Have You Opened Your Eye?

As I have heard reactions to my book, “How To Have Your Second Comforter,” a few have complained that the book teaches how to conjure up a vision; and that seeing God in such a manner is a deception. They suggest that if we truly see Him it should be with our physical eyes.  Is this how we are taught in scripture?

10 And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, [Pray to know what this means for you] that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, [don’t compare yourself to others] and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, [broken heart and contrite spirit] the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

11 For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.

12 Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.

13 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected. (D&C 67:10-13)

Very seldom do we rend the veil the first time we attempt to commune with God. He requires us to patiently go through the steps of making ourselves holy or sanctified. It is  learning to see in the Spirit.

When I approach the Lord I go through a process of filling myself with light and holiness. I ask the Lord for that which I desire. Here is a simple checklist that I do before approaching Him:

1. I ask for forgiveness.
2. I ask that he pour His light and glory upon me. (I see it and bathe in it until I am clean.)
3. I thank and praise Him.
4. I pray and sing in tongues.
5. I ask if I can come to Him.

Of course I often will come fasting, take the Sacrament, and do all the commandments to the best of my ability, but these last five items help me to prepare my eye that it is single to the glory of God.

Some would describe this as “conjuring.’ This means to use trickery or self-hypnosis to get the desired affect. Nobody wants to be tricked into thinking they have witnessed the spiritual realm. Perhaps in our time of history more than any other this is a concern. The secular world has studied psychology and the brain to determine that the spiritual world is an illusion. A human can conjure up anything if they want it bad enough. Its best to stick to what you can measure with your own two eyes.

How much of what you see with your natural eyes is real? What about what you hear with your ears? What about the things you touch? When you see, your brain is creating a three dimensional illusion from the photons of light transmitted from the back of the retina to parts of your brain. When you hear something it is the tiny hairs in your ears transmitting vibrations into the brain. Everything you perceive as reality is simply the human body’s assimilation of light and energy into the brain. There are far more spectrums of light that you cannot see until you have a sensitivity to see these realities with your spiritual eyes.

Like the infant learning to use their eyes when they are born; at first it can only see a few inches in front of their face and after about eight months they begin to decipher shapes and people for the first time. For many, our spiritual eyes require a similar development.

66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.

67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will. (D&C 88:66-68)

How open is your spiritual eye? Are you like the newborn beginning to see? Will you choose to dismiss your new vision because it does not conform to what men have taught you in school and the halls of science? Open your eye my friends! Do not doubt, for remember, “faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial [test or experiment] of your faith.” (Ether 12:6)

D&C 121:45-46 Spiritual Translation

This particular scripture is rich with meaning that points toward one’s Second Comforter experience.

“Let thy bowels [desires] also be full of charity [God’s love and purpose] towards all men, [the world] and to the household of faith, [believers] and let virtue [holy desires] garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; [100% of the time] then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; [you will see me] and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. [the mysteries shall be unfolded] The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, [Baptism of Fire] and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; [knowledge of God] and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, [exaltation] and without compulsory means [Sealing power given] it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. [crowned a King]” (D&C 121:45-46)

Anna the Prophetess

Last night I was shown some things from the lives of different women in scripture. The Lord revealed to me some of the life of Anna the Prophetess.

“Please help me to know about the prophetess Anna of the New Testament. The Lord said she was a virtuous woman who lived in the temple. She was a Nazarite who had taken an oath of holiness from the time that her husband died many years ago. There were certain conditions whereby a woman as herself could take such an oath and she qualified. The people who visited the temple would provide her sustenance (food, water, clothing) and they would be blessed. There were facilities for men and women Nazarites at the temple. She never left, but would pray night and day for Israel and her God.

“Anna was a sighted woman. In her old age she had witnessed visions and angels at the temple. She had prayed and longed for the day when she would behold the child which would save Israel. One particular day she began to see the glory and power of heaven descend upon the temple. Myriads of angels and fire began to pour down, all the angels were facing the same direction as a young mother and man made their way toward the priest with their newborn son. The angels were many and were showing great reverence and celebration as Anna watched. She began to sing in tongues and prophesy as she walked toward the infant. People stood amazed, as it was not customary for Nazarite women, especially of her age, to be so unconventional. She cried out Hosanna to God and kissed Mary and the child. She continued to move around the temple beneath the portico to tell all those present that she had seen the Christ child and prophesy that He would save Israel and bring Heaven on Earth!

Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus silently left without most knowing what had occurred. Many were curious about what had taken place with the old woman Nazarite. Was she crazy, senile, or something else? She died a few years later, having shared many times her witness of what she saw that day.”

Where are the Kindred Spirits?

A brother once wrote me the question: “Where can I find people who are awakening?” I have wondered this myself in the past as I felt very alone in this quest. Of course, where we live and our family situation may have an impact on our ability to meet and associate with such people.

It’s a big world we live in. We walk around the city and see so many people and wonder, “Am I the only one thinking about this stuff?” I sit in Church and I see good people comfortable with their lives. They seem satisfied with their standing with God. I listen in Gospel Doctrine as the teacher and ward members talk about how wonderful things are in the Church: so many temples, missionaries, we have nothing to worry about. Lots of happy thoughts for those in the box. In my mind I think, “No, not all is well in Zion. Where does Zion exist? I don’t see Zion anywhere . . .yet. I want to know the Lord more than anything.”

I remember about two years ago mentioning to my wife that we knew nobody we could talk with about these things. We felt very alone. I began to ask God to bring others into my life I could associate with who were on the same path. At first nothing happened, but shortly thereafter I met a man in our city who had the same goals. Within a few months we had a circle of friends, about a dozen and their wives. Now, the number of friends has grown considerably; we share, we serve, we offer friendship and love, we worship, we inspire and edify each other. All this because I asked the Lord.

My advice to anyone who needs a friend in this quest: First, establish your relationship with the Lord. Second, pray for the Lord to help you to find friends who will lift you up – He will do it. (Even if you are still trying to do the first step.)

If you choose to go on the internet (Facebook groups and such) be prepared to see all kinds of people on different levels of their journey; some are angry, some are confused, and some have an agenda. But, there are some that are sincerely looking to find the Lord. If you have the gift of discernment, go there and look for kindred spirits.

There are different kinds of kindred spirits. Some enjoy the same hobbies as you, come from the same walk of life, or share the same struggles you have. The most beautiful kindred spirits I have ever met had nothing in common with me, other than a desire to know the Lord more than ANYTHING. As you mingle with such people the Spirit of the Lord is magnified and incredible miracles unfold as you serve each other.

 

The Power of the Group

A few nights ago I met with a group of people for the purpose of simply sharing scripture and praying to our Lord. By the end of the evening I had witnessed more gifts of the Spirit at a single time and place among a group of people than any other time.  These people were all LDS to my knowledge. (which may be irrelevant) I witnessed the following:

• Gift of Healing
• Gift of Prophecy
• Gift of beholding angels
• Gift of tongues
• Gift of interpretation of tongues
• Gift of knowledge
• Gift of wisdom

It was a beautiful experience to be there. It was not part of any organized group. The spiritual manifestations were off the scale as much was seen. Why was there such an outpouring of the Spirit? I believe it was because the level of faith in that group was astonishing.

My friends, we need to raise the bar and seek for the gifts of the Spirit. The time will come in the near future when such things will occur on a greater scale among those who seek Christ. It helps to gather with believers and praise God and seek Him together. Then, when you are alone in your closet call out to Him and He will come to you. Praise God!