on a journey of truth when I begin to sense that I am engaged in something special. But it is not over in a moment. Each step opens wide to new and more understanding. Pieces of confused reality begin to fit and function.

For me it is not a moment of enlightenment from a time of seeking and finely finding the answer. It is a journey of enlightenment and finding more answers years later to questions I was never wise enough to ask. The more I use the principles of truth the more offers and leads are given me to paths and new things of greater joy and understanding.

I do not believe truth is a destination – I believe truth is an endless journey. I am indeed grateful for those that convinced me to take the first steps. If you do not discover something every day that changes you for the better (better being better toward others) – you are not on the path of truth but are in the process of being lead to paths of counterfeit truths.

The Traveler

I really like your way of thinking and have a similar outlook in life.

[abqfriend]

Hi Traveler-I enjoyed your post-and that Truth is an endless journey. Hopefully as we go through life and on our journey of faith- and life-we will come closer to those ultimate truths. Thanks for your post.

Originally Posted by Traveler

How does anyone know that anything is true? Should anything be different? As a scientist and engineer - I may start on a path for many different reasons but I know I am on a journey of truth when I begin to sense that I am engaged in something special. But it is not over in a moment. Each step opens wide to new and more understanding. Pieces of confused reality begin to fit and function.

For me it is not a moment of enlightenment from a time of seeking and finely finding the answer. It is a journey of enlightenment and finding more answers years later to questions I was never wise enough to ask. The more I use the principles of truth the more offers and leads are given me to paths and new things of greater joy and understanding.

I do not believe truth is a destination – I believe truth is an endless journey. I am indeed grateful for those that convinced me to take the first steps. If you do not discover something every day that changes you for the better (better being better toward others) – you are not on the path of truth but are in the process of being lead to paths of counterfeit truths.

The Traveler

[MrNirom]

I get the knowledge. Its like.. I just all of a sudden know its right. Not that I heard the words or anything.. it's like asking a question... going to the library.. and now you know the answer. I just get to skip going to the library (most of the time) Sometimes I get the answer from the library.. LOL





Book of Mormon On Line

[avatar4321]

All I can say is when you experience it, you'll know.

It's like being wrapped in power, love, and glory.

[skalenfehl]

It's a little different with everyone, but the feelings are generally the same. I definitely recognize stupors of thought. When the process becomes confusing, it generally means I need a new approach. Sometimes the answer to very important questions, especially where matters of stewardship, testimony or blessings are concerned it's burning of bosom. Sometimes it's a very clear and distinct impression that simply drives away all other thoughts. The answers vary as much as the situation.

Burning in the bosom usually comes when a confirmation is needed. For example, I've been in leadership positions where I have needed to make important decisions. After I have thoughtfully and prayerfully come to a conclusion the answer comes with that burning. If it doesn't, then I continue until I receive that confirmation. Another example was when I prayed about the choice I made about marrying my wife. I still remember that night 18 years ago. The spirit was so powerfully strong and it lasted for several minutes. I stood up from my bed and walked around my room and it was like the whole room was on fire. I knew that Father in Heaven approved and today I realize that the powerful answer served to reinforce my decision because of the really bumpy roads that my wife and I endured in later years.

Other times when I pray about something, my mind just seems to remain fixed on the answer as if none of the other options seem right. It's that 'I feel it with every fiber of my being' feeling. I've often prayed whether or not to continue in my line of work, which is very seasonal and not always dependable. But each time that I pray, nothing else seems right, even after studying it out in my mind as the Lord often councils.

Then there are the times when I just need a little wisdom and the answers come as thoughts. I have learned to tune in to the Spirit and one thing about me is I'm really a very weird ADD kind of guy. My mind is always going a million miles an hour, I tend to jumble my thoughts all the time because I usually think in terms of images rather than words or sentences. I even have a hard time "pronouncing" words in my mind because I think too fast. This is probably why my family thinks I'm crazy sometimes. My point is there are those quiet times when an answer comes to my mind in such a clear and articulated thought that I just know it didn't come from me. It is such a distinct whisper/thought that seems to instantly push out all the "noise." That's the best way I can explain it.

The common denominator with all of these experiences is continually pondering my solutions, studying them out in my mind and considering the best choice or choices. Afterwards, comes the fervent prayers alone in my room or my closet. I've spent many hours in my closet and have even fallen asleep in it before after spending so much time in there. We really need to have faith and not doubt God's power. Fasting is also an important tool in seeking the Lord's council. Consider Enos' prayer in the BoM, also Alma's. He prayed and fasted for many days (Alma 5) before finally getting his answer. Cornelius the Centurian and Gentile had such faith. He fasted and prayed for four days (Acts 10) before Peter was sent by the Lord to teach and baptize him. The Lord will always answer us, but it is always in His time, not ours and the answer isn't always what we think is best but what the Lord knows is best.

Ask and receive, not doubting!

[Lost_one]

Thank you everyone. I have learned much from this thread.

[tammyi]

I remeber when I got the holy spirit it was like a fire or a warm feeling started at my head and went down my whole body. It was so awersome.
I think everyone needs to know. its human nature

[MorningStar]

Originally Posted by Gwen

the short answer, how do i know? the nausia goes away.

the longer answer...lol i'm a worrier. even when i know the right answer and i'm doing it i still worry about it. there is this feeling i get, not quite nausia but i don't know how else to describe it, that i get when i don't have an answer, when i'm doing nothing. it goes away, even when i don't like the answer but i know i have my answer. if i'm not following what i'm supposed to be doing that feeling persists even though i think i have my answer......well this is only true for "big" things. otherwise i'm kinda on my own.

I get nauseated when it's the wrong answer too, which was really frustrating when we were looking for a new place to live because it was months of everything feeling wrong until we got the perfect place. We were living with my parents at the time, so I felt pressure to settle for something. Once the paperwork was in front of me and I was about to sign it, I couldn't do it. Some people have a "stupor of thought". I say I have a stupor in my stomach.

As far as telling what are my own thoughts and what is the Spirit, I learned that the Spirit will address me, "You need to do this." And when I find myself disagreeing with the message I'm hearing, I pay attention. For example, when I was about 13, my parents were on a date and came home much later than planned (turned out my mom went to the ER with severe ear pain) and while I was playing with my dog, the still small voice said, "Go play downstairs." I thought, "I don't want to play downstairs." It repeated, "Go play downstairs." I thought, "Ok ..." So I did. I continued playing with my dog and it said, "Go look out the window." I thought, "I'm playing with my dog. I don't want to look out the window." It said, "You need to look out the window." So I did, but it was dark and I had to cup my hands around my eyes to see into the darkness. That's when I saw a man dressed in black crawling in our backyard. I couldn't believe my eyes. Literally, I couldn't believe it. Then it said, "Your brother's window is open! Go close it!" I ran quickly into his room and sure enough, it was open, so I slammed it shut. I was on ground level, so it would've been really easy for the guy to get in. It just seemed too weird to be true, so I went upstairs and didn't tell my sister because I didn't want to alarm her and I didn't want to call the police because it just didn't seem real. I kept my sister away from the windows and felt like we would be OK.

The next morning my mom asked, "Who got their muddy handprint on my window???" It was the little window above the kitchen sink and the only way to touch that window is to stand on the stair railing attached to the porch. The print was smeared as if someone tried to open it. I looked horrified and my mom said, "What? What's wrong?" I told her what had happened and that I should've called the police, but I kept thinking, "What if I was wrong and it was just a big black dog and they chewed me out for making a false report." Of course, a dog wouldn't be able to get over our fence.