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APERSONALEXPERIENCE

How To Open

Your Spiritual

Eyes

Anonymous

Hope is believing, faith is asking, knowledge is receiving, and priesthood is becoming.

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TableofContentsIntroduction...............................................................................3

WhatPreventsPeoplefromOpeningTheirSpiritualEyes?.........6Unbelief..........................................................................................9Fear...............................................................................................11Discouragement............................................................................12TooMuchStress............................................................................13SeriousSin/Addiction..................................................................14Illness............................................................................................15GroupThink..................................................................................15FamiliarSpirits..............................................................................17Light-mindedness..........................................................................18Babylon.........................................................................................18Culture..........................................................................................19Laziness.........................................................................................20Physiology.....................................................................................20

TheStepsofRevelatoryProgression.........................................24FeeltheSpirit................................................................................24HearaWordinYourMind.............................................................26HearaPhraseinYourMind...........................................................27HaveaConversationwiththeLord................................................29SpeakwithAngelicMessengers.....................................................30LearntofighttheAdversary..........................................................32SeewithEyestheAngelsandtheAdversary..................................33ExperiencetheSavior....................................................................34ExperiencetheFather...................................................................35ExperiencetheMother..................................................................36

DevelopingtheGiftsoftheSpirit..............................................40SacredImagination.......................................................................43ExercisesandVisualizations..........................................................57StageOne:Createaplatform........................................................58StageTwo:HowDoYouFeel?.......................................................63StageThree:WhatDoYouHear?...................................................68StageFour:WhatDoYouSee?......................................................74StageFive:WhatDoYouTouchandSmell?...................................82StageSix:WhatDoYouDo?..........................................................83

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TheDoor........................................................................................86TheLightAbove.............................................................................87TheManWalkingTowardYou.......................................................88ThePath.........................................................................................88TheTopoftheMountain...............................................................89WhereDoYouWanttoGo?..........................................................89RevisitDreamsandVisions............................................................89

GiftofTongues..............................................................................91HowtoHeal..................................................................................94Miracles........................................................................................99

WhatifIStillCan’tOpenMyEyes?.........................................103

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IntroductionTheLord isagiverofGifts.HedelightstoblessthosewhoserveHim, and this book is a gift to those who are on the path toawakening;learningthisprocessofopeningyourspiritualeyesandcomingintoHispresence.AllofusarespecialandofgreatworthtotheLord,butthatdoesn’tmeanweareequalineveryway.ConsiderMatthew25:

14Forthekingdomofheavenisasamantravellingintoafarcountry,whocalledhisownservants,anddelivereduntothemhisgoods.15 And unto one he gave five talents, to anothertwo,andtoanotherone;toeverymanaccordingtohisseveralability;andstraightwaytookhisjourney.1

Theservantsaretowhomthisbookiswritten,whotravelfarfromtheirheavenlyhome,tocondescendamongthechildrenofmentosavesouls.(Jacob5:61)Notallarethesame,assomehavemoretalentsor“gifts”thanothers.Therearethosewhoseemtoquickly,with little effort, developa spiritual awakeningand see into thespirit realm around them; entertaining angels and experiencingmanyofthespiritualgifts.Perhapstheyhaveabrushwithdeath,aneardeathexperience,orarebornwithathinveil?Iwasnotoneof these,althoughsomewouldthinkthatwasthecase. It tookmeabouttwenty-fiveyears fromwhen IbeganthisjourneybeforeIbegantoopenmyeyes.Ittakesalevelofriskto

1Ether12:35

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letgoandasthescripturesays,“tradeyourtalents.”2Whatdoesthat mean? It means to invest them, to see them grow, toexperimentwithsomethingyouhavenotdonebefore.Ispokeofthisindetailinthefirstbook,butallthatIhavereceivedasofnowismostlyinthelastfewyears.Eachservantisbornintothisworldwithat leastonegift,3however,wemustseekallthegifts.“AndagainIwouldexhortyouthatyewouldcomeuntoChrist,andlayhold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor theuncleanthing.”Moroni10:30Iwonderifsometimeswemistakethegoodgiftsforthatwhichisunclean because we do not understand. Why do some neverdeveloptheirspiritualgifts?

18Buthethathadreceivedonewentanddiggedintheearth,andhidhislord’smoney.19 After a long time the lord of those servantscometh,andreckonethwiththem.24Thenhewhichhadreceivedtheonetalentcameand said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hardman, reaping where thou hast not sown, andgatheringwherethouhastnotstrawed:25AndIwasafraid,andwentandhidthytalentintheearth:lo,therethouhastthatisthine.26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thouwicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that Ireapwhere I sowednot,andgatherwhere Ihavenotstrawed:

2 “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise, he that had received two, he also gained other two.” Matthew 5:16-17 3D&C46:11

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27Thououghtestthereforetohaveputmymoneytotheexchangers,andthenatmycomingIshouldhavereceivedmineownwithusury.28Takethereforethetalent fromhim,andgive ituntohimwhichhathtentalents.29Foruntoeveryonethathathshallbegiven,andheshallhaveabundance:butfromhimthathathnotshall be taken away even that which he hath.(Matthew25)

This servanthid their gift, becauseof fear. Theydidnot seek toexpandanduse theirgift tohelp thekingdom; therefore, itwastaken from them.Manyofus are tooafraid to venture into therealmofwhatwedescribeasthe“giftsofthespirit.”Whyisthat?Inthisbook, IwilldiscusshowtoovercometheunbelieforfalsetraditionsthatmustberesolvedinordertodevelopourtalentsandbecomeaservantoftheLord,torendtheveilofunbeliefandwalkwithGod.Iwillshareinthisbookmanyprinciplesandexercisesyoucandotodevelop thesegifts andopenyour spiritual senses.Muchof thisinformationwill requireyoutogobeyondyourcomfortzone,toreleasethetalenttheLordhasgivenyou.Youmayfeelawkward,unworthy, ridiculous, anduncomfortable. Like the first time youspokeinpublic,orlikethelittlechildhavingthecouragetoclimbthelong,tall laddertotaketheirfirstjumpoffthehigh-diveintothedeeppool.But,youcandothis—itiswhoyouare.

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WhatPreventsPeoplefromOpeningTheirSpiritualEyes?

Eachofusenterthisworldhelpless.Werelyonalovingmothertonurse us, often a father to provide for our needs. These lovingparentsandpeoplenurtureus;andwecandonothingforourselvesinourearlydevelopment.Withinashortperiod,ourlittlebodiesbegintoadapttoanewenvironment.Westarttoseemoreclearlywith our vision, as we begin to distinguish shapes, smells, andsensations.Wecrywhenwearehungry,oruncomfortable,orjustbecausewewantattention.Timegoesonandwebegintodistinguishdifferentsoundsaswordsand shapes to see people and things. We discern distancesbetweenobjectsandbegintocrawl,thentostand,andthentorun.Ourbodiesgothroughaperiodofadaption.Wetestourlimitsaswefall,hurtourselves,thengetbackupandkeepgoing.Somechildrentakelongerinthisprocess.Ourneighbor’skidsweretalkinginfullsentencesshortlyaftertheirfirstbirthday,butsomechildrendon’tspeakwelluntiltheageofthreeorlater.Eachcomewithdifferentcapacitiesforgrowthandexcellence.Forsome,thephysicalbodyisaconstantchallenge.Whetheritisrelatedtotheirhealth,adebilitatingdisease,oranaccidentthatcreated a difficult challenge for them. How have these trialsaffectedtheirviewsofthephysicalworld?Aswematurewetendtocrystalizeandformasolidbeliefsystemofhowthisphysicalworldworks.Formany,ifwecan’tseeit,touchit,smellit,ordefineitunderalab,itisnotworthconsidering.The

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worldscoffsattheunseenworldofthespirit.ButJesussaid,“Mykingdomisnotofthisworld.”4In a strikingly similar way we develop our spiritual sensitivities;learningtosee,touch,hear,andcomprehend.Finally,afteratimeofawakeningwebegintoseeaworldwhichiseverybitasrealasthephysicalonewehavebecomeaccustomedto.Whatisthespiritworld?Thatunseendimensionspokenofbythosewho have lived through near death experiences, or crypticallywritten about by some of the prophets? Many have felt thepresenceoflovedoneswhohavepassedon,asiftheywerewiththem,yetunseen.How can something exist thatwe cannot seewithourown twoeyes?Why can’t scientistsprove theexistenceof another realmwherespiritsabide?Untilthelasthundredyearsthebeliefinspiritswasmorecommonamongtheaverageperson.Notuntilpsychologyandthestudyofthe human brain, have scientists attempted to explain suchphenomenonashallucinations,causedbyvarioushormonesandstimuli.Thehumanbrain is thewild frontier formanyscientists.Howmuchistrulyunderstood?In recent years scientists havebegun to studyquantumphysics,which opens up the exploration and possibilities of multidimensions.Istheunseenspiritworldreallythatfar-fetched?Why does it have to be this way? Couldn’t the Lord have justopenedthisrealmtoussothatwecouldmoreeasilydiscern?Whywould a loving God make it so difficult? Why all the starvingchildren in Africa, andwhy is there such horrific violence in theworld?Whydoesn’ttheLordjuststopitall?4John18:36

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This lifeprovideswhat is theperfectbattlefieldofsouls.Aplacewherewecanchoosewhatwewillworship,wherewewanttolayouraffectionsanddesires.Thetribulationofthefleshisarefiner’sfire.But,peoplesay,“Howcanonepossiblymakesuchdecisionswhentheyaresuffering?”Mostofthebiggestdecisionsaremadebeforeweeverenter thisworld.Somechoose topartakeof theEverlastingCovenant,apromisetocomeuntoChristandbecomelikeHim.Otherspartakeofacontinuationofthatcovenant,astheycondescendtosavesoulsasaministeroftheLord.Otherscomewiththe intentofbecomingaservantoftheAdversary.But, thevastmajorityofthoseherearenotinterestedinfollowingthelightofChristoreventhedevil;theywishtoremaininthesamestatetheyhavebeenforeonsoftime.Theyrelisheverythingmortalityoffers, both the good and bad; and their cycle continues foreternity,unlesstheychoosetoharkentothevoiceoftheSpirit,forGod’s“handisoutstretchedstill.”5Now,hereyouare,oneofmanysoulsthatislivingonthisearthatthistimeinhistory.Whoareyoureally?Whatisyourmission?HaveyoupartakenoftheEverlastingCovenant?IwouldsuggesttoyouthatifadeepdesiretoknowtheLordburnswithinyourheart,thatYES, you have partaken of the Everlasting Covenant, for as it iswritten,“mineelecthearmyvoiceandhardennottheirhearts.”6Whetheryourtaskistoadvancefromyoursecondtothirdestate,oryouarealreadyforeordainedtoperformamission;this isnotimportantuntilyoustandinthepresenceofGodandHedeclaresittoyou.Regardlesswhatyouhavebeentoldinblessings,focusonopening your spiritual senses, learning to receive revelation,receivingthebaptismoffireandtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.Then,

5Isaiah9:12,216D&C29:7

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the Lord will bring you to where you need to be as swiftly aspossible.Asitiswritten,“standyeinholyplaces.”7Thisbookwaspreparedtohelpthosewhodespitetheirgreatesteffortscannotseemtopiercetheveil.Youmayfeelthatyouaredoingeverythingyoucanandstillnoprogress.Hereisadetailedlistofreasonsyoumaybestruggling.Afterweidentifythem,let’stalkabouthowtoovercome.Listofreasonswhyyoumaystruggletoopenyourspiritualsenses:

1. Unbelief2. Fear3. Discouragement4. Toomuchstress5. SeriousSin6. Illness7. GroupThink8. Familiarspirits9. Lightmindedness10. Babylon11. Culture12. Laziness13. Physiology

UnbeliefThismaybethemostcommonformanypeople.Itmeanstobelieveincorrectlythetrueprinciplesbehindtherealityofspiritualgifts.Itdoesn’tnecessarilyplaceblameuponyou,formuchofsuchsinslieuponthetraditionsofour fathers. It isyourduty tobreak these

7D&C45:32,D&C87:8,D&C101:22

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chains of unbelief and learn the truth regarding what the Lordwouldgiveyou.8There are plenty of examples of unbelief, even in our modernsociety.Thinkofdietaryrulesthatforyearswethoughtweretruth.Forexample:Donotaddsalttoyourfood.Fatisbadforyou,andbreadsandgrainsshouldbeeaten inabundance.Foodsthataresoldinthegrocerystorethatweassumearehealthymaybehighinprocessedsugarorpreservatives.Thereisalotofdistortionanduntruthwhichwehavebeengivenformanyyears.AsJosephSmithwarned, “because of conspiring men that will exist in the lastdays.”9Thereisalsomuchfalsityindoctrinewhichhascreptinamongstthe Lord’speople thathave confused the realityofmanyof theGifts of the Spirit, which He desires to bestow upon us. Manytheologians and scholars have attempted to explain and dissectwhattheLordwillandwillnotdo.ThetruegiftsoftheSpirithavebeen watered down to the degree that most people viewmiraculousexperiencesasonly foraselect few,orthoseofhighstanding in the church. Even then, the experiences are oftenminimalandlessthanBiblicalintheirproportions.JosephSmithsaid,“Isaytoall thosewhoaredisposedtosetupstakesfortheAlmighty,youwillcomeshortofthegloryofGod.TobecomeajointheiroftheheirshipoftheSon,onemustputawayallhisfalsetraditions.”10

“Whenmenopentheirlipsagainst[thetruth]theydo not injureme, but injure themselves.…When

8Mormon1:149D&C89:410HistoryoftheChurch,5:554;paragraphdivisionsaltered;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonAug.27,1843,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichardsandWilliamClayton.

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things that are of the greatest importance arepassedoverbyweak-mindedmenwithoutevenathought, Iwanttoseetruth inall itsbearingsandhug it to my bosom. I believe all that God everrevealed,andIneverhearofamanbeingdamnedfor believing toomuch; but they are damned forunbelief.”11

Solution:YoumustdecidehereandnowthatyouwillapproachtheLordasa child;meek,withno inhibitions.Believewhat iswritten in thescripturesatfacevalue.SimplyfollowtheSpiritoftheLordasyoucontemplatethescripturesyouread.

FearManyofussufferfromfearsoftheunknown.Fearoffailurealonepreventsmanyfromeventrying.Howaboutfearofdeception?Fearisoftentheantithesisoffaith,whichisrequiredtoopenthewindows of heaven.Howdo you know if fear is preventing youfrommovingforward?Doyouaskthefollowingquestionstoyourself?

• Whatwillpeoplethink?• WhatifIamdeceived?• WhatifIcan’tdoit?• WhatiftheLorddoesn’tanswermyprayer?• WhatifImakeamistake?

11HistoryoftheChurch,6:477;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJune16,1844,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyThomasBullock;seealsoappendix,page562,item3

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HowdoyousupposetheLordfeltwhenPeterjumpedoutoftheboatafteraskingpermissiontowalkonthewater,andthenfellashewasovercomebyfear?WhowastheLordmorepleasedwith,the Apostleswho stayed in the supposed safety of the boat, orPeter who risked it to come to His Lord? It was a learningexperience for Peter.He learnednot to fear, but to trust in theLord.IbelievetheLordwasverypleased.EachofusmustbeboldlikePeter,untilwelearntoexercisethegiftsoftheSpiritcorrectly.Solution:Commityourself thatonceyoustartdownthispathyouwillnotgive up. Youwill know by the fruit of your efforts how you aredoing.RememberAlma’sparableoftheseed?Aftermuchcareandnourishment,theseedgrewuntilitfinallybroughtforthfruit.Donotgiveupoutof impatience.Befearless!Youwillnothavethefaithnecessaryunlessyouareboldandovercomeyourfears.

DiscouragementTherearerelativelyfewwhoeverfindtheirwaytotheThroneofHeaven,becausetheylackfaith.Theybecomeeasilydiscouragedandgiveup.They listen to thewhispersof theAdversary tellingthemtheyarenotworthy,whoaretheytothinksuchablessingwas for them.Haveyoueverhadsuch thoughts? I know Ihave.These temptationsare commonamong the servantsof the Lordandcomefromlyingfamiliarspirits.EventheLordHimselfhadsuchthoughtscrossHismindfrequently.IwenttomyaltarinthemountainsformanyyearsuntiltheLordfinally answered me with two words: “Be believing.” ShortlythereaftermyspiritualeyesbegantoseethescalesfalloffandIbegantounderstandtheprincipleofrevelation.Iadmit,thereweremanydays Iwas discouraged.Why isn’t the Lord answering theprayerofmyheart?Wemustremembernottoputacalendaronsuchthings.WetrustinHim,knowingthatHewillbringustoHim

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asfastaspossible.Itisnotaboutusfulfillingatimerequirement.Itisaboutlearningtoproperlyexercisefaithandtoopenourspiritualsensitivities,sothatwecanbeaprofitableservanttotheLord.Solution:Expecttheseedoffaithtogrowanddevelop,nottosuddenlybearfruit.Ifitgrowsquickly,wonderful.Otherwise,bepatientandtrustinHim.ThemostcommonadviceIhavereceivedwhenspeakingwithsignificant spiritson theother sideof theveil isalways thesame:“TrustintheLord.”PartofexercisingfaithisknowingthattheLordisthegiverofallgoodgifts.Hewillnotletyoudown.

TooMuchStressInourmodernday,stressisafamiliarobstacleformanyofus.Westress about finances, health, family issues, church callings, civicduties, jobs, etc.On topof that,many stress over relationships,includingoursocialnetworkrelationshipsandkeepingupwithouronlineinteractions.Arewetoobusywithlife?HowcanourbusylifeimpactourabilitytoreceivethegiftsoftheSpirit?TheLordHimself,asthemanofGalilee,oftenwouldremoveHimselffromeveryonetogoandpray.AservantoftheLordneedsto do this. How can you focus on the Lord with all thesedistractions?Someof thesewemayhavetonochoice,buthowmuchisnotnecessary?Mostofusdon’thesitateschedulingtimetoseemovies,gotoconcerts,ordovacation;buthowoftendoweschedule blocks of time to make ourselves holy to the Lord?“Whereyourheartis,thereshallyourtreasurebealso.”Solution:Sometimesthesolutionisverysimple---REPENT!TruerepentanceissimplyplacingtheLordfirstinyourlifeineveryrespect.Ifyoucanhonestlyaskyourself,“WhatisthethingIthinkaboutmostinmy idle time?” and your answer is the Lord, perhaps you are

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repenting. If you focus on other things youmay have reason torepent.TomaketheLordfirstinyourlifewillhelpyoutoremovemuchofthestressthatmaybeplaguingyou.AskHimtohelpyou.Makealistofallthedutiesyouhave.Prioritizethem,puttingthemostimportantfirst.Seewhatyoucaneliminateorcutback.Blockouttimeforholiness.

SeriousSin/AddictionWhatmakes a sin serious? Of course, all sin is serious, but I’mtalkingaboutthemainonesthatarepreventingyoufromcomingtotheLord.Weliketotryandclassifysinsintocategoriesfromlesstomore,butwhatiseasytoovercomeforone,maybeananvilaroundtheneckforanother.Oftenserioussinsareinthecategoryofdifficultaddictions,whichpullourattentionawayfromcomingtoChrist.Those who are spiritually sick will struggle much in having aconsistentrelationshipwiththeLord,becausetheycannotfocus.The Lord hears their prayers, loves them, and will bless themaccordingtotheirobedienceandtheprayersofothers,butuntiltheycompletelyturnthemselvesovertoHimitwillbedifficulttoobtainthe“Gifts.”Solution:Focusonafullrepentance.Onceyouhavelaidalluponthealtar,includingtheaddictionorsin, thentheLordcanhelpyou inthisprocess.AnimportantpartofrepentanceisthetrustweplaceintheLordtotakeoursinsfromus,andthentoforgiveothersandourselves. It is a full release of everything, including guilt anddesires. We will always remember, but we will become a newperson.Ifwestumble,wegothroughtheprocessasmanytimesasittakes.Ifourintentispure,theLordwillmakeusclean.

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IllnessThisdeterrentmay,ormaynotimpedeyourabilitytoapproachtheLord.Therearemanywhoseexperiencewithillnessandpainwerea catalyst for them to cry out to the Lord and have marvelousexperiences.TheLordisverymerciful.Buttoday,inaworldwhereprescription drugs and other body altering medications are thenorm,oftenthesecloudsoursensitivitytotheSpirit.Solution:Someone suffering from physical pain or bodily harm can gothrough the very same steps as those in perfect health, it mayrequiremoredisciplineandfaith.TheLordwillhelpyouasyouprayforwisdomandrevelationastowhatyoushoulddo.EachpersonwillhaveauniquesolutionfromtheLord.Ihaveknownthosewhobecause of chronic pain and from taking medications found italmost impossible to open their spiritual eyes, but were oftenamazed at how the Lord compensated by giving them sacreddreamsandimpressionsfromthoseclosetothemtohelpintheirjourney.AllthingsarepossibletothemthatlovetheLord.

GroupThinkItishumannaturetowanttobeapartofagroup,achurch,abeliefsystemwherewecansharewithlike-mindedpeople.Itbolstersourfaithandgivesushope.TheLordHimselfadvisesustobeapartof“His Church.” But, can a group association be a deterrent forcomingtoHim?The problem is that we often desire to find a person that isinfallible, “the true prophet that can never lead us astray.”Wouldn’tthatbeamazing!But,thereisnoplaceinscripturewheretheLordmakessuchapromise.Alwaysheremindshisprophetsandservants to remain faithful that theydonotsuccumbto the

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poweroftheAdversary.WhattheLordexpectsfromusistolooktoHim.WearetohavenootherGodsoridolsbeforeHim.Havingsaidallthat,thereisavaluetoassociatingwithagroup.TheLordwantsus to sharewhat lightwehavewithothers,withoutimposingourselvesthroughunrighteousnessdominion,weleadbyexample,andteachbytheSpirit;alwayspointingtoChristasourinspiration.

Behold, this ismydoctrine—whosoever repentethand cometh unto me, the same is my church.Whosoever declareth more or less than this, thesameisnotofme,butisagainstme;thereforeheisnotofmychurch.Andnow,behold,whosoeverisofmychurch,andendurethofmychurchtotheend,himwillIestablishuponmyrock,andthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstthem.D&C10:67-69

The Lord distinguishes His church depending upon those whorepentandcometoHim.TheLordonlyclasseschurchesintotwocategories:

And he said untome: Behold there are save twochurchesonly;theoneisthechurchoftheLambofGod, and the other is the church of the devil;wherefore,whosobelongethnot to the churchofthe Lamb of God belongeth to that great church,whichisthemotherofabominations;andsheisthewhoreofalltheearth.1Nephi1:14

TheSolution:FocusfirstontheDoctrineofChrist:repentance,baptism,andtheHoly Ghost.12 Learn to discern revelation for yourself and yourfamily,atallcost,seektomakethisconnectionwiththeLord.Then,123Nephi11:31-40

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youcannavigatethemanygroupsthatwillseekyourparticipation.MostofyoumaybemembersoftheLDSChurch,asIam.But,youmustseekthispersonalconnectionwiththeLordaboveallthings.

FamiliarSpiritsIhavetalkedabouttheseinpreviousbooks,andtheyarethemostsubtle and debilitating of Satan’s tempters.Why? Because theyknowussointimately;theysoundlikeourownselfspeakingtous;theysoundlikethevoiceofreason.Theywillspeakmostlytruthtoyou,andthentwistsomethingjustenoughtosendyouinthewrongdirection.Thingslike:

• “It’sgoodtoprayandknowtheLord,butyoucan’texpecttoactuallyhearHisvoiceorseeHim.”

• “Godhasgivenyouabrainandreason,youshouldn’tallowyourimaginationtodeceiveyou.”

• “Doyoureallythinkyouaresmarterthanthosepeopleyouhighlyrespect?Theyknowfarmorethanyou.”

• “Don’tgetcaughtupincrazythinking.Youareaneducatedperson.”

• “Whatwouldyourfamilyandfriendsthink.Youhaveadutytobeanexampleineveryway.”

Canyouseehowthesethoughtsaredesignedtolessenyourfaith?DotheyencourageyoutoseektheLordinfaith,withcourageanddetermination?ThecloseryoucometofindingtheLord,themoreyouwillcontendwiththis.Solutions:Remind yourself where these thoughts come from so you canidentifythem.Decidebeforehandhowyouwillhandleit.Bebraveanddetermined.Agreatwaytoidentifysuchdeceptionsistoask

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yourself whether these thoughts point towards your comfort,pride,andinadequacies.Ifso,dismissthemquickly.

Light-mindednessThistermmeanstotreatsacredthingswithfrivolityorscorn.Thatmaysoundharsh,butitiscommonamongmanytolaughandteaseabout things thatarenotunderstoodorculturallyunacceptable.Perhapsoutofembarrassment,ortocoverourownweaknessweshyawayfromthespiritual.Usually,suchapersonisimmatureinspiritualthings,butitisatraittoberecognizedandremovedifyouwishtoprogressspiritually,“forGodwillnotbemocked.”Solution:It is advised to be sober in your thoughts andmotives. Today’sentertainment is filledwith frivolity and light-mindedness.MostanyTVsitcomorcomedy,althoughnotalwayssinful,maycauseone to become desensitized to the sacred. Comedy can beaddictive,asweseektofindhumorineverythingusingsarcasmandscorn. This is nothelpful indevelopingour spiritual sensitivities.Jesushasagreatsenseofhumor,butdon’texpectHimtolaughatallyourjokes.Thereisadifferencebetweenalaughofjoyandalaughofmockery.

BabylonIttrulyishardtoliveintheworld,butnotbeoftheworld.Mostallofushavetodealwithourcrazybusyliveswherewehavetowatchthe clock, pay the bills, deal with people who annoy us, or theconstant barrage of attention grabbing advertisements andpropaganda.Babylon is thegreatwhoreof theearth,whichwillattempttofillyourmindwithasmuchunholinessaspossible.

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IfweallowourthoughtsanddesirestobuildafoundationaroundthelustsofthefleshwewillleavenoroomfortheLord,andwewillnevercometoknowHim.Ithasbeenaconstantwarningsincethebeginning.“Repent,comeyeoutfromBabylon!”13Solution:Setasidetimetomakeyourselfholy.TheLordhascommandedustokeeptheSabbathDayholy.Onthisday,weescapeeverything“Babylon”andcometoHim.ThosewhoareseekingmoreintimacywiththeLordmaychoosetocometoHimevenmoreoftenthanthat.PrayandaskHimhowtodothis.Taketimetobeholy,tofillyourthoughtswithvirtue,andwatchthescalesfallfromyoureyesandears.YouwillfindBabylonasanannoyancethatissmallandtrivialcomparedtoyourtruetreasure.

CultureSometimesourupbringingcanhaveastronginfluenceonwhatwearewillingtodoorbelieve.IfyouhadbeentaughtyourentirelifethatGoddoesn’texist,orthatChristisafraud,itwouldcreateaheavychainthatwouldhavetobebrokentomoveforward.Familycordsareverystrongand influential. I tendto feelsympathyforthosewhostruggleinlife;thatcan’tfindtheLord,becauseofthecords of their familial culture. To overcome they must layeverything upon the altar; to repent and come unto the Lordunhindered.Thiscanhappen,asinthecaseofKingLamoniandhispeople.ThedegreeofthesacrificeoftenreflectsthedegreeoftheLord’sblessingtotherecipient.Solution:The only solution for one stuck in a cultural, family-centeredrelationship is to simply lay it all on the altar of the Lord and

13Inmyownwords:Jeremiah51:44-45,Revelation18:4

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covenantwithHimthatyouwillgiveupallforHim.It’sapainfulsacrifice,buthasabeautifulending.

LazinessIt is much easier to just stay where you are than to work forsomething.Whatdoyouwant in life? Is thereanythingofvaluewhichrequiresnoeffortonourpart?TheLordhascounseledHisdisciplesmuchregardingfaithanddiligenceincomingtoHim.I have found that the pursuit of the Lord is the most excitingadventure.Itisaproactiveactivity,whereweactinfaith,receiverevelation,anddoitagain.Itdoesn’tmeanbeingthehamsterinacagerunningthetreadmill.Don’twasteyourtimedoingbusytaskssomeoneelseassigns toyou.Ask theLord, “Whatdo Idonow?What next?Here aremy ideas –what do You think?” and thenmove!Solution:Write your goals frequently: long term, intermediate, and shortterm.Dosomething,insteadofnothing.Planyourtimecarefully,especiallywhenyouwillseekholiness.Spendyouridletime,notasidoltime;butastimetoseekanswersfromHim.FillyourmindwithvirtueandthewordsoftheLordtoyou.Don’tallowyourselftogetbored.Thereisnothingboringaboutopeningyourspiritualsensesand being ministered to by angels. There is no form ofentertainmentormoviesthatcancomparetowhatcanbeseenintheHeavenlyRealm.PhysiologyTherearesomepeoplewho,despitefollowingallthesuggestionslisted above,may actually have a disadvantage because of their

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physiology.Itrequiresgreatfocus,aswellastheabilitytoseewithourmind’seyetoopenthespiritualsenses.

Scientists have discovered a small gland in the brain that isactivatedwhenwedream,oruseourimaginations.Itiscalledthepinealgland.Shapedmuchlikeasmallpinecone(thusthename).Ithasbeenwellknownforthousandsofyearsthatthisisthesourceof our deeper spiritual thoughts, as both the Egyptians and fareasternreligionsthinkofitasasacredplaceofthebody.Youmayhavenoticed the redpainteddoton the forehead,between theeyesofmanyHinduswhopracticethisreligion.

I’mnotsharingthisinformationbecauseI’manewagespiritualist.In fact, I have not studiedmuch of their philosophies and onlymarvelwhenpeople point out similarities in the spiritual realm.But, it has been found that those whose pineal glands are notfunctioningproperly,thattheystruggletohavepropersleepandseeingwiththeirmind’seye;todreamandtoimagine.Thisglandhasevenbeenreferredtoasthe“thirdeye.”Thereisevidencethatsomepeoplewhosepinealglandhasbecomedormantorcalcified,because of exposure to fluoride or other chemicals, makes itdifficultforthemtoactivatethegland.

IhadanexperiencewiththeLordwhereHesharedthefollowing:

“Iaskedaboutthepurposeofthepinealglandinourbrains and how it affects our ability to see in theSpirit.Hesaid thateveryorganandmechanism inourbodyisforapurposetohelpusachievewhatweneedinthislife.Thisglandhelpsustoimagineandto seewhatwe cannotonourown. Somepeoplestruggle to see in theSpirit because their gland ishardened andunused. Sometimes, byhealing,wecanunloosethisglandandbegintosee.Wemust

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exercisefaithtomakethisglandworkmorefluidly.When we dream the gland helps us to open ourspiritualeyes.TheLordsaidthereareexercisesandwaystohelpthisprocessandHewouldhelpme.”14

TheexerciseswhichIwasgivenaredetailedinthecomingchapter,“ExercisesandVisualizations.”Therearethosewhosepinealglandmaybedamagedduetochemicalcontaminationsuchasfluorideorothertoxins.Wemustseekaparticularspiritualgifttopurifyandhealthispartofthebodyifnecessary.15

Anotherphysiologicalaspectofthismaybewhetheryouareleftbrainorrightbrain inyourcognitivefunctions.Leftbrainpeopleusually are someonewho thinks very formulaic, and structured;whereas,therightbrainpersonseesmanyconceptsintheabstract.Theyareveryimaginativeintheirthinking.Ifyouleantooheavilyoneversestheotheritmaybedifficultforyou.TheLordcanhelpyouinthisregardbypointingyouinadirectiontohelpwiththebalance.

Solution:Theexercisesintheforthcomingchapterscanhelp,andseekingrevelationfromtheLordregardinghealthchoiceswillalsomakeabigdifference.Wearedesignedtobeaspiritualbeing,asmuch as we are designed to be a physical one. Have faith andbelieve.

______________________________________________Perhapsyouwereabletoidentifyinyourselfsomeofthesereasonsfor struggling toopenyour spiritual sensitivities, and Ihopeyou

14AWitnessoftheEndofTimes,pg.3715AWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpirit,pg.53

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havean ideawhatyoucando toprepare tomove forward.TheLord always opens a door for those willing to be honest withthemselvesas they seekHim.This iswhat it is tobeconsideredmeek.Whenwearemeek-miraclesbegintohappen.Planting a seed in the ground and patiently watching it growrequires faith. But, if we don’t plant it properly and nourishcorrectlyitwillnotbeartheresultswehopefor.Ifyourgroundisbarren, itwillnottakeroot.Thispreviouslistof issuesmayhaveprohibited your spiritual sensitivities from blossoming. Now,exercisefaithandprepareyourgroundfortheseedtogrow.

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TheStepsofRevelatoryProgression

1. FeeltheSpirit.2. Hearawordinyourmind.3. Hearaphraseinyourmind.4. HaveaconversationwiththeLord.5. Speak with messengers. (Angels, passed

family,notablepastspirits)6. Learntofighttheadversary(duringallofthe

above.)7. Seewitheyesnumber5and6.8. ExperiencetheSavior9. ExperiencetheFather10. ExperienceHeavenlyMother

ManyofthesestepsIhavewrittenaboutinmyfirstbook,“HowtoHave Your SecondComforter,” but Iwill attempt to elaborate alittlefurther,tocreateasnapshotofhowtheseexperiencesmayunfoldforyou.Eachofusaredifferentandunique,soitmayvaryfrompersontoperson.Yourexperiencemaycomequickorslower:butthisisgenerallyhowwegrowinourrevelatoryprogression.

FeeltheSpiritThisisthefirststepinourprogressionofcomingtotheLord.Somenever firmly grasp this communication; often because they areanchored down with the different issues as mentioned in thepreviouschapter.Thesecanbeovercomebyyourdesireuntilyouplanttheseedoffaith,anditbeginstosprout,towitnessevidenceofsomethinghappening.

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At first it will seem awkward and strange. Like performing anexercise or dancemove for the first time.16 It’s unfortunatewecan’trememberwhatitfeltlikeasanewinfantaswelistenedtosoundsforthefirsttime.Ifwecould,wewouldprobablythink,• “Ooh, that’sweird!Whatwas that? Idon’tknow if I like the

soundofthat.• Hmm,thatsoundednice.DidImakethatnoise?• That’s scary!Getmeback in thatwombwhere it isniceand

safe;Iknowthatplaceismuchmorerealforme.”

ThereisadifferencebetweencommunicationfromtheHolySpiritand feeling the fruits of the Spirit. Sometimes the two can beconfused.The communication is usually in the formof clear thoughts thatsettleinthemind.Sometimestheyarereceivedwithwords,andsometimesinanabstractform.Theyusuallyleadtoaction(faith)whenweareintunewithLord;orwemaydismissthem.ThosewhofilltheirmindswithvirtueandseektheLord’swill,begintoeasilydiscernwhenit’stheLord.The fruits of the Spirit are the side effects or end results. Forexample,theemotionsthatswellwithinus,thesenseofenergy,orwarmth. The results are themanifestationsor follow-throughofeventsthatcamefromexercisingfaithintherevelationsreceived.

16Alotofpeopletreatrevelationlikethekidwhogoestothedanceforthefirsttime.Theystandbytheothers,watch,critiquehowpeoplearedancing;tooafraidtogiveitago.It’snotuntiltheyletgooftheirinhibitionsandreallyfeelthemusicthattheybegintodance.Revelationisaspiritualdancethatisasynchronizingofthemind,heart,andspirit.Itcomesawkwardlyatfirstuntilwehavepurefaith,thenwithperfectclarity.Theheavensdonotopenuntilwelearntoreceiverevelation,foronlybythiswillGodshowyouwhatyouneedtodo.

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Sometimestheycanbeexplainedawayascircumstantial,orluck;butoftentheyareaclearanswertoprayer.Itwilldependonyourlevelofspiritualsensitivityhowyouchoosetointerpretit.For someone who has resisted the Spirit for many years, it isextremely difficult; because we have become accustomed torationalizingordismissingthesethoughts,choosingtologicallysiftthrougheverythingwereceive.OnemustreleasealltheirpreviousparadigmsabouthearingtheSpiritandallowtheirthoughtstobeexamined. Especially when something comes into your mindrandomly.Wheredidthatcomefrom?WhentheLordsaystocarryaprayerinyourheartalldayitmeanstobeinaconstantstateofhearingtheSpirit,andcommunicatingwith the Lord.17 Imagine that, listening to every thought, assomethingholy.HolymeansthatitiswrappedintheSpirit,notthatitcan’tbemundane.ItisnotexpedienttoasktheLordwhattodoateverymove.SimplypraiseHim,expressgratitude,andallowyourthoughtstoflow.Withinashorttime,youwillfeelaclosenesstotheLordthatyouhave not felt before, and your ascension through the steps ofrevelatoryprogresswillmoveveryquickly.

HearaWordinYourMindThe transition to this step from feeling the Spirit can comeveryquickly.Itseasiesttolearnasweprayandasksimpleyesandnoquestions.Thekeyistoaskthekindofquestionwhichcanbeeasilyanswered;close-endedquestions.Whenwedon’tgetananswer,it isoftenbecauseofthewayweaskthem. Ifyouarestrugglinghere,simplyrephrasethequestion.

172Nephi32:9,Alma34:27,3Nephi18:18,D&C19:38,D&C25:12

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Whatdoes it sound likewhenyouhearaword inyourmind? ItsoundslikeYOU!WhentheSpiritspeakstouswearetappingintothegloryoftheLord.Itispuredivineenergyorlight.Youcannotseeitwithyourphysicaleyes,butyourbrainiscapableofreceivingit.Thefirstthingthathappensisthatitistranslatedintowordsthatyou can understand. Again, seek the clear thoughts. Sometimesthesearecomparedtoawhisperinthattheyarestill,quiet,andreserved.Buttheycan justaseasilyshoutwithpowerandgreatforceinyourmind.Buttheyarealwaysclearandunderstood.Whatisa“stuporofthought?”Whenourthoughtsarescrambledandconfused;andwestruggletofocus,oftenthisisasignthatitisnotfromtheLord.Inanswertoaprayer,itmaybeasignthatweare trying to force the revelation, or even that the Adversary ispresent.Oftenyoumayfindyourselfgoingbackandforthbetweenastuporandclearrevelation.ThisrequiresustocalmourthoughtsandfocusontheLord.Toreceiverevelation,wemustplaceourtrust intheLordandinthisprocess. Ifyoudoubtyourself,orhavetroublefocusingyourmind fromoutsidedistractions,youmaywant topractice takingtimetobeholy;fillingyourmindwithvirtue,andgodlythoughts.HearaPhraseinYourMindThe first time you hear the Spirit speak to you it is a puzzlingexperienceformost.“Wheredidthatcomefrom?”isusuallythereaction. Have you experienced that before? A short phrase tomakeapoint;a reminder;awarning;orevenasuccinctcouncil.Usually it bears great power upon you to seriously considersomething,ortotakeaction.Oftenpeoplewillchalkitupasasixthsense,oranepiphany.AmItalkingtomyself?Maybe,butprobablynot.

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Whenwehearavoicelikethisandit isfromtheLord, itdoesn’tmeanthatwewillnecessarilyhaveagoodfeeling.TheSpirithasawayofmakingusfeeluncomfortable.Don’tassumeitsungodlyifweareshakinginourboots.Ifitisfromanunholysourcewewilloftenfinditexcitingandenticing.ExamplesoftheSpiritspeakingaphrase:

• KillLaban-Nephi• Walkonwater–Peter• Goprayinthegroveforananswer–JosephSmith• SlayGoliath-David• Goandpray-Enos• Goandclimbthemountaintocheckontheburningbush-

Moses• Gomolten16stones–BrotherofJared• TelltheKingyouwishtobehisservant–Ammon• Gotothetemple–PeopleofBountiful• TouchthehemofJesus’robe–Womenhealed• GoandfindtheChristchild–Magiwhenseeingthestar

ExamplesoftheAdversarytellingussomething:

• Givethatpersonapieceofyourmind.• Youcan’taffordtohelpthatpersonrightnow.• That’sjustyou,notrevelation.• Youwillneversucceed.• Godisn’tgoingtohelpyou.• Allthatworkisn’tnecessary.• Theseplatescanmakeyourfamilywelloff–JosephSmith• Nephiisseekingpoweroveryou-Laman• The idea of Christ is a way to usurp power over you –

Korihor• Youshallnotsurelydie,forItshallmakeyouwise-Eve

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• YoushouldforceJesustoshowHispower-JudasWearereminded,“Aslothfulservantiscommandedinallthings.”Theword“slothful”impliesthatyouhavetobenudgedtogettowork.Itdoesn’tmeanwehavetobeagenius.ThemostinspiredideasyouwillhavewillcomebythepoweroftheSpirit.Thatisagoodthing!Allourthoughtscomefromsomewhere.Usuallyfromthe vast accumulation of experiences and reasoning we haveexperiencedduringourlife.But,ifwetrytostrategizeeverythingwedo,wemaymisstheopportunitytoallowtheLordtoguideus.Pay close attention to the simple phrases of clear and preciseinspirationthatcomeuponyou.TrustintheLord.HaveaConversationwiththeLordThe next natural sequence to this process is to begin to have aconversationwiththeLord.Thisis likeaprayer,butwehearthevoiceoftheLordinourmindscomingbacktous.Italmostfeelslikewearehavinga conversationwithourselves, yet it is filledwithholiness,virtue,andlight.Itdoesn’tcomeabouteasily,butwhenit happens you clearly recognize it’s not the normal way thingshappenforyou.IrememberthefirsttimeIexperiencedthis.UpuntilthatpointIhadheardaphraseorawordmaybeafewtimesthatIcouldclearlydiscern.But,thistimeIheardHimspeakingtomeinfullsentences.ItwasadaywhereIwasdeeplydepressed,havingmanyhardshipswithmyworkandfinances.IwonderediftheLordwastrulywithme,andmyheartwasfilledwithdespair.Iheardaphraseinmymindoutoftheclearblue,“Getapencilandpaper.”IknewthatIwassupposedtogivemyselfablessing.Thatwasanoddthingtome,againsteverythingIhadbeentaughtabouttheproperetiquetteofpriesthoodblessings.Becauseitwassucha

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randomthoughtand Iwassodiscouraged I thought,“Whatdo Ihavetolose?”IobeyedtheVoiceandsatdowntowrite.The thoughts came tome tonot thinkofwhat Iwould say, butsimplywrite,wordforwordwhatcameintomymind.IdidasIwascommanded andwrote very precisely a blessing that wasmoreintimateandmorepowerfulthananyIhadyetreceived;includingmypatriarchalblessing.Itwaspropheticinitspromises,andIdateditandkeptitsafe;oftenreadingitandmarvelinghowtheLorddidthatforme.InowknewwhatitwasliketohearthevoiceoftheLordspeakingtome.Howdid Iknowforcertain itwas theLordandnot theresultofimagination? Well, I couldn’t know that for sure at the time. Iconsideredhowitcametomewithgreatforce,arandomthought,andhowIfeltasIheardthewordsandwrotethem.Ialsomarveledatwassaid.Later,Isawthemiraculousfulfillmentofmanyofthepromisesoftheblessing. Itwasnotthesamelevelof“proof”asstandinginthepresenceoftheLordandfeelingthemarksinHishands;butitwasawitnesstome.Ichosetobelieveandcontinuepushingforward.Myknowledgeatthattimewasequaltotheseedwhichhad sproutedandbegun togrow,but I couldn’t know forcertainwhat theend resultwouldbe. I chose tobelieve,and toembrace this newexperience. Little did I knowwhatwas yet tocome.

SpeakwithAngelicMessengersWithmynewconfidenceinhearingthevoiceoftheLordIbecamemore sensitive to my thoughts, especially when I was askingquestions.Ibegantoaskalotofquestions.WhenIwouldfeeltheSpirit,oranunknownpresenceIwouldaskwho,what,why,etc.

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I had experienced a couple of things in the temple thatstrengthened my testimony of the reality of the Spirit World.18Those experiences had come about in such a naturalway that Ifound myself questioning their validity. Once, after a powerfulexperience I began to question whether it was real. The SpiritrebukedmeinsuchawaythatIliterallyfeltmyselfshakentomybones.Thatspiritualwitnesshelpedmetobemorebelievinginthevalidityoftheseexperiences.OneofmyfirstexperienceswiththiswasafterIwasnewlymarried.Ididn’tunderstandrevelationverywellatthispoint,butIwouldnoticethingsoutofthenormal.Iwasreadingabookaloneinmygrandmother’s house; it was quiet; my mind was calm. Out ofnowhere I feltapresenceapproachmeand Iheardclearlywhatsoundedlikesomeonerebukingme.Thewordswerespokeninmymind,butitwasn’tme.IwasveryshakenanddecidedIneededtofollowthedirectcouncilofthisangelandrefocusmyheartupontheLord.IknewitwasamessengerfromtheLord,althoughIdidn’tsee him. It was a call to repentance. I will never forget thatexperience.IlaterfoundthatwhenIwouldponderorthinkaboutaparticularangelorpersonIwouldsometimesfeeltheirpresenceorhearavoiceinmymind.IwouldcheckwiththeLordtoknowwhatwasgoingonandunlessIhadasolidconfirmationIwouldexcuseit.Ireally focusedduring this time in understanding the principle ofrevelation.19These interactions with the spiritual realm are often for thepurposeofteachingyousomething.Thisiswhatisreferredtoasthe ministering of angels. If your spiritual eyes have not yetopened;butyouareseekingtheLord,thisisafrequentexperience

18Iusedtothinkthatthesethingswerelikelytoonlyhappeninthetemple.Theycanhappenanywherewemakeholybyourfaith.19AWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpirit,”pg.24

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youmayhave.Theseangelsmayofferyoudirection,comfort,orrebuke. But they always do this in the name of the Lord as Hisservants.Angelsarebeautiful, loving,serious,articulate,andveryclosetous.Theyrelishtheopportunitytoserveus,tocometoourrescue,tobringwhatweneed,andtohaveapartinourlives.But,theyarealsoeasilyoffended.TheHeavenlyRealmisn’tsomethingtomessaroundwith.AlwaysseektheLord’spermissionwhenconversingoraskingforhelpfromtheangelsoftheLord.

LearntofighttheAdversaryAbout the time I wrote that blessing, I also had many of theexperiencesIwroteaboutinmyfirstbook.ThisstartedasaheavydoseoftheAdversary,buttheLordwasintimatelyinvolvedfromthebeginning.Itwasn’tsomethingmywifeandIchosetoresearchorinvestigate.WewouldhearthevoiceoftheLordspeakingtous,andthenwewouldprayandreceiveinstructionsforhowtohandledifferentsituationswiththeAdversary.Atfirstthecommunicationsweremostlyauditory,bothfromtheLordandfromtheAdversary;butitbecameaquickprocessionintotheotherrevelatorystepsfromhere.Wewerefrequentlyvisitedbyangelsfromtheheavenlyrealmwhowouldteachuscertainthings,followedbyvariousencounterswithdarkspirits.Itwouldhavebeentoomuchifithadn’tbeenforthecomfortingloveoftheLordandtheencouragementoftheangelicministers.TherearemanygoodpeoplewhoreceivethebaptismoffireandtheGiftoftheHolyGhostwhichnevermakeitthisfar.TheyhearthevoiceoftheLord;perhapsexperienceholydreamsandvisions,andsomeoftheGiftsoftheSpirit;buttheyneverreallyhaveto

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dealwiththeAdversary. Iknowmanypeoplelikethis.Godblessthem,theyaresavedintheKingdom!Yes,theyarenowsonsanddaughtersofGod,bornagaininJesusChristandwillriseintheFirstResurrection.Ifthatisalltheydesireitshallbefinefornow;but,there is more. I’m not saying this to suggest you seek out anencounterwith theAdversary;but thatyoudon’t runaway.Thebestwaytohandle thiswouldbetoask theLordtohelpyoutounderstand and trust that Hewill give you the experiences youneed.TobecomeaservantoftheMostHigh,wemustlearntodefeattheenemy.TheLordwillnotgiveyoumorethanyoucanbear.Heisthearmorofyoursalvation.Hesetsthetermsofyourcallingandhowyoucanbeaservantintheselastdays.20Youcanchoosethedegreeofyourfaithfulness,but ifyouarefearlessandobedient;youwillseeanddothingsthatarebeyondyourcomprehension.

SeewithEyestheAngelsandtheAdversaryItdidn’ttakelongaftermyspiritualearsandsensesbegantoopenthat theeyessoon followed. Itwasn’ta splashofopen-visionatfirst. Itwasmore likefleetingglimpses.Usually,myeyelidswereopen as I would see, look, and move around. It was certainlystrangeandalittleconfusing.ItallfeltveryorganizedtomeastheLord’s voicewould announcewhatwas coming andwhat to donext.Everythingseemedfartoodetailedandlogicaltobearandomhallucinationordream.And ithappenedeverydayandnightforthreemonths.AfterawhilewhatwereshortglimpsesbecameclearopenvisionwhereIwouldseethenaturalsurroundingswiththespiritworldinteractingaroundme.

20Referringtothemissiongiventousbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Westillhaveouragencytobefaithfulornot.

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Usually thedaywas calmer,buteverynightat3:00AM“school”wouldbegin.MywifeandIknewtheseriousnessofwhatwewereexperiencing, but would look at each other and say, “Can youbelieveallthis?”Wewouldseethesamethings,whichwasalsoawitnesstousthatourexperienceswerereal.TwoofourchildrenwerealsoseeingmuchandwefelttoasktheLordtoclosetheireyesbecauseitwasbecomingtoodistractingintheirlives;whichHepromptlydid.For those who are reading this and feeling uncomfortable askyourselves, “Why am I uneasywith this topic?” Formany it is atradition,orunbeliefthattotalkoftheAdversaryistoonlyinvitehim, to bring evil uponourselves. Evil is all around and youwillnevershakeitas longasyouareachildofthelight inmortality.Youmustask theLord tohelpyou learn toprotectyourselfandyourfamily.YouwillnotlearnhowtodothisproperlyanyotherwaythanfromtheLorddirectly.Ihavekeptmyadviceminimalforthispurpose.Don’texpectanybook toadequatelyprepareyou.Seektounderstandrevelationandyouwilldowell.Learntohearthe voice of the Lord and youwill learn all youneed to protectyourself.Battlingtheadversarycanbeunnerving,butitwilllikelybeoneofthemostbeautifulexperiencesinyourlifebecauseyouwillbeintroducedtoangelsandthepowersofGodasyoulearntheprocess.

ExperiencetheSaviorThe term “Second Comforter” is an LDS description we use toexplainavisitwiththeLord.ItimpliesaclosenessorintimacywithHimthatisaculminationofourfaithandtheLord’sdesiretosharesomethingwithus.Wecancallitwhatwewish,butaninteractionwiththeLordisnotalwaysthesameforeachperson;andtherearedifferentdegreesorlevelsthatcanbeexperienced.

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Aboutthistimeinyourrevelatoryprogression,youmaybegintohavesacreddreamswhichincludetheSavior.ItisnotuncommontobewithHim in thesedreams, toseehisbodyandhands,butstruggle to see His face. This can be very frustrating for thosedesperatelyseekingHim.Bepatient,theLordispreparingyoufortheevent.When the time is right, notbecause you reached somepointofperfectrighteousness;butbecauseitistimeforyoutobeginyourmission, the Lord will reveal Himself to you. Some have beenconfusedbymylastbook,“HowToHaveYourSecondComforter,”thatallyouhadtodoisgothroughachecklistandtheLordwouldcome---itdoesn’tworkthatway.Thepurposeofthebookwastoshowhowithappenedforme;butforeachofyouitwillhappeninauniqueway.Thosewhoexercisegreatfaith(seekingrevelationandactinguponit),theywilldevelopanintimaterelationshipwiththeLordthatwilleventuallybearthefullfruitoftheknowledgeofGod.Youcannotsetatimelimitonit;butyoucanpressforward,knockingonthedoorsofheavenloudlyuntilyouhaveyourday.TheLordlovesyouanddesiresitasmuchasyoudo;however,itwillcomeatthebestandmostappropriatetime.TheLordknowswhenthatwillbe,sotrustinHim.

ExperiencetheFatherThereisareasonforeverystepofourrevelatoryprogression.Onerarelyoccurswithoutexperiencingtheprevioussteps.TheFatheralwayswitnessesof theSon,andtheSonof theFather. It is thetypical sequence, when entering the Throne of Heaven, to firstmeettheSon,andthentobeintroducedtotheFather.ThereareoccasionswheretheHolyFamilywillcondescendwithinthepillaroffireandattendtoaholyevent,butitisnottheproperwayforanyonetomeettheFatherbeforetheSon.

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ExperiencetheMotherIwasintroducedtoMotheraftertheFather.Ihadseenherbeforeinthepillarof fireatagatheringofagroupofpeoplewhenthepillaroffiredescended.Thespiritborewitnesstomewhoshewas,but it was not an introduction. Her grace and beauty was alsounearthly. To meet her is to experience the wisdom, love, andnurturingthatonlyaHolyMothercouldexude.Itisbreathtaking.Ihave been criticized for my descriptions of my experiences asunimpressivebecauseIdon’tdescribethepowerandgloryofGodadequately.I’msorry,butIadmitit.Ican’t.______________________________________Whenyoureachthepointwhereyouhavecometothetopofthe“StepsofRevelatoryProgression”howwillyoufeel? Ihopeyourlifewillbefilledwithheavenlyexperiences. Iwilltellyouthataslong as you are subject to the flesh itwill be difficult. Read thewordsofNephi:16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; andmyheartponderethcontinuallyuponthethingswhichIhaveseenandheard.17Nevertheless,notwithstandingthegreatgoodnessoftheLord,in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heartexclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, myheartsorrowethbecauseofmyflesh;mysoulgrievethbecauseofmineiniquities.18Iamencompassedabout,becauseofthetemptationsandthesinswhichdosoeasilybesetme.19AndwhenIdesiretorejoice,myheartgroanethbecauseofmysins;nevertheless,IknowinwhomIhavetrusted.

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20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me throughmineafflictionsinthewilderness;andhehathpreservedmeuponthewatersofthegreatdeep.21Hehathfilledmewithhislove,evenuntotheconsumingofmyflesh.22Hehathconfoundedmineenemies,untothecausingofthemtoquakebeforeme.23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath givenmeknowledgebyvisionsinthenight-time.24AndbydayhaveIwaxedboldinmightyprayerbeforehim;yea,my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down andministereduntome.25And upon thewings of his Spirit hathmy body been carriedaway upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes havebeheldgreatthings,yea,eventoogreatforman;thereforeIwasbiddenthatIshouldnotwritethem.26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in hiscondescension unto the children ofmen hath visitedmen in somuchmercy,whyshouldmyheartweepandmysoullingerinthevalley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strengthslacken,becauseofmineafflictions?27Andwhyshould Iyield tosin,becauseofmy flesh?Yea,whyshouldIgivewaytotemptations,thattheevilonehaveplaceinmyheart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why amIangrybecauseofmineenemy?28Awake,mysoul!No longerdroop insin.Rejoice,Omyheart,andgiveplacenomorefortheenemyofmysoul.29Donotangeragainbecauseofmineenemies.Donotslackenmystrengthbecauseofmineafflictions.30Rejoice,Omyheart,andcryuntotheLord,andsay:OLord,Iwillpraisetheeforever;yea,mysoulwillrejoiceinthee,myGod,andtherockofmysalvation.31OLord,wiltthouredeemmysoul?Wiltthoudelivermeoutofthehandsofmineenemies?WiltthoumakemethatImayshakeattheappearanceofsin?

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32Maythegatesofhellbeshutcontinuallybeforeme,becausethatmyheartisbrokenandmyspiritiscontrite!OLord,wiltthounot shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that Imaywalkinthepathofthelowvalley,thatImaybestrictintheplainroad!33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe ofthyrighteousness!OLord,wiltthoumakeawayformineescapebeforemineenemies!Wiltthoumakemypathstraightbeforeme!Wilt thounotplacea stumblingblock inmyway—but that thouwouldstclearmywaybeforeme,andhedgenotupmyway,butthewaysofmineenemy.[Adversary]34OLord,Ihavetrustedinthee,andIwilltrustintheeforever.Iwillnotputmytrustinthearmofflesh;forIknowthatcursedishethatputtethhistrustinthearmofflesh.Yea,cursedishethatputtethhistrustinmanormakethfleshhisarm.35Yea,IknowthatGodwillgiveliberallytohimthatasketh.Yea,myGodwillgiveme,ifIasknotamiss;thereforeIwill liftupmyvoice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock ofmyrighteousness.Behold,myvoiceshallforeverascendupuntothee,myrockandmineeverlastingGod.Amen.(2Nephi4:15-26)Someday you will be able to speak similarly to Nephi, as youexperiencemany of the same things. Don’t be discouraged, butrememberthattheLordismercifulandknowsyoubetterthanyouknowyourself.Hebelievesinyou!WheredoyouseeyourselfontheStepsofRevelatoryProgressionnow?Doyoufeelstuckorwonderwhyit’stakingsolong?Althoughmy journey really started over 25 years ago, I found that mydevelopmentwentfromthesecondtothelaststepwithinathree-year’stimeframe.Ithinkmuchofthishadtodowiththreethings.

• Lettinggoofexcessbaggage;thesinsandunbeliefsthatareoppressive.

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• Having faith, following the revelations the Lord gives, ascloselyaspossible.

• Thetiming:Whenthemomentofyourmissionistobegin.Theprocessof revelatoryprogression is learnedthroughwhat isreferredtoas“thegiftsoftheSpirit.”TheLordhascarefullymadeapathforeachofusifwewillturntoHimandsimplybelieve.Toooftenwewillnotpartakeofthegiftsthatareoursifwewouldonlyask,look,andpartake.

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DevelopingtheGiftsoftheSpiritTheLorddesiresustoknowHim.Howdowedothatbest;tohavean intimate relationship with the divine? If you read yourscriptures,praydiligently,gotochurchandthetemple,livealifepeace,kindness,andlove,isitsufficient?ThedegreeinwhichyouexperiencethegiftsoftheSpiritmaybedeterminedbythefaithwhichyouexercisetoknowHim.Howmanyexercisethegiftofprophesy,tongues,administeringofangels, andmiracles; as described byMoroni? Shouldn’t we beexperiencingthesethingsforourselvesandothersifwearetobethe Lord’s servants? The reason these things are not occurring,exceptonrareoccasions,isthatmanyofthefollowersofChristdonot knowhow to comeuntoChrist. This iswhatMoroni invitedeachofustodoinhislastwordsoftheBookofMormon.

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him,and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if yeshall deny yourselves of all ungodliness,and love God with all your might, mind andstrength,21thenishisgracesufficientforyou,thatbyhisgraceyemaybeperfectinChrist;andifbythegrace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can innowisedenythepowerofGod.”Moroni10:32

Thepurposeof theGifts of the Spirit is to becomeperfected inChrist. They are themeansbywhichweexercise the “powerofGod,”orthegiftsoftheSpirit.“AndnowIspeakuntoalltheendsoftheearth—that if thedaycomeththatthepowerandgiftsofGod shall be done away among you, it shall

21Theword“mind”referstoourthoughts.

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be because of unbelief.”22 Moroni tells us to “arise from thedust!”23These“unbeliefs”orfalsetraditionsstemfromamisunderstandingofhowtheLord’sGospelisgiven.Wheredoweturnforhelp?TheLordclearlylaidoutHisblueprintwhenHecametothepeopleofBountiful after His resurrection. Thesewere themore righteousremnantoftheNephitesthathadsurvivedthedestruction.TheywerepreparedtomeettheLord.WhatdidHeteachthem?First,He taught what is called the “Doctrine of Christ;” which isrepentance,baptismofwater,andtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.TheLorddidn’tdiveintothemysteriesorthefringedoctrinesofthechurch.Thesepeopleknewthetencommandmentsandfinerpoints of the Jewish law. But, the Lord chose to focus on Hisdoctrine.Whyarethesethreepartsofthedoctrinesoimportant?Repentanceisturningone’sheartovertotheLord.Itrequiresustoexercise faith, seeking the Lord’s word as received by His Spiritthrough the voice of His servants, holy scripture, and personalprayer.Duringthisstageofourspiritualdevelopmentwelearntodiscerngoodfromevil,toseethedifferencebetweenthevoiceoftheSpiritandtheAdversary.WeplanttheseedoffaithandreachouttoGodformercy;andwebegintorecognizetheGiftsoftheSpirit,aswereceiverevelationandfurtherinstruction.ThegiftsoftheSpiritarewhatmoveusforwardtoreceivingthefullblessings.As we progress we receive the Baptism of Water to make acovenantwiththeFatherasawitnesstoHimthatwewilltakethenameof JesusChristuponus.WeacceptHimasourSaviorandRedeemer.Itisanearthlyordinance,performedbeforewitnesses

22Moroni10:2423To“arisefromthedust”istoovercometheflesh.

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thatwemayjoinagroupoffellowbelieverstosustaineachotherasweseektheLord.24TheGiftoftheHolyGhostisthecrowningevent,aswearebaptizedwithfire,bringingfortharemissionofsins,makingusholytostandinthepresenceoftheLord. Ifwearesufficientlyhumble,withabrokenheartandcontriteSpirit,wewillreceivetheHolyGhostgift,whichisdifferentthanwhattheHolyGhostgavebefore.Now,youarechanged,bornagain,spirituallybegottenofJesusChrist.Yourspiritisnotthesame,youarecountedamongthespiritsoftheJust,claimedby Jesus Christ, a sonor daughter ofGod. Your spirit ismadeperfect.ThisgrandgiftispossiblebecauseofthemanyofthegiftsoftheSpirit,particularlythegiftofcharity.25These threepillarsof theDoctrineofChristmake it all possible.Anythingmoreorlessthanthiscomethofevil,doesitnot?Thisishowwe“comeuntoChrist.”26ImagineifyouhadbeenoneofthepeoplewhoweretherewhenChristcametoAmerica.EachwereabletotouchthemarksonHisbodyandbeawitnessofHisdivinity.OnebyonetheycameforthandhadanindividualexperiencewiththeLord.Therewereabout2500men,women,andchildrenwhodid;thereismoretothatthanisapparent.TheyallreceivedwhatwecalltheSecondComforter.ReceivingtheGiftsoftheSpiritiscloselytiedtooursalvationandexaltation;therefore,wemustlearntoopenourspiritualsenses,toexperiencethesegifts,sothatwetoocanknowtheLordandbeawitnessofHimtoothers.

24Mosiah18:8-9,Mosiah25:23-24,Alma6:625AWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpirit,pg.78263Nephi11:39-40

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TheBook,“AWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpirit,”isareferenceforthevariousgiftstheLordwouldhaveususe.Becomefamiliarwithitscontentandprayforapersonalwitnessforyourself.

SacredImaginationThenaturalgiftof imaginationisoftennurturedamongchildren,but harnessed and suppressed as they grow into adulthood,replacedwith conformity, propriety, and responsibility. Childrencanseeaworldfilledwithunseenpossibilities;objectsoffrivolitycan be toys for the imagination. Are children weaker spirituallybecausetheyseeandthinkoutsideofthephysical?Aswematuresuchthingsbecometalesoffantasyandentertainment.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye beconverted, and become as little children, ye shallnotenter intothekingdomofheaven.Whosoeverthereforeshallhumblehimselfasthislittlechild,thesame is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”Matthew18:3-4

Whatdoesitmeantohumbleoneselfasalittlechild?Littlechildrenhavegreatfaith.Tothemallthingsarepossible.Doyouhavethefaithtobelieve,totrysomethingthat isagainstalladultrationalreasoning?Whatwillyoudo?OnlyifyoubecomeasachildcanyouentertheKingdomofHeaven.Weliveinaworldofphysicaltangibility.Allthingsareexperiencedthroughthesensesofsight,sound,smell,touch,andtaste.Ifitfallsoutsidethoseparametersitcannotbemeasuredorjustifiedbythecarnalmind.Most canonly “imagine” how the realmof heavenwouldbe. Iwish I couldadequatelydescribe these things,but itmustbeexperiencedtotrulyunderstand.Ourphysicalbodiesaremadeofthedustoftheearth,andlikedust,areherenowandgonetomorrow. The spirit endures and our imaginations, through

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dream27andvision,connectustoarealmthecarnalmindcannotendure.

“And again, verily I say unto you that it is yourprivilege,andapromise Igiveuntoyou thathavebeen ordained unto this ministry, [Pray to knowwhatthismeansforyou]thatinasmuchasyoustripyourselves from jealousies and fears, [don’tcompareyourselftoothers]andhumbleyourselvesbeforeme,foryearenotsufficientlyhumble,[fullsubmission,asachild]theveilshallberentandyoushall see me and know that I am—not with thecarnalneithernaturalmind,butwiththespiritual.FornomanhasseenGodatanytimeintheflesh,exceptquickenedbytheSpiritofGod.NeithercananynaturalmanabidethepresenceofGod,neitherafterthecarnalmind.Yearenotabletoabidethepresence of God now, neither the ministering ofangels;wherefore,continueinpatienceuntilyeareperfected.(D&C67:10-13)

The“carnal”andnaturalmindisoftheflesh;whereas,thespiritualmindallowsustobearthepresenceofangels,andofGod.Iusethewords“sacredimagination”todescribethemechanismforopeningthespiritualsenses.HowdoesGodviewthemindofman?DoesGodfavortheimagination?Thecarnalmindisahardnuttocrack.28“Remember,tobecarnally-mindedisdeath,andtobespiritually-mindedislifeeternal.”29Whatisthecarnalmind?30TheapostlePaulsaid:27Dreamsareourspiritmindhungeringforexpression.28Alma36:4292Nephi9:3930“Carnal”isrelatedtophysicalneedsofthebody.Oftenassociatedwiththingslustful.

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“Thattherighteousnessofthelaw[thepurposeofGod’sworks]mightbefulfilledinus,whowalknotafter the flesh, but after the Spirit. [according torealmoftheSpirit]Fortheythatareafterthefleshdomindthethingsof the flesh; [thecarnalmind]but they thatareafter theSpirit the thingsof theSpirit. [the spiritual mind and senses] For tobecarnallymindedisdeath;[temporalonly]buttobespirituallymindedislifeandpeace.[EternalLife]Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:[Does not understand God and closes the doorbetweenusandHim.]foritisnotsubjecttothelawof God, neither indeed can be. So then they thatareinthefleshcannotpleaseGod.[Thecarnalmindcannotopenthespiritualsenses.]Butyearenotintheflesh,butintheSpirit,ifsobethattheSpiritofGod dwell in you. [Your spiritual senses areawakened,becausetheHolyGhostisinyou.]NowifanymanhavenottheSpiritofChrist,heisnoneofhis.”Romans8:4-9

Are these verses teaching us to have our physical actions bespiritualinsteadofphysical?Paulclearlysaysto“walknotaftertheflesh,butaftertheSpirit.”Thisisnotaphysicalexperience.Wearetoldtobe“spirituallyminded,”whichissomethinginsideofus,notofthephysicalsenses.

“There is no such thing as immaterial matter.Allspirit ismatter,but it ismorefineorpure,andcan only be discerned by purer eyes; Wecannotseeit;butwhenourbodiesarepurifiedweshallseethatitisallmatter.”D&C131:7-8

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Howdoesonedevelop“purereyes?”Thespirit ismatter,asrealandtangibleasphysical,butmorerefined.Josephsaysourbodiesmustbepurified tosee. Ishespeakingofourphysicalbodiesorspiritual bodies? What would be an example of one who isspirituallyminded?

“Itismymeditationalltheday,andmorethanmymeatanddrink,toknowhowIshallmaketheSaintsof God comprehend the visions that roll like anoverflowingsurgebeforemymind.Oh!howIwoulddelighttobringbeforeyouthingswhichyouneverthoughtof!Butpovertyandthecaresoftheworldprevent. But I am glad I have the privilege ofcommunicatingtoyousomethingswhich,ifgraspedclosely, will be a help to you when earthquakesbellow,thecloudsgather,thelightningsflash,andthestormsarereadytoburstuponyoulikepealsofthunder.Layholdof thesethingsand letnotyourkneesor jointstremble,noryourheartsfaint;andthenwhatcanearthquakes,warsandtornadoesdo?Nothing.”31

TheLordoncetoldme,“everyorganandmechanisminourbodyisforapurposetohelpusachievewhatweneedinthislifeandthenext.”Why dowedream?Whydowe imagine?Here are somedefinitionsIhavebeengivenoftheLord:TheHeart–seatofourdesires32TheMind–theplaceofourimaginationandmemory3331HistoryoftheChurch,5:362322Chronicles15:15,Psalm37:4,Proverbs23:7,Mosiah18:10-11,Alma19:33,Alma33:2333Luke10:27

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TheSoul–theplacewithinuswhereourspiritandmindgrowinknowledge and understanding. The testing ground for eternalprogression.34TheSpirit–thetrueidentityofourselves,ourgloryandlight.

“Andthou,Solomonmyson,knowthoutheGodofthyfather,andservehimwithaperfectheart[withmeekness and humility] and with a willingmind:[willingnesstobelieveandtoseekforrevelation]for the Lord searcheth all hearts [knows yourdesires]andunderstandethalltheimaginationsofthethoughts:[seestheimagesofyourcreation]ifthouseekhim,[SeektheLordintheSpirit]hewillbe foundof thee; [SecondComforter] but if thouforsake him, he will cast thee off forever.”[Perdition]1Chronicles28:9

The desires of our hearts and imaginations of our thoughts arewhatwilldeterminewhethertheLordrevealsHimselftous.“Forashethinkethinhisheart,soishe:”35When I first began to experience the Heavenly Realm I wasoverwhelmedwith the freedomandvastnessof thatdimension.EverythingIthoughtwasaphysicallawwasdissolvedimmediately.In fact, the only physical limitations there are thosewe impedeupon ourselves. Anything the mind can conceive is capable ofbecomingarealityforit.WhenoneisconnectedtotheHolySpirit,ordivinelightandenergyofGod,allthingsarebeforethem.Theamount of lightwe carry determines howmuch knowledge andglorywecanexercise. Inotherwords—whatwecancreate.The34Deuteronomy6:5,2Kings23:25,JosephSmithreplacestheword“soul”with“mind”inthesescriptures:2Nephi25:29,Mosiah2:11,Alma39:13,Moroni10:32,D&C4:2,D&C11:20,D&C20:31,D&C33:7,D&C59:5,D&C98:4735Proverbs23:7To“think”istomakedecisions.

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Lord will not share His light with those who are incapable ofexercising sufficient faith.What does thatmean? To righteously(accordingtoGod’swill)createarealitythatbuildstheKingdomofGod.Inotherwords:tobeonewiththeFatherandSoninpurpose,andhaveafullnessofjoy.Wheredoesthatjoycomefrom?All creation begins with a thought. Thoughts come fromexperience.Whathaveyouseenbefore?Wherehaveyoubeen?Whathaveyoubeentaught?Haveyoulearnedaboutit?Haveyoutouchedit,smelledit,tastedit,hearditssound,feltitsvibration?WhatisEternalLife?ItistoknowtheEternalFatherandHisSon,towalkwithHimandknowwhatHeknows,becausewetoohaveexperiencedit.Often,wehearthequestion,“Whatisthepurposeofmortality?”Usually,theansweristoexperiencethefleshsowecanknowthegoodfromthebad.Itdoesn’ttakelongforsomeonetoknowthedifferencebetweenpleasureandpain.Whywouldaspiritseekforpain?DidnottheLordcasttheevilspiritsintotheswinefromthepossessedmanattheirrequesttoonlyseethemraceoveraclifftotheirdeath?36Whywouldaspiritseekexperiencesofanegativekind?

11 For it must needs be, that there isanoppositioninallthings.[Thegoodandbadmustgrowtogether inatemporalexistence.] Ifnotso,myfirstborninthewilderness,righteousnesscouldnotbebroughttopass,neitherwickedness,neitherholiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.Wherefore,allthingsmustneedsbeacompoundinone;[Withoutknowledge.]wherefore, if itshouldbeonebodyitmustneedsremainasdead,havingno life neither death, nor corruption nor

36Matthew8:30-32

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incorruption, happiness normisery, neither sensenor insensibility. [State of existence of anunglorifiedintelligence,firstestate.]12Wherefore,itmustneedshavebeencreatedforathingofnaught;whereforetherewouldhavebeennopurpose in the endof its creation.Wherefore,this thingmustneedsdestroy thewisdomofGodandhiseternalpurposes,andalsothepower,andthemercy, and the justiceofGod. [This temporalworld brings to pass God’s purposes to help usreachthefullmeasureofourcreation.]13Andifyeshallsaythereisnolaw,yeshallalsosaythereisnosin.Ifyeshallsaythereisnosin,yeshallalsosaythereisnorighteousness.Andiftherebenorighteousnesstherebenohappiness.Andiftherebeno righteousnessnorhappiness therebenopunishmentnormisery.AndifthesethingsarenotthereisnoGod.AndifthereisnoGodwearenot,neithertheearth;fortherecouldhavebeennocreation of things, neither to act nor to be actedupon; wherefore, all things must have vanishedaway. [Remained in their unorganized stateforever.]14Andnow,mysons,Ispeakuntoyouthesethingsforyourprofitandlearning;forthereisaGod,andhehathcreatedallthings,boththeheavensandtheearth,andallthingsthatinthemare,boththingstoact and things to be acted upon. [The ability tocreate and organize the element (intelligence)accordingtothemeasureofitscapacity.]15And tobringabouthiseternalpurposes in theendofman,afterhehadcreatedourfirstparents,andthebeastsofthefieldandthefowlsoftheair,and in fine, all things which are created, it mustneeds be that there was an opposition; even

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theforbiddenfruitinoppositiontothetreeoflife;theonebeingsweetandtheotherbitter.[Allthingsweregivenfortheuseofmanfortheirexperience.]16Wherefore,theLordGodgaveuntomanthatheshould act for himself. Wherefore, man couldnot act for himself save it should be that hewas enticed by the one or the other. [We chosewhatwewilldo,think,act,say,touch,smell,feel,andcreate.]2Nephi2:11-16

Withoutexperiencingthegoodandtheevilofallthingswecannotcomprehend the power of creation.37 To see it is tomake it so,accordingtothedivinewilloftheFather.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen. For by it theelders obtained a good report. Through faith weunderstand that the worlds were framed bythewordofGod,sothatthingswhichareseenwerenot made of things which do appear.” Hebrews11:1-3

Whatishope?Hopeistolookforwardtoanevent;toseeitandmakeitso.Paulsaid“thatthingswhichareseen[inthemind]werenotmadeof thingswhichdoappear [to thephysicaleyes].”Wecannot expect to put the cart before the horse, because you“receivenowitnessuntilafterthetrialofyourfaith.”38Thiskindof“trial” isthesameasatestorexperiment,theactofcreatingbytheSpiritandseeingtherealityofitswitness.37Evilspiritsdesperatelydesirephysicalexperiences.Itistheonlyplatformforcreationtheywillhaveintherealmofouterdarkness.Becausetheydonotdeveloptheirfaithmuchinmortality,theirabilitytocreateislimited.38Ether12:6

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Ihavewrittenthisdefinitionoffaith:“toseekafterrevelationandtoactuponit.”Whatisrevelation?ItisdivinecommunicationfromtheLord.Howis itreceived?Bothbyword,vision,andallthingsspiritual.Whatisthe“faith”principlethatisthepowerofGodintheheavenlyrealm?TheLordhassaid,

• “Hewhohathfaithtoseeshallsee.”39• “...byfaithallthingsarefulfilled.”40• “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and

awillingmind;”41• “...openyourearsthatyemayhear,andyourheartsthat

yemayunderstand,andyourmindsthatthemysteriesofGodmaybeunfoldedtoyourview.”42

As we grow in faith, the gifts of the Spirit, and knowledge, ourabilitytoexperienceintheheavenlyrealmexpands.Welearntouseoursacredimaginationtoplanttheseedoffaithuntilitbearsfruit.

“Andnow,behold,isyourknowledgeperfect?Yea,your knowledge is perfect in that thing, andyourfaith isdormant;andthisbecauseyouknow,foryeknowthatthewordhathswelledyoursouls,andyealsoknowthatithathsproutedup,thatyourunderstanding doth begin to be enlightened, andyourminddothbegintoexpand.”Alma32:34

Whatstartsasa“word”beginstoenlightenyour“understanding”andthe“mind”beginstoexpand.Howdoesamindexpand?Does

39D&C42:4940Ether12:3AllthoughtsreceivedbytheSpiritaremademanifest.41D&C64:34Hedidn’taskforastrongbody,greatoratoryskills,orintellectualsuperiority.Hewantsyourdesiresandthoughts.42Mosiah2:9

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itmeanwehavemoreIQandbrainfunction?Or,doesitmeanweexpandourabilitytohavefaith?Moroni said regarding angelic ministers, “For behold, they aresubject unto him, to minister according to the word of hiscommand, showing themselves unto themof strong faith and afirmmindineveryformofgodliness.”43Angelswillshowthemselvestothosewitha“firmmind ineveryformof godliness.” That’s a loadedverse.44Whatmakesamindfirm? It isonewhich isnoteasilydistractedby the thingsof theflesh; that is focuseduponfaithandrevelation.Theterm“everyformofgodliness”referstothegiftsoftheSpirit.Inthemareallthepowersofgodlinessmanifest.

“And this greater priesthood administereth thegospelandholdeththekeyofthemysteriesofthekingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the powerofgodlinessismanifest.Andwithouttheordinancesthereof, and the authority of the priesthood, thepowerofgodlinessisnotmanifestuntomenintheflesh;ForwithoutthisnomancanseethefaceofGod,eventheFather,andlive.”D&C84:19-22

To experience a fullness of the Father requires the greaterrelationship or “priesthood.” The ordinances received, both thephysicalinthetemporalbody(lesserpriesthood),andthespiritualordinances in the heavenly realm (higher priesthood), require awitness of your faith. The temporalworld helps us to grow ourfaith,todevelopourdivineimagination,toprepareustobelikethe

43Moroni7:3044AnangelofGodisanyanointedbeingsentfromthepresenceoftheFather.

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Father and the Son; to exercise that higher priesthood. JosephSmithsaid:

“…All thegiftsof theSpirit arenotvisible to thenaturalvision,orunderstandingofman;indeedveryfewofthemare.…Fewofthemcouldbeknownbythegeneralityofmen.”45

ThegiftsoftheSpiritarethesacredimaginationsbeingexercised,thepowerofgodlinessinaction.Youhaveitwithinyouevennowthepowertoopenthewindowsofheaven,buttheunbeliefwhichafflictthecarnalmancreatesabarrierbetweenusandGod.Howcanwepulldownthatwall?

“Behold,thatwhichyouhearisasthevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness—inthewilderness,becauseyoucannotseehim—myvoice,becausemyvoiceisSpirit;mySpiritistruth;truthabidethandhathnoend; and if it be in you it shall abound. And ifyoureyebesingletomyglory,yourwholebodiesshall be filled with light, and there shall be nodarknessinyou;andthatbodywhichisfilledwithlightcomprehendethallthings.Therefore,sanctifyyourselves thatyourmindsbecomesingle toGod,andthedayswillcomethatyoushallseehim;forhewillunveilhis faceuntoyou,and it shallbe inhisowntime,andinhisownway,andaccordingtohisownwill.”D&C88:66-68

45HistoryoftheChurch,5:26–31;bracketedwordsinsecondparagraphinoriginal;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“GiftoftheHolyGhost,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,June15,1842,pp.823–25;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.

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Whatdoesitmeanthatour“eyebesingle”toHisglory?ItmeanstobefocuseduponHim;notjustouractions,butourthoughts.Tousetheword“eye”assingular, insteadof“eyes,” istoimplythemindandsacredimagination.AsourbodiesarefilledwithHislightandglorywe“comprehendethallthings,”astheLordguidesthesethoughts.To“sanctify”istomakesomethingholytotheLord.Thiscomes by receiving the baptism of fire and theGift of theHolyGhost.ThentheLordwillrevealHisfacetoyouatthepropertime.Muchoftheprocessofopeningoursacredimaginationwilloccuras we ponder the words of the Lord in private. Here, ourimaginationcanallowthevisualimageryinourmindtoopenuptovisionsand revelatory information.When the Lordwaswith theNephitesheperceivedthattheirmindswereclosedandcouldnotcomprehendallHiswords.

“Therefore, go ye unto your homes,andponderuponthethingswhichIhavesaid,andask of the Father, in my name, that ye mayunderstand, and prepare your minds forthemorrow,andIcomeuntoyouagain.”46

AllowingyoursacredimaginationtoflowastheSpiritoftheLordiswithyou,willopentheveilofyourmindthatyoucansee,hear,andunderstand.47Tothinklikeachild,tobelieveallthings,totrustinyourFather,tocometoHimonly.ThiswillopenupafullnessoftheHeavenly Realm and you will know Him; because you will haveexperiencedwhatHehas,andhaveEternalLife.

9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor earheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,[carnal man] the things which Godhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim.[TheendlessmysteriesofHeaven]

463Nephi17:3,D&C30:1-3commandedtoponder47D&C110:1

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10ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deepthings of God. [The gifts of the Spirit reveal allthings.]11Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisinhim?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.[OnlyinandthroughtheSpiritcantheseberevealed.]12 Now we have received, not the spirit of theworld,butthespiritwhichisofGod;thatwemightknowthethingsthatarefreelygiventousofGod.13Which things also we speak, not in the wordswhichman’swisdomteacheth,butwhichtheHolyGhost teacheth; comparing spiritual things withspiritual.[Therespiritualsenseswereopened.]14ButthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neither can he know them, because theyarespirituallydiscerned.15Buthethatisspiritualjudgethallthings,yethehimselfisjudgedofnoman.16ForwhohathknownthemindoftheLord,thathe may instruct him? But we have the mind ofChrist.(1Corinthians11)

Paulsaysthatthe“eye,ear,andheart”arethespiritualreceptorsthatwillopenus to theKingdomofHeaven.According toPaul’sword,theLordwillrevealthisrealmtousinfourways:Searching:“theSpiritsearchethallthings.”WemustsearchbytheSpiritintothedeepthingsofGod.(vs.10-11)Receiving:“Nowwehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld,butthespiritwhichisofGod,thatwemightknowthethingsthatarefreelygiventousofGod.”(vs.12-14)TheLordfreelygivesuntous.

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Teaching:“…HolyGhostteacheth;”WearetaughtbytheSpiritbywhatweseeandexperience,themeaningandpurposesbehindHisworks.(thisiswisdom)Judging: “…he that is spiritual judgeth all things;” to judge is toseparateandtoorganizeaccordingtotheLord.Therighteouscandiscernthetruth,becauseHewillhavethemindofChrist.(vs.15-16)IhopethatyoucanclearlyseethepatterntheLordusestohelpusseewithaneyeof faith.Willyouexperiment, toplantaseedoffaith, the seed of your imagination, that you may begin toexperiencethegiftsoftheSpiritoftheLord?ThefirstwordIeverheardfromtheLordwas“YES.”48ThefirstphraseIeverheardfromHimwas,“Bebelieving.”EverythingelseIhavereceivedhascometomebecauseIwaswillingtoexercisethisfaith.

48ThefirstaudiblewordIeverheardasayoungboycameuponaskinginprayer,“WasJosephSmithaprophet?”

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ExercisesandVisualizationsThissectionwillpresentsomeexercisesandvisualizationsthatwillhelpyoubegintoseeintheSpirit.Togetstarted,Iwanttoshareananalogy:Ihaveasonwholovesmartialarts.Recentlyhetestedforhisblack-beltandadvancedinhisschool.Thejoyandsatisfactiononhisfacewasthrillingformetowitness.Ittookhimfiveyearsofconsistentexerciseandstudytoreachhisgoal.Irememberhisfirstweekintheclassasawhite-beltrank.Attheageoftwelvehestoodamongkidsasyoungassix.Hewasalittleembarrassedandwasintimidatedbythehigherbeltsthat“kneweverything.” Their physical movements seemed effortless, and Irememberhimsayingtome,“Idon’tknowifIwanttodothis.”Hewasawkward in thoseearlymonthsashestruggledto learntheformsanddisciplineofmartialarts.Intime,hebegantoseegreatimprovementsashegrewinknowledge.Some of you are like the lower belt student trying to get yourbearings on a new discipline. Each of us come to the Lord at adifferent level. You cannot compare yourself and allow theAdversarytotellyouitishopeless.Youcannotrunfasterthanyouhavestrength.Thereisaprocessofmaturityasyougrowfromonelevel to the next. How quickly can a new martial arts studentbecomeablack-belt?Ittakestime.Similarly,withthosewhodesiretouse the gifts of the Spirit, youmust bepatient and learn theforms.Whenorganizingaworkoutroutine,youusuallygetoutofitwhatyouputintoit.Ifyouonlyexerciseonceaweekdon’texpecthugeresults. But if it is a daily, carefully planned routine, pushingyourself to the limits, you will progress rapidly and reach great

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heights.Youmayexperienceaperiodoftimewithmuscleaches,asyourbody(spiritualbody)adaptstothenewload.Theprocessofbreakingdowntheoldmuscletobuildupthenewisrequiredforittostrengthen.Thisiswhenthemostgrowthoccurs.

StageOne:CreateaplatformYourplatformisthestateofyoursoul,mindandspirit.Itmustbefertilesoiltogrowyourspiritualsenses.IfyouaresufferingfromanyoftheattributesthatpreventyoufromexperiencingthegiftsoftheSpirit,aslistedinthefirstsection,thatiswhereyoushouldstart.Besureyouhaveidentifiedanydeterrents.TheLordsaidthatifoursoilisrocky,theseedmaynotgrow.

“Andhespakemanythingsuntotheminparables,saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Andwhenhe sowed, some seeds fell by theway side,andthefowlscameanddevouredthemup:Somefell upon stony places, where they had notmuchearth:andforthwiththeysprungup,becausetheyhadnodeepnessofearth:Andwhen thesunwasup, theywerescorched;andbecause theyhadnoroot, they withered away. And some fellamong thorns; and the thorns sprung up, andchoked them: But other fell into good ground,andbroughtforthfruit,someanhundredfold,somesixtyfold,somethirtyfold.Whohathearstohear,lethimhear.”Matthew13:3-9

Yourplatformbeginswiththesincerityofyourdesire,intent,andpassion.NocasualpursuitoftheLordwillyieldthedesiredresultstoparttheveilandexperiencethepowerofgodliness.Thereisamoment in every person’s life where theymust choose to takeactionanddosomethingunconventional.JosephSmithhadalife

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alteringmomentwhen the Spirit of the Lord spoke to himwithgreatpowerashewasreadingJames1:5:

“Neverdidanypassageofscripturecomewithmorepowertotheheartofmanthanthisdidatthistimetomine. It seemed to enterwith great force intoeveryfeelingofmyheart.Ireflectedonitagainandagain, knowing that if any personneededwisdomfromGod,Idid;forhowtoactIdidnotknow,andunlessIcouldgetmorewisdomthanIthenhad,Iwouldneverknow;fortheteachersofreligionofthedifferentsectsunderstoodthesamepassagesofscripturesodifferentlyastodestroyallconfidenceinsettlingthequestionbyanappealtotheBible.’“At length, I came to the conclusion that I musteither remain in darkness and confusion, or else Imustdoas Jamesdirects, that is, askofGod. I atlengthcametothedeterminationto“askofGod,”concluding that if he gave wisdom to them thatlacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and notupbraid, I might venture.” Joseph Smith History1:12-13

Taking the first step of asking God for help, seeking wisdom toknowwhatyoushoulddoisthebeginningofyourplatform.Youmay not get an answer right away. Perhaps you will need toevaluate, think it over, ponder your situation, and the LordwillansweryouinHisownway.Thenextimportantstep,whichwillhelptolayyourfoundationtobeginthisjourney,istolearnhowtofillyourmindwithvirtue.“... let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shallthyconfidencewaxstronginthepresenceofGod;andthedoctrine

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of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews fromheaven.”49That is beautiful imagery. Imagine the inspired thoughts anddoctrinesoftheheavenlyrealm,likethemorningdew,appearingsoftly,withouteffortuponyourmind.AsyoucometoknowtheLord more intimately your “confidence” becomes strong in theLord’spresence.Whatdoesthatmean?YouwillknowwhenHeistrulytherewhenHeisspeakingtoyou.Youwilldiscerntruth.Youwillbeunafraidtoaskquestions.ThebrotherofJaredwasunafraidtoaskquestions.Hehadgreatconfidence,andtheLordshowedHimgreatthings;morethanHewaspermittedtowrite.Virtueisallthingsgoodandgodly.Togarnishyourthoughtswiththis kindof good is to seek all thingsbeautiful, inspiring, Christ-centered, and truthful. It is to gather and nurture imagery,experiences,words,music,andartwhichbringsyouclosertotheLord.Avoidingall thingswhich inspire thecarnalmind isagoodplace to start. What might that be? Most modern forms ofentertainmentarenotupliftingtothespiritualmind.Thingsthatareunholy,sarcastic,vulgar,orleadthemindtothink,ponder,and“imagen”asinfulthoughtshouldbenauseatingtothesoul.

“AndwhyshouldIyieldtosin,becauseofmyflesh?Yea,whyshouldIgivewaytotemptations,thattheevil one have place in my heart to destroymy peace and afflict my soul? Why amIangrybecauseofmineenemy?Awake,mysoul!Nolongerdroop in sin.Rejoice,Omyheart, andgiveplacenomorefortheenemyofmysoul.”2Nephi4:27-28

49D&C121:45

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HerearesomeexercisesortasksIwouldrecommendbeginning,tobuildtheplatformofhavingapureheart.Youmayfeelyoualreadyare past this beginning phase, but like a nutritious diet is thefundamentalstartingpointforagreatathlete.Youtoomustfeedyourspiritwithwhatitneedstogrow.Exercises:

• StartyourdaywiththeFourStepPrayer,andreallyfocusoneachstep.Allowyourmindtoponder.50Thisprayermethodhelps you to daily self-evaluate yourself and yourrelationship with the Lord. Prayer is a powerful startingpoint.

• Use your moments driving, resting, and leisure time,prayingormeditatingonthingsoftheSpirit.ContemplatewhatyouwanttoknowfromtheLord.Whatquestionsdoyouhave forHimaboutyourself?Writedownyour ideasbeforehandsoyouwillremember.

• Consideryourdesires,makealistofwhatkindofthingsyouthinkaboutthemost.Bereflectiveandhonest.Tryandratethesefrommostcommonsubjectsyouthinkoftotheleast.

• Thinkofalistofthingsyoucandotogarnishyourthoughtsthatarevirtuous?Considerupliftingmusic,visitingnature,art, subjects of study, history, books, movies, scripturestories,theatre,etc.Beverypicky.Thinkofyourmindlikeadelicious healthy meal. Do not cut corners on theingredients.Donotputanythingrotteninthemix.Evenapinchofpoisoninalargebowlcanmakeyousick.

• Consider your environment. Does your work, home, car,placesyouvisit,andofficeaddvirtuetoyourlifestyle.WhatcanyoudotomakethemmoreholyandconducivetotheSpirit?ThepurposeistopointyourthoughtstowardGod.

50https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/four-steps-to-powerful-prayer/

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• Consider your triggerswith the ones you love. Are therecertain situations or people that continually inducenegativeemotionsorthoughts?Howcanyouresolvethesesituations?Prayforguidance.

• Ifyouaremarried,beparticularlysensitivetoyourspouse.Speakkindly,doserviceforthem;especiallytheonestheylikeyoutodothatyouhatedoing!

• Whatdoyouusuallyhaveconversationsaboutwithothers?Are they trivial andunholy?Howcanyouchange that togathervirtuearoundyou?Isthereawayyoucansteertheconversationstowardinspiringsubjects?Doacarefulself-evaluation.

• Consideryourtastes inmusic,art,media,andfriends.Doyouneedtomakeachange?Ifyouthinkyouaretoooldforchange,youmaysufferfromafaithdeficiency.

• Read the scriptures more. Do you find the scripturesboring? If so, why? Usually it is because we do notunderstandwhatwearereading.Youdon’thavetopickupthe scriptures and read from page one to the end. Goddoesn’tkeepascoreofhowmanypagesyouread.Helooksuponyourheart.Thepurposeofscriptureistofillyourmindwithvirtuousthoughts;tocauseyoutoponderthetruthsofeternity;tohelpyouformulatethequestionstoasktheLord.Thescripturesarealaunchingpointtorevelation.Likeyourown“UrimandThummim.”Agoodwaytousescriptureistopickaninterestingwordandlookupalltheversesthatcontainthatwordandreadthem,ponderthem,andseewhattheLordspeakstoyourmind.Thevirtueofgodlinesswillexplodewithinyou.

Ihavejust listedarecipeforrepentance.ToturnyourheartanddesirestotheLordistorepent.Thefruitofrepentanceisbaptismand theHolyGhost. The Lord knewhow to set the stage for uswhenHegavetheDoctrineofChrist.Repentancedoesn’tmeanwe

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areperfect.Youwillneverbeperfectinaphysicalsense.Spiritually,yes,whenyouarecleansedwithabaptismoffire;butuntilthenseek tocomeuntoChristbymakingyourselfholyandsanctifiedfromtheworld.Anyserioussinswillhavelesspoweroverusaswecleansethefoundationofourthoughts,andbuildtheplatformtoreceivethegiftsoftheSpirit.StageTwo:HowDoYouFeel?As your virtue increases, your sensitivity to the Spirit will alsoincrease.YouwillbeabletodiscerntheAdversarymoreeasily.NottoolongagoIundertookalongwaterfastwhichlastedelevendays.ItwasthefirsttimeIhadeverdoneanywaterfastingbeyond36hours.Honestly,Ididn’tknowifIcoulddoit.WhatifIgetsick?Ididsomeresearchbeforebeginningandmostwebsitesadvisedusing different supplements and strategies. The Lord personallyinstructedmetodothisfastandsaidtoonlydrinkwater. Itwascertainlyaleapoffaithforme.When the fastwas finished Ihad learnedmanyvaluable lessonsandbenefitedbothphysicallyandspiritually.Onething InoticedwashowmysensitivitytowhatIateandwhatIlookedatbecamemoreacute.AsIbrokemyfastIatesmallportionsofchickenbroththefirstday.ItwasthemostdelicioussoupIhadeverhad,althoughImighthavefound it unpalatable just twoweeks before. I had become verysensitive tomy sense of taste. I also noticed thatmy desire forsugardecreased.AfewdaysafterbreakingmyfastIatesomethingthathadasmallamountofsugar in itandIcouldeasilytaste itspungentflavorinthefood.Itdidn’ttastegoodtome,becauseIwasfarmoresensitive.

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Spiritually, I noticed during the fast that I was very sensitive tospiritual promptings. I was more emotionally in tune to thingsaroundme. Although I hardly had the energy to domy normalroutineIwasoftenlostinmythoughts,andmymindwasfocuseduponvirtuousthings.Itwasawonderfulexperience,andIwouldhavecontinuedanotherweek,buttheLordsaiditwasenoughfornow.NextyearIwillattempttodoubleittotwentydays.Iknowfasting this length of time seems unhealthy, but you would besurprised.Thingsarenotalwaysasyouthink,andwhattheworldteachesusas factual isoften false. I trusted in theLordandmyprayerswereanswered.Howcanfastinghelpyou?First,youwouldneedtoprayandasktheLordwhatHewouldhaveyoutodo.Justfollowyourgutatthispoint.Remember,fastingcomesinvariouskinds.Afastisbeneficialinanyareawhereyoursensesaredulledoroverloaded.Thiscanbe with food, media, criticism or self and/or others, excessivesleep, selfishness, the list is endless and the Spirit can help youknowwhattofastfrom.InStageOneyoumadealonglistandanalysisofwhereyouareonthe platform of your spiritual beginnings. Perhaps a “fast” fromcertainthingsorenvironmentsthatpreventyoufromhavingvirtuewouldbeagoodplacetostart.Asyoucleanawaythetemptationand practice temperance, youwill be given added strength andsensitivitytowardopeningyourspiritualself.Exercises:

• Takeadaytowritehowyoufeltwitheachdailyencounter.Carryanotebookwithyoueverywhereyougo.Whenyouspokewithsomeoneorwentsomewhere,howdidyoufeelboth physically and spiritually? Could it be discernedvisually,orwasitjustafeeling?Wasitdarknessorlight?

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• The subjectsweponder themost influenceour thoughtsand actions. Go for awalk alone.What kind of thoughtscometoyourmind?Howdoyoufeel?

• Go into your closet or private place and sit downcomfortablyontheground.BeginaprayerusingtheFourStepPrayerand thenallowyourself toponder.How longcan you go before virtue is intruded by an inappropriatethought?If it isalmost immediately interrupted,continuetopraythroughituntilvirtuereturnsandseehowlongyoucango.Likeanoutofshaperunnertryingtobuildupthestaminatorunlongdistance,youmayneedtojogandwalkforawhilebeforeyoucanrun.Remember,youcannothavefullnessofthegiftsoftheSpiritunlessyouareclean.Workat thisuntil youcangoa fullhourwithoutanunvirtuousthoughtenteringyourmind.IfyouresisttheAdversaryintheLord’snameyouwillbestrengthened.

• Gobyyourselftothelocalshoppingmall.Asyouwalkpastthe stores and people, how do you feel?What thoughtscrossyourmind?CrowdedplacesareusuallyahotbedfortheAdversary.Canyousenseachange inyourthoughts?Doyoufeeluncomfortableattimes,andevenrepulsed?Ifyou do not feel anything, youmay need to increase thevirtue inyourself.Someonewhohasthe lightofChrist inthemabundantlywillsensetheAdversary,berepulsedbythewickedness,yetfeelcompassionandlovetowardeachperson.Your lightwithinyouwill feelpalpableamongallthedarkness.Peoplewillsenseitasyouarenearthem.

I’mnotwritingthistoinspireasenseofself-importance,buttohelpyouseewhatitmeanstobeaservantoftheLord.YouareHisservant,andahealertotheworld.Letyourlightsoshine:“Yearethelightoftheworld.Acitythatissetonahillcannotbehid.Neitherdomenlightacandle,andputitunderabushel,butonacandlestick;and itgiveth lightuntoallthatareinthehouse.Letyourlightsoshinebefore

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men,thattheymayseeyourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhichisinheaven.”51

• Try a long-termwater fast. Each person experiences thisdifferent. Ifyouhaveproblemswithbloodsugarorotherserioushealthissuesbecarefulhoworwhethertodothis.

• Whenyouarealone,trythis:makealistofawidevarietyofwords,someprovocative.Wordssuchas:child,oldman,woman, Italy, United States, grocery store, temple,mountain,field,government,pornography,flowers,candy,clouds,etc.Then,youspeakawordout loudwhat is thefollow-up thought in yourmind? Is it possible to have avirtuousthoughtwhenyouspeaktheword“pornography?”Canyoutrainyourmindtoreplaceuglywithvirtue?Whatifthewordpornographybroughttomindayoungwomansaved from sex slavery. Her desperate eyes thanking theLordasHemercifullybestowsthepowerofhealinginherbehalf.Remember,theLordspentmuchtimeamongstthesinners when He was theMan of Galilee.52 He spoke toharlotsandthedisrepute;andvirtuefollowedHim.Seeifyoucantrainyourmindtoassociatevirtuousimageryandthoughtswitheveryword—agoodexercise.

• PictureChallenge:faces,places,colors,etc.Trytheaboveexercise with picture imagery. (Don’t include anything

51Matthew5:14-16,Luke11:33-36,Philippians2:15,3Nephi12:14-16,3Nephi18:24,D&C115:552Theword“sin”meanstobeoutofharmonywiththeLord.Peoplecanbeinasinfulstatewithnofaultoftheirown.Thehealingpowerof“forgiveness”isrequiredtomakeonewholeagain.ForgivenessnotonlyisGod’sgrace(restorationandrenewal,lifting),butalsoourabilitytoforgiveourselvesandothersasweovercomethesesins.Thisiswhywearecommandednottojudgeothersspiritually.Itiswelltojudgesituations,butnottocondemnthesinner,foronlyGodcandothis.Intheworld,wemustjudgeaccordingtoourlawsandcustoms.To“judge”istoseparateandorganizeaccordingtowhatsocietywilltolerate.WhenGodjudgeshealsoseparatesandorganizesaccordingtothelightandglorywepossess,eithertoaresurrectionofthejust,oraresurrectionofthedamned.

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unvirtuous.)Includefacesthatareangryorplacesthatyoudonotlike.Perhapsorganizationsthatyouhate;political,terrorists, historical villains. How you can see themwithvirtue?

• Proactively look for people you can serve and help.Whether they be family, neighbors, or even strangers.Never,everjudgethembytheircircumstances.Thinkkindthoughts about drivers on the road, the panhandler, theornerystoreclerk,prayforallofthem.Betheiradvocatetothe Father; meaning, pray for mercy in their behalf.53Providecharitableassistanceifyoucan,alwaysseekingtheLord’sconfirmationinprayer.Ifyoudon’tfeelyouaregoodatdiscerningrevelationyet,justdoyourbest.

As the virtue in your increases and you can feel the differencebetweenthelightanddarkness,yourabilitytodiscernandgrowintheSpiritwill increaseexponentially.Don’tbediscouragedifyouslip,makeamistake,orhaveunvirtuousthoughtsreturn.Livinginmortalityrequiresustocontendwiththeflesh.

“And ifmencomeuntome Iwill showuntothemtheirweakness.Igiveuntomenweaknessthattheymay be humble; andmy grace is sufficient for allmenthathumblethemselvesbeforeme;foriftheyhumblethemselvesbeforeme,andhavefaithinme,thenwill Imakeweak things become stronguntothem.”Ether12:27

Our“weakness” isthefleshofourphysicalbodies. IfwehumbleourselvesandleanontheLordforhelp(havefaithinHim),theLord53Thisissometimesreferredtoas“dripping.”Thisiswhereweareconstantlydrippingprayersinbehalfofthosewecomeincontactwith,eitherupcloseorfromadistance.“Lord,blesshissoulwithlove,andpeace.Helphimtobeableto...”Whenwecanweofferserviceaccordingtoourability.ConsiderMosiah4:26-27

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will strengthen you.With increased virtue filling your soul withlight,andtheLord’sSpirit,youarereadytoseethegiftsoftheSpiritgrowinsideyoutoagreaterdegree.

StageThree:WhatDoYouHear?During theprevious twostages,youmayalreadybehearing thewordsoftheSpirit.ThisVoiceiswhatcommunicatesthelanguageof the Lord and His angels. The interesting thing is that thiscommunication is heard in our minds as familiar thoughts;meaning,itsoundslikeus.Whyisthat?Thinkof itas theuniversal translatorofheaven. It’s likewhenapersongivesapriesthoodblessing.IftheyareintunewiththeSpiritthey will say words as they come into their minds, usuallyarticulating them in a vocabulary they are familiar with. As youbecome accustomed to this process you will begin to see adifference inwho is speaking to you,whether it is the Lord, anangelicmessenger,orevenaspiritofdarkness.ThereisaconfusionregardingtheHolyGhostandwhoitis,howitcommunicateswithus.Iwillbecoveringthisindetail inafuturechapter.Justknowthatthecommunicationbetweenusandtheseholymessengers is oftenmade possible by theHolyGhost. It isindeedawhisperformostofus,barelydiscernable,asourthoughtsblendwiththewordsoftheSpirit.SometimestheSpiritwillspeaktousmoreforcibly;buteventhen,thecarnalmindwillsay,“Stoptalking to yourself? You’re crazy!”Here is a goodplace tobeginhavingfaithlikeachild.Thematureadultinuswilltellyoutoavoidthatkindofthinking;buttheSpiritwilltellyoutobelieve,toopenyourselftothispossibility,thatyoumightwatchtheseedbegintogrowwithinyou.Exercises:

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• Prayandrequest that theLordhelpyoutowritea listof

questionsyouwouldliketoknowtheanswers.Getapieceofpaperandbegintoconfidentlywriteyourquestionsastheycometoyourmind.Gothrougheachquestion,onebyone,andwritetheanswerasitflowsintoyourmind.Believethatit iscomingfromtheSpirit.Don’tcreatetheanswer,letitflowoutofyoulikeyouweregivingablessing,wordforword.Theycanbeshortorlonganswers.Trustinwhatisgiventoyourmind,don’ttrytothinkitthroughtoomuch.Whenitisfinished,gobackandreadwhatiswritten.IfyoufeeltheSpirit,acceptitaspersonalrevelation.Ifapartfeelsright,butapartdoesnot,cross itout. Ifyourexperiencefeelsfalse,tryagainlater.IfyoufeelthevirtuearoundyouitwillbeeasiertodoandyouwillmoreeasilydiscernitisfromtheLord.Askyourselfifyoudidthisexercisewithabelievingheart,ordidyoudoubt?Keeptheserevelationsprivate.Theymaynotbeperfect.Likethebasketballplayer learningtotakeshots,youmaymissquiteafewasabeginner,butyouwillimprove.Bepatientwithyourselfanddonotdiscourage.TrustintheLord.

• Practicefocusedprayerorpondering.Pickthreepeopletofocusyourthoughtsuponwhileyoupray.Youcanformallyprayfortheminprivateorjustthinkofthemduringtheday.Whatkindofthoughtscometoyourmind?

• Italwayshelpstowrite.Writingisafantasticwaytofocusyour thoughts, to hear theword of the Lord and receivepersonal revelation. If you get a thought, write it down.Havethehabitofkeepingapencilandpapernearby,orusethenotebookonyourphone.

• AsktheLordforpermissiontogiveyourselfablessing.Iftheanswerisyes,doit!Itisabeautifulexperience.Likethefirstexercise,buthereyousimplywriteinthemannersimilarto

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givingyourselfablessinginonecontinuallettertoyourself.It may seem strange at first, but believe me, the Lorddelights in doing this for you. In fact, every personalrevelationislikegettingablessingfromtheLord,howeverwriting isaneasierwayforsomeonenewtotheSpirit tofocustheirthoughtsandtoreceive.

• Makeadeterminationtomakeyourselfholy.ThisrequiresyoutomapoutablockoftimetodedicatetotheLord.TheSabbathdayisanobviouschoice,buteachdaycouldhaveatimesetaside.Howwillingarewetosetasidetimeforthegym or watching our favorite show; but giving it to theLord? The heavenly realm is much more exciting thananythingthisworldhastooffer.Youwillbeinvestinginthatfuturerealityasyoudothis.YourpurposenowistohearthevoiceoftheLord,tobetaught,andtoreachuptoHim.Carefullyplanhowyouwillusethistime.Becreative.

• Considerhaving“HolyMoments” ifyoucan’thaveaholytime.Thismeansinsteadofblockingoutahalfhourhereoranhourthere,howevermuchyoucan.Considerwhatyouaredoingatthemoment.Waitingforyourdaughtertobepicked up from school, sitting at the doctor’s office, etc.Insteadofplayingwithyourphone, listening tomusic,ordoingsomething frivolous, start listening.Startpraying inyourmindandheart to the Lord.AskHimquestions andponderuntilyouhearanswers.Youmaystarttoevenseeanswers.

• Practice asking questions. The answers will sound like aconversationwithyourself,butifspokenwithlove,desire,and intent, the Lord will joyfully respond. For example:“Lord,doyou…?”Say,“Lord,doyouloveme?Doyoulistentomusic?”Justaskanyquestionasfrivolousasitmayseem,alwayswithrespect,knowingthatthereisnoquestiontheLordwillnotanswer.;butremember,wearecommandedtoavoidlight-mindedness.Allowthethoughtstocomeinyourownvoice.Howdotheanswersmakeyoufeel?Give

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yourselfanobviouslywronganswerandseehowyoufeelwhen you think it. “Lord do you love me?” If you allowyourselftothink,“No.”youwillfeelthedifference.ThisispartofdiscernmentandgettingtoknowtheLord.Allowthefirst thoughtwhich settles in yourmind to stay,unless itfeelswrong,thenrejectit.

AllofthisistohelpyoudeveloparelationshipwiththeLord.HedelightsinsharingHimselfwithus.Askingquestionsispartofhowwedothis.Hewantstobeyourfriend,talkwithHim.Ifyoucarryaprayerinyourheartalldaylong,asweare commanded, your relationship with Himwill flourishandthegiftsoftheSpiritwillunfoldtoyou.

• Studyyour scripturesas if theywereyourownUrimandThummim.ReadthemwiththeSpirit,withoutacompanionguide,andasktheLordtheirmeaning.PrayandasktheLordwhereyou should readeachday.Writequestionsas youreadandask,“Whatisthat?Whatdoesthatmean?”andthenlisten.Don’tdiscountthethoughtsthatcometoyou.Write them down and ponder them. If it doesn’t makesense come back to it later. Revelation has a way ofsurprisingyou.

• Have a roleplay exercisewith yourself and the Lord. Yousay…He says…do it in yourmind and not vocally. Relax,imagineitisreal.Wasit?

Example:“Lord,I’mreallyhavingahardday.”TheLordinyourmind responds, “Why is that?” You then continueaconversation,liketalkingtoyourself.Here’s a tip: there can be timeswhere youwill exercisebeliefandtheSpirittakesover,thiscanleadyoutoaviableexperiencecommunicatingwiththeLord.DoyouthinkHedoesn’t have time for you? That is one of the cardinalunbeliefsthatareoutthere.TheLordisomnipresent,which

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meansHeiscapableofinfinitepresence.ItisasifyouwereHisonlycreation,withfullattentionandlovefocuseduponyou.Youmustunderstand this tomove forward.Youareinfinitely important toHim.WillHe ignoreyouwhenyouareseekingtoknowHim?Noway!TalktoHimanddevelopyourrelationship.

• Wakeupat3:00AMinthemorningandpray.Whywouldyoudothat?Whenwearedoingsomethingreallydifficult,asasacrificefortheLord,theblessingsalwayscome.Ifyouaretoosleepy,doitanyway.Youdon’thavetodoiteverynight,butnowandthengetupandtelltheLordyouloveHim.Sitandponderinthedark.Don’tbeafraidofthedark,prayforangelstogatheraroundyou.Whatdoyouhearinyourmind?Doyouhaveanyvisualepiphaniesorglimpses?Maybeyourspiritualeyeswillbegintoopen.

• Chooseadaywhenyouwouldnormallydosomethingforentertainment andmake yourself holy. Again, the lawofsacrifice—itworks!

• Ifyoufeelsafe,goandprayinthemountainsalone.TalkoutloudtoGod.Focusonhowyoufeelinyourheartandyoureverythought.Don’tdismissanything.Learntobestillandponder.Areyoumaintainingyourvirtuousthoughts?IfyougetsidestruckbyanuglythoughttelltheAdversarywhatyouthink.Beartestimonytohimasyourheartswellswithlove for the Lord,and then resumeyourprayer. Feel thespacearoundyou,breatheitinandexpressyourgratitudeand praise for the Lord.Write in your journal about theexperience.

• Find a private place in themountains and build an altar.Ponderandprayastohowyoushoulddothis.Spendtheday praying and fasting, talking to God. This is anopportunity to create physically what you will createspiritually.

• Gooutonenightwhentheskyisclear,leavethecityifyoumust,bealonetogazeintothenightsky.TalktoGodand

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pray. He will communicate to you both in words andimageryinyourmind.

• Expandyourprayer:InthebookHowToHaveYourSecondComforter IsharedtheFourStepPrayerthatIusedtocomeclosertotheLord.Prayingandponderingiswhereyouwill learntoheartheLord’s voice. Don’t feel that you can’t sit on the groundwhile you are praying. Don’t feel you need to limit yourprivateprayerstoashortperiod.Don’tfeelthatifyoustoptalkingyourprayerisover.Don’tfeelthatyoucan’topenyour eyes, write, or even read something during yourprayer.It’slikeifyou’reinaroomwithsomeone,youdon’thavetositlikearobotthewholetime.Prayerisastateofmindwhere youare focusedon communicatingwith themostimportantpersoninyourlife.Whileyouprayitishelpfultowritethoughtsthatcometoyou. You may get a download and think, “I can neverrememberallthat.”TheLordhasalwayshelpedme.It’snota“youmissedit,too-badscenario.”TheLordalwaysallowsyoutoreceivetherevelationatyourownpace,andeventowrite thewordsafterward.He is somerciful tous inourweakness.

Ihopethattheexercises inthissectionwillhelpyoutohearthevoice of the Lord. When you have gained this confidence inreceivingrevelationanddiscernment,theothergiftsoftheSpiritwillbegintoflourishandexpand.IhadbeenpersonallyfocusingonStageOnethroughThreeforabouttwoyearsbeforeIbegantoseeandhearonamoreintenselevel.Beforethatoccurred,Ihadsacreddreamsandanoccasionalvision.Ofcourse,likeeveryoneelse,itwouldbeeasytodiscardsuchthingsasjusttheminddoingfunnythings.“Toomuchpizza!”asmyfriendwouldsay.Ihavelearneddifferent. I can tell when it is from the Lord or inspired by theAdversary.

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Ourmindsbuilduponthememoryandexperiencethatwehavefrombirth.Thatistheplatformbywhichourdreamsandvisionsoccur.Thewordswethinkinourmindissueforthfromthedesiresofourheartandtheinfluenceofthespiritualrealm.Don’ttakeasingle word for granted that passes your mind. It comes fromsomewhere,whetheritisthewrittenword,memory,thevoiceofthe Spirit, or from an outside adversarial source. Believe in theSpirit and don’t allow the carnalmind to dictate to youwhat istruth.“…tobecarnally-mindedisdeath,tobespiritually-mindedislifeeternal.”54StageFour:WhatDoYouSee?TheLordcommunicateswithusthroughHisSpirit.Ihavelearnedthat words are a smaller percentage of that communicationcomparedtovisualimageryandcomprehension.WhenonestandsinthepresenceoftheLord,facetoface,youwillhavevisionandimagesplaybeforeyourmindasapartofthatconversation.Yourthoughts are easily displayed for anyone directing their focustowardyou.ThisiswhyyoumusthavevirtuegarnishyourthoughtstohaveconfidenceinthepresenceofGod.If for example you ask about the cosmos, a visionwill open upwhereyouwillseeanddiscernbytheSpirit.Asyouaskquestionsyouwill hear thewordof the Lord speaking to you,or fromHisservantinanaudiblevoice.Thiscomesasavisionofthesubjectathand,oryouwillseethepersonwithwhomyouarespeaking.Thisisperfectcommunication,withoutboundaryorscope,unlessweplaceaboundaryuponourselves.Ihavelearnedthatthemostaccess to theLordcomesbyasking forpermissionandpatientlywaiting for it.Onceonereceives theirCallingandElectionMade542Nephi9:39

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Sure the access is amplified. Before then, you must patientlydevelopyourfaithandspiritualsenses;first,learningtohearbytheSpirittheministeringofangels,andtheLord’svoice.Thenyouwillseeyourvisionarygiftsbegintoexpandrapidly.Stage Four can feel complex. It is common to feel frustratedbecauseyoumayfeelyouarenotmakingprogressinopeningyourspiritualeyes.Oftenitisbecauseweattempttorunfasterthanwehavestrength,orwecarrysomeformofunbelief.Thefirstpartofthis book lists different things that could prevent us fromprogressing.Ifyoutaketimetohonestlyassessyourspiritualhealthandhavefollowedeverythingupuntilthispointofthebook,youwillbepreparedtomorefullyopenyourspiritualeyes.JustlikeweneedtodevelopaplatformfortheSpirittodwellinusbyfillingourheartswithvirtueandgodliness;wealsomustseektofillourmindswithvirtueintheformofacutevisualstimulationtoprepareourselvestoexercise“sacredimagination.”Thisiswherethescepticwill suggest this isonlyaself-hypnotic formofvisionseeking,usingformsofconjuringtoopenourbrainstotantalizingstimuli.Thisisthecarnalmindspeaking.Youmustlearntovisualizetotakethefirststepoffaith.IfyouthinkyoucansitcomfortablyandtheLordwillappeartoyou,youwillbedisappointed.Therearesomewhostrugglewithunbeliefwhomaybeblessedwithadreamor get into an unfortunate accident and have an out of bodyexperiencewhere they experience an interactionwith the Lord.Thoseexperiencescanbesacredandwemustrememberthatwearespiritbeingsinacarnalbody.WemustalsoworktorendtheveilofthefleshandknowthekingdomofHeavenbyfurtherputtingoffthenaturalman.TheprocessIwillnowteachyouwillhelpyoutoexpandyourvisualsenses.Itspurposeistoopenyourmind,yourcreativepowers,asIdescribedinthesection“sacredimagination.”Thisisthepurposeoflife,tochooseGodandgathervirtuearoundyourself,thatyou

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maybecomeacreatorofallthingsgood.Dothisinspades,notindewdrops.Diveintothisprocessofexpandingyourvisualizationabilities. Itwill add abeautiful dimension to your life, especiallyyourspirituallife.ExercisestoBuildaFoundationofMemory:

• Look up beautiful landscape images on your computer.Studyafavoriteimageforaminute;asyoudo,considertheshapes, tones,colorsanddetails.Closeyoureyesandtryandrememberasmuch,asclearlyasyoucan.Themoreyoupractice this with different images they will leave animpressionandstayinyourmind.

• Lookatfamilypicturesofindividuals.Dothesameexerciseasabove.

• Lookat your frontdoor. Studyandexamine it, the color,detail,thehandle,thesurfacetexture.Closeyoureyesandseehowmuchyoucanvisualize.Tryandseethedoorasclearlyaspossible.

• Go for a walk in the park. Absorb your surroundings,stoppingoccasionallytobuildavisual inyourmind.Closeyour eyes and see how much you remember. Try andrememberafter returninghome, the sensationsof smell,feetonthepath,thebreezeandairtemperature.Themoreyoudothistheeasieritbecomes.

• Goforahikeinthemountains.Dothesameastheaboveexercises.Youarebuildingavisualmemoryfoundationthatwillhelpyouwithyoursacredimagination.Takeyourtimeandevenprayforassistance.Thesamemindthatstoresavocabularyofwordsalsostoresthevisual imagerythat isusedforcommunication.

• Standonamountaintop.Absorbtheexperience.Closeyoureyesandtryandseewithyourmindasthebreeze,smells,andotherstimulussurroundyou.Whenyoureturnhomedoyourverybesttoseeandfeelitagain.

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• Gotothebeach.• Standonthetopofabuilding.• Gotoabusyactivitywithmanypeople.• Lookatthestarsatnight.• Walkinthedesert.• Sitaloneinafield.• Turnyourfacetowardthewarmsun.• Eat a delicious meal. Focus on the details with the

knowledgethatyouwilltryandrememberthisexperience.Relish everything, the visual, the smells, the texture, thepeople.

• Thinkofaplaceyoucango,orthingsyoucanstudythatwillenhanceyourvisualacuteness.Nature isespeciallygood.Reallystudyyoursubjects,thelightonthem,theirtextureand feel. If you can close your eyes and see it, you aredeveloping that part of your God given abilities, andexpandingthevirtuewithinyou.

• Seeamoviewhichisspirituallyinspiring.Tryandreplaythescenes in your mind with as much visual accuracy aspossible.Liketryingtodevelopaphotographicmemory,butmore fluid. A “videographic” memory is a better word.Some of you may have experienced this kind of visualmemory justbyrehearsingtosomeoneamovieyousaw.Doyouseethescenesinyourmindasyoudescribethem?Thisisthebeginningofvisualmemorythatwillhelpyoutoseewithaneyeoffaith.

ThePoweroffaithincreationandtheHeavenlyRealmNowthatyouhaveactivelyfilledyourmindwithvisualimageryandexperiencesyoumustpracticeusingyourimaginationtorecreatethosemomentsasclearlyasyoucan.Communicatingwithyourmind’s visual ability is as important as using yourmind to learnwordsandaspokenlanguage.Practiceoften.Thiswillprepareyou

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tomorefullyopenyourspiritualsensesandhavetheSpiritoftheLordcontrolthevision.Dothefollowing:

• Imagineeatingamealwithoutbeingthere.• Imagineaplacewithoutbeingthere.• Imagineapersonwithoutbeingthere.• Imaginethenightskywithoutbeingthere.• Imagineananimalwithoutbeingthere.• Imagineascenefromamoviewithoutbeingthere.• ImagineaYoutubevideoofalocationyousaw,andimagine

beingthere.• Imagineasunsetwithoutbeingthere.• Imaginebeingonthesurfaceofthemoon,withoutbeing

there.• Imaginebeinginsideafurnaceoffire,withoutbeingthere.• Imaginebeingon the surfaceof theoceanwithoutbeing

there.• Imagine walking through your old school without being

there.• Imaginebeingatworkwithoutbeingthere.

Dotheseexercisesoftenandseehowtactiletheycanbecomeforyour senses. Stretch yourself. Stretching the imagination is theseed of faith. Always proceed with prayer as you dedicate thisexercisetotheLord.Youwillbeastonishedwhatwilloccur.SeeingtheLight:

NoneoftheexercisesabovedidIdobeforemyexperiencewiththeLord.IfIhad,Ithinkthingsmayhaveprogressedmuchfasterforopeningmyspiritualsenses.Isimplyponderedalot,andbelieved

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nothingwasanaccident.Itookeverythingserious;everythought,vision,andexperiencewasmeaningfultome.ImmediatelyafterIreceivedthebaptismoffireandtheGiftoftheHolyGhostIwondered,“Whatnext?”IprayedandaskedtheLordto guide me to know what to do. There came a variety ofinstructions,butonecuriousrevelationhadtodowithlight.Withnoexplanationforitspurpose,Iwastoldtopracticeseeinganauraaroundmyhand.Thatwaskindofstrange.WhywouldHewantmetodothat?Iheldmyhandinfrontofmyfaceatarm’slengthandstudiedit;Ididn’tnoticeanything.Ilightlyrelaxedmyeyesandbegantoseeahintofasoftwhiteglow,anauraofenergyaroundmyfingers. Ithenheldmyhandclosertomyface,abouteighteeninchesaway,and looked at it against a white background and then a darkbackground.ThemoreIpracticed,theeasieritwastoseeandthemore theglowwouldextend frommyhand. I thinkmy spiritualeyeswereseeingitasIwouldrelaxmynaturaleyes.Eventually,itwas hard to tell the difference between my physical eyes andnatural.Ipracticedthisregularlyforaboutamonth.Iknowthisseemsveryunorthodox,butItrustedintheLordandfromhereHehadmebegintoseethislightmorefully.AsIwouldprayinmyclosetIwouldlookatmyhandinthedimlylitclosetandseethelightemanatingfromit.Iwouldlookatmyhandandarm,thensoftlyclosemyeyes,seeingthehandandarminmymindandseeitlightuplikeadimlightbulb.IwouldpracticethiseachtimeIprayedinprivateandseehowmuchbrighterIcouldseeitinmymind.Itwassubtle,butrealtome.Fromhere,theLordtoldmetoseemyentire body as it was emanatingwith this light. I would look atmyselfinthebathroommirroranddothesameexerciseseeingmybodywithasoftwhiteauraaroundit.Itdidn’textendfar,maybe

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aninchortwo.Ididn’treallyunderstandthepurpose,exceptthatIknewthat“light”wasimportant.TheangelsabideinthatlightandIknewitwasinme,soIwouldkeepdoingthis.Iwould sit on the floor inmy closet and closemy eyes. I couldvisualize my body glowing with this light. The soft glow wouldbecome brighter inmymind, as Iwould attempt to extend it. IwouldpraytotheLordandIwouldsay,“Lord,helpmetobecomebrighter,pourthy lightuponme!”Isawthelight increase.EverytimeIprayedintheprivacyofmyclosetIwouldattempttoextendmylightfurtherthanthetimebefore.Iwouldseethebrightnessgetlighterandlighter.AlthoughIsatinadarkclosetwithasmalllight aboveme I could seemyself inmymind, as if looking in amirror,eithersittingasIwas,orevenstanding,engulfedinlight.Iwouldoftenphysicallymovemyhands,asifIwerepushingthelightawayfromme.Icouldhearthesoundinmyhead,likeenergyexpanding. At first, Iwould push enough of the light out that itwould fill the room.On another day, Iwent so far as to fill thehouse.AfterpracticingthisforamonthIcreatedsomethinglikeaburstoflightthatfilledtheentireneighborhood.During this time, the Lord toldme to blessmy food andwater,seeingthelightgatheraroundtheglassorfoodasitwasblessed.Iwouldlookatitandthenclosemyeyessoftlyasthelightwouldfillit.IcouldseeasoftglowasIdidthis.Ididn’tannounceittoanyone,justpracticedittomyselftoseewhatwouldhappen.Itgaveanewmeaningformetowhatitmeanttoblesssomething.OnedayIsawandspokethefollowing:“Lord,fillmewiththylightandglory,helpmetobeasbrightasthesunatnoonday.”Isawmyselflightuptoanincredibleintensityoflight.Itfeltlikeithadconsumedmyentirespirit.Iwasstandingandcouldhearthesoundofan intense rushingwind.The light’s intensity remindedmeoflooking at awelder’s blow torch, but larger. Itwas incredible! I

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begantoexpandthelightandpusheditoutwithgreatforce.Thelightincreasedbothaboveandbelowmeandkeptexpandinguntilitseemedtoexplodeingreatvelocityinalldirections.Ifeltarushof power and glory come throughme that remindedme of thebaptismoffireIhadexperiencedaboutsixmonthspreviously.ThefaithIhadexercisedhadhelpedmetocreateachannelbetweenmeandtheHeavenlyRealm.Today,everytimeIgototheLordIbatheinthelightofHisglory.Itboth cleanses and preparesme to stand in His presence. It is aliteralbaptismoffire;whichpurifies,washesawaysins,andhelpmetofocusasthespaceiscleansedfromanyadversarialspirits.IthasbeenanenormousblessingthattheLordtaughtmebeginningimmediatelyaftermyreceivingtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.HereishowIpracticethistoday:

• As I sit in my private place to pray, after taking theSacrament,andaskingforforgivenessformysins,IasktheLord,“MayIbatheinthygloryandholiness,dearLord?WiltthoupourthylightuponmethatImaybemadeclean?”

• IfocusonseeingmyselfsittingorstandingastheLordfillsmewithHislight.IseeitasclearlyasIcan,asifIamlookingatmyself,inamirror,inadarkroom;asmybodylightensupandradiatesHisglory.

• Thelightislikeablowtorchofintensity.SometimesIwillsaytomyself,“Lord,makemeasbrightasthesun!”Iwillfeelthepowerofthislightasitevenhasasoundofrushingwaters.Ithelpstoraisemyheadupandholdupmyarmsalittle.

• Sometimes I see what I can only describe as white lavabeingpouredovermybodyinclumps.Isay,“Lord,fillmybody fromthetopofmyheadtomytoeswith this light,eventotheconsumingofmyflesh,mycells,andmyDNA,thatmyentirebodybecleansedandfilledwiththislight.”

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As I say this I hold outmy arms and seemy body inmymind’seyerubbingthelightovermyarmsandlegs.

• Iaskinprayer,“Lord,amIcleannow,amIclean?”Ihearthewords,“Yes,youareclean.”Often,Ihearmorethanthisand will have a conversation as the Lord teaches mesomething.

Ican’temphasizehowimportantitistobecomeproficientinusingyourdivinevisualization tosee inyourmind. It isnormal to feelawkward when you begin, like empty imaginative thoughts.Consider these like stretching exercises for an athletic event. Itpreparesyourbodyfortheperformancesoitcanbeatitsbest.Ourspiritualmusclesaredormantmostofthetime.Notuntilweusethem,exercisethem,andlearntocontrolthemtoweperformtoourhighestlevel.Ourmindsaredividedintobothananalyticalandcreativefunctionality.Bothoftheseworktogethertoprogressinthespiritualrealm.Exerciseyourfaith,planttheseed,andbelieve.

StageFive:WhatDoYouTouchandSmell?Inadditiontotheaboveexercises,practicevisualizingyourothersenses to enhance each experience. The more you add to thevision,themoreyouwilllearntoopenyourspiritualsenses.OftentheLordisremindingmeto“Slowdown!”Inthespiritualrealm,itisnormaltogotoofast,runningfromonethingtothenext.Ithelpstotryanduseallthesensesineverysituation.Whatdoyousee,hear,smell,feel,touch,andmore?Remindyourselftodothis; itexpandswhattheLordwouldhaveyoulearnabout.Exercises:

• Touch different textures: trees, grass, rocks, dirt, gravel,leather,skin,animals,water,air,fur,objects,bricks,stone,hands, cloth, and try and remember how they feel in a

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vision.See ifyoucanfeel inyourmindyourhandorskintouchingthesethings.

• Smell: pine needles, dirt, grass, chocolate, roses, herbs,snow, car, different foods, leather, animals, children,spouse,places,houses,everything,andtryandrememberthemwell enough to envision the smells.Make a list ofmanyotherthingsyoucandothiswith.Discoverasmanyvarietyofsmellsaspossible.

All these exercises are a sensory upload. Not only will yourvisualization skills increase, but your dreams will become morevivid.Yourspiritualsensitivitieswillbeenhanced!

StageSix:WhatDoYouDo?In this section I will offer some visualizations that have helpedothersinopeningtheirspiritualeyesandhaveprofoundspiritualexperiences with the Heavenly Realm. For those who have hadsuccessinthis,itwasdependentupontheirfaith,determination,stateofhealth,andmanyofthesameissuesfromthefirstsectionofthisbook.Somehavestruggled,onlytohaveabriefvisualcometomindandtheirthoughtsbegantowander.Othersexperiencedafull outpouring of the Spirit and communed with the Lord andangels.IrememberthefirsttimetheLordhadmedoavisualization.ThiswasbeforeIhadreceivedmySecondComforterexperience.Iwasaloneinmyhomeonasummerevening.Iwentintothefrontroomandsatonthesofa.Itwaspeacefulandquiet.TheLordinstructedmetopreparetosee.Irelaxedmymindandbegantohaveavision.I relaxed and allowed my mind to see according to the Lord’sdirectiveasthevisionopened.Isawadoorinadarkroomwithjustenoughlighttosee.Ireachedforthedoorhandleandslowlyopeneditnotknowingwhattoexpect.Itfeltveryrealinmyhand

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asIopenedthedoortoacoolmountainlandscape.Itwaswinterandovercast.Iwalkedthroughthedoorandbegantowalk.HereiswhatIrecordedinmyjournal:

I had a vision the other night as I sat alone aftereveryonewasasleep.Iwaswalkingthroughasnowylandscape surrounded by winter trees. It wasunpleasant,butthesunwasshining.Ibegantowalkwith the snow up to my knees. Suddenly, to mysurpriseIsawapathopenupinfrontofme.Itwasdryandwasthecolorofredearth.Ibegantowalkthepathandwasgratefulthatitmademywalkingeasier.AsIwalkedIsmelledabeautifulfragrance.Ilookedover tomy right and sawa small patchofgrasssurroundedbysnowashortdistancefromthepath. Itwasonlya few feetwideandhada smallbouquet of flowers growing in it. I thought howstrangethatitwouldgrowthere.Isteppedoffthepath to get a better look and after I knelt downby the bouquet I noticed that all aroundmewasgreen and filled with flowers. Everything hadchanged.When I stoodupand lookedback in thedirectionofthepathIwasshockedtoseearagingforestfireconsumingeverythingontheothersideofthepath.IknewIwassafewhereIwasandyettheflameswereonlytwentyfeetaway.

IwonderedaboutthevisionandaskedtheLordforan interpretation. Iwas told thewinter landscapewasmyexperienceinlife,butthatIhadfoundtheGospeland itclearedthewayformeto findGod.ThesmallpatchofflowerswastheLordcallingouttome.AndwhenIchosetolistentoGodandnotthearmofflesh,theLordwaswillingtorevealmoretome.AndwhenIexercisedfaiththeLord,Heopened

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up the truth of eternity and revelations were allaround me. The flames represented His wrath,whichisabouttobepouredoutupontheearth.

Ifeelstronglythatwithoutacloserelationshipwiththe Lord, the kindwherewe can receivepersonalrevelation,wewillbeleftwithouttheguidanceweneed to withstand what is coming. We need tosearch forGod and reach out toHimwith all ourhearts.

Thisparticularvisionwasextremelyvivid.Often,Idon’tunderstandtheirfullmeaninguntilafterwardandIasktheLordforhelp.NoticehowIfeltthecoldandexperiencedthemanydetailsofthevision.I wrote this down shortly after it occurred so that I wouldrememberasmuchaspossible.Ididn’ttrytomakethevisiongosomewhereorbecomesomething.IallowedtheLordtosteeritspurpose.

I always ask the Lord first for permission before preparing toreceiveavision.Usually, I feeltheLord inspiringmetodothis. Ithink it is preferable to have a vision than a dream, because attimes dreams can be so lucid that they are hard to focus. Notalways,butoftenthatisthecase.DreamscanbeoneoftheLord’swayofopeningthespiritualeyesforthosewhomaynothavethefaithtoseeHimanyotherway.

Iwillnowofferyousomevisualizationsyoucanuse tohelpyoureceiveinstructionfromtheLord.Asyoumoveforwardbeginbydoingthefollowing:

1. PraytoseektheLord’sblessingandinstruction.AskifitisHiswillthatyoudothis.IftheSpiritconfirms,youwillhaveabeautifullyguidedvision.

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2. Decided which guided vision you will attempt. Roughlymemorizethestepssoyoucanfollowitinyourmind.

3. Make yourself comfortable in a private place where youwon’t be interrupted. Make arrangements for this ifneedful.

4. Don’tkneelunlessyouarecomfortabledoing that foranextended time. Usually it is good to sit on the floor, notleaningbackagainstanything.Iliketositandleanforwardslightlyas I sitonacomfortablepadorpillow.Whatyoudon’twanttodoisgetsocomfortablethatyoufallasleep.Ifyouaresittingbackinachairorlayingdownthatmaybea real possibility. You need to be able to concentratewithouthavingtofocusonyourbody.

5. Be sure you won’t be distracted by needing to use therestroom,oranyotherphysicaldiscomfort.

6. Softlycloseyoureyesandexhaleslowlyseveraltimes.7. Focusonthespacearoundyourbody,notyourbodyitself.8. SayaprayertotheLordexpressingyourloveforHimand

desire to be taught through a vision. You should havealready prayed for permission before beginning thisprocess.

9. Followtheoutlineforthesuggestedmeditation.EachofthefollowingVisualizationshavethepurposeofbecomingalaunchingpointintoanactualvision;onewhichisledbytheSpiritoftheLord.Atsomepoint inthevision, ifyouareprepared,theSpirit will take control and it will become something profound.Whenitisfinished,prayforaconfirmationifnecessaryandwriteasmanydetailsasyoucanremember.Besuretobeslow, focusintently,takeyourtime,andrejoice;theLordwillbewithyou!TheDoorYouarestandinginadarkroom.Therearesomestepsleadinguptoadoor.Lookatthedoor,seeitclearlyinyourmind.Approach

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thedoorandseethehandleorknob.Openthedoorslowlyandpeer intowhat is beyond the door. Do not react quickly.Movethroughthedoorandenterwhatisbeyondthedoor.Studyyoursurroundings.Takeitallinanddon’tdiscountanydetailyousee,whetheritisanobject,smell,sound,orperson.Ifthereisaperson,askthemaquestion.Whenyouopenthedoor ifyoudon’tseeanything,begincallingouttotheLordinyourmindtoshowyouwhatyouneedtosee.Ifyouhaveseeneverythingthere,continuetocallouttotheLordinprayeraskingHimtoleadyou.Takeyourtimeandaskquestions.Trynottolookattoomuchtooquickly.Thismaycauseyoutolosefocusandthevisionmayleaveyou.Focusontheplacewhereyouare and anything and anybody who comes. The more you askquestionsandremainpatientthemoresuccessyouwillhave.Bepreparedtobesurprisedbyyourexperience.Youcanrevisit thethisvisionifyouneedtolater.Often,youmaygotothesameplace,butsometimeshaveacompletelydifferentexperience.Thedoorisasymboltoopeningthevision.55

TheLightAboveYouaresittinginadarkroom.Adooropensaboveyouandashaftof lightcomes into theroomfilling thespacearoundyourbody.Youfeelthewarmlightenvelopyou.Youseeamirrorfacingyouwhereyoucanseeyourselflitupbrightlybythelight.Astaircaseappears and youmake yourway up each step feeling the stairsbeneathyourfeet.Whenyoureachthetop,youarestandinginanopenfield.Examinethegrass.Aretheretrees,mountains,water,animals,birds,oraperson?Whatdoyousee?SlowlyexamineyoursurroundingsandbeginprayingtotheLordtohelpyouunderstand.Isthereamessageyouneedtolearn?

551Nephi8:2-36LehiandNephiexperiencedasimilarkindofvisionwhentheybeheldtheTreeofLife.

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TheManWalkingTowardYouYou are standing in a dark room. See the light in your bodybeginningtoglow.Extendyourlightuntilitfillsallthespacearoundyou.Inthedistance,youseeasmallspotoflight.Itcontinuestogrowasatapproachesyou.Asyoupeerintotheapproachinglightyou notice it is a figure of a person. The person steadily comestowardyouuntiltheyareinyourpresence;youfeelatease.Thispersonhascometogiveyouamessage.Focusonasmanydetailsasyoucan:theirhands,feet,clothing.Whatdotheylooklike?Canyouseethecoloroftheirhair?Aretheycarryinganythingintheirhands?Iftheydon’tspeaktoyouaskthemaquestion.Whoisit?Don’t rush, bepatient as you interactwith them. If youbegin aconversationaskasmanyquestionsasyoucan.Allowthevisiontogowhereveritwill.YouwillfeeltheSpiritifthevisionistruthful.IfyoufeelasenseoftrickerycallouttoGodandaskHimifitisfromHim.Youwillstronglyfeelonewayortheother.Itwilllikelybeanangeloflight,butIfitisadeceptiondon’tclosethevision.Askforthe Lord to deliver you and wait, the Lord will not leave youcomfortless. This visualization has ledmany to have profoundlyspiritualexperienceswithangelsandtheLord.

ThePathYouarewalkingalongapath.Whatdoesthepathlooklike?Whatkindofsurfacedoesithave.Canyouseeyourself?Perhapsyouonlysee through your first-person eyes. In your vision look at yoursurroundings closely. Are there trees?What do you see, smell,feel?Begintowalkaroundslowlyobservingthedifferentthings,vegetation,objects, etc.Are thereanybirds, animalsorpeople?Are there any structures? Allow your mind and vision to gowhereveritisdirectedandtakeyourtime.Ifyousenseyourownphysicalbodyandroomenvironmentorgetdistractedbyasound,don’tworry.ContinuetopraytotheLord,pushthrough,andallowhimtoleadyouateachturn.Ifnothingiscomingaskquestionslike,

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“Whatisthis?WhyamIhere?Lord,willyouteachme?”Bepatientandallowthevisiontounfold.

TheTopoftheMountainVisualize yourself at the top of a mountain. You are standing,overlookingagreatvista.Thewindisblowinglightlyawarmbreezeuponyourface.Doyousmellthemountainair?Whatdoyouhear?Can you feel the rock or dirt under your feet? Ask the LordsomethingyouhavebeenwantingtoaskHim.Expressyourheart’sdesire.Lookuptothesky.Canyouseebeyondtheclouds?Doyouseethestars?Askmorequestions.Allowthevisiontogowhereitmay.Experiencethisasrealandexpectnothingless.

WhereDoYouWanttoGo?AsktheLordforpermissiontodothisbeforeattempting.Thinkofaplacethatisspecialtoyou.Seeit inyourmindandexperiencethevisualization.Themoreofyoursensesyoucanincorporateintothevisionthebetter.Besuretomakethevisionholy,asyouseektheLord’sdirection.Askforaguidetobewithyou.Oftenanangeloflightwillaccompanysucharequest.Experienceeverydetailofthevision.Whatisthat?Whatdoesitmean?Whydoesitdothat?Moveslowlyandinquisitivelytoeachturnofwhereyougo.Don’tbeafraidtoaskquestions,andbebelieving.Atsomepoint,usuallyfairlyquickly,thevisionwillbedirectedbytheSpiritoftheLord.Youwillbetaughtbyangelsandgivenexactlywhatyouneedtoprepareyouforallthings.

RevisitDreamsandVisionsWiththeLord’spermission,youcanrevisitanydreamorvisiontolearnmore.Thisiswhereyouhaveanopportunitytolearnmorethan you can imagine. Never settle onwhat you think is a final

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understanding. All experiences in the spiritual realm are likepeelingbackthelayersofanonion.Thekeyistoaskquestions,bebelieving,andtofillyourheartanddesireswithvirtue.TheLordand His angelic servants will eagerly help you in your quest todevelopyourfaithandspiritualsenses.BestAdviceinaNutshell:

• Takeyourtime.Don’t rushavisionaryexperience,oranyexperiencewiththeLord.Itmayseemobvious,butyoumaybecomenervous,excited,oranxiousintheprocess.

• Pushing throughtomoredetail.Studywhatyousee.TheLorddoesn’tgetboredorimpatientwithyouruseoftimein that realm. If your heart is sincere and you want tounderstandallthingsareavailable.Theangelsareeagertohelp.

• Alwaysaskingquestions.It’sbettertoaskastupidquestionthantoasknoquestionsatall.Myadviceistowritealistofquestions beforehand that you really want to know andseekanswers.

• Stayingfocused.Don’tallowyourmindtowander.Focusonwhatyouseeandwhatisspoken.Themoreyourspiritualsensesbecomeacutetotheirsurroundingstheeasierthisbecomes.

• Garnishing thoughts with virtue. If you have troublefocusing and random thoughts continually plague yourmind,youmayneedtocarrymorevirtuewithyou.VirtueattractsvirtueandrepelstheAdversary.Youwillstand inthepresenceofangelsandtheLordwhenyoudothis.

• Don’tbeafraidordoubt,trustintheLord.“Perfect“love”castethoutallfear.”Uneasinessandnervousness,yes;thatcanstilloccur.But,youwillhavegreatconfidenceasyouspendmoretimeexperiencingangelsandtheLord.

• Group experiences. There is great power in experiencingthesethingsasagroup.Youareonlyasstrongasthefaith

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oftheweakestmembers.Seeklike-mindedpeopleyoucanassociateforsuchthingsandbeholdtheheavensopen.Forexample,ifyoudoaguidedmeditationtogetherandthendiscuss your experience afterward. Always begin suchthingsbeginninginprayerandbypermission.

• Avoiding the environment of Babylon. Fasting is howweeliminateeverythingthatwoulddistractusfromcomingtothe Lord. If youmarkout some time tobeholy, fill yourmindwithvirtuebygettingawayfromtheworld.Putdownyourphonefortheday,thecomputer,work,andallbusywork.Tellyourfamilyyouaregoingtotaketimetobeholy.Youcanfastfromfoodandwaterifyoulike.Don’tattemptifyouaresickorphysicallynotwell.YoumustbeinastatewhereyoucanignoreyourbodyandthethingsoftheworldandseektheLord.

• Remember, learning to open your spiritual senses takestime and effort. Like building the stamina to run amarathon,ittakessometimesyearsofendurancetrainingandhardexercise.Ourspiritualmusclesrequirework,butwith the Lord’s help we progress very quickly. Don’t bediscouraged. You will see incredible results if you pushforwardinfaith!

GiftofTonguesInmybookAWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpiritIgointogreatdetailregardingthegiftofTonguesandInterpretationofTongues.Thissection istooffersomesuggestionsandexercisesforthosewhowillusethesegifts.Aswithallgifts,theyrequirefaithandeffortonthepartoftheoneexercisingthem.AfterIreceivedmybaptismoffireandthegiftoftheHolyGhostIfeltthatIneededtoexperiencethisgift,butdidn’tknowhowtodoit.IhadheardofsuchthingsamongmodernPentecostalChristiansandinearlyLDSChurchHistory,butnotamonganyoneIknew.I

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askedtheLordtohelpmewithfaiththat itwouldhappenasHepromised.Here is a listofexercises Iwould suggest tohelpyouopenyourmindandhearttospeakingintongues.Thesearegoingto seem strange, but being conventional is not part of theprocedure.Beginbypracticingthesesimpleexercises:

• Hummingrandomtones–DuringyourprivateprayerhumsometonesthatexpressyourloveandfeelingsfortheLord.Insteadofwords,justhumasound.

• Humming Hymns – Hum the melodies of your favoritehymnsduringaprayer.FocusonhowyoufeelandyourlovefortheLordwhiledoingit.

• Makingyourownsoundstoahymn.Singthesamehymns,butthistimecreateyourownsoundsandconsonantstogowith the melody. This is not the gift of Tongues, butpreparing you to speak like it so that you begin to feelcomfortable.Itispossiblethatitcouldturnintotonguesifthe Spirit takes over. Try to get past the feelingof beingfoolish.Justfocusonhowyoufeelinyourheart.

• Pickahymnandinterjectthesoundsforthephrase“HahLeLu Jah” repeatedly. The Hebrew words mean “praise toGod” and will invoke the Spirit as you sing in a foreigntongue.Itisfinetousephrasesorsoundsrepeatedlywhenprayingorsingingintongues.

• Breathing out with consonants as you speak. I find thatwhen speaking in tongues it is better to breathe out thesoundsinsteadofbreathinginwhenIspeakthem.Icanfeelthewordsmorethisway.Trythisasyoudotheexercises.

Nowyouarereadytobegintheprocessofprayingintongues.ThefirsttimeIexperiencedthisIaskedtheLordtohelpme,andtheSpirit said to simply open my mouth. There will be a time ofawkwardnessasyoudothis;butpersevereanddon’tworryabout

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howyou soundorwhether it is fromabove. Just let the soundscometoyou.

• Repeat something in yourmind as you pray, a phrase ofpraiseinanunknownsequenceofsounds.Letitrolloffyourtongueandrepeatituntilitfeelsright.

• Tryrockingandraisingyourhandsasyoupray.Youdon’tneedtobecrazyaboutit,butalittlewillhelpyoutoforgetyourselfandfocusontheprayertotheLord.InoticedoncehowOrthodoxJewswilldothiswhilestandingandpraying.That’snotwhyIdoit,butitsurehelps.I’musuallysittingwhenIexperiencethis.

• Tryprayingintonguesfor5,10,20minutes.Seehowlongyoucandoit.

• Prayintongues,justfeelit,asifyouarereallydoingit.Don’tthinkhard,justspeak.Likeababybabblingwhatitwantstoitsparent.JustlikehowavisionistakenoverbytheSpiritandtherealeventoccurs,soitiswiththegiftofTongues.

• PracticethegiftofTongueswitheveryprayeryoudoinyourholytime.IusuallydothisattheendofeachprayerorwhenIattempttoofferpraisetotheLord.AlltheangelsinheavenpraytotheFatherintongues.Itisthelanguageofthespirit,atypeforwhatwecallthe“tongueofangels.”

• Haveacadencewhenyouspeak. Ithelpstospeakwitharhythm.Keep it simple like to thebeatof thedrum.Youdon’tneedtobeloud.Ioftendon’tspeakaboveawhisper.

• Try singing in tongues. I often findmyself singing simplemelodiesofpraiseintongues.TheSpiritissostrong!

• Don’tworryifyourepeatsomethingmanytimes.Justlikehowhymnswillrepeatphrases,socantongues.Infact,youwillfeelgreatpowerwhendoingthis.

• See your prayer ascending. Visualize the light and gloryfromyourprayersascendingandtheLordreciprocatingHislovetoyouasyouprayintongues.Itispowerful.

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• Breatheoutasyouspeak.Ialwaystrytohavemysoundscomeoutwithanexhale.Ifeelitmorethisway.Nottosayitwon’tworktheotherway.

• InterrupteverynowandthentospeakinEnglishadesireorphrase. No rule says you can’t do this. For example, anoccasional,“Iloveyou.Ineedyou.MayIcometoyou!”

Asyoubecomeaccustomedtospeakingintonguesyoumayfeelimpressed todoso inapublicgathering.FollowthesuggestionsfromtheGiftoftheSpiritbookandallowtheLordtoalwaysleadoutonsuchthings.PrayinginTonguesisabeautifulblessingtohelpyoutocometo theLord.Exercise faithandspeak the tongueofangels.When you become comfortable praying in tongues if the Spiritdirectsyoucanbless,speak,orprophesyintonguesaccordingtotheLord’swill.RefertothebookAWitnessoftheGiftsoftheSpirittolearnmoreaboutthis.56

HowtoHealMost of us feel unprepared when asked to help with a healingblessing. Iwould rather takemy time tobepreparedmore fullythantorushintosomething.Thereareemergencysituations,buteventhen,wemustalwaysproceedaccordingtotheSpirit.Afteryouhavereadthesectiononhealinginthereferencebook,considersomeoftheexercisestohaveabetterunderstandingofthegiftofhealingandhowtouseit.WheneveryouareaskedtohealorblessapersonitisbesttoseektheLord’swillinthematter.Iwillusuallygotoaprivateplacetokneelandask theLordwhatHewantsme todo. Iwould rather

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arrivelaterifitmeansthatIcanproperlypreparemyself.Ifyoucanafford the timeand theSpirit instructsyou towait, spendsometimefastingandseekingtheLord’srevelation. IwillasktheLordthefollowingquestions:

• Aretheredarkspiritsattachedtotheperson?TheLordhastaughtmethatthevastmajorityofthetimethereisaneedfor ahealingblessing, thepersonhas somekindof spiritattachedtothem.Thisisnotnecessarilybecausetheyhavedonesomethingsinful,butbecausespiritsareattractedtonegative emotions which can be a result of pain andsuffering.Theyusuallywillexacerbatetheproblemmore,soitisgoodtocastthemoffwhentheblessingbegins.

• Is it the Lord’s will that they be healed? Seek clearrevelation on the matter. I try to clear my mind of anyemotionwhendoingthissothatmyfeelingsdon’tinterferewiththerevelation.Seekinga“yes”or“no”answertothequestionisgood.

• Iftheansweris“no,”asktheLordifyoucanknowwhyorwhatyoushoulddo.

• Iftheansweris“yes”asktheLordhowHewantsyoutohealthem?Areyoutodoanythingtohelpthemtoincreasetheirfaith?Shouldtheybeanointedwithoil,touchedaparticularway?Often youwill see images in yourmind as you askthesequestionsrevealingtoyouaproperwaytoadministertheblessing.Whereyou touch themcanbe important; itmaynotalwaysbeonthecrownofthehead.

• Youmaybeinspiredtohaveaparticularpersonhelpwiththeblessing.SometimesmultiplepeopleofferingablessingisappropriateiftheLorddirectsit.

• Many of the exercises in the previous sections regardinghowtohearthevoiceoftheLordandvisionaryexperienceswillassistyouinthisprocess.

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BesurethattheSpirit isfullywithyouasyouproceedtoofferahealing blessing. This means to know that you are clean andapprovedoftheLordbeforeyoubegin.YoudonotwanttotaketheLord’snameinvain.Asyouenterthelocationwheretheblessingwillbeoffereddoaspiritual assessment of the space. Do you need to cast out theAdversary?Ifyoudo,askpermissionoftheownerofthehome,orthepersonincharge.Youdon’tnecessarilyneedtocleantheentirehouse.Justthespacewhereyouare.InvitethepersoninchargeifyouorsomeoneelsecouldofferaprayertoinvitetheSpirit.Askthe people in the room if they believe in the power of healingthroughJesusChrist.Ifthetimingisappropriateteachthemalittleaboutwhatyouareabouttodo.Therewillbesomewhomaynotagree with your approach, as it doesn’t follow the typical LDSprotocolforpriesthoodblessings.Ifthatisthecase,askthepersoninchargewhattheywouldliketodo.Ifyouhavetheirpermission,proceed inofferingtheblessing.Sayaprivateprayeraskingthatangelsbepresenttoremovethebadspiritsandpreventthemfromharminganyone in thecompany.BeginbydoingwhatyouwerecommandedpreviouslybytheLord.YoumayaskthepersoniftheybelievethatJesusChristhasthepowertohealthem.Youmayaskthem todo something inwhich youwere inspiredby the Spirit.Don’t be alarmed if things don’t go as planned. Each person isrequiredtoexercisefaith,andpeoplewillnotalwayshavethefaithtoreceive.WhenyougivetheblessingrememberthatyouareaservantoftheLord.Onlydoandsaywhatyoufeelyoushould.Don’tfeelthatyouhave to be dramatic, loud, impressive, or anything other thanhumble, meek, and confident. It would be like an emergencymedical technician (EMT)preppingandgiving aid to aperson inneed.Justdoyourjobandletthingshappenastheywill.

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Duringtheblessing,youwillshouldtryandhearthevoiceoftheLordandseeinvisionthingsthatyoushouldsayordo.Whentheblessingisfinished,askthepersonaquestionortwotoseehowtheirfaithisdoing.Youmightfeeltoaskthem,“Whatthoughtsdidyouhaveduringtheblessing?”Sometimes,iftheSpiritinspires,itisgoodtogivethematasktotesttheirfaith.Beverycarefulthatitisveryspecificandbyrevelation.Ifthepersonisnothealedorcontinuestohavethesameproblem,encourage them to have faith. You cannot force a person to behealed. If it is theLord’swillandtheyhavesufficientfaith itwillmanifestitselfaswasspoken.Becarefulnottotryandpontificatewhatyouthinkthewordsoftheblessingmighthavemeant.Donotoffer your interpretationunlesstheSpiritstronglyinstructsyoutodoso.Oftentheblessingwillofferinstructionstotherecipientofwhattheyneedtodotobehealed.Perhapsremindthemofpartsthatwerespoken,offerencouragement,andaskthemwhattheythinkitmeant.Therearetimesthatwithouteventouchingtheperson,orofficiallyoffering a blessing, that you can give a legitimate blessingunbeknown to thosewho are present. If you are amongpeoplewho lack faith, or that would not approve, you could ask therecipientifitwouldbeallrighttoprayforthemasyouholdtheirhand.Ifyoucanonlyprayyoucantreatitasablessingasyouprayand evoke the priesthood upon them in the form of a healingblessing.Touchingisapowerfulwaytoincreasefaith,thisiswhywedoit.Itisthesamepurposeforusingoliveoil.Anythingwhichrequires touching, cleansing, or doing can increase the faith ofthoseinvolvedandcreateaspiritualhealingenvironment.Youcanhealwithouttouchingbyraisingyourarmwithyourhandoutward,ortothesquareiftheLorddirectsyoutodoitthisway.Even then, you may direct them to do something to require a

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measure of faith. There is not an officialmethod, other than tofollowtheinstructionstheLordgivesyouexplicitly.Thisiswhatwillgiveyouconfidenceinperforminghealingblessings.Thebeautyofbeingapartofafamilyisthatyoucanpracticethegift of healing upon those to whom you are close. Do not bediscouraged if your healing blessings do not always create theresultsyouexpected.Therearemanyfactorsinvolved.Aswithanygift of the Spirit, it takes faith and practice. The Lord Himselfattemptedto teachHisdisciplesduringHisministryso that theycould do this. At first, they were very disappointed and haddifficulty. The Lord was patient and they eventually had greatsuccess.Youmustpracticeblessingandreceivingrevelation.Whenthedaycomesthatyoupossessthesealingpower,blessingsthesickwillbeasnaturalashelpingsomeoneputtheirshoeson.Whatdoyoudoifapersonneedsahealingblessingandyoucannotgo to them because they are too far to travel, or somethingpreventsthisfromoccurring?Thereisaway,byyourfaith,thatthiscanbemanifested.Itiscalledaproxyblessing.Ihavegivensuchblessingsonoccasionandtheyareaspowerfulandeffectiveasifthepersonwaspresent.Theway a proxy blessing is given is to first ask the personwhoneeds the blessing if theywould allow you to do this for them.Explain the process and like any other blessing seek the Lord’sinstructionbeforehandtoknowwhatyouwilldoandaskinbehalfoftherecipientoftheblessing.Thepersondoesn’tneedtoheartheblessing,butyoucancall latertotell themwhatwassaidorevenrecorditifyoucan.Place your hands upon the person sitting in as proxy. Say thefollowing: “I (Your Name), In the Name of Jesus Christ, by Hisauthority,Iofferaproxyblessinginbehalfof(TheirName).Thenoffertheblessingasyounormallywoulddoit.Itispossibletobless

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someonewithoutusingaproxy,butoftenithelpswhenaddingthefaithofothersiftheyareinvolved.Youcanalsowriteablessingasyouareinspiredbyrevelationandsendittotherecipient.AlwaysaskingpermissionbeforehandfromtheLordandthentherecipient.DonotattempttodothiswithoutpermissionunlesstheLordexpresslycommandsit.Youneverwanttoimposeyourselfuponanotherperson.Iftheydonothavethefaithitmaydomoreharmthangood.Thereismuchthatyoucandotohelphealothersasyougrowinthegiftsof theSpirit andopenyour spiritual sensitivities. ThosewhoareawareofthelightoftheLord,withHispermissioncandomuchtohelphealothers.Oftenprayingintheirbehalfandsendinglight to them can do remarkable things toward their healing.Usually,inordertohaveafullhealingitrequires,bypermission,abaptismoffiretocompletelycleansetheirspiritandthenthebodytomakeitso.ThisishowtheSaviorhealed.TodothisyoumustinteractwiththerecipientandhaveanopenchannelbetweenyouandtheFather(SealingPower).Otherwise,werelycompletelyonaligningour faith,andthefaithof theonebeinghealedtobringdownthepowersofheaven.Itcanbedone,itjusttakesmoreeffortandwork.Asyougrowinyourabilitytoseeandhear intheSpirit,youwillknowhowtoheal,wheretogo,whentocastouttheAdversary,andmore.TohealbythepowerofGodistobeaservantoftheLord.57But,donotrunfasterthanyouhavestrength.Onlyhealoraccept an invitation to heal if the Lord approves. If we are notspirituallypreparedwewillstruggletousethegiftofhealing.Miracles

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Once you are capable of receiving revelation and your spiritualsensesareopenyouwillbeable todoall thingswhich theLordcommands you more efficiently. The Gifts of the Spirit are the“miracles”thattheLordgivesustohelpustoknowHimandhelpothers.58Allthingsarepossibletothosewhobelieve.Herearesomebasicprinciplestoremembertohelpyouexercisethesegifts:

• Seek revelation, inspiration, and be creative. If you arelookingforopportunitiestoservetheLordandareseekingHiswillinallthingsyouwillexperiencemanymiracles.

• FocusonJesusChrist.DonoteverdoanythingintheLord’sname that brings you attention, financial gain, personalglory,oradulation.IfyoucanhonestlysaytotheLordthatyourmotivesarepure,thatyourintentistobeHisservantyouwillseethefloodgatesopenforyou.

• Don’t discard the first impression. Rarely do youhave tolaborstrenuouslytoreceivearevelation.Thelaborisoftenin discerning the source, because of our own weakness.Whenarevelationcomesitisusuallyaverysubtlethoughtthat pops in our mind from nowhere it seems. Beparticularlyattentivetothese.

• Smallandsimplethings,notthecarefullystrategized,areoftenhowtheLordworkswithus.Thesimplemeansandefforts may lead to more elaborate projects, but don’texpectthatatthestart.Followthebreadcrumbs.

• All depends upon your relationship with the Lord. Yourrelationship with Him is everything. It is always the firstpriority.IfyoufeeldistantfromHimyouwillstrugglewiththegiftsoftheSpirit.

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• GlorytoHim.Wheneveranyonegivespraiseuponyouaresomethingyoudid,immediatelypasstheglorytotheLordandpraiseHimopenly.

• Blessaplant.Yes,itsoundsstrange;butpracticewiththeLord’sapproval,blessingthingsliketrees,plants,yourfood,water, home, everything. Do it thoughtfully as you seekrevelation in the matter. It doesn’t need to be a longblessing,butthelightyouaregiven,sharedwithyoubytheLordwillgiveyouthepotentialtoblessmanycreations.Thisisgoodpracticetohelpyoutoshareyourvirtuewithmany.See it andmake it come to pass. This is the epitome ofrevelation.Ifyougetathoughttodosomething,doitnowandseeitcometopass.

• Lookformiracles.Thosewholookformiracleswillwitnessmiracles more often. Especially among those who aresuffering with sin or affliction. Through Christ many aremadewhole.

• Whatweseewillmanifestitself.AsyouseektoknowtheLord’swillforyoumayseeavisioninyourmindfromtimetotime.Ifyoudo,actinfaithandyouwillbegintoseethephysical manifestation. This is related to our sacredimagination.Learntoask.Seeitinyourmindfirst,thenactinfaithandseethephysicalmanifestation.AsyouseektoknowtheLord’swill foryoutherewillbevisionsthatwillcome.Takeactiontomakethemoccur.

• Practiceimagining,makeitsacred,believeeverythingwithprudence.Learntoevaluateeverysituation.

• Remember,youarejustbeginning.Keepapositiveattitudeandbepersistent.”

• Keepajournalwhereyoulisteverymiracleyouobserveinyourlife.Thesecanbepersonalexperiences,simpleevents;ortheycanbethingswhichyouseeorhearfromthosewithwhomyouareclose.Writehowyoufeelaboutthemiracles.Remember,amiracleisanythingwheretheLordintervenesinourlife.Often,wecannotexplainwhyorhow.TheLord

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isinthedetails.Oftenwelearnthereasonsbehindeventsatalatertimeandourfaithisstrengthened.

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WhatifIStillCan’tOpenMyEyes?Someoneoncewrotemethisquestion:“Ihaverepeatedlytriedallthestepsyouhavementionedandstillgetnothing.WhenItrythe‘yes’and‘no’questions,justnothing.AsItrytosettleonananswer,justnothing.Nowwhat!?”

Itwouldbewonderfuliftherewasasingleanswerforeachpersonwhodespitealltheireffortsstillcannotopentheirspiritualeyes.Ihavegonetogreatlengthsinthisbooktoexpounduponthereasonwhywemightstruggleandhowtoovercomethesethings.Ihavealsolistedmanyexercisestohelppracticethisprocess.Thereisnotanimmediatesuccesstriggerformostpeople.Forme,itcameinstages and at times I felt I was not having any progress, but IperseveredandtheLordblessedme.Trythefollowing:

• AsktheLord,“WhatlackIyet?”AskingHimwhereweneedtostartandwhatneeds tohappennextcanbe themostimportantkey.OneofthehardestquestionstoasktheLordiswhatweneedtodotomakeourrepentancecomplete.Often what we are worried about is not so big, butsomethingelseisthetrueroadblock.

• Beginafast.Abstainfromfood,oryoucantrydifferentfastswhere youdrinkonlywater,broth,orherbal teas. If youneedtoeat,prayaboutwhattheLordwantsyoutoeat.Itmaybevegetablesormildfoods.Gowithoutcomputerandphone,orotherdistractionsforthetimeofyourfast.

• PrayandmakeyourintentionsknowntotheLord.Whatareyou fasting for? If your desire is to have a spiritualexperiencethatmaynotbethebestreason.IfyourdesireistogetclosetotheLord,toestablisharelationshipwithHimsoyoucanbeHisservant,youareontherighttrack.Besurenottotryandforcetheansweryoumaywant.Thiswillinhibittherevelation.

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• Whenyouarealoneandyourmindisclear,asktheLordifyoucanwriteyourquestionsandreceivearevelation.Getapencilandpaper.Writedownthequestions.AsktheLordabout giving yourself a blessing, write the answers thatcometoyourmind,onewordatatime.Don’tsecondguessordoubt—justwrite.Feelthewordscomingtoyourmind.Theywillsoundlikeyourownvoice,butwillfeelholy.

• WhenyouaredoneasktheLordifitwasfromHim.Ifyoufeelgoodaboutit,bebelieving.

IhaveaskedtheLordinbehalfofothersandHeprovidedthebestcouncilofall.Herearethreeexamplesfrommyjournal:

“Ihavefriendsthatcannotseeinthespiritandarediscouraged.TheLordsaid,“Theycannotrunbeforethey learn to stand.When theyare searchingandtrying to rend the veil they will begin by seeingglimpses.Ifalltheyseeisasecondofanimagetheymustgraspitfully.Theymustallowimagestocomeand if their minds are filled with virtue they willcome freely. This means not just desires, butimagery of holy things, they will do well. Fastinghelps with this when done in the right spirit ofmeekness.Astheylearntobestillandgarnishtheirthoughtstheywillseethescalesslippingawayuntiltheclouddispersesandtheyseemyface.”“Shehasbeenfastingtobeabletoseebetterwithher spiritual eyes. The Lord gave me some goodcouncilforthis.Hesaidthatsheisn’tdoinganythingwrong. That shehasbeenblessedverymuch,butthat she needs to patiently look, and see, andexamineeverything.Sometimesitwilljustbemoredifficulttoseeasourmortalbodiespreventusfromseeingclearly.But,asshelearnstofocusandquiet

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herself the visions will be more clear. “Be notdiscouraged.”Hesaid.Ithinkthisappliestoallofus.Toseewithoutrestraintislikebeingabletodanceonarope.Itisnotsomethingthatcomeseasily,butwithfocus,itcanbedone.”“Iwas shown that theApostleswere sent twobytwotothesurroundingtownsduringthelastyearofHis ministry to assist in healing and sharing theWordwithothers.Theywereoftendiscouragedandlackedfaith,andJesuswouldteachthem.Peterwasvery emotional about it. Jesus spent much timetryingtoteachthemtohearthevoiceoftheSpirit.”

OnlyyouandtheLordcanrevealwhatishinderingyou.Itmaybesomethingverysimplethatneedsresolving.TheLord isthebestonetohelpyoufigurethisout.Don’tgiveup,theLordwillguideyouthroughthisprocess.The journeyof learning toopenyourspiritualeyes isoneof themostdifficultandexcitingthingsyouwillexperienceinthislife.Formanyit istooheavyapricefortheirtime,efforts,andfaith;butyouknowtheway.Theentirepurposeofmybooksandpostsistohelp you to prepare to becomewho the Lordwants you to be.FocusuponHimandseekHisfacewithallyourheartandhewillnotleaveyoucomfortless.