Mormon encounter (The Holy Spirit was there)

Ok, lame title. But on Wednesday, I saw the two Mormon guys on campus again, answering questions about Mormons, and I wondered if God meant for me to talk to them. I was hesitant because I didn't know what to say. Their poster read: "Question of the Day .... Is there life after death?" I was tired, so I went into the lecture building and lay down to sleep. I prayed, "My Father, if you want me to talk to them, I really need to have your Spirit with me, because I have the tendency to forget what to say. I'm bad at humbling my heart to let your Spirit work through me, so please humble me instead. I also need this rest if I'm going to be alert enough for the talking. In Jesus' name, Amen."

The last bit was a bit strange, I know. Here it seems God wants me to talk with them, and I'm more concerned about my rest. My nap ended up being useless because I kept being restless. I couldn't get beyond ten minutes of resting. So I got up, went outside, and sat on one of the stone benches near where those guys were. And strangely enough, at the same time I went outside, a guy (Dave? I can't remember his name, but it started with a 'D' I'll just call him Dave.) started talking with the Mormon pair. I didn't pay attention to what they were saying, but after they talked for 15 minutes, I started picking up shaky arguments both sides were using for evidence. I got up and walked right next to them, and heard better what they were saying.

Dave had said that he had trouble getting the idea that the man Moroni died, got resurrected as an angel and appeared to Joseph Smith. Apparently the Mormon pair used Revelation 14:6 as evidence that it was Moroni as an angel. I asked, "But doesn't the book of Revelation distinguish between the angels, the 144000 and the Great Multitude?" They said, "Oh, you're talking about a different chapter from what we're discussing." In my mind, I really wanted to point out that Revelation was never written with chapters. But they went on with the conversation, so I kept quiet. Finally, it started going in circles, and the Mormon pair and Dave were not getting anywhere.

Dave's friend came on a bicycle and stopped by to listen. At that point, I prayed, "Father, grant me your Spirit. Give me a humble heart and mind and not ruin this opportunity you have put in front of me. Amen." Their conversation went on while I prayed, and somehow the debate about Moroni got to the point where they mentioned Dispensationalism. Dave got confused and I said, "I think what they're trying to say is something similar to what Jesus said in Matthew 24 about the signs of the end times, etc. And Jesus had said, 'Surely this generation will not die off until all these things come to pass' in response to His disciples question." Dave asked, "I'm sorry, what chapter are you talking about?" I said, "Matthew 24." "Which one?" "Matthew 24, about Jesus telling the signs of the end."

To end the round-about Dave took with the Mormon guys, I said, "Basically all this boils down to is if you believe in the immortal soul." Which it did, because if you believe in the immediate life after death, you can't really completely refute the possibility of Moroni. In the end, the Mormon guys had to leave, and I carried on the discussion with Dave. Now what was strange is that my mind didn't have some kind of determination to get a point across, which is usually the case when I want to tell someone what I know (Michel might remember this). I think that's where the Holy Spirit humbled my mind and heart (unrestrained zealousness can isolate those around you, I learned that the hard way).

We talked more about the immortality of the soul. I raised up some points like Malachi 4 and John 3:16. We ended up talking about hell a bit, and sin, etc. I went on like a motor, and I didn't retain what I said. It was as if my mind was on automatic pilot. I started shivering a little (like I always do when talking about lecture-worthy stuff to people I don't know). The next thing I knew, I last talked about Daniel 11 and how some scholars interpret it to be a strictly linear chronological one, and the problems they come across with Daniel 12. I don't remember how it got to that point. But I had to go for class and we said our quick goodbyes. Dave's friend asked if I thought the Bible was untrustworthy. I said I believe Man's interpretations to be capable of being faulty, but not the Word of God. He asked me if I'm a Christian. I said yes. He said some of what I said differed from.... I finished the sentence for him and said "unorthodox". I said something like, "Yeah, I know some of it is. But just because something's been told for so long, doesn't mean it's right." Dave's friend said, "I can't really fully understand what you're saying, but you seem to know the Bible better than I do, or at least remember it more than I do. It's been great talking to you."

So after that, we really finally said goodbye and I jogged off to the ME building for my lecture. In the lecture (Introduction to Materials Science Engineering), the guest lecturer talked about piezoelectric materials. I sat there, feeling slightly elated at the encounter, but I didn't feel happy for myself; I just thought "Thank you Father, for Your Spirit being there. So that's how it really feels like to have your Spirit doing the talking through me."

This encounter made the rest of my week really alien to me. A comforting presence in my mind kept being there. I felt this different presence urging me to curb my temper. I acknowledged it and mentally sank into it and my usual irritation and anger when I'm late did not rise up. I also felt compelled to help my father with washing the dishes and throwing the trash bags outside for pickup. Something is different. It isn't like mental numbness I sometimes get. It seems more of a "peaceful settling in to the presence". Even this Sabbath morning I didn't get all anxious and irritated at my brother for getting up late which causes us to be late for church. And as a result, we got to church only 30 minutes late; 45 minutes earlier than usual.

So what is it like being filled with the Holy Spirit? I don't think it involves being zealous or excited emotionally over a spiritual truth or in praising. But rather, it is an urge for righteousness and an urge to speak the things of God. It is a "settling" that stands firm on its own. A "settling" such that the things of earth that trouble you no longer appears too terrible to bear. None of it being something stirred up by ourselves, but rather, it is like letting the Shepherd carry you. And He does carry you once you let Him. Unfortunately, however, I think what this Age in Christianity needs to know is how to let Him carry us. It seems different from what we usually hear. It isn't just praying for Him to come in. It isn't about mental assent. I tried that before, and it isn't really a surrender to Him. Unfortunately, this isn't something that can be taught. It isn't something we can try to stir up ourselves. All I can say, is that from this experience of mine, the only way to describe being in harmony with the Spirit of God is "The Settling of Truth Into His Open Arms".

Another strange dream

In the dream, I am watching a TV commentary of some kind, about the situation in the Middle-East. Then the scene changes, and the voice of the commentator comes on. The dream had changed in which I am now in a conference room of some kind. I see the one whose voice had done the commentating. A woman next to him asks, "Are you sure about this ____?" (I don't remember the commentator's name. He replies, "Yes, so many have already died!" The scene then shows a zoom-in of some kind of planning board that looks 3D, and I see destruction of buildings, and fires everywhere. The dream then ended. When I woke up, I was not terrified, but the dream left me stunned. It felt poignant and somehow important. It has been a really long time since I last had a dream that memorable.