Do People Get Possessed by Evil Spirits?

[Ratbag]

Do people, adults and children, get possessed by evil spirits? If so, how common is it. If you do or do not think so, please back up what you say by scripture and quotes from church sources.

[DPeterson]

I mean this sincerely...but is that even a question? I guess I'm not sure where you're going with it. It's all over in the New Testament and early church history.

[Ratbag]

I mean this sincerely...but is that even a question? I guess I'm not sure where you're going with it. It's all over in the New Testament and early church history.

I'm curious as to what people think.

[bbrown]

Jesus is recorded as casting out all manner of unclean and evil spirits. Nothing has changed. We just don't believe it happens much now except in exotic foreign locations. Most if not all of us are affected, harassed, attacked, perhaps controlled by them.

[DPeterson]

I mean this sincerely...but is that even a question? I guess I'm not sure where you're going with it. It's all over in the New Testament and early church history.

I'm curious as to what people think.

Alrighty, just wondering.

[Dave62]

Absolutely yes. As for a source of my knowlege, I can't give you any scriptures as I was only born in the second half of the 20th century. But I can say from personal experience that evil possession would have to be one of the most common problems faced by the LDS. Naturally, those who are interested in preserving their control over the health (read sickness) industry will have you believe that my opinion is mediaeval. Moreover, those unseen beings have a vested interest in not being detected.

I always pray for guidance before I give blessings. Often, but not always, I am prompted to call upon the Holy Ghost to clean the person of any evil presence or influence. However, I believe that saying and doing such things goes counter to current popular Mormon culture. I also believe that such things should and could be taught a little bit more in priesthood.

[Fiannan]

Interesting that when Jesus threw out the evil spirits in the men they all fled into a flock of pigs. The pigs then drove themselves to their deaths (somewhat unclear if the demons did this on purpose or the pigs killed themselves).

Will note that pigs have DNA quite close to humans. Could science create a species (even a synthetic one) with DNA close enough to human, but without a soul, that could not resist possession and allow demonic spirits to gain material bodies in this existence?

[Ratbag]

Absolutely yes. As for a source of my knowlege, I can't give you any scriptures as I was only born in the second half of the 20th century. But I can say from personal experience that evil possession would have to be one of the most common problems faced by the LDS. Naturally, those who are interested in preserving their control over the health (read sickness) industry will have you believe that my opinion is mediaeval. Moreover, those unseen beings have a vested interest in not being detected.

I always pray for guidance before I give blessings. Often, but not always, I am prompted to call upon the Holy Ghost to clean the person of any evil presence or influence. However, I believe that saying and doing such things goes counter to current popular Mormon culture. I also believe that such things should and could be taught a little bit more in priesthood.

If you want to research any subject, here are a few places to try.

This is a BYU site where you can search general conference talks from 1850 till now.
http://corpus.byu.edu/gc/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This site you can search old church publications from the conference reports to the Improvement Era. In the search engine, make sure you put in LDS church or Mormon church along with the subject.
https://archive.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here you can search the Journal of Discourses:
http://jod.mrm.org/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here you can get a number of older PDF books.
http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Aussie]

I bet their working on it as we speak! I have no doubt the NWO would love nothing more than some sick concocted inferior body to possess and control.

However they already have so many humans that are possessed and that are willing to worship Satan or big Pharma or many other false God's.

Heaps of people get possessed even good old LDS!

[BMC]

Do people, adults and children, get possessed by evil spirits? If so, how common is it. If you do or do not think so, please back up what you say by scripture and quotes from church sources.

Ratbag, check out this blog... in the process of searching a couple quotes in reference to evil spirits that I recall from memory. I came across this blog that has some of those quotes that I have read before and some I have not.

From my own experiences in dealing with evil spirits it is pretty clear that it does happen, that they can inflect us not just spiritually but also physically.

http://uncleanspirits.blogspot.com/2012 ... sical.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may also want to refresh yourself with Christ and his 40 day fast, how did Satan have power to take Him to the tops of the temple, or the mountains etc... It is all interesting to me. Then ask yourself what was gained by Christ fasting? What do we gain when we fast? It's not all inclusive, but I believe through the process of fasting we overcome the flesh as Christ overcame the flesh to prepare Him for his ministry. He also had to overcome the power of the devil while in the flesh and be subjected to his power and tempting's.

[MelissaM]

Absolutely yes. As for a source of my knowlege, I can't give you any scriptures as I was only born in the second half of the 20th century. But I can say from personal experience that evil possession would have to be one of the most common problems faced by the LDS. Naturally, those who are interested in preserving their control over the health (read sickness) industry will have you believe that my opinion is mediaeval. Moreover, those unseen beings have a vested interest in not being detected.

I always pray for guidance before I give blessings. Often, but not always, I am prompted to call upon the Holy Ghost to clean the person of any evil presence or influence. However, I believe that saying and doing such things goes counter to current popular Mormon culture. I also believe that such things should and could be taught a little bit more in priesthood.

If you want to research any subject, here are a few places to try.

This is a BYU site where you can search general conference talks from 1850 till now.
http://corpus.byu.edu/gc/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This site you can search old church publications from the conference reports to the Improvement Era. In the search engine, make sure you put in LDS church or Mormon church along with the subject.
https://archive.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here you can search the Journal of Discourses:
http://jod.mrm.org/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here you can get a number of older PDF books.
http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd start with reading the New Testament. At least the Gospels. Does no one read scripture anymore?

[sevenator]

Yes.

[Hyrcanus]

I actually think evil spirits was the way people in the past explained mental illness. So in some sense, people still suffer with that today.

[Lance]

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[MelissaM]

I actually think evil spirits was the way people in the past explained mental illness. So in some sense, people still suffer with that today.

Maybe mental illness is possession. I'm sure Satan loves when we medicate for "mental illness" instead of casting out.

[Robert Sinclair]

They are even within me at this very hour and I have carried them with me for a long, long time. I am finding this one called "meaness" to be quite strong and I understand the words of Jesus Christ that some come not out except by mighty prayer and fasting. I confess I have yet to do this to get this particular one out of me. But hopefully soon.

[Col. Flagg]

After Sarah Menet had her NDE and saw/experienced things from the other side, she said that a fallen spirit (one of Satan's followers from the preexistence) can habitate the body of someone who is committing serious sins (e.g. - adultery, murder, etc.) and even those who are into such things as pornography in order to try and experience the thrill and/or pleasure that that body is attempting. She even indicated that multiple spirits can inhabit a body and that many of them will compete for positions inside that body and that it is a rather disturbing situation to watch. She didn't say anything about these spirits inhabiting a good person's body, but I would think it's possible if you slip up.

Anyone know if it is possible for these spirits to dwell inside a righteous person?

[Robert Sinclair]

Yes. Many are subject. Joseph Smith, King David, and others:
For although a man may have many revelations, and have power given him to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own carnal desires, he must fall.
Woe unto me and woe upon all those who have become lifted up in the pride of their own eyes.

I believe that should I go and fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights that this strong one called "meanness" will hang on till the 39th night if even by just a fingernail not wanting to let go.

[bethany]

After Sarah Menet had her NDE and saw/experienced things from the other side, she said that a fallen spirit (one of Satan's followers from the preexistence) can habitate the body of someone who is committing serious sins (e.g. - adultery, murder, etc.) and even those who are into such things as pornography in order to try and experience the thrill and/or pleasure that that body is attempting. She even indicated that multiple spirits can inhabit a body and that many of them will compete for positions inside that body and that it is a rather disturbing situation to watch. She didn't say anything about these spirits inhabiting a good person's body, but I would think it's possible if you slip up.

Anyone know if it is possible for these spirits to dwell inside a righteous person?

Yes they do. They attach to all sorts of stuff in the body, the emotions, & the DNA. I can't imagine more than a handful of ppl being at a level of higher frequency sufficient to shed all the ways & means they attach. We are multi-layered & multi-faceted.... Even the toxins we ingest are bonds for entities... Parasites open doorways. The list is extensive. But then you get into types of entities & projections of entities. Our very thoughts generate entities of an emotional nature, they are composed of limited capacity & basically emanate & seek to feed off of emotions that they require to grow & thrive. When nations go to war, they create war entities that will constantly seek to agitate the ppl back into war so that they can feed themselves.

Your DNA is a total recording of everything you, your parents, & all your ancestors ever experienced. So you have the record of their depression, their fears, their illnesses, these bonds will hold the exact same entities & more that they held on to.

[SmallFarm]

Whatever spirit you yield to, that is the one that will possess you. This is one, (but not the only) way that one can become possessed.

[Cookies]

I actually think evil spirits was the way people in the past explained mental illness. So in some sense, people still suffer with that today.

Maybe mental illness is possession. I'm sure Satan loves when we medicate for "mental illness" instead of casting out.

MelissaM that's brilliant! Like he's just itching to get his fix, while simultaneously screwing us out of a meaningful priesthood experience in the process. Never before had that thought crossed my mind. What a sneaky little fart!

[durangout]

It can happen it just RARELY does. I've never witnessed it in 49 yrs.

[TZONE]

It can happen it just RARELY does. I've never witnessed it in 49 yrs.

There are different degrees of possession. It is VERY common. We can learn to recognize it. There is a reason why we are asked to BLESS our food. Also sometimes the only way to deal with it is through prayer and fasting. Thus Christ's apostles couldn't cast out, as that kind of power comes with "prayer and fasting".

If you read accounts of the savior healing he does something specific (normally) before he heals them. He casts out evil spirits. There is a reason for that. Referring to Cookies post here.

[kathedralegs]

It can happen it just RARELY does. I've never witnessed it in 49 yrs.

There are different degrees of possession. It is VERY common. We can learn to recognize it. There is a reason why we are asked to BLESS our food. Also sometimes the only way to deal with it is through prayer and fasting. Thus Christ's apostles couldn't cast out, as that kind of power comes with "prayer and fasting".

If you read accounts of the savior healing he does something specific (normally) before he heals them. He casts out evil spirits. There is a reason for that. Referring to Cookies post here.

Search the scriptures on lds.org using terms evil spirits, devils, demons. Many many examples of such. Why would that be different in our day? Light and knowledge casts out fear and darkness.

[SouEu]

Yes it happens. When I was on my mission in Brazil, it was more common than one would think. In Brazil they practice things like Macumba and Quimbanda that invite this stuff into their lives. I also saw lots of issues with certain Pentecostal churches down there, where people that attended certain ones had issues as well. I had to cast out evil spirits three times. It scared me like nothing else, but at the same time I felt the spirit stronger that I ever had in my life. It was as though the spirit was telling me, "you can do this, don't be afraid, this person needs your help, I am with you."

Unfortunately, my companion at the time was possessed once himself before he became a member, and the missionaries cast it out of him. His story is scary in and of itself. He joined the church and he said that his Patriarchal blessing said that he would encounter evil spirits frequently and he would be called upon to cast them out. He was all ready for it, I wasn't.

My companion after him never ran into it before until we were teaching a lady, and she was having all sorts of problems. We decided to give her a blessing, and I immediately felt it in her. My companion was kind of freaked, especially when he opened his eyes and saw it leaving her. I told him that I had been in his shoes once, and that there are lots of people that he would encounter, that will need the blessings of the priesthood.

Sometimes, when I feel my faith may be wavering, I remember back to those times and I remember what happened. It has become a reminder to me of the truth of the Gospel.

I'd rather not talk more about it, but people must know that evil is real, it has a definite feeling, like heat or cold or whatever. I could literally feel it, and I will never forget it. Avoid evil at all costs.