cryophil

I'm a lot confused about the Holy Ghost telling us the truth of all things. First of all, as I read it in the BoM, the spirit causes us to feel peace. It causes a mighty change. It brings comprehension and a knowledge of the truth. The D&C section 9 tells us that a test of truth (at least during translation) is a burning in the bosom, or a stupor of thought. Some of my research into this has led me to this page at LDS.ORG: LDS.org - Archives by Topic - Conversion What I see here is the following elements of a conversion: 1) Forever touched for good 2) Miracles of the heart being changed 3) Comprehension of truth made plain 4) Spiritual rebirth that changes what we desire and feel But these elements are in all religions. All other branches of Christianity tell us their members are changed, touched for good, they have miracles of the heart, comprehension of the bible, a mighty change of heart and life to be born again. Islam has a 5-step conversion process, and they preach that true conversion happens from inner peace. Hindus use the 3rd and 4th chakras to bring an inner guide that is powerful and life-changing. Motivational speakers sell this same product--change your life and make your world better! Buddhists lay claim to finding a new plane of awareness in meditation that opens the world view to things that cannot be verbalized. How is it that other polytheistic, financial based or religions based on terror can also guarantee these same feelings for their followers? And why do they have billions of members, if it is a fraud? how can I tell the difference between spirit and emotion? A positive peaceful confirming feeling is something I also get when watching movies, thinking about science, reading about buddhism and so forth. I once had a major decision to make about a job, and I got that peaceful, confirming feeling that builds inner confidence. In fact, it was a feeling that made my chest feel like it would burst from being overjoyed and my head was like being on-fire with alertness and excitement, while at the same time feeling calm and peaceful about everything, love towards everyone. It was the same feeling I thought I had gotten when I felt I had gotten a testimony. Within a week of starting the job, I realized it was a huge mistake. Same thing getting married. I don't think that peaceful feelings, even the strong ones that raise your mental alertness, make you feel like you're going to burst inside, have an overflowing of love for all humankind, these don't really mean something is absolutely true. They mean you feel good about it right then and there. People the world over have these feelings all the time. People the world over get confused and down. These are just strong feelings. So how does one really know the difference between these and the spirit?

I'm starting a new thread (now that I can) about this, as to not hijack this one.

Thanks. That goes to my next question, how can I tell the difference between spirit and emotion? A positive peaceful confirming feeling is something I also get when watching movies, thinking about science, reading about buddhism and so forth. I once had a major decision to make about a job, and I got that peaceful, confirming feeling that builds inner confidence. In fact, it was a feeling that made my chest feel like it would burst from being overjoyed and my head was like being on-fire with alertness and excitement, while at the same time feeling calm and peaceful about everything, love towards everyone. It was the same feeling I thought I had gotten when I felt I had gotten a testimony. Within a week of starting the job, I realized it was a huge mistake. Same thing getting married. I don't think that peaceful feelings, even the strong ones that raise your mental alertness, make you feel like you're going to burst inside, have an overflowing of love for all humankind, these don't really mean something is absolutely true. They mean you feel good about it right then and there. People the world over have these feelings all the time. People the world over get confused and down. These are just strong feelings. So how does one really know the difference between these and the spirit?

My question is, if Moroni was keeping the plates from Joseph Smith by spiritual forces until he was prepared to get them, why did they even have to be buried? Moroni took them back and they are no longer on the earth, according to some histories. Why didn't God just keep them in heaven until Moroni could have taken them to Joseph Smith. Seems like it would have been no more of a miracle than the force field.

My question about the atonement is, why did God create us with flaws only to have someone else have to pay for the mistakes we make due to those flaws?

I have the same question. How does one know what is truth and what is not?

I think manipulating the dad by going around him is really bad form.

I'm just hoping to get some answers about the spirit. I can't start a new thread, so can someone point me to the FAQ that says how I can get permission? Thanks!