Need advice on evil spirits.

[Collin]

I'm 17 and I'm a priest in my church. I live in a small town in Texas. I'm not very active as much as I should be and I have had a pretty tough life. But I consider myself special because of my morals and standards that I have. I have always been spiritual, but as I look back at my horrid childhood I can relate to Joseph Smith. He said that he felt as if evil was present early in his life. I believe the same about me. I believe that God has something special planned for my future, and that Satan figured that out early in my life. I remember Smith mentioning something about the devil knowing he would be a problem and tried to make his life as hard as possible. I don't believe I'm a future prophet but it has to be something special because I just feel different from everyone else. I feel like I have a closer connection to God than most others. Which makes me believe that Satan sent one of his followers to wreak havoc on my family to try to screw me up. And now as I'm getting older it seems more clear that evil spirits LOATH me terribly and want nothing more than to see me suffer in sin and misery. These days I struggle with many problems that keep me from becoming the person God expects me to become. The amount of temptations I receieve border on the edge of controlling. Sometimes I think Satan himself has a hand in this torment. They have a extremely desperate desire to drag me to hell with them. But these days as I'm growing up, I'm expected to make important decisions that effect the rest of my life. They know this. They are trying to tempt me to give up on life and live a life of sin. I believe they are trying to keep me from accomplishing what God has planned for me before I enter the real world. They have become so desperate that they actually torment me as I sleep to try and scare me into giving up on trying to be good. Nightmares such as hearing demonic growling saying "time to die" and seeing people I know as demons. I have issues with self-discipline and self-motivation, they know this. Haunting my dreams all night long to keep me from sleeping which in turn makes me unable to wake up early for seminary, church, and even school. They do it when Im trying to keep the commandments, and leave me alone when I'm in a state of sin. Very discouraging, they are very clever, but I know that I can beat them. As far as the nightmares go, its like what Joseph Smith experienced in the Sacred Grove when Satan attacked him. My body shakes, I can't move, sometimes I hear growling or. Just a feeling of pure hatred that is hard to describe. But I can fight it because I trained myself to be conscious at least to be able to think while I'm asleep and tell it to go away or beg God to deliver me from it. And at times when I'm doing the right things and obeying the commandments God sends angels to scare it off. Of course all I can see is shadows suddenly darting away after I ask for help. But when I'm sinful God is less likely to send help and I must endure it. I call the spirit a coward because it only attacks me when I'm not fully conscious or aware. I have only seen dark shadows hovering over me after I wake up, but it bothers my mom too and she woke up one night with it standing in her room. It annoys and angers me more than it scares me. It looks for every oppertunity it can to hurt me. I really wish it would leave me alone. The temptations I can deal with but I think it oversteps its bounds when it harrasses me like this. I guess I have to talk to my Bishop about it but I hate doing that. I hope one day I can get past all of this.

[Shortstuff]

The first thing you should do is contact another priesthood holder that you trust like your home teacher or bishop (preferably someone older like a high priest who either has experience with evil spirits or can refer you to someone who does) and ask for a blessing. You cannot fight this on your own. You need help and you need it immediately. You may also need to see a doctor to rule out any medical issues just in case. Cling to what you know is right like scriptures and hymns and avoid anything that does not invite the spirit. This includes seemingly innocuous things like the radio or novels and t.v. Satan and his demons are real and they want you any way they can get you. One trap you need to avoid is thinking that you feel different than other people. You don't know what other people feel just because they act a certain way. There are plenty of people who feel deeply as you do but behave "normally" because it is expected of them. The older you get the more you will realize that everyone has secrets or a side that they keep hidden from casual observers. Now turn off this computer and do it now.

[Anddenex]

This is very interesting experiences, and I don't doubt your sincerity, however I hope you are being sincere.

In recognition to your statement about Satan and his minions desiring you, I would like to bring your mind to 3 Nephi 18: 14 - 15, 18:

14. There blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Father hath commanded me that I should give you.

15. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.

18. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. (bold emphasis added)

It is true, Satan does desire to have you. He desires to have anybody who might be able to thwart his plans. This stands true for every member of the LDS Church. This also stands for non-members who are actively seeking truth.

Your experiences are familiar to friends of mine. I would however caution you to insult any evil presence. We are warned in scripture not mock any unclean spirit, otherwise when we do we are told they have power over us.

It isn't surprising the strength to overcome these spirits is stronger when you are choosing the right. When you are not choosing the right, they also will have power over you.

I really wish I could share with you three experiences from my mission, however as an open forum, it is not appropriate for me to share them.

I assure you though, if you live righteously, although these experiences may still happen, you will have power to overcome.

Listen to Shortstuff's advice. Call quickly the Elders within your ward. Have a couple come over and say a sincere prayer. Then have these Elders who visit in the name of Jesus Christ to cast them out. Peace willl result, however I also warn you, if you should through your actions disobey, these spirits will return. They even return when you are living righteously, but you will have power over them as you exert faith in Jesus Christ, and live according to the commandments.

They can exert force upon you, they can bring you to a depth of fear and scare, however, they cannot control you. You cannot blame them for any unrighteous act you choose to make.

I wish you the best and may you be blessed to choose to live the commandments. This is your safe harbor.

[kapikui]

The issue you describe while you are sleeping is something I've had before. I was sure I was being tormented. Long story short, I was brought around via some very circuitous research to the idea that I might not be getting enough air while sleeping. I tried Breathe Right nasal strips (the off brands work just as well and are cheaper), and the problem went away.

If I go for more than a night without a breathe right, the nightmares return.

My parents both have CPAP machines for sleep apnea, they provide forced air to help them breathe at night.

This is not to say that Satan isn't tormenting you, because the others are right. He wants you to be unhappy. I would suggest trying the nasal strips as an experiment. It may help.

[Penstress]

Bless the house

[Collin]

Well thank you but I'm quite possitive that what I said in my original post was true. Because as I have kept his commandments and have asked God to allow the spirit to watch over me and my family as I sleep it hasn't happened.