The Effects of our Loved Ones from the Other-side of the Veil

 The Effects of our Loved Ones from the Other-side of the Veil

This is a sacred and special topic that is very dear to my heart and has brought me great comfort in my grief.  It has helped me to understand the purpose of my husband's death and given me focus to be more consecrated in my daily life so that I can always be worthy of the influence of the spirit.  Through living a more consecrated life, striving to fully and completely keep my temple covenants, and studying and practicing the principles of receiving personal revelation found in the scriptures and among the words of our living prophets, I have been able to discover specifically what the Lord intends for me to do, to understand the purpose of him being on the other-side of the veil, and the blessings, protection and direction that our family can receive as a direct effect of that sacrifice. 

First, it is important to understand what our righteous loved ones do after they leave this mortal state and enter the spirit world.  It is important to understand that they continue to labor in the Lord's vineyard in both the mortal and spirit world.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 18; or Ensign, June 1971, 33). President Brigham Young taught that the postmortal spirit world is on the earth, around us (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 279).

President Wilford Woodruff taught: “The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the veil. … Every Apostle, every Seventy, every Elder, etc., who has died in the faith as soon as he passes to the other side of the veil, enters into the work of the ministry” (Deseret News, Jan. 25, 1882, 818).

James E Faust quotes the Prophet Joseph F Smith in a conference talk.  He said,

We do not consciously realize the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives. President Joseph F. Smith said, “In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.”⁶ Many of us feel that we have had this experience.

Having close family members on the other-side of the veil is a significant blessing to those who continue to labor on this side of the veil.  As the last days reach their culmination, I believe that it will become more and more important for family members to have the additional support that can be given through the power of the Holy Ghost and by virtue of those sealing covenants that bind us together quite literally. These ideas are discussed by Jeffery R Holland below in his talk "The Ministering of Angels."

God knew the challenges they would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near.

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children... Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times. 

He continues to explain the need for angels in this day due to the calamities and current spiritual sickness that seems to plague our country and our families.

In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary” places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these—and sometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” ⁸ Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased? 

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? 

“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. … 

“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” ⁹ -Holland

The scriptures in Moroni 7:25-37 partially cited above help us to understand that our loved ones work under the direction of Jesus Christ and are only allowed to communicate what he would desire them to communicate with us.  They are not allowed to reveal information that we are not seeking or not prepared for.  We must still pray unto the Father- asking, knocking and seeking.  We must study the scriptures.  As needed and as we are prepared, additional insights can be gained through personal revelation as ministering angels aid in that communication.

These are the things we must do to be worthy of that help and that communication 

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.” ¹⁰ And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” ¹¹ The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants." -Holland

Holland stresses the presence of these ministering angels in our daily life in his conclusion. 

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” ¹³ On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal. 

As he bears testimony, he counsels us to pray for angels to attend us and encourages us to join with our family members on the other side of the veil in being the Lord's hands and doing his work for his children on this earth.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” ¹⁴ In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” ¹⁵ Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Dallin H. Oaks explains how to be worthy of communication and receive that help promised from our loved ones who are called to serve and help our families as ministering angels.

To have the continuous companionship of the Holy Ghost is the most precious possession we can have in mortality. The gift of the Holy Ghost was conferred upon us by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood after our baptism. But to realize the blessings of that gift, we must keep ourselves free from sin. When we commit sin, we become unclean and the Spirit of the Lord withdraws from us. The Spirit of the Lord does not dwell in “unholy temples” (see Mosiah 2:36–37; Alma 34:35–36; Hel. 4:24), and no unclean thing can dwell in His presence (see Eph. 5:5; 1 Ne. 10:21;Alma 7:21; Moses 6:57).

Thus our ability to stay clean is key to our ability to receive communication from the other side.  This is not just clean from large sins.  This is avoiding every unholy and impure practice in our lives.  It is repenting at the first sign of a mistake.  It is having clean thoughts and desires.  For me, the incentive of being able to receive this help has far out weighed temporal sacrifices that I have had to make. Practices such as might prayer and fasting also help to draw us nearer to the Spirit and enhance our ability to spiritually hear and see beyond mortality.

“The word ‘angel’ is used in the scriptures for any heavenly being bearing God’s message” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [1987], 54). The scriptures recite numerous instances where an angel appeared personally...When I was young, I thought such personal appearances were the only meaning of the ministering of angels...But the ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described “the action of the angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive … revelations from the eternal world” (Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987], 31). 

The purpose of communication with ministering angels is to receive revelation from God.  As we are seeking that knowledge and direction through our personal dedicated study, our interactions with the other-side will increase in frequency and magnitude.  Our spiritual state and readiness will directly affect those communications.

Nephi described three manifestations of the ministering of angels when he reminded his rebellious brothers that (1) they had “seen an angel,” (2) they had “heard his voice from time to time,” and (3) also that an angel had “spoken unto [them] in a still small voice” though they were “past feeling” and “could not feel his words” (1 Ne. 17:45). The scriptures contain many other statements that angels are sent to teach the gospel and bring men to Christ (see Heb. 1:14; Alma 39:19; Moro. 7:25, 29, 31–32; D&C 20:35). Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than seen. 

Elder Oaks directly correlates personal revelation with ministering angels in his BYU speech,

"A more familiar gift of the spirit is personal revelation. Alma described the universal character of this spiritual gift in Chapter 32:23 as follows, "And now he imparted his word by angels to man, ye not only men but women also, now this is not all.  Little children do have words spoken unto them many times which confound the wise and the learned." 

Elder Oaks explains that these communications are synonymous with feeling the Holy Ghost.  This is my experience as well.  I do not know for certain if every communication is delivered through a ministering angel.  The principle of delegation is clearly present in the scriptures and in the teachings of the gospel.  We learn this principle in our temple worship. There are many times that ministering angels deliver messages without disclosing their identity, and so this is not always easy to discern.  I believe this is the case so that we are not distracted from the purpose of the communication.   When a message needs to be acted upon immediately, and our spiritual focus is necessary the method of delivery of the message is not pertinent.

Elder Oaks again confirms the importance of being clean in these interactions.

How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same as for the Spirit of the Lord.

In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. As explained earlier, through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels. 

Of special comfort to those who have lost children is this statement by Joseph F Smith

President Joseph F. Smith delivered one of his most significant addresses—“Status of Children in the Resurrection”—at a temple fast meeting in February 1918. From it we gain not only an insight into the power and prophetic stature of one schooled and prepared in doctrine, but we are allowed also a brief glimpse into the heart of a noble father who—having lost little ones to death and having mourned their absence—rejoices in the sure knowledge that (1) children are immortal beings, spirits who continue to live and progress beyond the veil; and (2) as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith, children will come forth from the grave as they lie down—as children—and such persons will thereafter be nurtured and reared to physical maturity by worthy parents. “O how I have been blessed with these children,” exulted President Smith, “and how happy I shall be to meet them on the other side!” Beyond the Veil- Two Later-day Revelations

Oaks, Dallin H, "The Aaronic priesthood and the Sacrament" Ensign, Nov 1998, 38-40. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/11/the-aaronic-priesthood-and-the-sacrament.p1?lang=eng

Holland, Jeffery R. "The ministering of Angels," General Conference Oct 2008
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

Faust, James E. "A Royal Priesthood." General Conference April 2006
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/a-royal-priesthood?lang=eng

The Spider and the Fly

                                 

         

                                       The Spider and the Fly

One day I read an article which included the poem, “The Spider and the Fly” in it.  As I read the poem I began....

                                                 to ponder its meaning. 

I realized how very true this simple childhood message is, not only for children but for us as adults, who now live in a world that is ever increasing in wickedness.  Sins that many today have embraced and claim to be the way of life are those subtle whisperings brought out in this simple poem.

This poem was written by Mary Howitt and published in 1829, and yet its message continues to live on as a great teaching application.  For me these were the things that were brought back to my mind as I began to understand more fully its message.

The first stanza reads:

                    “Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,

                            Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;

                                  The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,

                                         And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.”

                                   “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,

                                              for who goes up your winding stair

                                                     -can ne’er come down again.”

Other verses in this poem talk about the seductive flattery and the charm that the spider uses on the fly to entice the fly into its lair.  There were such things as physical comforts, things that are pleasing to the senses and physical needs, and finally those things that please the vanity in all of us.  The Fly resists the Spider’s invitations over and over again, but the Spider never loses its confidence and knows that  it’s just a matter of time before the fly will be back.  So while it waits, the Spider weaves a web in the corner of its den and waits for just the right moment for the fly to return.

The Fly does return 

and so begins the Spider’s flattering words in a tone that captivates the fly.  Instead of flying away from the danger, the Fly stays and listens and then suddenly it’s too late:

                                “Alas, alas! How very soon this silly little Fly,

                            Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;

                         With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,

                            Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue-

                         Thinking only of her crested head – poor foolish thing!  At last,

                            Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

                         He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,

                            Within his little parlour – but she ne’er came out again!

Now for a child’s poem, this is a sad story but one that was written in such a way that could be understood by a child.  It is simple, and its message is obvious and easily grasped by children.  In the ending stanza the author adds a warning for the children and a wonderful message.

                          “And now dear little children, who may this story read,

                                To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed;

                                    Unto an evil counselor, close heart and ear and eye,

                                        And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly."

This poem has a timeless message. 

Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, people have had an inclination to follow earthly desires and to succumb to human weaknesses, such as our desires and appetites.  But the difference for us, is that many of the weaknesses or “natural man” tendencies in us that cause us to make a mistake or to sin, usually only leave a small scar, feelings of regret and sorrow.  Unlike the Fly, we can get a second chance so to speak.  We can change and fix the mistake and take away the regret and sorrow, if we choose.

When I was a teenager, I had good friends and I grew up in a good family.  I really was a good girl, but sometimes a rebellious spirit came out in me.  It always seemed to happen when I was enticed or taunted by my peers who said I would never do something like that because I was a goody-goody.... 

             “There was that Spider tempting me to come in.”  

One time, my best friend and I found ourselves wondering what it would be like to take a piece of jewelry from the drug store without paying for it. We wondered what it would feel like and if we could really do it.   We thought about it a lot, which was the first mistake, the second was, we disregarded the counsel of our parents and church leaders who had taught us for years what was right and wrong and the consequences of choosing to do wrong.  We knew it was wrong, but for some reason we just wanted to try it once.....

“Just like the fly, who finally decided it wouldn’t hurt just to fly in a little closer.”   

During those years of my youth it bothered me when I did something that I knew my parents would not approve of or which I knew was wrong.  But in this instance, I forgot all of that.  My friend and I casually walked into the store and went back to where the jewelry was.  When no one was looking, I carefully put a necklace in my pocket and walked out.  It was so easy!  I had done it! 

Unfortunately, I felt awful!  I remember going home and just looking at the necklace and thinking, “Now what do I do”?  Pride would not let me go back and confess because the owner knew my family well.  I could not wear it for it was a reminder of my sin.  So I threw it in the garbage, hoping that would be the end of it.  For a long time I was able to keep that sin out of my mind.  But whenever I heard a lesson on repentance it would take center stage again.  Unbeknownst to me it 

                   became a heavy weight around my neck 

and halted in many respects my spiritual progress.  Many years later, as an adult and a mother, it was brought back to my mind again and I suddenly realized I needed to fix my mistake.  I was being prompted by the Holy Ghost to take care of  sins that I had thought were small and unimportant.  That day that I chose to go back to my hometown and approach the storeowner and admit my mistake and pay for the item I stole, was a humiliating and humbling experience for me.  But when I left the store, I was happy and a burden was lifted from my shoulder.

So unlike the Fly that entered the Spider’s lair and could “ne’er come down again,” I am grateful for the principle of repentance and the divine miracle of forgiveness.   I have learned that it would have been better if I had not succumbed to the temptation in the first place, thus avoiding many years of regret and sorrow that came from the consequence of sinning that day.  

But I also learned a great lesson in that mistake and so today I am more fully aware of the adversary’s enticements to sin and the skills he so subtly uses on us to follow him.  I also know what sin feels like.... 

                        and it is not a good feeling, no matter how small.

King Benjamin’s address to his people in Mosiah 4:29-30, tells us all what we must do.

“And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.  But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.  And now, O man, remember, and perish not.”

Taking a personal inventory of ourselves is not always easy, and can be rather painful.  I invite you to do so and to use the gift of the atonement to make all things right in your life.  Let the Savior lift those burdens from your shoulder and you will find great peace and the way open up for you to continue your spiritually progression.

Addition reading:

Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/approaching-the-throne-of-god-with-confidence?lang=eng&cid=email-shared

The Spider and the Fly Poem

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~aathavan/poems/The%20Spider%20and%20The%20Fly%20A%20Fable.htm

Desires are the Key to 'A Mighty Change of Heart.'

 Desires are the Key to 'A Mighty Change of Heart.'

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? -Alma 5:14 

Being spiritually born of God, receiving His image in your countenance, or a mighty change of heart are all synonymous for the change that can happen to us as we become "perfect in Christ" (Moroni 10:32) or as we become 'One' in Christ (Galations 3:28-29.)

 32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.- Moroni 10:32

From this scripture we learn that the change happens as we deny ourselves of everything that is unholy and impure not only externally, but internally as well. That seems an impossibly large order, something we are all destined to fail at!  

Fortunately the verse continues and we realize that we do not have to do this unaided.  We are told that His grace will come into effect and aid us if we are working on the 'denying' and doing one other thing... 

We have to love God.  

...love Him not only with our feelings, but with our minds, the strength of our actions and our very will.  We have to choose to desire the things that He desires.

How do we love God?

Jesus Christ tells us that Himself, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

As we act in obedience and seek to have those desires, we are promised that they will "swell in" us and become "delicious to" us. (Alma 32:27-28)

 Desires are what we must plant in our hearts. 

It is NOT the things we do, but the DESIRES BEHIND them that allows the atonement to change us and change our hearts.

President Joseph F. Smith taught that the “education … of our desires is one of far-reaching importance to our happiness in life.” -Dallin H. Oaks

"What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity." -Neil A Maxwell 

If we are doing the things of the gospel without 'understanding' (see Bednar's book "Increase in Learning.") and proper desires those actions will not enact the full power of the atonement, they will be spiritual 'dead works' unto us.  Obedience alone will not change us.  We have to desire to be changed.  God will never come into our lives contrary to our agency and our desires are at the very core of agency.  Our desires, more than our words or deeds,  let God know what we choose.

“Do you,” President Young asked, “think that people will obey the truth because it is true, unless they love it? No, they will not” (in Journal of Discourses, 7:55). Thus knowing gospel truths and doctrines is profoundly important, but we must also come to love them. When we love them, they will move us and help our desires and outward works to become more holy."- Neil A Maxwell

I taught Seminary today and we talked about 'dead works.'

Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your dead works. (D&C 22:2) 

We discussed how the children of Israel went through the motions of keeping the commandments without internalizing or "understanding" why they were doing what they were asked to do.  For example, they strapped a small box (tefillin) containing scripturess to their foreheads. Without understanding that this was to remind them to keep the word of God 'forefront' in their minds, this action was 'dead.'  Spiritually it"availeth them nothing."  

I asked my students if they participate is 'dead works,' and the answer was a resounding 'Yes.'  We talked specifically about the sacrament, and how easy it is to go through the motions without internalizing the meaning and actually applying the atonement, and how that preparation to participate in that sacred ordinance should occur far before the sacrament hymn or even Sunday.  

But the application of dead works extends far beyond the sacrament. In order to experience that 'mighty change of heart) (Mosiah 5:2, Alma 5:12-14) that King Benjamin speaks about we have to desire all of our works to be made "alive in Christ"(2 Nephi 25:25, Romans 6:11)

So my focus has changed from the things I do to live the Gospel

 to the desires I have to live the Gospel.

This perspective has completely changed the power that flows into my life through obedience.  Gone are the worries about doing enough. Instead I focus on learning and changing as a result of everything I do.  Everything is schooling me now.  I try to embrace every opportunity that comes my way as a chance for me to practice my desires.  

• Extra stress gives me the opportunity to practice my desire to be more patience.  
• A chance to take a meal gives me the opportunity to practice my desire to be more charitable and empathetic. 
• A chance to substitute for seminary gives me the opportunity to practice my desire to let the spirit teach through me.  

When I focus on practicing the things I desire, the little irritations of life that used to interrupt me and over burdened me no longer do!  I am acutely aware that getting irritated and frustrated would be counter productive to what I really desire.  I know that it would take away the spirit and the grace and power of the Savior that helps me everyday. I choose not to act on those negative feelings and I pray to be able to act according to my desires. I find I get extra strength to be patient, to show love, to teach with the spirit, and to be far better and do far more than I ever could on my own. 

This is how grace works and it is the biggest and most amazing part of the Atonement because I use it every minute of every day to access those spiritual gifts and the spiritual light that comes directly from the Savior and flows into me and changes me.  

This has been an absolute miracle in my life and it is changing my heart in a mighty way.  The disposition to do evil, to feel justified in my bad feelings and to want to do it 'my way' are fading.  

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

I can see that perfection in Christ is actually possible through this process.  I have an incredibly long way to go, but I see how this path chips away and refines us one trait at time, and we don't have to do it through shear grit.  We do it through grace.

I invite you to ponder how you can apply the principle of desires to invite the power of obedience into your life.  Currently I am studying more about the virtues and the traits of the Savior so that those things are forefront in my mind as I go through the 'schooling' experience of life.  Studying and having what I need to work on in the front of my mind allow me to get the maximum amount of practice and learning from my daily experiences.  I invite you to pray to ask Heavenly Father what areas of the gospel can be made more "alive" in your life by focusing on desires and understanding.  Share back how this is helping you.

Conference talks to consider:

Benson, Ezra T. "A Mighty Change of Heart," Oct 1989

Bednar, David A." Converted Unto the Lord," Oct 2012

Oaks, Dallin H. "The Desires of our Hearts," BYU Devotional Oct 1985

Maxwell, Neil A "According to the Desire of Our Hearts," Oct 1996

More Scriptures to consider:

Studying the change of heart in Mosiah 5, and Alma's discussion of planting the seed Alma 32.  Studying the surrounding chapter around the above references will bring new understand. Writing while you study will help 'understanding' through the spirit.

Galations 6:15-17:  Do we 'bear' the 'marks of the Lord' in our hands and feet.  Are our hands doing His work, and our our feet 'walking' along the path that He trod because we truly desire to follow Him and be changed in Him?

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

These concepts are taught in the bible using slightly different verbiage than the Book of Mormon. (These references may help you teach this concept to non-members as well as give you more understanding)

"bear the marks"  instead of "image in his countenance" Galations 6:15-17 (above)

"grow" instead of "swell"  

2 Peter 3:18  18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

"sweet" instead of "delicious" 

Psalms 119:103  103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

"born again" instead of "change of heart"

Being born again is much more than that initial commitment to the gospel, or that initial feeling of the spirit.  It requires continued faithfulness along the path that Jesus walked.  It requires us to purified our souls or to purify our very desires through obedience and love

1 Peter 1:22-23 -22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

"perfect in Christ"

 Colosians 1:28  28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

How to Receive Personal Revelation

How to Receive Personal Revelation

Immediately after my husband's death I had some amazing spiritual experiences. They were truly tender mercies for me.  In the middle of the night, I was often awakened with specific counsel.  It became my daily bread, and as the time approached for the funerals, I found myself up for many hours of the night writing.  The Lord was schooling me in how to receive revelation.  During this time I was told that one of the purposes for Scott's death was for me to learn how to better receive and record revelation.  I was instructed to teach this to my children and extended family.

The importance of this was heavily stressed on my mind.  

For this reason, I have devoted a considerable amount of time to the study of this topic.  You will see many posts on this thread, because I have learned that Light, the Holy Ghost, Revelation, Intelligence, Truth, Spiritual Gifts and the Ministering of Angels are all very interconnected.

I do not believe that my husband's death was coincidently only a month after the lowering of the missionary age and the announcement to Hastening of the Work. 

I have watched things unfold, and I  now see even more clearly why I was told to make this a point of study.  In last general conference there were 4 specific talks devoted to this subject, and many others that referenced it.  This principle in conjunction with following the prophet will enable us to survive in our rapidly changing world.  We ourselves need to be confident in our ability to receive that guidance individually and collectively in our marriages and callings.  Then our experience will enable us to teach it to the youth while they are still in our homes.

In our home now, we talk about these things nearly everyday.  We share our experiences receiving and acting on promptings.  I regularly invite my children to implement specific study and prayer practices, and then we discuss their experience.  As they have acted on these principles, their ability to hear and follow promptings has increase.

Most youth expect to have a "burning in the bosom" when they feel the Holy Ghost, and are very unaware of other ways that the Holy Ghost can speak to them.  I know that most of our youth are receiving promptings daily, they simply have not learned to distinguish between their own voice, the voice of the spirit and the voices of temptation that come from Satan and his followers.

We often think our good thought are our own invention. 

I do not believe this is so.

I believe any good thought that comes into your mind is...

 the spirit impressing truth and light upon your mind.  

About a year ago I was frustrated and trying to sell my house and nothing was working the way I had planned.  Everything fell apart and after much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth I finally submitted my will to God and I said,

"I will do anything you want me to do.  I will follow any good prompting no matter what, if you will just take care of me and my family."  

I had no idea what that promise would mean or the path of amazing experiences and enlightenment that it would put me on.  It has been crazy and difficult at times and has tested my courage and resolve, but it has been worth every minute.

When you start being 'quick to observe' your thoughts, you will discover how much junk needs to get weeded out and how much quiet revelations you have missed.

“When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.” ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 151.) 

Here are a few key principles about revelation that I have identified.  I invite you to ponder on the these and seek how to understand, teach an apply them better.

Revelation is...

• received on principles of obedience
• received only by asking, knocking, and seeking.  
• received in response to questions. 
• easier to receive when we are seeking it for the purpose of helping others.
• received line upon line as we act on what knowledge we already have.
• easier to receive after dedicated prayer and fasting 24 hours.
• received according to the timetable of the Lord
• received in different ways 
• easier to receive if we are writing as part of our gospel study 

As you look at this list, listen closely to the thoughts that enter your mind.  The spirit will direct you to the area that you need to study and learn more about.  I find it helpful to write down questions that principles spark and refer to them and write additional ones as I study.  The process of asking questions while you are studying will allow the spirit to communicate better.   I have included some of the resources that I have studied to help me better understand and apply these principles.  

I invite you to study and take notes on this material. Share them with your children and ask them to study and prepare them for gospel discussions in your home. Look up the references that the apostles and prophets use to write their talks. Doing this allows us to follow their path of learning and gain greater understanding. Be patient and thorough in your study.  Listen to the things the spirit prompts you to do as you study and act on those things.  I promise you that as you prayerfully do this, that the spirit will teach you and change your knowledge into understanding over time.

Resources:

Scott, Richard G. "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, Oct 2012
(this is the talk the spirit instructed me to read the day after Scott died)

Bednar, David A. "The Spirit of Revelation, April 2011 

Also watch the three part video series on the sidebar of this page called Patterns of Light: The Light of Christ, Patterns of Light: Discerning Light, Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation) These are great FHE resources and #ShareGoodness resources as well

Packer, Boyd K, "Revelation in a Changing World." Oct 1989

Packer, Boyd K, "Personal Revelation:The Gift, The Test, and The Promise." Oct 1994
****This should be taught in FHE for all youth- excellent direction spoken specifically to youth

Hales, Robert D. "Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets." Oct 2007

Bednar, David A. "A Reservoir of Living Water,"  CES Fireside Feb 2007 (Using the scriptures to receive personal revelation)

Gordon Limb, "Recognizing and Responding to the Promptings of the...," BYU Devotional Mar 2013 
(Another great one for youth, he references both Packer and Bednar)

Kendrick, Lionel "Personal Revelation." BYU Devotional May 1997

This is certainly not an all inclusive list.  If you find additional resources that you believe would be helpful please add them to the comment section.  Thank you and God Bless you all in your personal efforts. 

This is a companion post to "The Affects of our Loved Ones from the Other Side of the Veil." coming soon.