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

[Lost_one]

I hear this quite alot. Someone prays to Heavenly Father with a question or problem and He gives them an answer through the spirit.

Ive done this and it works. My question is: How do you know when its the spirit and when its just you?

I know a person that will use this little sentence alot and for some reason, Heavenly Father ALWAYS seems to agrees with her.

Im not so lucky. Sometimes when i want him to agree with me, he doesnt. Sometimes he does though. Sometimes however, im suspicious that im the one answering the question and not really listening for His answer. Mostly when i REALLY want him to agree with me and know in my heart that He wont.

I guess what im asking is. How do you tell the differance?

Thanks

[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.

[Misshalfway]

My answer to this one is lots of practice!!!

Some of it is trial and error. Some of it is faith.....well, a lot of it is faith!

I think somewhere in all of this praying and getting answers is a gap of latitude that our HF gives us to determine truth or direction about our lives for ourselves. He lets us choose and learn to trust our own wisdom and then of course he fills in the blanks. Perhaps there are times when we just simply feel good about something and there is no real need for 'the big answer'. Perhaps Father say's "just go with that and see how you do. I'll be here on the other side."

[Vanhin]

The wonderful thing is that we have the ability to know inherently in us, as long as we don't reject it. It is the light of Christ. Mormon explains the way to judge if something is from God or not.

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. (Moroni 7:16)

Every time that I have experienced the influence of the Holy Ghost, I have been inspired to change my life for the better, and to come unto Christ. That is how you will know that what you are feeling, reading, or hearing is from God. It will persuade you to be good, and to believe in Christ. Mormon says, "...ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

President Eyring taught that, "It is the Holy Ghost who testifies that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to have eternal life with Him in families." (LDS.org - Liahona Article - O Remember, Remember). The Preach My Gospel manual has an excellent quote by President Boyd K. Packer:

“It is important for a . . . missionary . . . to know that the Holy Ghost can work through the Light of Christ. A teacher of gospel truths is not planting something foreign or even new into an adult or a child. Rather, the missionary or teacher is making contact with the Spirit of Christ already there. The gospel will have a familiar ‘ring’ to them” (“The Light of Christ,” address delivered at the seminar for new mission presidents, 22 June 2004, 2, see http://broadcast.lds.org/Missionary/...17_eng_011.pdf).

Anyway those are some of my thoughts on the matter.

Sincerely,
Vanhin

[Lost_one]

Although all answers already given, have a similar vain. I also noticed that we all have differances to in how we recognise the Spirit. I like the quote above by Mormon, in Moroni 7:16. I think that is the scripture im going to ponder tonight. Thank you Vanhin for posting it.

With that said. I wasnt really looking for scriptures. Im really interested in peoples personal feelings. For example, you could tell me a story of how you had a question answered or just knew it was HF talking to you. Here's one from me to help you understand what i mean.

Although i was eager to be baptized into the church, i still had some niggling doubts. I arrived at the church that night. My ward didnt have a building yet so we all went to the one in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. I got ready for my baptizm and after a little while, was sent for to "get wet" I followed Elder Harris's instructions and got dunked. Still those niggles wouldnt go away.

After i got changed we all walked round to the little room next door so that i could recieve the Holy Spirit. I sat there infront of everyone. The Bishop, Elder Harris and Elder Griffith put there hands on my head and started to speak. I didnt hear a word. I was praying with all my heart to my Heavenly Father, I really was scared i had made a mistake. I called to him inside my head and begged him to tell me, if i was really doing what he wanted. I got my answer. As soon as i asked, it felt as though a hole had opened over my heart and warm water was being pored in. It started at my heart and spread out into my chest, down my arms and legs and eventually my whole body was filled with this feeling and i finally felt at piece. I knew i had done the right thing.

Hope that helped.

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by Lost_one

After i got changed we all walked round to the little room next door so that i could recieve the Holy Spirit. I sat there infront of everyone. The Bishop, Elder Harris and Elder Griffith put there hands on my head and started to speak. I didnt hear a word. I was praying with all my heart to my Heavenly Father, I really was scared i had made a mistake. I called to him inside my head and begged him to tell me, if i was really doing what he wanted. I got my answer. As soon as i asked, it felt as though a hole had opened over my heart and warm water was being pored in. It started at my heart and spread out into my chest, down my arms and legs and eventually my whole body was filled with this feeling and i finally felt at piece. I knew i had done the right thing.

Hope that helped.

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

[Gwen]

my sis always complained about not ever getting a firm answer, almost everything was "make a choice". i on the other hand have very frequently gotten very very specific answers; to the point of "hearing a voice". i've received "object lessons" for lack of a better explaination. the first time i got a compleatly "make a choice and i will support you in it" answer i thought i would go crazy. one of the hardest decisions for me. lol i got an answer that was to the effect of "if you must you can. haven't you learned to trust me yet?" i'm probably being punished for it but my answer was "i must, nothing personal" i've always considered myself to have a unique relationship with my father, i'm sure it could stand to be improved.

[HiJolly]

Originally Posted by Gwen

my sis always complained about not ever getting a firm answer, almost everything was "make a choice".

That's my thing, too. Once in a blue moon Heavenly Father will whack me upside the head with something really big, but mostly He leaves me to make my own call.

Last year I lost a considerable sum of money on a business venture (considerable for me, anyway). I kept begging for direction and assistance in what to do. I didn't really see any kind of an answer, and as things progressed, I lost the investment, partly due to a diagnosis of, and subsequent surgery on, cancer.

I turned to anguished prayer, and it was as though I was asked "do you have sufficient for your needs?" I had to admit, that though I would like more, I do indeed have sufficient for my needs, and Father provides it all. Could be worse.

HiJolly

[Misshalfway]

Boy! It is tough to narrow down. How do you explain an experience that is so dynamic?

I have had such range in my experience with the Spirit of God and God himself inside of that Spirit. Sometimes I have experienced a voice. Other times answers have come unsolicited. So many have come thru scriptures and hymns. I have even had the rare dream here and there. Very rarely do I pray and get an answer in the same moment. It seems for me the answers unfold as I walk into the darkness of unknown experience in faith.

So many of my answers are contradictory at times......and have confused me! Until I realized God was trying to get me to choose and trust myself. Sometimes it has been a jolting, yet loving rebuke. And sometimes, it has felt like there were no answers coming at all.

Prayer is not like getting your fortune read. It is not linear -- like ask a question, get an answer. It is a Father, a perfect one, trying to teach and raise a child who must learn to use agency and faith at the same time. A situation much like pinning down a cloud! Sometimes it isn't about getting an answer. It is about doing it anyway in the absence of such comforts.

So much of the success of it happens on the insides of our hearts and minds and desires as we move towards the light.....or the hint of a light in some cases. More spirit and experience will come, and more clarity about who is speaking when, as we become more sanctified and obedient.

Sometimes I hear others complain that they haven't felt answers. One of those voices has been my own! But it is always because I lack something. Perhaps sin is barring the way or a faithless pocket somewhere in me, or the bantering of the selfish and impatient child I know is in there somewhere! Father is merciful and just and patient and Oh so kind! But he is not indulgent. His requirements are absolutely gestures of love. They guide us as we follow them....even into the darkness. And the light always comes for the faithful.

What is that old song by Michael McClain? Hold on....Hold on.....the light will come! And sometimes, the light was on the whole time. We just fail to see.

[Vanhin]

I do feel a "burning in my bosom" whenever I feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but what I remember more than anything is what happens in my mind and in my heart. I feel inspired to pray more, or to really study my scriptures. I receive revelation and knowledge of gospel truths. I want to repent and retain a remission of my sins. I want to be like the Savior and serve my family and neighbors. That's how I feel when I feel the Holy Ghost. That's how I know the difference between the Spirit or some other thing. The Spirit inspires me to believe in Christ.

The influence of the Holy Ghost can also be felt in a special way when we receive a saving ordinance by proper priesthood authority. The scriptures refer to this as the Holy Spirit of Promise. The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise, and He will confirm to us and witness to the Father that an ordinance was performed properly and that covenants have been kept. When we have received all the saving ordinances, and have been true and faithful to the covenants we have made, we will be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise and will inherit eternal life (D&C 76:51-60).

Regards,
Vanhin