POWER IN THE PRIESTHOOD - CASTING OUT OF AN EVIL SPIRIT IN BRAZIL

I decided to enter some interesting spiritual experiences while an LDS missionary in Brazil (Fortaleza Mission) from 1988-1990.

Here is one of the most bizarre experiences - okay just one of many. How come it is that my life is just filled with these??

Here goes from my journal entry of 12/25/1988:

"We are here in Brazil in Natal in the NE state of Rio Grande do Norte. I'm going on 10 months on my mission (3 months in the MTC, 3 months in Anaheim waiting for my Brazilian visa) and just four months in Brazil. The time has gone by incredibly fast. Anyway, I had heard alot about the evil spirits they have down here so I had prayed at times in the MTC, in California, and even here to have an experience with an evil spirit so I would have the experience - and knowing I would have an experience thusly according to my patriarchal blessing.

Anyway, my companion (Elder Venancio) were in our house after Christmas letting the food from the Christmas dinner digest and me rejoicing in the fact that I got out of eating lambs feet that our dinner host (who is also our maid) offered me. I've gotten good at that here in Brazil.... Anyway, the neighborhood Mormon boy came into our home and asked if he could use us for a little while (or in other words, use our Priesthood) as he was only a Teacher at that point. He told us that the screaming and carrying-on that we heard was the neighbor lady possessed with a devil and that he wanted us to come and cast it out. I recognized this as a good chance to fulfill my desire and we left right away. We got to the house kitty corner to ours and the gal (about 30 years old) who lived there was on the ground, in the sand, screaming her head off and babbling at times after laughing hysterically. Quite frankly, I thought she was drunk or was having some kind of breakdown. There was a man holding her down and talking to her. I asked the man, who was holding on to her what was going on. He said she and her live-in boyfriend had been to the beach (drinking, etc) and as they were returning on the bus, a bad spirit entered her. I laughed to myself picturing her on a crowded bus carrying on like that - I bet she freaked some people out!

Anyway, they got her to the house and inside and tried to keep her inside by locking the front door. She went bezerk and five men could not hold her down. She got to the front door and ripped it right off of the door frame and was able to get back out side (this gal was about 85 lbs - very small build). The force required to rip the deadbolt out of the frame and spring the hinges would have taken at least four of me. Anyway, she was saying all the time that she wuold run our in the street and jump in front of a car to kill the body she was in. She said it once more as she was headed for the street and then she said "I can't do that!" or something to that effect and then she fell limp to the ground when the spirit left her for the first time. A little bit later the evil spirit returned to her and that's when Elder Venancio and I came upon the scene. I frankly thought she was just a drunk - which was partly true because she had been drinking at the beach with her live-in boyfriend. We observed for about 5 minutes. She was subdued somewhat now and just babbling. I was made a believer (to her condition) when I heard and understood what the spirit was saying over and over - "Ganhei um corpo..." = I got a body and that she was not going to let anybody take it away from her - and that she 'finally got her chance'. Freaky!!

After knowing that this was for real I started thinking of how Jesus Christ and the Apostles had cast out the devils and remembered the story of Jesus and Legion and the swine and so I asked the spirit's name. She said she didn't have to tell me because she already told the man who was holding her down. He had forgotten - and I was thinking 'Great, this is like the army where you only have to give your name, rank and serial number once!'. I talked with Elder Venancio and he seemed to think we should command it out as if we were giving a Priesthood blessing by the laying on of hands. He did so (laid hands of her head) but she just struggled to break loose - this devil didn't like anyone touching the new-found body! The crowd of around 30 people who had gathered around were getting pretty anxious to see these two guys in white shirts and ties cast the devil out - and then the boy who had called us to this started saying "Well, come on and use your Priesthood and cast it out!". So I'm going "Great! Group peer pressure to use the Priesthood. Of all the things I've ever seen!". I just sat there for two or three minutes about how my comp hadn't successfully cast it out and then I thought of how they'd successfully cast devils out in the New Testament. Finally, the Spirit said, "Now, do it now!". So I just raised my right arm to the square and proceeded to do the sloppiest prayer I had ever done in my life. It was part in English, part in Portuguese, but I got through it. It was the strangest feeling - doing an ordinance in public for a group of gawking spectators - and not really sure of what I was doing. Anyway, I got done and looked down at her and she was calm and was listening intently as if someone in the distance was calling to her or talking to her. Then she started saying "Alguem e me chamando" = 'Someone is calling me' - over and over. I was sure something had worked but a little flustered that the evil spirit hadn't left right away - like I thought it should have.

Alot more to come - this is alot of typing.....

A PODCAST ON MORMON EXORCISM

I thought it was interesting, the several references in the transcript to Church leadership being involved in the casting out of devils in an official capacity:

https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=67I 46&index=1

I personally believe that my mil and possibly a sibling have had either demonic possession or strong influence in their lives - that have led to behaviors that cannot easily be explained.  Unfortunately, the only way to avoid the influence is to put distance between yourself and the person so afflicted (who refuses to get help by regularly praying, reading scripture, going to church to partake in the Sacrament, etc).  In the absence of these things, a spiritual vacuum develops, which leads to other less savory influences and attracts evil. 

The Savior talked of this, when He basically said that you can cast an evil spirit out, but it just leaves an empty house wherein other spirits will take advantage and jump at the opportunity to make a party place out of it (just as transients take over an abandoned house and turn it into a flop house).  I Brazil, I experienced this - that after we had cast an evil spirit out, another entered (or the same one re-entered - we never bothered to "re-interview" it and get its name after the second or third time it came into it.  The only thing I was interested in doing was figuring out why we could not keep it out of the woman in a sustainable manner.

I finally deduced that there was something there that attracted the evil influences and that it needed to be overwhelmed with good for it to stay at bay.  Which we then did clear the home and, so far as we know, clearing the home of evil influences (pornography, alcohol and Catholic statuettes to the various gods or patron saints, did the trick).  Also, we had the woman, who was sobering up after a day of drinking and partying on the beach abstain from fornication with her live-in boyfriend and read the scrips non-stop until she was able to go to sleep.

Interestingly, I would have likely heard the talk in 1987 by James E Faust who talked of evil and likely had the Spirit whisper to me that I would have the chance to witness the power in my Priesthood while a missionary in Brazil.  President Faust also served in Brazil in the early days of the Church down there and likely had similar experiences among a people weakened by sin and depravity.  As our society slides into the same abyss with corruption and rampant promiscuity, we will witness the same kind of increases in these spiritual symptoms.

A WARNING TO A WICKED AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION

Folks, this is a re-post to an earlier occasion in 2008 when I was doing battle with some co-workers who were shredding me over my association with Mitt Romney (the Moron, as they used to call him)....  Now, I may not vote for him in the election - gotta say I am riding the fence to the last minute on this one - but I took exception to their blatant bias toward members of the Church.  Thankfully, I have left the group and do not have to deal with them.  I prayed a simple prayer and asked God to judge between me and these two individuals who took major exception with my beliefs.  Within a 14 month period, two people were dead and attitudes were right at about 180 degrees out from what they were before.  When you bear simple testimony, it is rebuffed and persecution if heaped upon your head, and you endure it to 7x70, then you simply ask God to take over.  And what a ride it is - He does not fail you.  The witness was clear.

In the case of Joseph, he was doing as he was commanded, and many people accused him of being the one that was not in the way.  The Saints were effectively tossed out of the US (at the time) and the US was judged for their "kindness" on our behalf.  The (first) Civil War was brutal and the people on the western front (Missouri) paid dearly for it (see my previous post on General Order #10).  We soon enter a phase, where our brethren are going to toss us out (socially) again over sexual perversion (gay marriage), calling us the freaks, and then we will have to witness another civil action so horrifying that most people witnessing it, asked that the scene be shut up from their view.  That will pave the way for the return of the 10 tribes and the purification of the future inhabitants of Zion in order that they will be ready to receive the Bridegroom.  The Saints will be forced to take a side in this brewing conflict.  If you have a wicked and adulterous spirit, you will choose wrongly - as so many are doing now in the Church.  Political correctness and pandering will send you into the wrong side of this battle:
  Here is my previous post:

A WICKED AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION

THIS IS A TOPIC THAT I HAVE BEEN RUMINATING ON FOR DECADES NOW. WHEN I WAS PREPARING FOR MY MISSION, I WAS READING THE BOOK "TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH" (TOPJS), AND I CAME ACROSS THE STORY THAT HE HAD WHILE PREACHING IN PHILADELPHIA, QUOTED HERE:

The Sign Seeker

Section Five 1842-43, p.278

When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign. I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. "It is true," cried one, "for I caught him in the very act," which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptized. (Feb. 9, 1843.) DHC 5:268.



I WAS IMPRESSED THAT JOSEPH SMITH HAD THE BOLDNESS TO CALL THIS DETRACTOR ON THE CARPET WHILE HE HAD NOT A SHRED OF PROOF (OTHER THAN A PRINCIPLE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT AS HIS GUIDE) THAT THE MAN WAS AN ADULTERER. ACCORDING TO JOSEPH SMITH, THIS IS A PRINCIPLE:

Section Four 1839-42, p.156

I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn other, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man.



THE SAVIOR TOOK MANY OCCASIONS TO POINT OUT THAT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE WICKED PEOPLE (THAT EVENTUALLY PUT HIM TO DEATH) WAS GENERATED BY THE ACTIONS OF WICKED PEOPLE - SPECIFICALLY ADULTERY/SEXUAL SIN. PLEASE READ MATTHEW 12:39 TO SEE WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE SECRET SIN OF THE DAY:

38 ¶ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

SO, EVEN THE QUEEN OF SHEBA WILL RISE UP IN CONDEMNATION AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THAT DAY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE GREATEST PERSON (EVEN A GOD) EVER TO WALK THE FACE OF THE EARTH. TRUTH IS MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTED TO TRUTH AND TRUTH REPELS ERROR. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A POLARIZING EFFECT TO SEXUAL SIN THAT CAUSES THE ERRANT PERSON TO BECOME BLIND AND CATEGORICALLY REJECT OBVIOUS TRUTH. THE SON OF GOD POINTED THAT OUT - AND IT IS A PRINCIPLE. JOSEPH SMITH DROVE THE POINT HOME IN HIS DISCOURSES AND I WENT ON MY MISSION EXPECTING TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCE SIMILAR IN NATURE.

MY EXPERIENCE;
BRAZIL 1988:

I was a newly-made Zone Leader in Joao Pessoa and was working with Elder Christianson (an excellent artist and servant of God). We were teaching a young family (seven children) about the Joseph Smith story and the Spirit was there in spades. I then turned to the man of the house (cannot remember his name) and asked if he could believe the truth of our statements. He said he could not believe that God could talk to man. I then explained the workings of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and that what he was feeling was the Holy Spirit confirming truth to his soul. I knew that he was experiencing that as another scripture came to mind and bore witness to me:

Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God.
19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20 If it be some other way it is not of God.
21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Knowing that they knew the truth, but that the mysterious repelling of truth was at work - just as with the man in Philadelphia, I, to the utter confusion and horror of my companion blurted out "What do you know about the law of chastisty?".

They seemed a little confused, so I asked them to open their scriptures to Matthew 12:39 and to read it (while my companion was kicking away at my leg). They read it and then I explained that they must be in violation of that law - otherwise they would know it and declare that Jesus is the Son of God and that he did indeed appear to Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820, as we were teaching it - and as the Holy Ghost was bearing firm witness. I boldly asked them if they had something they would like to share with us.

They both looked nervously at each other and then asked the kids to leave. I was thinking in my head "Now I've done it". The kids left and they quietly told us that they had been 'living in sin' and had all seven children without ever getting married. I was floored - but then proceeded to let them know that before they could receive a deep and abiding witness of the truths that we were teaching, they would have to get married and then we could proceed. We politely bid them a good evening and left with my companion letting me know his agitation over this.

I on the other hand, was more than satisfied in the principle and was able to use it later in another even more poignant occasion while on my mission.

BELEM, BRAZIL
DECEMBER 1989.

While Zone Leader in Belem, a largish city near the mouth of the Amazon River, we were out caroling in the city center park on Christmas Eve, knowing we didn't want to be proselytizing during family time.  It was the first time in "baptism land" that someone actually came up to me on the street, told me he had read the BOM and wanted to be baptized. It floored me. Sure enough, during the first discussion during the JS story (the Spirit was so thick you could cut it with a knife), his best friend burst in the door and told us that we were full of it. I observed the colors he was wearing (red and black - the colors of the d'evil and black magic down there) and told him that he was a wicked and adulterous young man, that he needed to repent and to sit down and shush until we were finished. I pushed bold to the limit - not knowing if his friend we were teaching would be offended to the point he would no longer hear us out. As is usual, the one who shreds is often not given the "prize" of reaping the love of the gospel and its given to another to complete the work. I was transferred within the week. Many months later as I was in the mission home preparing to come back to the States, I was walking through the lobby as the Elders from that city were passing around photos. I asked if I could take a peek. Both those young men were in whites for their baptism. The Lord is merciful - and I then ran into one of the American Elders who followed their progress and they both were serving missions while I was finishing up my degree at BYU. So, I agree, pandering has gotten people almost nowhere. If I sense that someone is not able to endure sound doctrine, I usually go for the jugular. You cannot imagine the amount of damage people like Tal Bachman have done in the Church. I got on a forum (apostate) he was on and just shredded. One of the worst things that has occurred in the LDS collective perception is that Jesus was a wus. He had amazing compassion and sympathy when people were in a repentant and humble spirit. When he sensed their intentions were evil - whoa!.

Last of all, some words from Orson Scott Card, that I have modified slightly - and live by and judge by:

HYPOCRISY BY THOSE WHO WANT TO CHANGE GOD’S COMMANDMENTS TO FIT THEIR OWN SELFISH WANTS

The teachings of the Lord are clear in regard to the way we must deal with sinners. Christ treated them with compassion -- as long as they confessed that their sin was a sin. Only when they attempted to pretend that their sin was righteousness did he harshly name them for what they were: fools, hypocrites, sinners. Hypocrites because they were unwilling to change their behavior and instead attempted to change the law to fit it; fools because they thought that deceiving an easily deceivable society would achieve the impossible goal of also deceiving God. These are they who are “kicking against the pricks” and “fighting against the Saints of God”. Joseph Smith taught that it is never enough to physically leave the body of the Church and then leave the Saints alone. You can leave the Church, but the Church never leaves you -- because immutable truth is just that, immutable. It will gnaw at you at every turn and every choice in life until you either bow the knee and confess Christ as your Savior or raise your fist to heaven and curse God and wish to die because of your defiance at the failing to give heed to saving laws and ordinances which can bring peace and lasting joy.

The Church has plenty of room for individuals who are struggling to overcome their temptation and bad behavior. But for the protection of the Saints and the good of the persons themselves, the Church has no room for those who, instead of repenting of gross sin, wish it to become an acceptable behavior in the society of the Saints. They are wolves in sheep's clothing, preaching meekness while attempting to devour the flock, or their families, etc.

No act of violence is ever appropriate to protect Christianity from those who would rob it of its meaning. None of us are without sin -- the casting of stones is not our duty or our privilege. All that must ever be done to answer them is to declare the truth, and to deny them the right to call themselves Latter-day Saints while proclaiming their false doctrine. Even as Christ freed from her accusers the woman taken in adultery, he told her, Go and sin no more.

Quote attributed to Orson Scott Card with modification by myself.

YOUR TESTIMONY - BY YOUR WORKS YE SHALL KNOW IT

Alot of people wonder how you go about developing a testimony of the truth. I have a favorite scripture that I quoted liberally while a missionary and trying to get people to catch the vision of God's work and the need to keep the commandments; "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine; whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself." So in order to obtain the knowledge of the truth of a doctrine (a testimony), you simply have to start by keeping the commandments - and then see what buds over time. But it takes prolonged diligence.....

I have my story and here it is - and it follows some very basic principles:

I have always had a simple faith. I have always just had a resonation within me when something was right. It felt comfortable - error and bad principle grates me which is why I will often blow some steam by way of my writings. There is MUCH error and bad principle out there.

That simple faith led to a belief when I read the works of our Savior and the greats like Moses and Joseph Smith. I just knew they were true and that these were good, just and holy men. I also came to the realization that the things they did (their works and miracles) were not out of reach of the average man/woman - otherwise, why publish them? It would be torturous - not much unlike sharing intimate details of married life to someone who is single - it would only do harm for them to know of that which they could not enjoy or achieve. The experiences were recorded because we could achieve them!! We do not have the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon and it is held back until after the purge as there NO WAY we could achieve those great principles of harmonious and Zion living in this telestial world. Not without the people conceiving of living like that - and then doing all in their power to bring it about.

So, as I examined myself, I knew that I could do the same things, so long as I maintained a humble attitude and as long as I would repent of my shortcomings - which are legion - and began to have the desire to exercise my priesthood in righteousness (women - this is your heritage, as well; I have stories from my mission). At one point around the age of twelve after listening to Conference and a talk by Neal A. Maxwell, I was wrought upon by the Holy Ghost to the point that I had no strength in my frame - just as Lehi did which propelled me further along this path. So the belief in Priesthood power was bolstered by some statements in my Patriarchal Blessing that I would be given opportunities to grow with experiences in the Priesthood - so I moved from a faith, to an assurance, to a burning desire to have the same assurances that all the greats had. This led to an attitude in a state of humility (God owes me nothing) that I could request and then expect miracles and blessings in my life. I could "argue the case" so to speak - and God would have to grant my desires in righteousness - much as the Brother of Jared was given them as his faith increased beyond a certain threshold. I began to have those experiences, line upon line, here a little, there a little until I would arrive at a fullness - or a sure knowledge of all things. This is how you obtain the great gift of the Second Comforter. I am not there yet - but I do desire that sweet communion - and I know I am far off from that pinnacle from what I understand of others' experiences.

Backing up a step, though - and to the point of this piece. I have not read a piece of scripture and said to myself "This could never happen to me.", except for one thing; which is commanding a mountain to "Be thou moved" - and having it done. Maybe that is a function of not seeing a need for it. I can conceive of everything else including having the power of resurrection - which all righteous Patriarchs from their respective lines on down from Adam will exercise on the Morning of the First Resurrection. I can conceive of (me doing it at some point in the future in a terrestrial state) moving from place to place at the speed of thought. I can conceive of raising a loved one from the dead (such as Lazarus was) and if you read a previous blog entry will know why that was a difficult reality for me. I can and have been an instrument in the Lord's hand to command a friend of mine through the instrumentality and power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood to be made whole and free from cancer as the Spirit dictated. I have prophesied in the name of Jesus Christ. I can and have cast out devils in the name of Jesus Christ - which brings me to my point on the principle of a testimony. After a while, the reality of what is read about in scripture begins to become a reality in the life of those who have exercised faith from point to point until they begin to do the works that Jesus did. It then moves from faith to a working knowledge - and now my story which started this whole topic and ties it all together.

I was reading earlier tonight how Martin Harris could not witness the plates until he had repented of something that the Lord was not pleased with. After having secured forgiveness, he was able to then move forward with his righteous desire.

How do I know that is a true experience - and why do I ferociously rebuff my colleagues who attempt to paint that kind of stuff as the vain imaginations of a deluded mind? Because I have experienced it - or an identical experience that drove the exact principle home - which causes that experience by Martin Harris to resonate with me. I have never (to my knowledge) seen an angel - yet I know that Martin Harris did - because I experienced the same principle/event in my own life. I have the same kind of assurance that Martin Harris did as I do that the sun exists as I walk down the sidewalk on a glorious spring day and feel the sun radiating on my face and know its there.

While on my mission, I had the privilege of casting an evil spirit out of a woman of about 30 years of age. While engaged in that endeavor (there were six Elders there who each were given a shot at doing it as we could not clear the house of the influence due to pornography, alcohol and some other stuff). One Elder (a "Utah Mormon" who the previous week had confessed to me had binged alcohol and who knows what else at a party before embarking to Brazil in an unrepentant state), could not cast the evil spirit out of the woman due to that hanging over him. I had the privilege of commanding that evil entity to depart a second time. And it responded to the righteous and authorized command just as a car lurches forward as you press the accelerator. Simple faith - simple cause and effect. Moving from desire and hope to belief to plain and simple action then to sure knowledge.
The point being, you begin to have these experiences and you then read scripture or other non-canonical stories and begin to realize that your life begins to imitate art so to speak. Your life begins to become what you are reading. That is when you can begin to do great things and the Lord can no longer hold back the veil. This is not said in boasting - this is said pragmatically and factually and it follows a distinct pattern set forth in scripture.

So that is my testimony. Live your life with the desire to have those experiences and do not give ear to the faithless (in and out of the Church) who pervade your existence who say that those things were from a different time and for a different people, or who say, "it is different now". Those are the lies of the adversary who hates all that is good and right and virtuous.

Press forward until you have a sure knowledge from whatever point it is that you reside at right now and you will have fantastic experiences. One day you will meet your Savior - possibly while in the flesh if you live for it. I promise you that in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

POWER IN THE PRIESTHOOD - KNOWING THAT WE CAN DO THE THINGS OF GOD TO BRING ABOUT HIS GLORY

I have a friend that has been given a promise to make it through to do great things in the NJ.  I seek the same promise.  In that desire, great faith and great power will have to be obtained and exercised.  Whom the Lord God calls, He qualifies - even if it must be through the furnace of affliction, in order that they might win the prize, to sit down in the Kingdom of God in the company of the great and noble ones.  If you desire it, seek it.

This friend asked me about casting out of evil spirits and I did a search on the blog.  This is what I got.  As I fast, this testimony burns within me, like it did the day I wrote it.  God is great:

http://woodyoubelieveit.blogspot.ca/search?q=casting+out+an+evil+spirit+in+brazil