Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ

JesusChristDelParsonTo start off I want to thank Tim for following the Spirit. He has received the assignment that he claimed he received. I know it. He knows it. Many wonderful things are happening in the world right now, and many wonderful things are happening in the hearts of individuals. This is where Zion is built, right within the hearts of God’s sheep.

I have felt impressed to share some things that I learned for my own spiritual progression in the past. Many of the things that I have received by revelation concerning certain scriptures may not directly apply to you, but in the small chance that they do, I am glad to share.

Quick, ask yourself, “Why do I want to see Jesus Christ?”…..What comes to mind? Was an answer available immediately? Why do most people want to see Jesus? Seriously, I mean what is it about seeing the Lord that is so intriguing? So many rumors, so many claims, so many people who would love this opportunity, and yet at times we must ask if our hearts are in the right place. I would have to guess that a great many people want to see Jesus Christ to “consume it upon their lusts….”.

Yes, I said it. A lot of people really want to see the Savior because, well, it would be so awesome! Who wouldn’t want a quick peek at our Redeemer? Just to be surrounded in His glory would be amazing. Melvin J Ballard saw the Savior in a dream, and said that he would do ANYTHING to make it back to the presence of the Savior. Many in near death experiences relate that just to be in His arms and feel the unsurpassed love He has is the greatest feeling imaginable.

With these thoughts in mind, I would like to delve into the scriptures and point to some things that I learned about coming into the presence of the Lord, and what the purpose of such an encounter might be.

2 Nephi 32
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
7 And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.

First off, a teaching that many are learning at a rapid rate, and that is that in order to see our Savior, we must follow the Holy Ghost. We must obtain the Holy Ghost, and trust in His voice in all things. There is no teaching here to trust in any man. We have heard this a lot lately, and it is beautiful to see many people waking up to this fact, but the meat of these verses that I want to focus on is in verse six. Notice that Nephi doesn’t say “…and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you. And when he shall manifest himself unto you, the things…”. Nephi put in a key that is ABSOLUTELY VITAL to this whole process. He stated unequivocally that the visitation he was talking about was “in the flesh”.

Then he explained that when Jesus does come unto us “in the flesh”, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. There it is. The purpose of a visitation from our Savior is to receive higher commandments, higher truths, and then observe to do them.

Wait a minute! Hang on….. just before this Nephi stated that “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore they speak the words of Christ…”. Also Nephi said that the Holy Ghost “will show unto you all things what ye should do..”

In countless occasions in the scriptures, we learn that God speaks to individuals by the Holy Ghost. The spirit of revelation is real, the voice of the Lord is real. God can speak plainly to us by the Spirit. We can receive commandments by the Spirit, the very scriptures we read were given by the guidance of the Holy Ghost . So what exactly does Nephi mean that when Jesus appears IN THE FLESH, that “the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do…” Why would we need such a visitation in order for Him to tell us anything? We know right after this Nephi was told by the Spirit to go no further… The Spirit stopped his utterance, and he was left to mourn…

I want to testify that I know that the reason for this is something that God wants revealed to many of His chosen people in this day. The laborers must know, so that they can be prepared to go forth “armed with power”. I pray that I can relate this plainly and in the Spirit, and that a few of the readers might be pierced to their very souls, and learn of God’s desire for them to prepare NOW, so that He might appear to them “in the flesh.” There will be no 144,000 sent, no mighty and strong one raised up, without the truth of these things not only being known, but also being experienced by those chosen vessels.

Let us start with the beginning of the process of being “sent”. In Hebrews 5:4 it is written that “no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God.” The young Samuel heard the voice of the Lord calling him by name “Samuel…” . When Saul was visited by the Savior, the first words spoken to him were “Saul, Saul!…” (His name was called twice, we will come back to this).

Alma 10:6-7 “Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God…. As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to thine own house…..”

From the Doctrine and Covenants, “behold, ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect, for mine elect hear my voice, and harden not their hearts…”.

So a question that we all can ask ourselves, have we been called? Have you heard the voice of the Lord’s spirit calling to your spirit? Even now we can bow our heads in reverence and listen… Listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. Be still. He will call your own name. We must learn His voice and recognize the call. I know many have heard, and many more will….

“Many are called, but few are chosen….”

How many in times past have heard the voice of the Lord and turned away? How oft have I done it in times past? The answer to my own soul is “Way too many.” I have acted a little like Jonah way too many times. (Sorry Jonah). Man that guy takes a lot of heat. He was actually called, and chosen, and was perhaps one of the best guys around, but he just happened to run away and get swallowed by a whale (or a big fish)!

We each have reasons of the flesh that keep us from hearkening to the voice of our Redeemer; pride, unbelief, fear…it could be anything. The Savior taught that thorns and weeds can choke out the word, a hardened heart, or the wicked one can come steal the word away from us in a variety of ways. We must press forward, feasting on the words of Christ, and not turn back from the call. Again to the scriptures…

Hebrews 3:15 “…To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

So Paul is speaking to those who have heard the voice of God.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Paul sees fit to reiterate this over and over again in Hebrews. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer! He prepared the way. He paid the price! Our sins are happily forgiven when we look to Jesus! We can look to God in boldness and great faith. There are so many occasions when people begin to pray in faith, and they feel the closeness of God, and then a sin or weakness comes to mind and faith is lost. We are our own biggest critics, and this is just what the adversary wants. We think of all of the reasons why Jesus would not appear to us, and we think of all the reasons why we are unworthy, and find ourselves in despair. In reality this is nothing but a lack of faith. Did Christ atone for us or not? The debt is paid. The deed is done. To think that it cannot work for us FOR ANY REASON is denying the power of God. It is like if someone paid off a giant house for you, and you refused to enter it because you felt too poor to live there. The house is paid off, it is in your name, so why not enter in?

Hebrews 6: “4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

God wants us to realize, that once we have truly tasted of the heavenly gift we seek, and know certain things and have been given access to certain powers, that there is no turning back. What we are asking for is not something to take lightly, and God will not give us such a thing unless we understand the commitment involved.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. – Hebrews 6

Here is another key. Paul teaches us again that we can trust in God’s promises. What promises has He given you? Have you obtained a promise that Christ will appear to you? Have you asked God if He will? Go get the promise! If God tells you anything by revelation then He has sworn by no greater! God cannot lie. His word is Truth. Have faith to lay hold of the promises we have been given. We cannot rely though on other’s promises. We must obtain our own.

In Hebrews 9 Paul teaches us of the tabernacle of Moses, which is a shadow of heavenly things. The first he called a “worldly sanctuary”. This was after a veil was parted, where one would enter in and reach the candlestick, the table, and the shewbread. One was introduced to the presence of the Lord (symbolism of shewbread). The Spirit has taught me that this can be likened to us being born again IN SPIRIT. When we receive the Holy Ghost, and a remission of sins, we are CHOSEN. We have the opportunity to receive in the flesh (if faithful) the things which have been given to us in the spirit.

Many people since the beginning of our earthly existence have obtained this worldly sanctuary. We are reborn unto God and He places a new spirit in us. Our spiritual desires are changed and we walk with peace and joy (most of the time). The problem here is that being born spiritually does not change are bodies. We still have to war against the flesh and we continually have to be reborn spiritually and plead with God daily for forgiveness. There is something greater, and not only something greater but also something absolutely necessary for redemption!

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; -Hebrews 9

I could paste the whole of Hebrews which I highly recommend studying, but suffice it to say that Paul is teaching that before the coming of Christ, the way was not open for people to enter the “Holiest of all”, save for the high priest, once a year.

Because Christ came and obtained the resurrection, the way is now available for all men and women to enter the Holiest of all! Not only speaking of entering a room in a building on earth, but entering the heavenly sanctuary and coming into the presence of God in heaven. He tells us so many times to have a full assurance of faith, and to not waver. Jesus has done the work, and we need to believe it, and then hearken to His voice until we are lead into His presence.

Paul speaks of testators, and how if we truly want to be chosen and sent, we must be willing to lay down our lives if asked. In fact we must be willing to do anything we are asked! Do we really want this? It seems many people want to behold the Lord, and then come back and continue on with normal life. They do not want to be sent to the Lamanites, or to Ninevah, or to the people of a variety of false religions, or anyone. Who wants to be ridiculed and rejected, and spit at? Do we really want to to “take up our cross?”. Sadly, many people have good desires, but God can see that many also would stumble and fall, if they were chosen for too much, too fast. On the other hand, there are mighty spirits of incredible potential, who have no idea of the power of God that will be placed upon them.

This post is getting long, and this is the first time I have written for a blog. I will continue in a week or two with this line of thought. So far everything that I have mentioned above applies to us seeing Christ in a vision or a dream. We can have these experiences, and they most likely will come before Christ appears in the flesh, but these experiences, although they can be very edifying and uplifting, are not enough. They do not redeem us. In the next post I want to share what I have learned about what people sought after and obtained in the days of Peter, James, and John. It used to be common (ok maybe common is not the right word) for men and women to overcome the elements of the flesh. People became HOLY. They obtained the High Priesthood and saw the Lord “in the flesh”. This power of redemption has not been on the earth for a very long time. Some have gotten close, and God could have blessed many with these things, but many of these blessings have been reserved for this time of the earth, for the times of refreshing, and the restitution of all things. The angels in heaven rejoice for the things developing on the earth!

What is the source of this latest Mormon rumor?To finish I feel impressed to share a dream that I had years ago. The dream began with me sitting across from Thomas S Monson in an office. “So you have a mission to fulfill!” he said. I nodded silently and felt happy to be sitting across from the president of the church. He then pulled a wad of cash from his back pocket and reached it out towards me. “You know that if you don’t go on this mission you can become rich…” he continued.

I smiled and slowly pushed the money back. “President, you know that to a man of God money is meaningless.” I responded. He smiled and the scene immediately changed. I stood in front of a great white temple with gold doors. I knew I was in a heavenly realm and was filled with light and peace. I reached out and touched one of the doors and I KNEW that Jesus Christ was inside of the temple.

I was filled with the spirit and reached out to the handle of one of the doors to walk inside. I had all the confidence in the world to open the door and go see my Savior, but just before I opened the door, Thomas S Monson appeared in front of me. He smiled warmly and said. “Don’t go in to see Him, I will bring Him to you!”.

I woke from the dream immediately and knew it had deep spiritual significance for me. At this time I was an active member of the LDS church and I had studied the second comforter and the second anointing and what others had suggested. God had told me that I would “enter the Holy of Holies” and see the Savior.

I thought for some time that this dream meant that I would be called by the first presidency and receive the second anointing, at which time the Savior would appear. I thought it meant that Thomas S Monson had the keys to bring me into the presence of the Lord. What do you think?

31 thoughts on “Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ”

  1. When you asked the question why we would want to see Christ, I thought of my long-standing answer: I want to receive the rest of the commandments he has promised. I was pleased to read you brought up the same point. He intended for us to receive Him in this life – with a personal visit. There’s a reason for that.

    Then reality set in when you wrote, “There are so many occasions when people begin to pray in faith, and they feel the closeness of God, and then a sin or weakness comes to mind and faith is lost.” Oh, how that statement resonated with me.

    I can’t tell you the number of times this has happened to me, or better said, I have done this to myself. I have allowed the adversary to sabotage my efforts to exercise the kind of faith necessary to part the veil. Thank you letting me know I am not alone.

    I have talked to so many people about this subject. The same question is always asked, “How do I part the veil?” I think you have answered it for us: Pray in faith. Ignore all those little thoughts that pop into our minds reminding us of our imperfections.

  2. MinorityofOne,

    Thank you for sharing your dream. I was inspired today to share it beside the home teaching message for this month. The man I was teaching was very spiritually impressed.

    I liked the thought that people really may not understand what it means to take up one’s cross. It was until I was forced to stand up for my beliefs in a foreign land under penalty of losing my job, home, and friends, that I realized the Lord requires all–and may take it at any time. That is the beautiful heritage of the servants of the Lord. As we let him take and give as He pleases (as Job said), we receive more treasure in Him.

    I had an interesting thought from the scripture you shared:

    2 Nephi 32

    5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

    6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

    Does that mean that to Christ, there is no other doctrine besides that which He personally speaks to you, after having been baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost? This would make sense to me. What say ye?

    Victor

    1. Yes!

      Absolutely 100 percent. Thank you for your inspired comment. How do I know the truth of ANYTHING if the Holy Ghost has not told me the truth of it one way or the other? This is pure knowledge.
      To me this is why the “philosophies of men mingled with scripture” is so destructive, because if we trust in some falsehoods and some truth, we can only progress so far before the falsehoods must be rooted out, and that can be quite painful! Especially if we have put a great amount of trust in them. This is what I think it means to “prove all things”. We must have a spiritually witness of any belief or commandment before we place out trust in it. Great question.

      1. “…they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.” (2 Ne. 28:14)

        You’re certainly right about “philosophies of men mingled with scripture”. I didn’t realize how common it was until I sat back and watched.

        I agree you can find a great deal of truth by the Holy Ghost. In reality, all truth of course, as Moroni said it. I’m weighing the possibility of “doctrine” not being accessible except through Christ Himself. May take some scripture study to see if doctrine is ever declared elsewhere through the Holy Ghost rather than Christ.

        1. This is a great question. What is the difference between truth, scripture, and doctrine?
          Is scripture not anything that is truth? Well, maybe it is truth that exalts us or pertains to spiritual growth.
          I believe doctrine is a truth that has been given by God Himself to a person or people which is binding upon those who receive it. So in the coming days, I believe more doctrine will be given : ), more scripture, and many other truths.

        2. Words and their definitions always confuse me so much. Goodness, they’re used interchangeably so much. Doctrine seems to me the official tenets of a church. For Jesus’ church of “those who repent and come unto me,” it appears to me to be baptism, Holy Ghost, second comforter. This is something for me to return to at least once again.

  3. I had another thought. One criticism received by people I hear declare their desire to receive Christ’s person presence is that, “Well, that doesn’t necessarily make you a better person!”

    In all reality, it does. We don’t just strive for the presence of Christ–you can wait for the end of the world and the destruction of the wicked for that. Everyone will see him then. We instead strive for His acceptance of our own souls. I trust that he will not accept us until we have proven ourselves. I pray that this is the case for me at least, that I’ll never have allowed myself to grow prideful of Him. In my experience, however, this has never been possible. His light is too pure and too piercing to allow darkness to remain in an open heart.

    Also— Funny that Heber J. Grant’s quote about not needing grand spiritual experiences came from a man who declared he never had any, nor that he knew of anyone since Joseph Smith who had personally seen the Lord. I’ve been told this a few times but have not since found the original quote.

    1. Victor

      You are a man of God. Thank you. Yes we love Jesus Christ. We want Him to teach us and be with us and lead us! I found that quote by heber j grant once upon a time. So sad.
      According to multiple scriptures if we have a certain degree of faith, The Lord will come to us. Those who don’t care to see the Savior are saying in their own way that they do not care to be blessed with such faith.
      I like how you mentioned pride. One of my favorite scriptures is in Mosiah 4:11-12. We must humble ourselves daily, even in the depths of humility and call on the name of The Lord. We do not obtain a visitation of Christ by earning it or being worthy of it. Rather by acknowledging His greatness and our complete and utter dependence on Him! Thanks brother.

  4. Regarding the sacrifice of all things, I am reminded of what I was studying in Alma 24 and 25 yesterday, about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (and also the repentant people of the city of Ammonihah, earlier in chapter 14) who were killed for their testimony of the Savior.

    And also, how these persecutions and murders came by way of the Order of Nehors, which had as a primary doctrine giving leaders in the church special status and honors, the Nehors being the instigators of these murderous persecutions both in the city of Ammonihah, and also among the non-repentant Lamanites.

  5. MoO, thanks for the post. I’ll add my testimony about Hebrews. That epistle is full of many plain and precious truths. It was written to a group of people who had indeed tasted the heavenly gift, held communion w the Church of the Firstborn, seen Jesus (in vision, I believe) and received a “calling”. Paul was encouraging them to go on and receive “full assurance” of the calling (i.e. calling and election made sure). Hence the warning that it was too late for them to be renewed again by the first principles (Heb 6).

    Of course the one difference between them and most of us is that they had already pierced the veil in dramatic fashion whereas most of us yet await that blessing. I look forward to reading the rest of your thoughts on this. And I would encourage everyone to read Hebrews.

    1. Thank you for your testimony. I agree completely with your take on Hebrews. Some of his other epistles were more in line with why Jacob had to share in the Book of Mormon because of the wickedness of the people. This was to those who were “awake” as you are…

  6. Minority,
    Those who have never tasted of the fruit of the Tree of Life seek Him mostly out of curiosity. Those who have tasted of the fruit seek Him because there is nothing else in this life so sweet, so desirable, so joyous.
    The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost brings one into the path, the completion of wh. is to see Him in the flesh and to know Him. Nephi laid it out in simplicity and clarity and in truth. This is the Doctrine of Christ, the only and true doctrine of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
    JRU

  7. Mothers Disciple

    “We mistreat and reject Christ and yet he will never abandon us because he loves us passionately and infinitely.”

    I wrote that in my journal not too long ago. Perhaps this is our biggest goal, our greatest dream; to meet the one who gave us all that we have and made us all that we are and loves us more than we know.

    I have always believed in Christ, and was very blessed 11 years ago to receive a spiritual revelation confirming my belief and welding it into every cell in my body to let me become a true witness of Jesus Christ.

    Most of my life I have lived thinking that the way to get back to him and to be received by him is to follow the guidelines taught by the authorities. And to try my best to be perfect.

    Life is hard and at times gets us down. So far down that we look and realize we are on our knees. It is in these precious moments that our Savior takes us by the hand, embraces us with His love, and shows us the way.

    After most of my married life (almost 10 years now) I have been content with the spiritual motivation and upliftment that church and friends bring through worship together and serving and feeling the “warm fuzzies”. But at some point I had to look at my life which I tried so hard to live perfectly and wonder where Christ was. I am blessed with a spouse who has consistently had revelations and received pure truths from The Lord throughout our marriage. My daughter who is 7 has also had multiple visions and revelations.
    I though I must be defected. What was wrong with me that I had only had one amazing revation that had happened over 10 years ago and nothing since. Of course a list of past regrets always comes to mind. I had multiple visits to the bishop over sins from the past where he had me stop taking the sacrament for a while and read many conference talks old and new on repentance. Some had 5 step programs, 12 step programs, how to repair the damage, how to live the gospel so you will sin no more.
    Most of them felt corrupt and did not contain any room for the atonement and Christ which was the reason for my search in the first place.

    Tears, despair, prayers, scripture study, more prayers, faith……

    Grace, Mercy, Hope, Love, Forgiveness.

    I am well aware that nothing I have ever done or ever do could repay what God did by giving his Son and what Christ did by taking upon him my sins, my pains, my sorrows, my guilt, my wounds.

    How grateful I am for the vision I received at this time. Not because of anything I did or anything I earned. I have learned that it does not take work. It does not take striving for perfection. It does not take confession to men. It does not take a certain allotted amount of time. The Lord works in the right place and at the right time for us because he knows us perfectly. After all, he suffered all that we have. He felt every pain and gave us every joy; we are His sheep.

    I was shown a vision accompanied by a marvelous feeling of electricity pouring through my body from head to toe over and over. It was like a fire burning my soul yet it felt so incredible that I want to be lit forever. God showed me in a way personal to me that I was clean and pure in his eyes. That His Son had paid the price for my sins. He showed me that no matter how hard I try, in this carnal state I am in, I can’t be perfect. But perfection is not required. For if it where, the atonement would be useless and the Savior would not be known. He gave me faith, he gave me forgiveness, he released me from the bondage that I let my world put me in in trying to be perfect. He gave me love.

    I live a much fuller and healthier life now that I know that there is no work, no service, no set of rules, no motion or taskthat I could do that would ever “earn” me a revelation from God or the gift of healing from the atonement.

    We can perform whatever we want too to look good in the eyes of our peers or to fool ourselves in our own minds. Yet God will not be mocked and the Savior will always look upon our hearts.

    Thank you for this uplifting post about our Savior. It is rejuvenating to read about coming unto Christ and not having it accompanied by a man made checklist.

    1. Great article Minority of One. The Spirit bore powerful testimony of the truths you’ve shared. Thank you Mothers Disciple for your post… I felt I was looking in the mirror at myself, as you described your battles and triumph as well!

  8. Perhaps the reason that we sometimes do hearken to the precepts of men is because its easy to believe what everyone else believes because its a part of the culture and some real truths are considered taboo to believe in. These I would call the traditions of men. Me living in utah all my life I know there are a lot of traditions and norms that can govern my heart in this area… I’m wondering what everyone thinks might be some traditions we have that can get in the way of Christ? I would love to hear other opinions… by the way the dream about Thomas S. Monson telling you to wait to see Christ after knowing he was that close I would only listen if he was speaking by the Holy Ghost. Obviously interpretations are with God as joseph said, but definitley don’t put Thomas s. Monson before the Lord. ” thou shalt have no other gods before me”

    1. Thanks!

      I agree completely. I will listen to ANYONE if they speak by the Holy Ghost. Many people have commented on this blog have written by the Holy Ghost. I love president monson. I think he is as good of a human being as just about anyone. I do not esteem him or anything he says above anyone else.

  9. Perhaps your dream means that if you maintain a solid testimony of the keys held by Thomas S Monson and the Quorum of the 12, and follow their teachings, then you will be able to return to Him.

    1. I could see how it could be interpreted that way. Thanks for the comment.

      I have prayed and receive a sufficient answer for myself that keys of the priesthood are inherent in the priesthood. I truly believe that anyone who has any priesthood at all has access to any of they keys that the quorum of the twelve or first presidency have. This is of course based on our own spiritual development. I do not discourage people from hearkening to the quorum of the twelve or the first presidency IF they sincerely believe that is what God wants and this is what the Spirit tells them to do. People are born into a church or converted to a church for a reason and it is part of the plan. I know as well as anything God had planned for me to leave the LDS church and He lead me out. This sounds ridiculous from the LDS standpoint I know, but I trust that each person is where they are meant to be.

  10. Much of your post resonates with me. I find one element of your dream interesting. President Monson tempts you with money and then he stands between you and the doors to the temple where the Savior awaits you. Of course, this dream was meant for you to interpret and not me, but it seems apparently a test. Personally speaking, I would have smiled in return, thanked him for his offer and walked past him, through the doors and into the Lord’s presence. The Lord is the keeper of the gate and employeth no servant there.

    1. I believe you would have! I very well may have failed this test years ago. If so then I am still grateful for it. Of course I hope if I would not have woken up that I would have made the right choice : ).
      The Lord in His mercy and patience beckons and calls and has prepared the way for His sheep to learn to trust in Him completely. If we continue to hearken to His voice we eventually KNOW that He is absolutely trustworthy and He is the one that will “never lead us astray”. Thnx.

      1. I know that you didn’t have a chance to do anything before your dream ended. I hope I didn’t come off as snobbish. Your dream also serves as a wake up call for me and many others. Thank you for sharing it.

        1. No not at all. I really appreciate your comment and I agreed one hundred percent. No snobbishness perceived! I actually read it and smiled because you are one more person who puts trust where it is deserved. Thanks again.

  11. Minority of One,…

    I was unable to sleep last night for reasons found in your discussion. I am disheartened, very much, over my weaknesses and have tried to ‘discover’ that “work, service, set of rules, motion and task” Mothers Disciple mentioned so I could ““earn” a revelation from God or the gift of healing from the atonement”.

    I just struggle to fully believe He paid the price and let my guilt go. It’s so tough.

    Your words helped. Thanks.

    1. Lukewarm

      Thanks for your comment. Sometimes the most courageous thing that we can do is surrender. I cannot change myself. The power is not in me. I cannot become righteous no matter how hard I try. One sin damns us all. Just one. Christ is our strength and righteousness.
      Your comment struck me. You admit it it is hard to let go and believe that all has been taken care of by Christ. Even your admission shows the power of faith in you. Some of the greatest prayers I have witnessed involve those who humbly admit they don’t know or that they don’t have the necessary faith.

      One thought came to mind. You mentioned that you struggle because of weaknesses that you have had. In the Book of Mormon it states that God Himself gave you and I that weakness. God planned for you and me to have weaknesses and foresaw our sins. This was so that we would eventually be brought to see plainly that we can do nothing of ourselves. We are wretched and unworthy creatures. No covenant, act, law, or behavior can change us or save us, but Christ already has.
      Thanks for your example of faith. God bless us all with grace though we don’t deserve it.

      1. Minorityofone, thank you so much for this post.

        I can testify with all my soul that the Savior comes to us when we are at our lowest. I had to descend into the deepest, darkest pit of despair before I could receive healing from Him. He certainly would have us choose a better path and instruct us without our having chosen incorrectly, but that was my experience.

        The key for being ministered to by Him spiritually was an acknowledgment of my utter dependence on Him and His atonement. The moment I surrendered myself, everything I considered righteous or wicked, was the moment I began receiving instruction from Him. The irony for me was that the acknowledgment of my fallen nature brought Him to me at a time of my greatest need.

        As a type A personality and a “mighty and strong man”, letting go of everything I knew, or thought I knew, and being open to ANYTHING He expected, is the demonstration of faith that the Lord wanted from me.

        A man of God once told me that the Lord loves broken things. I know with certainty that is true because I am as broken as anyone I know.

  12. I think the worst pride is to trust in your own spirit or humans instead of the Holy Ghost in anything.
    In ether it teaches that IN THAT DAY that people will exercise the faith as the brother of Jared, they would experience and see the same things he did.
    How much faith must one have to be exalted? Do we need to have as much faith as the brother of Jared?
    If we do we will see Christ in the flesh. It is promised in scripture. I understand why this would bother a lot of people because they have to admit their faith is lacking…
    Are you the backwards abinidi? : )

  13. Thanks for all the insightful comments. I did successfully breach the veil many years ago, and although I have had many varied spiritual experiences and miracles since then, I have not yet equalled that experience. I often ponder why. It could be that I have not lived fully up to what I recieved. I can accept that. But the yearning for that sheer love and pure intelligence remains.
    I do have one observation that I would like to make and one memory I would like to share. In regard to the brother of Jared; since he came from Babylon at the time of the tower, we can assume that he may have been extremely intelligent. That would make sense as Babyon at that time was at the pinnacle of knowledge, with the down side that there were many who were corrupt, a dangerous combination that we see in the world today. But Jared was faithful and humble in addition to being intelligent, a rare but powerful combination that we also saw in Joseph Smith. The one thing I remember about breaching the veil was that I was not overly righteous by LDS standards, but was very sincere and humble, stripping away any shred of pride and pouring out my soul to God. I have since considered it interesting that Jesus was seen having dinner and spending time with people who were considered by others to be sinners. I suppose they were al least humble and totally honest with themselves and with him, which he found acceptable.In contrast, the self-righteous Pharasees recieved his sharpest rebuke.

  14. Nate, if you remember me–you won’t be surprised by my remarks. I have read most of your post, and promise to finish it. Brother, with every ounce of my “imperfect condition” I love our Savior. I acknowledge and express gratitude to you for your love and adoration of our Master. Thank you:)

    As I have mentioned before on this forum– I get why as the scripture/Lord states that the cleansing will first occur in his house… but first, regarding your dream– recently I let my temple recommend lapse for a few months. My second Job that I had just started, consistently scheduled me on the nights the Stake did interviews. Being a 40 year old father of 5 kids under 12– and as I mentioned working a ton etc–3 or 4 months went by before I made my way over to complete the interview process. Before the interview, I found myself alone in a little room at my second job and plead for Father to go before me and prepare the spiritual atmosphere. When the occasion presented itself, myself sitting across from a counselor in the stake presidency where he asked the first of the recommend questions that being: did I have a testimony of God the Father– Nate, at that very moment, I was filled with a great spiritual presence. My heart magnified and felt a wonderful spiritual burning within. It was a joyous powerful (near overwhelming) feeling that caused me to bow my head in humility gratitude and love. Next question was asked about our Savior — the same feeling was felt; tears were streaming off my cheek. The next question was asked about the living prophet today–I answered in the affirmative– Brother, I can’t deny the witness I received. It was intense and wonderful….
    About a year before this I received a similar witness about Thomas S Monson. Now, I agree with Coach Marc, the Lord is the keeper of the gate etc. Also, it is your dream and you are the one privy to its correct interpretation–but I tell you in all plainess and give you my witness that God has spoken to my heart and being regarding the validity of T.S.M. and the Prophetic Mantle he bears And that he also bears a true and edifying witness of Jesus… Now, Are there chinks in the armor of the restored church? Yes…. My calling as I understand it Is to lift the hands that hang heavy and help sustain the knees that are feeble within the Lords’s church, and prepare as many as I can to help usher in the Lord and his Zion. It is not my place to stand in judgement of you and others who feel it is their obligation to be on a different path than mine. Anyway brother , that’s my two cents. Love for you, JB

  15. I have finished your post. I very much enjoyed it. There’s such a great responsibility to Do as Nephi Exhorts, And follow, quite frankly, your good example to hunger and thirst after righteousness– So that the plain truths can be manifested unto us. You are so right! and I bear witness Also that God wants to confirm to our hearts etc that we can be received in the flesh. I have received an unalterable promise that this will be my joyous experience in this life. Brother, your words are so very accurate about the “warring members of our flesh” the daily Nephi and Paul reminder that in this fallen tellestial condition / opposition heavy vale of sorrow –it is very easy to exclaim “oh wretched man that I am” I agree to your daily prescription to continually be renewed and refreshed through the redemptive powers of Christ:) love for you, Jared B

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