Unclean Spirits?

[ZealouslyStriving]

"Again—The spirits who are ignorant, uncultivated, and who remain in error, can communicate through the same medium as those better informed." (Parley P. Pratt, JD 2:12)

*I think I encountered a similar idea in another discourse as I am slowly working my way through the JD collecting quotes I like.

Perhaps those more informed than me can tell me if they've heard of the idea that the spirits of the formerly living wicked, in addition to the 1/3 who were cast out, try to exert their wicked influence on those still living?*

[ZealouslyStriving]

Here's another one:

"The spirits of the wicked, who have died for thousands of years past, are at war with the Saints of God upon the earth. Do I ever pray that I may see them again? No, I do not." (Heber C Kimball, JD 3:31)

[The Nehor]

5 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Here's another one:

"The spirits of the wicked, who have died for thousands of years past, are at war with the Saints of God upon the earth. Do I ever pray that I may see them again? No, I do not." (Heber C Kimball, JD 3:31)

Heber C. Kimball was probably talking about the experience that he had in England.

“About day break, Brother Russel (who was appointed to preach in the Market place that day,) who slept in the second story of the house in which we were entertained; came up to the room where Elder Hyde and myself were sleeping; and called upon us to rise and pray for him, for he was so afflicted with evil spirits that he could not live long unless he should obtain relief. We immediately arose, and laid hands upon him, and prayed that the Lord would have mercy on his servant and rebuke the devil, while thus engaged I was struck with great force by some invisible power and fell senseless on the floor, as if I had been shot; and the first thing that I recollected was, that I was supported by Brothers Hyde and Russel, who were beseeching a throne of grace on my behalf. They then laid me on the bed, but my agony was so great that I could not endure, and I was obliged to get out, and fell on my knees and began to pray, I then sat on the bed and could distinctly see the evil spirits who foamed and gnashed their teeth upon us. We gazed upon them about an hour and a half, and I shall never forget the horror and malignity depicted on the countenances of these foul spirits, and any attempt to paint the scene which then presented itself; or portray the malice and enmity depicted in their countenances would be vain. I perspired exceedingly, and my clothes were as wet as if I had been taken out of the river. Although I felt exquisite pain, and was in the greatest distress for some time, and cannot even now look back on the scene without feelings of horror; yet, by it I learned the power of the adversary, his enmity against the servants of God, and got some understanding of the invisible world. However the Lord delivered us from the wrath of our spiritual enemies and blessed us exceedingly that day, and I had the pleasure (notwithstanding my weakness of body, from the shock I had experienced, spiritual) of baptizing nine individuals and hailing them brethren in the kingdom of God.”

On my mission tour we went there. It is believed to be the same building. It was a solicitor’s office when we visited. *insert obvious lawyer joke here*

There is some controversy about the account. An earlier account had an auditory component with the spirits but no visual one. It is also possible these were two separate events. Elder Kimball also was very cautious about this account. He may have downplayed the event until he spoke to Joseph Smith about it. Elder Kimball did share the more visual account later as well.

[LoudmouthMormon]

I've always been full of slowness to believe (otherwise known as skepticism) when it comes to supernatural claims.  Everything from ghosts and near-death experiences to ouija boards and folks prayin' to not let the beans burn, and then they didn't.  

That said, I've heard probably a dozen or two personal stories from fellow skeptics (in and out of the church, some atheist) about feeling evil presences, unexplained cold spots and temperature drops, sometimes combined with other stuff like unexplained phenomena or sounds. 

So, maybe?  All I can do is direct you to folks who have made such claims.   I have none to offer personally.