Question... Seeking anecdotes...

[lunaverse]

I'm looking for stories of things that either happened to you, or someone you know personally, while in TBMland.

Where you (or this person) was expecting something to happen, by faith. Say you had a dream, or a strong feeling, or a prompting, or someone you knew (husband, parent, friend) was convincing that something was going to happen. Either something vague or something specific.

And the specific thing didn't happen, or the vague thing didn't turn out as expected. But something else did seem to happen, and you explained it away as that new thing, and took away meaning from it...

There are a couple of instances for me that stand out, but it seems like there are more.

One, I was around 9 or 10 and me and an LDS girl were going to a Girl Scout camp. The other people in the car were non-members. The car got a flat tire, or the engine stopped running. Me and this girl were convinced it was to avoid some terrible accident ahead, or something horrible had happened at camp, and we were saved. But after we got going, there was no sign of accident, and nothing had happened at the camp. Yet we were convinced we'd missed something less knowable, even though we'd embarassed ourselves by our outrageous claims.

Another time, I had been praying with all seriousness and frustration for months, that I know what I should choose in my life. Should I move to the city? What should I do for a career? Was I ever going to meet someone to get married? I lacked purpose, and I wanted purpose really badly.

I got the "impression" that if I went to the temple I'd find the answer there. So I worked really hard to clean up my life, and got a recommend. And went. No visions, no clear answer. But in the Celestial room I broke down crying. (This is one of the few in-Church Spiritual Experiences(tm) I've eluded to earlier.) I still had no purpose, but I had comfort, just a sense that it would be all right, things would work out.

(Later things didn't work out, and I got pissed at God for a little while, but that's another story. :) )

My mom always had all kinds of feelings and promptings and things she was sure of. But since I'm not her, I don't remember them correctly, nor do I know her reaction to them when they didn't happen.

And in all the sacrament meetings and sunday school lessons, I've heard so many variations of the "It didn't work out exactly as we planned" and "Angel in disguise" stories, but can't remember any of them.

So I need to hear it from you all! :)

Luna

[flotsam]

I"m interested Luna, why are you seeking these stories? Do you have a thesis in mind?

[peter_mary]

Luna,

Like you, I've often thought it would be interesting to explore the experiences that never really pan out, the ones that never get talked about during Fast & Testimony meeting, because I expect there is a treasure-trove of information about the culture in those unrealized stories.

Here's a link to a thread I began almost a year ago on this very topic, which details a very significant anecdotal experience I had along these lines.

http://www.postmormon.org/forum_vb/showthread.php?t=49

Enjoy!

Peter_Mary

[lunaverse]

PM - I'm also including stories which turned out to be faith-promoting after all, because *something* happened, which was interpreted as being special anyway, even if it wasn't as expected.

I do have a thesis. :) But I'll explain later.. not out of sacredness (er, secrecy) but due to time constraints.

Luna

[lunaverse]

Ok, now that I have some time, here's why I'm asking.

I'm now reading "When Prophecy Fails", the accounting of the research done on a UFO cult in the 50's that predicted the end of the world. This was the research that showed the effects of cog dis when people commit their lives to a specific belief, are proven false, and then show a renewed vigor to the point of prosyletizing.

Early on, Mrs. Keech (one of the leaders of the group) was told by the extra-terrestials (through automatic writing) that a UFO would land in a nearby field on a certain day at noon. She showed up, and so did about 12 followers (whom she did not invite, but word leaked).

The UFO failed to land, but a stranger in a suit appeared out of nowhere. They offered him drinks and food, but he refused, and said something vague but meaningful, and then vanished when Mrs. Keech's back was turned.

Several of the followers took this as the meaningful event that was to occur, and showed renewed devotion, even in the face of disappointment over the lack-of-UFO.

I recognized the story from an emotional sense -- like I'd heard versions of it over and over, in Sac meeting talks and testimony meetings and family gatherings. Like, maybe a couple who prayed for a child of their own, and none ever came, but they adopted such a sweet spirit, and that was their answer to prayer... Or someone who's patriarchal blessing promised them they'd serve a mission, and they didn't, but they converted three of their friends locally and it was wonderful. Or they pray for mom to get over her cancer, and she doesn't, she dies, but now everyone's faith is so much stronger because of their trials.

Except real stories, not the ones I made up just now. ;)

I'm even having niggling recollections of some of them involving miracles and strangers appearing out of nowhere and impossible events, just not the events or outcome expected. Ships going the wrong way, but it working out for the best, and ... things.

It's frustrating. :/

Luna

[free thinker]

Not long ago when I was TBM I was getting ready to attend a singles conference. ( Another One) :rolleyes:


My freind's wife had an impression that I would meet someone special etc. I didn't. As usual. And now I am no longer a member.

I have no idea how she is compartmentalizing it, but I am sure there are some gymnastics going on.

free thinker

[flotsam]

I'd be happy to pass along a few stories, but I need to know what kind of thesis you're after so I can tailor them.