Mormons and Critics: What is the scientific/psychological principle behind the following LDS phenomenon?

Question

"Bearing your testimony makes it grow stronger."

http://lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9f7325292eaef010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
(scroll down 2/3 down the page to the heading "Find Your Testimony By Bearing It")

Any thoughts or comments?

Edit: It is LDS belief that God works within the realm of science, which predates Him.

Answer 1

Baring ones testimony is just one psychological trick out of many up the churches sleeve. When one bears there testimony, he does not give any logical reason as to why he believes, he just mindlessly and emotionally claims he believes. Fasting makes individuals more susceptible to suggestion, and then month after month of hearing and reciting that he and others know the church is true, will eventually trick him into thinking it is true. Repetition and mindlessly declaring it’s true with out any real logic behind his belief is the sign of a brainwashed group, and cult.

"Pray to know if it is true", and "that is the spirit you feel" are really just psychological tricks people fall for while in the right state of mind. In order to even take that test seriously, one must already believe in it to begin with. I could ask you to pray to Thor all day asking if he is real, and you would never pray to him with a “sincere heart and real intent” because you’re already so convinced of his untruthfulness. Joseph Smiths Methodist religion prior to his invention of Mormonism taught that certain emotions were proof of Gods existence, that the Holy Ghost is what was making them feel that way. So that’s why Mormons believe in warm fuzzies, it was Methodist influenced.

One prophet said that newcomers need “a friend, and a calling” again the conformity is just tricking them into believing something that scientific and historical evidences just don’t support.

Below is a very good site.

http://19.org/index.php?id=14,280,0,0,1,0

Answer 2

While I am sure that repeating ones beliefs in front of a group reinforces said belief maybe with the help of endorphins etc. -- The real science happens within the individual.

The Holy Spirit touches us with His influence as we speak. It is undeniable as I felt it yesterday while sharing a story in priesthood. (no on can convince me otherwise).

Now you may ask what is the science behind the Holy Spirit's "Influence" -- I cannot give a scientific answer other than -- If you truly and sincerely bare a testimony you too will feel His power to confirm your testimony -- so in that the "experiment" is repeatable.

I can speculate (not even a hypothesis not theory) that spirits communicate with emotion and that emotion is a humans real 6th sense. Emotional connections between humans have both a chemical and spiritual effect. So the Holy Ghost being spirit can touch our emotions and give us a feeling of confirmation.

anyway that's a hair-brained idea of how it all might work -- obviously I have not supported it well and it has many holes.

D

Answer 3

I don't know much about scientific or psychological principles, so my answer may be more simple than you are looking for.

I think that speaking your beliefs, or even your desire for belief is an act of faith that God will reward. I truly believe that there are blessings associated with actions of faith as well as obedience. When one bears testimony of the Truth, God blesses that person with a stronger conviction through the Holy Ghost. My mission president once talked about testimonies and he said that in bearing testimony of the gospel, our spirits are communicating with each other. I don't remember where he got this idea, or what he based it on, but I believe it.

Edit: I really like RT's answer

Answer 4

Do you think that there is a scientific/psychological principle behind the growth of the Evangelical movement?

I mean, to me, it's the BLATANT, unapologetic use of classic brainwashing.

I don't believe that the growth of the LDS church can be analyzed like that. People join or stay for many reasons that they give, but the reason they SHOULD give is that they firmly believe that the Book of Mormon is another Testament of JESUS CHRIST; that we today have living prophets and apostles of God; that said apostles and prophets receive, today, living revelation from a living God, our Heavenly Father; and that the first of these latter-day prophets was Joseph Smith Jr.

Answer 5

I really think that bearing your testimony does make it grow stronger! The more you bear it, the more you are sure of what you believe. It's not just randomly saying stuff you think is true, it's expressing your feelings and beliefs. It's hard to get up in front of people, but I think it really does help a lot.
Also, fasting makes you more humble and more in tune with the Spirit, it doesn't "trick" you into thinking something is true. We all have a choice whether to believe something or not, we don't force or trick people into thinking something is true.

Answer 6

Nothing predates God as he created all things. Get your doctrine straight. And yes, God created science and gave it purpose with laws and principles.

Yes, when you share your Testimony it does grow. It is something experienced when you do it. Just as studying and learning on any topic. The more you learn and the more you share, the stronger your convictions in that subject.

Imasis... it is not about repetative speaking that makes a testimony grow or that makes you believe in anything. You can tell me over and over again that God does not exist or even that California does not exist and I would never believe you. It is about gaining a knowledge through the Holy Spirit.

and by your example I guess we shouldn't teach the same principles of English, Math, History or Science in school as that would be considered brainwashing? You shouldn't tell your child that you love them over and over again or that would be considered brainwashing?

Answer 7

It's kind of like the multiplication tables.

You learn by repetition. God created our minds that way on purpose, so that we would learn the important parts of His Gospel.

Some call it "self-fulfilling prophesy," while others call it "fake it till you make it," but remember, you only get the testimony if you bear it with sincerity. If you bear it without believing it's true, then it's just empty words and it won't work.

Answer 8

It's kind of like making up a song. You may have an idea before hand, but suddenly you are live on stage and the words just come out. These words would come from your experiences and your random thoughts based upon who you think you are and who you think the audience is. It all comes out of you on the spot as an individual. And I have noticed I never play the same song the same way twice. And I hate to sound like a broken record and play the same song over and over. Opening up is an act of creativity in it's self for arts sake.
And if you weren't there, you missed it.

Answer 9

you can have a testimony without bearing it, but bearing it is one way you find or discover the testimony you have.

that and we dont believe god works WITHIN anything.

Answer 10

Not sure I understand your question. The statement made in that paragraph is a challenge to exercise your faith, I cannot see any scientific connotation there.

The key word there is "Faith" i think you need to understand the true meaning of that word to answer your question.