I was asked this question:
“What do you say to people who state: ‘I doubt people who’ve had an audience with Christ would be out writing books and blogs about it. We are counseled not to talk about sacred things. (Followed by several GA quotes.)'”
I would say that they should accept counsel from whomever they trust and follow it. I might add that if they read The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil they will get an answer to the question. But, if they are hostile and offended and ask the question out of fear, I would not add the clarification.
It is not necessary for everyone to be stirred up by argument or persuasion to listen to something they do not want to hear. What is coming will stir up everyone who has not been already touched by the Spirit. Patience. We’re headed somewhere. The Lord remains in charge and has a plan to cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess the truth of who He is, what He has done, and what He has been doing. We shouldn’t rush people forward.
There is more mischief in introducing people to truth before they are ready to comprehend and welcome it than there is in remaining silent. It is uncharitable to tell someone a great truth which they are unprepared to accept.
“What is coming will stir up everyone who has not been already touched by the Spirit.”
if possible…. can you be more specific?
I feel a need to comment on this question,
‘I doubt people who’ve had an audience with Christ would be out writing books and blogs about it. We are counseled not to talk about sacred things.
Sunday I taught the story of Medad and Eldad to my gospel doctrine class from the Old Testament. These are the two men who were blessed with the gift of prophecy after the Lord overshadowed them and the Lord ‘placed his spirit’ upon them. Some tattletale boy told Moses they were prophecying in the camp of Israel, and Joshua wanted them silenced. “Moses, forbid them” was Joshua’s response.
‘Who do you relate to in this story’, I ask my class. I taught my class that there are many in the church today that want to silence the gift of prophecy. In truth, we tend to do this with anyone who express gifts of the spirit beyond our own.
Imagine being an active member of the church at the time of Nephi son of Helaman. You believe in the words of the prophet (Nephi) because you recognize him as being in a position of authority, Yet how will you respond to a foreigner (Samuel) with no bona fides, no credentials who preaches a message you have never heard from your own leaders. The Nephites for the most part did like Joshua and tried to silence him. But if you took the time to listen to the message with ‘a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, he would have manifested the truth’ of the message unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Such doubters need to read the Second Comforter before they make judgements on the Medads and Eldads and Samuels of our day.
I have learned this lesson and still probably have more to learn. Teaching while listening and saying what needs to be said and not saying what does not need to be said is not my strength, but I will get it.
Denver, could you spend some time spelling you in some detail the receipt of the following and in what order they might take place, where they might take place (Holy of Holies, wilderness, etc.) and what would be required in preparation for each. (if some is spelled out in your books, then which.)And, if appropriate which you have received and which you are continuing to work towards.
Which parts are required to receive with your spouse?
a. Second Comforter (additionally, have you received from time to time?)
b. Second Annointing
c. Calling and Election
d. anything else I’ve left out… ordainances, keys, etc.
I know there is a lot I’m asking here. Perhaps just a framework that could be filled in. What is the order of it all?
Meditation? Where does this fall in receiving an audience with the Lord, and what does the meditation look like? How is it to be done? Like the Yogi’s do it? Like the monks of Tibet? Like mystics? I feel compeled that Meditaion is important, but there are so many different ways of doing it. Is there a right way or pattern? Is it clearing the mind completely, or is it focusing on only one thing, ect.
The how-to’s aren’t taught in the church, yet there are those who have spoke of it’s importance. ie. Pres. David O. Makay said “Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.”
He also said… “Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.”
I’d love to here your thoughts on the subject.
Thanks, Randy Pons
Isn’t this beautiful?
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100513.html
Interesting this person would pose this question. My response would be thank the Heavens that such sacred things are written in books or I wonder at how much of our scripture would not be. They would seem like just a bunch of empty laws if it weren’t for the promises contained therein.
Isn’t the receipt of the second comforter one of our primary goals? And without the testimony of others showing us the possibility and our potential I myself would have very little to hope for.
I am so very grateful to know that this is possible for me, an ordinary woman.