Exorcisms

[UtahDan]

I always think of exorcism and casting out devils and demons as being the province of the catholic church. Or maybe the stuff of tent revivals. But I have heard a couple stories recently about it being practiced in the Mormon church.

One person was saying that while on his mission his companion fooled around with a girl and the mission president performed an exorcism on him. He was disturbed enough by it that he spoke to a general authority about it when he returned home who showed him a file of documented exorcisms within the church and encouraged him to view it as an authentic experience. Or so he says. I am skeptical about these claims because I have never encountered that teaching or any other stories of that practice.

Is this something that sometimes happens? Or do people here believe in physical manifestations of the demon world? I'm not trying to hold anyone up for ridicule, I am genuinely curious about this.

[UtahDan]

I didn't see the thread on seers and psychics. Maybe this should have gone there.

[falafel]

Er, what was it exactly that the mission president exorcised from the guy?

[UtahDan]

Er, what was it exactly that the mission president exorcised from the guy?

The demon that made him do it I think.

[falafel]

The demon that made him do it I think.

Are you serious? Not just about exorcisms, but about this guy? That is totally bizarre.

[UtahDan]

Are you serious? Not just about exorcisms, but about this guy? That is totally bizarre.

That's what he said. But as I say I am skeptical.

[byu71]

The demon that made him do it I think.

That demon splits on his own at about age 62.

[UtahDan]

That's what he said. But as I say I am skeptical.

Heh.

[DU Ute]

The demon that made him do it I think.

Good to know it wasn't the missionary's fault.

[Commando]

That demon splits on his own at about age 62.

[UtahDan]

That demon splits on his own at about age 62.

I have heard that certain pills can summon that demon (please note that a summoning lasting more than 4 hours may indicate a serious condition. Please call your doctor right away if that happens.)

[Commando]

I seem to have read in the Bishop's manual or Doctrines of Salvation or somewhere that exorcisms are of the devil .... about how rituals involving devils that isn't done according to any priesthood ordinance is just another form of spiritualism/ meddling similar to Ouija boards and what not.

[BYUMizzou]

I seem to have read in the Bishop's manual or Doctrines of Salvation or somewhere that exorcisms are of the devil .... about how rituals involving devils that isn't done according to any priesthood ordinance is just another form of spiritualism/ meddling similar to Ouija boards and what not.

There is nothing in the current Handbook 1 that references this. The only thing remotely close is 17.3.8 that says "Church members should not engage in any form of Satan worship or affiliate in any way with the occult. Such activities are among the works of darkness spoken of in the scriptures. they are designed to destroy one's faith in Christ, and will jeopardize the salvation of those who willingly promote this wickedness. These things should not be pursued as games, be topics in Church meetings, or be delved into in private, personal conversations."

[MarkGrace]

I've heard tons of stories like this from Mo's, including one from my mission.

[Joe Public]

I know a guy in Utah County whose bishop went to his house and performed an exorcism on him. That's the only instance of which I am aware, but that bishop's comments (as relayed to me by the guy) made it sound like it was not an unheard-of practice.