Stray Mind

[vinny15]

I need help. I believe in the church, but lately satan has been trying to send me every bad thought about it and God that he can think of. Has anyone had this problem. I try to ignore it, but its harder than it seems. Please help me.

[Gwen]

all the time. it can be very hard. two things that help me a lot.

one make note of what you know, when things get hard remember those things. use that knowledge to do what you know you should even when it's hard. i find usually in those times is where the blessings come. i go to chruch cause i know the gospel is true, not cause i feel a desire to go, but then something someone says or does or something from a lesson strikes me, it is just the answer i needed right then. couldn't get that answer if i hadn't been where i was supposed to be regurardless of if it was hard or not. let the lord bless you, recognise those blessings, use them to build your testamony to give you more knowledge to stand on the next time it gets hard.

the second is to bear testimony of what i know. take every chance you can to share what you know, use the oportunities as a chance to remind yourself of what you know, to feel the spirit, to carry on. i think we all have times when we forget we know things, we need reminders to stay strong.

god bless you in your personal struggles

[vinny15]

Thank you so much. Its good to know that Im not alone. I know what you mean about church. My bishop bore his testimony on the very subject that Im having problems with and a few weeks ago a girl sang a very uplifting song called "It passes all my understanding". I thank you again.

[a-train]

Are you reading your scriptures every day?

[Guest Username-Removed]

Are you reading your scriptures every day?

What he said ... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!! I am now at about 2-3 hours a day. I make this forum part of my study. I listen to gospel music, and think, write, pray, and read. And when I am really out of wack! LOL - I get myself humble by going down the D.I. or the Bishops Storehouse and doing some volunteer work. Thats some of the best "bring you back into the lord" kind of work there is.

Just remember, when Satan is pushing, you push back. Search for that hugely inspiring event, I promise you the spirituality of it with disolve satan!

Good Luck Vinny15!!!

[vinny15]

Yes I read so much that I get in trouble for it lol. Not really, but I go to the Bishops Store Hosue once a week. Like I said I do know the church is true, but the devil throws everything at me and I cant wait untill I just dont have to deal with it. Thankyou guys your all awesome. I have figured a few things for myself, but you guys confirming them for me helps alot. I have all the jesus of nezereth tapes and the joseph smith tapes and a few john bytheway. All i have on my ipod is church music lol. I have many books that i read. Including jesus the christ and finding light in a dark world. I think what it is is that satan sees me tryig to live the gospel and he wants to take me down. Thanks again guys.

[Guest Username-Removed]

Yes I read so much that I get in trouble for it lol. Not really, but I go to the Bishops Store Hosue once a week. Like I said I do know the church is true, but the devil throws everything at me and I cant wait untill I just dont have to deal with it. Thankyou guys your all awesome. I have figured a few things for myself, but you guys confirming them for me helps alot. I have all the jesus of nezereth tapes and the joseph smith tapes and a few john bytheway. All i have on my ipod is church music lol. I have many books that i read. Including jesus the christ and finding light in a dark world. I think what it is is that satan sees me tryig to live the gospel and he wants to take me down. Thanks again guys.

vinny15,

I can tell you Vinny, I've felt a connection between your struggle and my own. I have a long way to go, but I can tell you that I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know Satan wants me back. NO WAY! There is NO WAY im going back! That life is a life of misery, pain, & uncertainty. Isn't it absolutely wonderful that the Lord loves us, wants us, and has a need for us.

You have friends here. You are not alone. And if for some reason this forum fails, You have God, and he has you. In the end, thats all that matters. I know that heavanly father gives us what we need when we need it, all we have to do is reach out and take it. I ask that you are blessed with what you need. That being said, get ready for some spirtual support and take it all in and take it to the next level.

You ARE THE MAN!

[StrawberryFields]

Along with the good things you are doing you need to stay away from the bad. There is plenty of Anti-Mormon material out there and if you are not careful those things can drag you down.

[Aphrodite]

vinny, I am so going through the same things as you. Up until I went to university I was a strong member like anyone, loved the church and was happy. I am still happy, but not with my life in the church. I believe its true, but I have so many issues and struggles with it, sometimes it doesnt feel worth continuing with. I dont know why I feel this way, I was miss molly mormon at church, the 'good' one, the 'example' all the other parents wanted their kids to be like. But now I feel like an antagonistic rebel. I have no idea why that is, its happened over a few years and seems to be getting worse. I do pray and read my scriptures, but only sometimes. Its hard. I wish I could find a way out of this too. maybe it is Satan. Im probably not doing enough. Let me know if you manage to find any answers, but yes I do feel the way you do.

[vinny15]

<div class='quotemain'>

Yes I read so much that I get in trouble for it lol. Not really, but I go to the Bishops Store Hosue once a week. Like I said I do know the church is true, but the devil throws everything at me and I cant wait untill I just dont have to deal with it. Thankyou guys your all awesome. I have figured a few things for myself, but you guys confirming them for me helps alot. I have all the jesus of nezereth tapes and the joseph smith tapes and a few john bytheway. All i have on my ipod is church music lol. I have many books that i read. Including jesus the christ and finding light in a dark world. I think what it is is that satan sees me tryig to live the gospel and he wants to take me down. Thanks again guys.

vinny15,

I can tell you Vinny, I've felt a connection between your struggle and my own. I have a long way to go, but I can tell you that I do see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know Satan wants me back. NO WAY! There is NO WAY im going back! That life is a life of misery, pain, & uncertainty. Isn't it absolutely wonderful that the Lord loves us, wants us, and has a need for us.

You have friends here. You are not alone. And if for some reason this forum fails, You have God, and he has you. In the end, thats all that matters. I know that heavanly father gives us what we need when we need it, all we have to do is reach out and take it. I ask that you are blessed with what you need. That being said, get ready for some spirtual support and take it all in and take it to the next level.

You ARE THE MAN!

Thank you I feel a connection as well. You are right Satan wants me to help him, the thing is I know that if I was helping satan I would be good at it and that scares me, but I help and serve god instead and that comforts me and Im better at that than the lader. It is wonderful isnt it that the lord loves us. He has done everything for me. I cannot wait to see that wonderful God again!

Along with the good things you are doing you need to stay away from the bad. There is plenty of Anti-Mormon material out there and if you are not careful those things can drag you down.

I think that was the problem. I was starting to look at it so I could answer a friends questions, but I knew I shouldnt of. I know now though that the wisdom of the world is nothing compared to the ever lasting infinite wisdom of God.

[vinny15]

vinny, I am so going through the same things as you. Up until I went to university I was a strong member like anyone, loved the church and was happy. I am still happy, but not with my life in the church. I believe its true, but I have so many issues and struggles with it, sometimes it doesnt feel worth continuing with. I dont know why I feel this way, I was miss molly mormon at church, the 'good' one, the 'example' all the other parents wanted their kids to be like. But now I feel like an antagonistic rebel. I have no idea why that is, its happened over a few years and seems to be getting worse. I do pray and read my scriptures, but only sometimes. Its hard. I wish I could find a way out of this too. maybe it is Satan. Im probably not doing enough. Let me know if you manage to find any answers, but yes I do feel the way you do.

I feel I understand it now. Answer this. How did you feel when you were in the church? Good right? GREAT! but look now you feel bad that you are having troubles. I know that I can discern between satan and god. When satan gets past tempting you to partake of addictions he goes toward telling you that your wrong about everything saying " I am no devil for there is none" Look at the 12 million that believe for the most part. THis is a result of less than 200 years. Per capita we are the richest church and we use our riches to help others and build up gods kingdom. THe only thing that would amaze me more than Joe Smith having divine revalation is if he wrote that book himself with a 3rd grade education, bad writing and dictaion skills, no knowledge of genuine middle eastern names, no knowledge of ancient america, and no knowledge of the landscape of te middle east wich was described so well in the BoM. I hate the unbelieving feeling. If I gave up on the truth I would not have a life worth living. I wouldnt care. But something in me tells me to keep on chuggin along. One thing I find is that I would like to live the life I have even if the church wasnt true wich I know it is. Look at other things. WHen we weer younger how did we know what was right when we had never heard much about it. WHat part would "evolution" have in giving us a conflict of interest if there were no God. THe want to do what is right and the knowledge of it, but the lust and desire to do what is wrong. If it werent for a God we would be extinct by now. Look at pictures of the universe and all of Gods creations and tell me that you dont feel the spirit. We are connected and we are meant to overcome it and help others with the same feelings, and I hope I helped. :)

[sixpacktr]

Vinny15,

You've gotten the seminary answer that we all fall back on: read the scriptures, pray, go to church. All true by the way.

Now go forward in faith. Re-read Alma 32 about faith and try that experiment. Re-read Ether 12. Give it time, and the Lord will come thru. He always does. But go forward in faith, keeping to the spirit as much as possible. You will be rewarded.

No matter what, do not give in to Satan's temptations. They seem easy and pleasurable, but there is nothing but darkness at the end. Trust all of us on that.

[vinny15]

Vinny15,

You've gotten the seminary answer that we all fall back on: read the scriptures, pray, go to church. All true by the way.

Now go forward in faith. Re-read Alma 32 about faith and try that experiment. Re-read Ether 12. Give it time, and the Lord will come thru. He always does. But go forward in faith, keeping to the spirit as much as possible. You will be rewarded.

No matter what, do not give in to Satan's temptations. They seem easy and pleasurable, but there is nothing but darkness at the end. Trust all of us on that.

Thank you. I was miss guided into thinking i had to know like ive seen god, but i dont i merely have to hope for it a believe in my hope untill i have a personal witness than i can know, but im doi the right thing now i think. THank YOu again.

[Brother Dorsey]

<div class='quotemain'>

Vinny15,

You've gotten the seminary answer that we all fall back on: read the scriptures, pray, go to church. All true by the way.

Now go forward in faith. Re-read Alma 32 about faith and try that experiment. Re-read Ether 12. Give it time, and the Lord will come thru. He always does. But go forward in faith, keeping to the spirit as much as possible. You will be rewarded.

No matter what, do not give in to Satan's temptations. They seem easy and pleasurable, but there is nothing but darkness at the end. Trust all of us on that.

Thank you. I was miss guided into thinking i had to know like ive seen god, but i dont i merely have to hope for it a believe in my hope untill i have a personal witness than i can know, but im doi the right thing now i think. THank YOu again.

Vinny...the Lord knows you and he loves you so much. He wants nothing more than for you to have joy and to know Him. Sometimes, when I feel I am disconnected from God, when I am being bombarded by satan and those worldly thoughts are running through my head. I just stop, find a quiet, peaceful and private place and get on my knees and truly humble myself and "talk" to the Lord. I give Him all my problems, I tell him everything even though I know he already knows. I pour my heart out to him and then I am just still and quiet and I often hear those precious words..."be still and know that I am God". Father wants so much to hear from you...he wants to know you haven't forgot Him....He will answer you, He will, through the Spirit comfort you. You will know that He lives, you will know that He loves you. May your heart be at peace my brother.

[vinny15]

Thank you. Those are very comforting words. I notice when my mind is calm and it isnt fighting with itself I feel peaceful and I hear the Lord. Peace is the only way to know if he is real. Not a contensious mind. It is the only way to know or understand anything.

[vinny15]

I guess alot of the problems were the "what if" questions. "What if" I put my trust in something that isnt there. I know in my heart that it is there.

[vkoltko]

For me, one of the greatest things that we can do to reply to Satan's thoughts it to accept that it might not be possible to understand everything. While the road to apostasy is often the slow and gradual one, Satan will also sometimes try to go for broke. Work in one doubt, and then convince us that if that one thing might not be rock solid in our testimony, then the whole Church must be false. Yes, we will always have questions. Yes, some things may not make sense. But God is still there, God still hears us, and we will eventually have all of our questions answered, if we just have a little patience, and alot of faith.

As a side note- When any type of bad thought enters my mind, I've found that the oft-suggested tactic of singing a mental hymn will seriously work wonders. With a little bit of practice, 'The Spirit of God' will now instantly replace any type of temptation, will no effort on my part.

Also, even though it's been said before, I really can't stress reading the scriptures enough. For me, if I ever miss a day, I will often have a problem with temptation the very next day. It's a simple thing that the Lord has asked of us, but by showing the faith to study the scriptures every day, we really prove our devotion to God.

[a-train]

It really sounds like you are still waiting on a serious witness. It sounds like you have a lot of book smarts, but you can't look at something and say: 'Here. Here is where God actually spoke to me and I know He did.' Is this right?

I know this may sound tough, but here is my method. When I am not feeling full of faith and inspiration and I am praying and trying to get the Holy Spirit, I ask myself what I am in need to repair in my life. What am I doing or not doing that could slow my progress?

I list as much of this as possible and repent of it. I mention it all in my prayers and give it all to the LORD. I endeavor to actually make changes and I find that He often helps me decide where to start (my list of things to work on is extremely long, so I often wonder where to start).

Take an inventory, a personal worthiness inventory. Make an honest count of all you have and don't have. If there are some missing essentials, THERE is the problem. THAT is the hold up.

Now don't think that I have any opinion other than you are so close to translation that your feet don't touch the floor. I am not inclined whatsoever to assert that you have even a blemish of guile or pride. But if you are anything like myself, do the inventory and repent accordingly.

Less than perfect truly,

-a-train

[wiley]

What he said ... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!! I am now at about 2-3 hours a day. I make this forum part of my study. I listen to gospel music, and think, write, pray, and read. And when I am really out of wack! LOL - I get myself humble by going down the D.I. or the Bishops Storehouse and doing some volunteer work. Thats some of the best "bring you back into the lord" kind of work there is.

Holy!!!!! 2-3 hrs/day. You must be a super mormon.

[Guest Username-Removed]

What he said ... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!! I am now at about 2-3 hours a day. I make this forum part of my study. I listen to gospel music, and think, write, pray, and read. And when I am really out of wack! LOL - I get myself humble by going down the D.I. or the Bishops Storehouse and doing some volunteer work. Thats some of the best "bring you back into the lord" kind of work there is.

Holy!!!!! 2-3 hrs/day. You must be a super mormon.

Nope, not super at all, I just have a past that I dont want creeping into my life ever again! I still have some of my old non-member friends contact me once in a while. I chatted with one of them today on-line - he's an old ATV riding buddy of mine. Anyways, I showed him my Mormon website and he said, "what are you Mormon now?" .... I responded ... "why.... YES I AM!!!!"

[wiley]

<div class='quotemain'>

What he said ... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!! I am now at about 2-3 hours a day. I make this forum part of my study. I listen to gospel music, and think, write, pray, and read. And when I am really out of wack! LOL - I get myself humble by going down the D.I. or the Bishops Storehouse and doing some volunteer work. Thats some of the best "bring you back into the lord" kind of work there is.

Holy!!!!! 2-3 hrs/day. You must be a super mormon.

Nope, not super at all, I just have a past that I dont want creeping into my life ever again!

Yeah, I understand that. NEVER AGAIN!!!

[pam]

I as well as others have days or even moments when you can feel strong tugs by Satan to perhaps do or think something I know to be wrong. When these strong feelings or thoughts come and I'm in a place or situation where I can't get on my knees or pull out scriptures....I start singing the song "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning." I have done this since I was a teenager. For whatever reason this song has become my companion when feeling down or overwhelmed.

[sixpacktr]

I as well as others have days or even moments when you can feel strong tugs by Satan to perhaps do or think something I know to be wrong. When these strong feelings or thoughts come and I'm in a place or situation where I can't get on my knees or pull out scriptures....I start singing the song "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning." I have done this since I was a teenager. For whatever reason this song has become my companion when feeling down or overwhelmed.

Pam,

That is exactly right, and you have found your "out", if you will. I think that sometimes people think that they should have absolutely no doubts at all about anything, because that might prove the church false to them.

We all have doubts. It is just that with time, spiritual maturity, and constant prayer and scripture study those "doubts" are fewer and fewer. Short of having a witness of the HG that Jesus is truly the Christ and that he died for the sins of the world (D&C 46:13) (which doesn't come to all except thru a lot of prayer and fasting to know) we all doubt from time to time. It is a natural part of our make up that our HF blessed us with. The doubt should cause us to study, pray and fast (if necessary) to know the answer, and then the HG will make it known to us.

So doubts shouldn't scare us, neither should they cause us to leave. We should work thru them, find the answers, and pray for confirmation and direction.

I have found that when I have read "anti" propoganda (earlier in my life) that shook me, as I held to what I had been taught and knew to be true, that later on the falseness of those allegations was made known to me, either thru the spirit or thru further study. I have found that most of the stuff written today as "fact" is in fact "crap", particularly when it comes to things secular. I would hate to face HF and say "well, I read it in a paper and I believed it because it was written there". I imagine he'd shake his head and tell me that I was mistaken, and should have had the faith to know he was in charge.

[amigo108]

I need help. I believe in the church, but lately satan has been trying to send me every bad thought about it and God that he can think of. Has anyone had this problem. I try to ignore it, but its harder than it seems. Please help me.

Vinny I too struggle and fail with controlling my thoughts. Add to the list of things to do 1. listen to the conference talks at LDS.org 2. Find a friend(s) from your ward and start hanging out/doing things more often 3. Talk to your bishop (sometimes just openly admitting that you're having a problem will kick start the solution) 4. listen to uplifting spiritual music when in the car 5. get a blessing 7. Invite the missionaries for dinner and share testimonies 6. If your home teachers aren't visiting call them up and say you need them to come and are there any days that work for them.

Good luck, you and I are in the same boat my friend. Remember, your spiritual strength is often like waves in the ocean. You may be riding high and strong one day but don't ever slack off cause the next day you could be low and vulnerable. It goes up and down so be ready for the down. Also, be aware of the triggers that can cause these spiritual lapses or weak points. Most of us are vulnerable after an argument/fight or a really bad day at work.

Finally, don't get too discouraged if you have bad days, just keep plugging away doing what's right and you will prevail and have fewer bad days. It takes time. Here's a story/analogy:

A guy says to his elderly father "Dad, I am not very spiritual and my faith is weak. You have always had a faith as solid as a rock. Can you give me some advice as to what I can do to have more faith and be a better Christian?"

The father says "first let me get a sip of water then I'll tell you my secret" He reaches his arm out and being very old and weak, he shakes a lot as he puts a cup of water to his lips. "You see Son. I can't get a sip of water very easily and my had shakes a lot, while for you, getting a sip from a glass is effortless. But the important thing is that we both can get a drink. If your dying of thirst, it doesn't matter if your hand is shaky, what matters is that you can reach out and get a some water. So even though you feel your faith and testimony are shaky, the important thing is that you keep reaching out and do the best that you can. Don't be discouraged, just keep doing what is right. That is the most important thing."

So I say this story as an example to just keep doing what you know is right and this time of hardship or spiritual weakness will eventually pass if you sincerely work and do all that you are counseled to do by the church leaders and the scriptures and follow any promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Good luck.

[Guest Yediyd]

Thank you. Those are very comforting words. I notice when my mind is calm and it isnt fighting with itself I feel peaceful and I hear the Lord. Peace is the only way to know if he is real. Not a contensious mind. It is the only way to know or understand anything.

Vinny,

Paul told Timothy to "study to show thyself aprooved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth" I think that's in 11 Timothy 2:15...anyway...I understand what you are going through...we have all been there. Just since I've been coming online (not yet a month, now), I have seen alot of anti-mormon stuff. I don't go looking for it...but I find it mixed with the good stuff I google. It's just like the parrable of the wheat and the tares...the enimy (Satan) has sowed the bad with the good. Only if you stay close to the Spirit will you be able to tell the difference. In the end...God will take care of the "tares", but for now...we need to be carefull what we harvest (or listen to). I am speaking to myself as well as you, here. Satan wants nothing better then to implant those doubts. If he can't win the battle for a christian's soul, he will try to discourage him/her. A discouraged christion is not a threat to Satan...a rightious one is! A discouraged christian is a battle won for the enimy. Hang in there, you must be doing "something" right, or Satan wouldn't be working so hard on you!

God bless!

Yediyd