The "bad feeling" in Mormonism

The "Bad Feeling" in Mormonism: Ignoring Internal Red Flags

When members of the Mormon faith experience a "bad feeling," it's often perceived as a warning from within, a critical instinctual response suggesting something isn't quite right. Yet, in Mormon culture, this feeling may be reconfigured as just part of the faith journey. It's a paradox that can leave followers perplexed about the reliability of their emotional and spiritual responses. Why does this contradiction persist, and what does ignoring these internal red flags mean for the individual and the faith community as a whole?

Historical and Cultural Context of "Bad Feelings" in Mormonism

The Mormon belief system often emphasizes a binary narrative of good versus evil, prompting followers to attribute their emotions to spiritual warfare. Emotional discomfort or "bad feelings" may be interpreted as temptations or challenges sent by adversarial forces to derail one's faith journey. This concept is rooted in a long-standing tradition within the Church that preaches the triumph over personal doubts as a test of faith. Such teachings can inadvertently lead individuals to distrust their instincts and legitimate concerns regarding faith teachings or Church practices.

As discussed on the Mormon Stories Podcast, there's an embedded encouragement within Mormon doctrine to suppress self-doubt or discomfort. The notion is to press forward with faith, regardless of the lingering feeling that something might be amiss. This cultural expectation to distrust one's intuition may stem from an institutional preference for conformity, thus avoiding discord within the structurally hierarchical religion.

Evaluating Key Claims: The Role of Emotional Discomfort