The Smell of the Spirit

[spacious maze]

I got into a car the other day, and the smell of the car, or maybe the cologne of the driver, immediately reminded me of my old ward building and I instantly felt the spirit. I know olfactory senses, of all seven, trigger memories the best. I’m not sure what this all means but I thought it was strange. Has anyone else had an experience like this?

[Old-Timer]

Absolutely. I have been somewhere and had a sense kick in that reminded my of a wonderful experience or person. We store SO much more than we actively remember – which is a fascinating concept for “becoming”.

[Bill Atkinson]

The first smell of a clean ocean breeze when we finally get to the coast (note it does need to be in a fairly unpolluted place) triggers a whole cascade of memories around my wife, our courtship, the long walks on the beach below UBC, our temple marriage and the sense of wonder and possibilities that was so strong and so sweet on our honeymoon. Actually just writing about it does just about as good, thank you.

[hawkgrrrl]

First thought was “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Hmmm. It has been said that smell is the one sense (of the five senses) that most triggers memory. Rose-scented talcum powder immediately takes me back to being 5-years old because my mom had some that was always sprinkled on the bathroom floor.

[Heber13]

spacious maze wrote:

I know olfactory senses, of all seven, trigger memories the best.

Very interesting thought, SM. I have never read anywhere in the scriptures that teach this manifestation of the spirit…IOW, you don’t read about Alma smelling something.

But certainly, it is not something I consider out of the realm of possibility.

It is the role of the Spirit to:

Quote:

teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance

I think it makes sense that if smell brings a remembrance of truth, the Spirit is not limited to how it can help you find truth.

Interesting thought.

[Author]

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