Urantian Testimonies

These experiences are recorded on the Square Circles Urantia Book Sources and Resources site.

"As I was skeptical of anything other than the Bible, time passed before I actually began reading The Urantia Book...  I began with 'The Life and Teachings of Jesus,' and quickly read to where Jesus had reached the age of 23. I was blown away. I had never heard of the things I was reading; I didn't even know that Jesus had brothers and sisters. I already knew and loved the divine Jesus, the Son of God, but through The Urantia Book I began to fall in love with the human Jesus, the Son of Man. Still, I was not convinced that The Urantia Book was really true; I fought with my old mental tapes regarding the infallibility of the Bible - 'Thou shalt not add to...,' etc. My old beliefs were being challenged.
I put The Urantia Book down for several months, and then a devastating thing happened. My father died in a truck/train accident on May 1, 1980. After the initial shock and grief, I was angry that God would take my father at this time of his life; he hadn't even been able to retire! Then I started reading the mansion world papers. The peace I felt after reading them convinced me that the teachings in the book were genuine. They were too beautiful to be anything else.
Since then I have grown enough in understanding to realize that God does not take our loved ones, that the accidents of time just happen. I know that my earthly father's soul had plenty of 'mercy credits'. I need not worry about his salvation. Most comforting of all, I believe that as soon as I get to the mansion worlds I shall see my father in person."

-from "How I Found the Urantia Book", by Luann Harney

"She told me she had come across a book that I might like, though she herself could not understand it.  [the friend tells of the Urantia Book's divine origin]  ...Something inside me knew that was true and I wrote down the name of the book...
 I found myself thinking about God and what little time I had given to learning about him. Suddenly, the room was filled with a warm and glowing light. I felt so strange, as if I had received the gift of faith right at that moment, as if I had been 'born again.'
...I came home and had such tremendous urges - to read The Bible, to join a church, to learn everything I could. I called different churches at random, went to the library, and got some books on Edgar Cayce, the Dead Sea Scrolls, world religions, The Koran, even The Talmud.
That same day I called Mr. Dychko and told him how I felt. He suggested I read The Urantia Book but to start with the Jesus section this time. I read for about five hours without stopping and my Thought Adjuster must have responded because I knew that every word I was reading was the truth. It was exciting to finally believe in something, to have faith in God!"

-from "How I Found the Urantia Book", by Martha Groh

"...I decided that I believed in God because I needed to, although I was certain that much of what I was hearing in church was not really related to the God I felt inside. So one afternoon, as a junior in high school, while considering all of this, I prayed, 'Father, I don’t really know what is true. But I don’t care how far I have to go or what I have to do, I want to find what is true. Please help me.'
...I began reading the Urantia Book.
...Questions would flood my mind; the answers would be in the next paragraph. I felt my mind opening, my soul exploding. I had never read anything like this.
... Finally, I finished Part III, 'The History of Urantia.' Blam! Bells rang, lights went on—I knew!
...I knew in my experience that this book was true and that it was what it claimed to be.
I had found the truth. I had asked for it. I got it. The truth had set me free.
...I can honestly say that the Urantia Book has changed and enlightened my entire adult life experience on this planet."

-from "How I Found the Urantia Book", by Lee Armstrong

These comments are from Amazon reviews of The Urantia Book:

"One day I entered a public library not knowing what I was really looking for, no real purpose in mind. As I walked the aisles my eyes locked on a book with concentric blue circles. I can only say that I was drawn to it, I knew instinctively there was something important about it. I opened it randomly and settled on a paragraph from a paper and began to read. Immediately and without a doubt I knew I was reading truth. Its hard to describe the feeling that went thru me, It was like slowly dying from thirst and suddenly being saved by a clear cool spring. ...It took me one year to finish the book reading it nearly every day. Almost all of what I read seemed nearly incomprehensible to me at the time but I knew instinctively that it was truth. By the time I had finished it I realized I had read the most profound book of my life"

-from Amazon review by zane gregg

"I first started reading The Urantia Book over 40 years ago. I believe that we have the ability to sense 'truth' when we encounter it. This book was one of those encounters. It took me over three years to read the book cover to cover, carefully and thoroughly. I found no errors, no contradictions. It rang true in every respect."

-from Amazon review by George T. Johnson

These comments are from the Urantia International Association forum.

"I have been reading the Urantia Book for about two years and it's like I just recently began to see how amazing it really is. I have found no other book that synthesizes science, philosophy, and religion into such a coherent and convincing whole.
If it's not the revelation it claims to be and instead the product of human imagination, it would have to be the best science fiction book ever written. If that were the case, and I doubt it is, its spiritual truth would still remain, as it speaks to my heart and mind about the nature of God, the teachings of Jesus, and our hope for the afterlife like nothing I've ever seen.
Though my life hasn't dramatically improved since I first found this text, my outlook on life has definitely changed. I now see a cosmic purpose to human life that I otherwise may not have found. The more often I read the Urantia Book, the more at peace I generally feel, even if it's only a page or two a day."

-from "I am amazed by the Urantia Book", by Howard509

A reply:

"You will find, Brother, that every reading of the whole will further expand the parts within, endlessly it seems. The more you experience the truths within, the more of them there seem to be. The evidence of truthfulness lies within the experience of truth in our life.
...The highest happiness is indissolubly linked with spiritual progress. Spiritual growth yields lasting joy, peace which passes all understanding."

-from UIA forum user Bradly aka/fanofVan, post 2

Urantia Book believers discusses the Spirit of Truth:

"I recognize the presence of the Father, the Son... and the Infinite Spirit whenever I tune in before I begin to read each day. I KNOW their presence is here with me along with others."

-from UIA forum user Carolyn, post 4

From another thread:

"Yes, he does speak to us. In fact, it is more likely that you will hear the good shepherd speak in your heart long before you hear your own TA. Through 50 years of the practice of contemplative prayer, I have been able to discern the Master's voice and presence in my heart and mind. He speaks whenever you ask. He speaks to the humble heart which is wholly dedicated to hearing him. He speaks with peace and tenderness, with comfort and wisdom. These are communions that are not always intellectual but are felt deeply and known experientially. He promised that if you seek, you will find and I have found in my experience is that prayer has been the best avenue for seeking him."

-from UIA forum user Bonita, post 14

From YouTube:

"I have studied, prayed and pondered about this revelation for almost fifty years, but that doesn't mean that I see it in its wholeness yet, but just that I am on my way in understanding truth.
...I opened the book to a place on the life and teachings of Jesus and read a page of when Jesus went to Simon's home and the woman came off of the street, so grateful for the good news of repentance and realizing she too could be a faith daughter of our Heavenly Father —with gratitude she anointed Jesus' feet with oil and wept and wiped her tears from his feet with her long hair! It was as if I recognized Jesus' voice as I read, and I knew that was Jesus speaking. My testimony of the truthfulness of the epochal revelation started that night and has continued to grow in all these nearly 50 years."

-from YouTube user UrantianArtist

From Truthbook.com:

"I am not an author of the book, and I have no way to convince you that what is contained in its covers is true. The only way that one can discern the truth of The Urantia Book is by opening it up and reading it. Many people who have done just that are completely convinced of its truth, and have allowed that truth to expand their worldview, inform their spiritual lives, and improve their understanding of, and communion with, God.
...The Spirit of Truth indwells each person and assists us to discern truth, wherever it is found. You possess this Spirit as well as anyone else, and I invite you to keep that in mind, and keep an open mind, when you approach The Urantia Book.
...You can come to trust the writings of The Urantia Book, but not because I say so, because Truthbook says so, or because IT says so. Your own Spirit within will bear witness to you if you are a sincere seeker for the truth.
...You might find some of The Urantia Book history helpful and also you might like to read some of the personal stories of people who feel that The Urantia Book changed their lives for the better. Click HERE for those stories.On this page you'll be able to access several video movies featuring Urantia Book readers giving their personal testimonies regarding The Urantia Book."

-from "Is the Urantia Book True?" on Truthbook.com

"While growing up I was sort of a closet seeker...  I read lots of religious books on my own. I picked out the parts that rang true to me and left the rest behind. I had many, many questions and found a few answers, just enough to keep me looking for more.
When I was 21 a friend and I were talking about the meaning of life. He told me about a book - I had never heard of it before - called The Urantia Book. I bought that big blue book and brought it home. I knew immediately that it was something different. I read the Foreword, looked over the table of contents, opened the book randomly, and read.
...Once I began reading it, the book became my constant companion. I would carry it with me to work, read it on the bus, study it at night, turn to it in times of despair, and come to love the truth it held. The gaps were closed, my questions were answered, my heart was filled, and the harmony chord of truth rang in my soul."

-from "I Bought That Big Blue Book", by Karen Pike

"All it took was one paragraph and I felt tears come into my eyes and my heart beat faster. I probably had a stunned and stupid look on my face, too. As he continued to read I became completely overwhelmed. It was all I could do to keep from dropping to the floor in front of these people and crying out loud to God. I sat with my hands in my lap, not uttering a word - but inside I was a blubbering mess. 'This is the truth! You've answered me! You're real!'
...God became a reality and life finally made sense. I could begin to understand what it was all about and where I fit in. I had answers and no longer needed pot and beer. The world became enchantingly new again just like it was when first discovering it as a child. Yes, I finally understood what those crazy Jesus freaks meant when they said 'born again.' I was one of them."

-from "I Felt Tears Come into My Eyes", anonymous

"When I reached 'The Survival of Andon and Fonta' light bulbs exploded in my head. This book is telling me the truth! We will not die! There's a big universe out there that is fully under control, and there is a God after all! All the knowledge I had accumulated over the years clicked together, the pieces of the giant jigsaw puzzle forming a coherent picture of the universe that resembled a detailed tapestry. The astounding thing was that I recognized the picture as something familiar, something that deep down I had known all along but couldn't see because it was blocked. Now the veil was lifted... Although I still had two thousand pages to go, I knew that this book would give it to me straight. That was the happiest day of my life, April 18, 1977. 'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' I wept tears of joy and relief.
On that day I turned my life around 180 degrees. All my attitudes and values were changed in one fell swoop. I read the book for three months straight, barely coming up for air. I learned where I came from, where I was going, and why I was here. What I had believed to be important was meaningless, and that's why happiness had eluded me. I discovered that there is no happiness apart from God. The stress and tension dropped away, the furrows in my brow relaxed, and I still hadn't read a word about Jesus - that came much later. In fact, I resisted reading about him until I had exhausted all the other papers. But when I finally did, I was ready to accept him and his teachings wholeheartedly. Since that day I have had peace of mind - the peace which passes all understanding."

-from "All My Attitudes and Values Were Changed", by Saskia Praamsma

"The truth contained in the book spoke deeply to me, enlarged my existing relationship with Jesus and our Father, and affirmed long-held philosophical concepts. I felt, 'Yes, that's the way I've always thought that this whole life experience, and God, and everything, should be.' It spoke to my heart and mind, and filled in all the missing gaps left by Christianity. I was able to affirm that indeed, I had found the fifth epochal revelation to our world - The Urantia Book."

-from "The Truth Spoke Deeply to Me", by Jane Roper

Unificationist Conversion Experiences

This experience is posted on a Unificationist blog.

"I was not a believer. One night by chance, just out of curiosity, I prayed. Miracle happened. An amazing light filled up the room and I felt God's presence and love. I could sense all His pain from my mistakes and all the insults He got for us. I cried and suffered, because I still felt the warmth and the fear that seized my soul with this amazing experience. I encountered God, and I did not even know who He is.
I began to look and search, visiting many churches and other places. Every day I prayed, even though with simple request, 'Please, Heavenly Father, show me what you want me to do?' Soon I began to experience amazing spiritual guidance. And the words of Jesus became a reality for me, 'Seek and ye shall find, ask and you will be given!' The answer came in unexpected way.
 A friend of mine told me that she was invited in an educational center. Hearing these words the Spirit filled me up and again I felt the incredible presence of God. Trembling, I heard the heavenly voice saying, 'This is the answer to your prayers'. And again I was filled with an incredible light and love; the same that I experienced in my first encounter with God.

[She converted to the Unification Church as a result of attending the educational center.]

…I knew it was true and I could not deny it. The responsibility is ours! God cannot make us believe or understand by force. Only if you pray sincerely and you'll understand!
Now I know.”

-from "My Life in Search of Truth"

These are from the UCFamily blog.

“I was born and raised in a small rural town, in a traditional catholic family.
…I went to mass almost every day and received the communion very often. During a long period of my life, I feel Jesus very close.
…None of the priest or nuns that I consulted at that time, gave me a clear answer to my questions about Jesus, God, the Bible etc. Then I started to search by my own in a different christian groups etc. Finally, after years of difficulties and some bad decisions, I found out the Unification Church.
…To listen the Divine Principle was like received a fresh waterfall from the sky, it was like a personal revelation to me. It gave me answer to all the questions that I have had during all my life. I was thinking inside, this is it!!  This is what I was searching for...
After studied and live the contents of the Divine Principle, my life has been change forever. Even unworthy, my heart is full of gratitude and appreciation toward Reverend Moon, who gave to Humankind the great treasure of the Unification Principle, the revelation given directly by God to Reverend Sun Myung Moon.”

-from "Experience with God", by Conchita

"One night I had an amazing experience where Jesus came to me in a dream. He told me I had a mission to fulfill. I was spiritually guided to meet a Japanese lady. She asked me: 'Are you searching for truth?' I said yes! Hearing the lecture I had a 'This is it' experience. This is what I have always been searching for. Jesus showed me the answer in the Unification Church of Rev. Moon.
...She invited me to take a walk up 5th Ave, towards the building where the Unification Church was located at that time.
...I felt such a peaceful atmosphere and a sense of being in the right place at the right time.
...When she asked me to hear a lecture I said no at first. I was sick and tired of lectures. I had just graduated from college. But I could not say no after a while because she was so sweet and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
...During this lecture I had a 'This is it' experience.
...The lecturer drew a diagram on the board of the '4-position foundation' – the ideal family with God at the center as the basis for harmony in the family, and a society, nation and world of peace, and this is when I heard as a shout in my mind, 'This is it! This is what you have always been searching for – and not only you, but all of your ancestors have always been searching for!'  I began to feel a great flood of tears coming up, but I did not want to cry in front of them yet.
She finished the lecture and I was just quiet. It struck me with such a peace inside. I thought, 'This is not an ordinary truth. This is not the postulation of a theory, nor the defense of a position or the argument of someone’s opinion, or just some information about life and the world.
This is really a message, some words from God.' That is what I felt. It was a truth about life, rooted in the heart of God – not just an intellectual exercise.
I just cried with joy; I had found a spiritual oasis in the desert. Tomiko asked me, 'What do you think?!' I could only say, 'Well this is true! I would like to study more.'
That was all for that day... Yet, destiny was no way to avoid. Here I am today a Unification Church member, proud to be Unificationist."

-from "Personal testimony: Jesus Came to Me in a Dream", by Christine

Muslim Spiritual Experiences

These Muslims share testimonials about feeling God's love, guidance, presence, answers to prayers, etc.  These comments come from the Yahoo Answers question, "Do you have 'spiritual' experiences or feelings from Allah when you pray or go to your mosch?"

"Prayer involves beautiful words, simple actions that have deep meanings. When a Muslim prays, the problems and stresses of the world become insignificant and what remains is a feeling of peace."

-from Yahoo user syrenarc

"There are no words to explain how I feel when I pray or read the Quran or listen to the Azan, and the only way you can ever understand this, is if you experience it yourself."

-from Yahoo user Abibliophobiac

"Indeed our prayers are answered and we feel ecstasy while reading Holy Quran and it solves several of our problems too."

-from Yahoo user Javed Iqbal

This experience comes from the islamicboard.com thread, "What does Allah's presence feel like?"

"Feeling Allah's guidance (one example):

Last spring, after a 10 hour day at work, I began my 40 minute drive home...after buying food for my family. I live in the country and came across an elderly couple in the middle of nowhere. Instantaneously, I knew I was supposed to help them. I didn't really want to stop. All I wanted was to go home to my family and be with them. There was no voice...no pillar of fire...just God telling me, somehow, that this was what I was supposed to do. I said aloud, with a smile: 'Okay. I hear and will obey'.
I did it with love and joy in my heart, being filled with God's motivation. As it turns out, this couple had to be in the city for a legal case. They had a ride up there, but no way home. I loaded them up and drove them the 3 hours round trip to their home further south. When I got there, I helped the lady take her backpack indoors. They lived in a mobile home and they had explained with the economy that neither had work for 6 months. When I put the bottled water they had in the backpack into their refrigerator, I quickly saw their fridge was empty and that their cupboards were bare. They both looked emaciated and had no food.
Although they protested, I took the groceries I had and stocked their larders. I didn't have much cash on me, but what I had, I gave to them...maybe enough to fill their car with gas. (They couldn't afford the gas to get into the city)
When I began to leave, the wife called me an angel. I told her: 'I am but a man, a mere tool in God's hand, But I was led today to help you. May you do the same when God leads you to'.
...This is what I refer to as God-consciousness, a term I have held dearly...
 ...The best spiritual advise I have ever received: In prayer, stop talking and start listening."

-from islamicboard user GodIsAll, post 10

These come from the Experience Project:

"I was born and raised as a Muslim but I took it for granted and never really made the effort to pray. I knew in my heart I loved Allah but I was just too lazy to pray to him and tell him how much I loved him.  I had a boyfriend who I became extremely vulnerable to and when he broke up with me, I went into a depression, it's not like I was crying but I felt a sadness over taking my mind and heart.  I finally broke down and told my conservative Muslim mother. Instead of screaming or yelling at me for having a boyfriend, she suggested I go into my room, wash myself and just pray and speak to Allah, and to not hold anything back. The moment I started reciting, I felt tears well up, not from sadness but from a sense of relief, as if he was filling my heart with light and joy. Although the moments of sadness came back when I sometimes forgot to pray, the second I start reciting, I feel that he is reaching out to me, as not only my God but as my friend. Without him, I lose hope for the light at the end of the tunnel in times of darkness."

-from the Experience Project, "Prayer Saved Me", by Biggal13

"I've been through the most amazing experience ever when I was 15 y'o. I've never been religious, I didn't pray nor read Quran...  All I knew about religion was that there's only one God and Mohammad (pbuh) is his prophet, but saying this is different than feeling it and deeply believing in it. I had no doubts but didn't feel the beauty of it.
[She tells about an experience at school in which atheist friends mock Islam, Mohammad, and Allah.  She is very traumatized and saddened by this.]
I was crying on the inside and guess what! Allah knew that. I went home the next day and told my parents about what happened...  Without any further planning, I found myself praying so hard, crying from all my heart, trembling like never before, I felt my heart so pure, I lost all the human characteristics like jealousy, hatred, sadness, dissatisfaction and so on.  I found myself thinking of others before thinking of myself, making duaa and wishing good for others before myself and this is when I felt Allah's response. I couldn't stop crying while praying and asking God for forgiveness and you may not believe it but every time I got up from praying I felt that God has forgiven me and removed all my sins, I felt that Allah is satisfied with me, is happy, I felt his love, his presence, his rahma. I felt that I'm the happiest person on earth. I stopped listening to music, watching movies, looking around; I didn't plan on stopping these stuff but something was stopping me, music hurt my ears, movies hurt my eyes.  I was in a beautiful inner peace. I stayed all nights reading Quran and praying, I only went to sleep after praying fajr and every time I went to sleep I felt so relaxed and comfortable and wished to go up to Allah because I felt his love and I wanted to be closer. I had religious dreams, I saw myself in every dream saying the shahada...  I woke up feeling great. I was living for Islam by Islam. We were in Ramadan back then.
...What I'm certain of now is that Allah answers your prayers when you truly believe on the inside that he will answer them."

-from the Experience Project, "This Is How I 'Felt' Islam", by beyleb

What is this Blog?

I began collecting accounts and descriptions of spiritual experiences from people of many religions because I wanted to better understand my own experiences.  I wanted to know- do people in other religions have spiritual experiences like mine?  What were people in other faiths experiencing?  What was different about their spiritual experiences, and what was the same?  This blog is part of that collection. I have not posted all the testimonies I've collected.

Many of these testimonies come from longer posts.  In editing, I tried to show mainly the portions that are relevant to spiritual experiences and conversion.  In some cases, I made edits for grammar or readability, but I tried my best to communicate what I believe the authors intended.  I have also provided links to the original sources with each quote wherever possible.

Clearly, this collection cannot represent the full range of spiritual experiences for any given faith or religion.  I have collected experiences that I feel are relevant to mine in some way.  In addition, it was easier to find testimonies for some faiths than for others.  Perhaps some faiths have more spiritual experiences than others.  Perhaps some simply articulate those experiences differently, or are less likely to share them.  My intent is not to discuss which experiences are "correct", rather, my hope is that this blog will create a greater sense of perspective, understanding, and empathy.  I hope you read these accounts with compassion and a sincere desire to appreciate another person's point of view.

Please be respectful if you decide to comment.  Thank you for visiting Testimonies of Other Faiths!

  -Faith Observer



PS- Please let me know if you find broken links or other problems with the website.  I have archived just about everything.