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Home » Calling and Election Made Sure » How You Received Your Calling and Election Made Sure » Read First! - Topic Introduction, Background and Rules (Rules for Sharing, Reading and Discussing this topic)
Read First! - Topic Introduction, Background and Rules [message #42] Mon, 14 June 2010 14:19
Amonhi is currently offline  Amonhi
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Registered: June 2010
Location: Las Vegas, NV.
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Quote:

"Peter exhorts us to make our calling and election sure. This is the sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places.
This principle ought to be taught, ... for God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye that Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest." - Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39, p.149


We have been encouraged countless times by both ancient and modern prophets to make our calling and election sure. But, How?

How do we prepare?
How is it received?

This area has been created for the benefit of those who have not received the blessing. Those who have received the blessing do not need this information.

Those who are sharing their experiences do so freely with the hopes that others will also prepare, receive and recognize the blessing. They hope to dissipate the shroud of darkness that currently surrounds the greatest of all God's gifts.

We encourage the sharing of such personal experiences by creating a spirit of love, respect, peace, joy, gentleness and goodness.
This is not an area to disagree with the experiences of others. They have had experiences.

Anyone may share their experiences. Anyone may ask questions regarding their experiences.

In 1977, President Marion G. Romney addressed the church in general conference. His talk, "The Light of Christ" was given with the intent of helping the membership of the church understand how we progress from experiencing the Light of Christ to the "more sure word of prophecy". He explained,
Quote:
Now, concerning the third phase of our theme, "the more sure word of prophecy" (D&C 131:5), which is obtained by making one's "calling and election sure" (2Pet. 1:10),...


In an effort to help the Saints understand how we receive our calling and election made sure, (and with it the more sure word of prophecy), President Romney provided many examples of people who had receive the promise. He focused on the moment they received the promise, where they were, who was there and how it was received. This was given so that the general church membership could look for the promise themselves and recognize who will likely be there, and how it will likely be done. (For a full copy of his address, download the attached file or look on the LDS website for, "The Light of Christ" by President Romney.)

In that same spirit, this forum area is gathering and collecting experiences from scripture, history and living examples of this ordinance.

As there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of sharing such personal experiences, Elliaison provides the following:
Quote:
Do people really receive these blessings and talk about it?

YES! There are a significant number of members who have received these blessings. It is true that these people are not often open about their experiences while talking to large groups. For example, you will very rarely hear someone in a testimony meeting or talk say that they have met the Christ. However, it is often said in shrouded words. Those who have "ears to hear" have heard. This is often the way that we have heard experiences shared in General Conferences. It is often said simply that a person "knows from personal experience" that Christ lives. True knowledge comes as a person meets the savior personally. This is explained well in Ether 3 after the Brother of Jared had seen the Lord himself.

"And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him." - Ether 3:4-20

Although there are some occasions in which individuals have been told not to share their experiences, these are not the norm. Just as sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ only encourages faith and is required in missionary work, so to witnessing your personal experiences of Jesus Christ, angels, miracles and other blessings promotes faith and encourages others to rise up to greater plateaus. This is a major reason we read the scriptures. We are reading the experiences of others so we can learn with them and thereby rise up to also claim all the blessings of the righteous.

When we share our personal experiences by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the right circumstances with the right people, such witnesses become very powerful opportunities to encourage others to experience the same. And as the world prepares for the millennium, more individuals will receive the same blessings until it becomes as common as baptism is today. Just as people today wish to share their sacred conversions stories with others, a day will come when people will be able to safely share these sacred experiences without ridicule.

Why would anyone be ridiculed for sharing their uplifting personal testimony and experiences?

Satanic forces have continued to attempt to prevent such information from being shared, taught and becoming accepted by the mainstream. These efforts aim to prevent the critical mass that will bring the coming millennium. As a result, a lie has been created and propagated which is summarized in the following statement:

"If anyone tells you they have seen the Savior or had their calling and election made sure or any other such blessing, you can know they are lying because no one would share such sacred things and they are told not to share them."

This lie is particularly potent as it accomplishes 2 things.

1. It shuts the mouth of those who have had theses experiences so they do not share - The half truth presented in this lie is that these are sacred things and very personal. As such we have no desire to cast such pearls before the swine of the world. On the other hand, many of us have a strong desire and often even a commandment to share our witness and experiences for the benefit of others. This lie thereby causes others to condemn and ridicule those who would share and so it shuts the mouth of those who have experienced first hand and are thereby qualified to assist others in accomplishing the same. This only benefits the dark forces who desire to keep such information contained.

2. It shuts the ears of the listeners who would have benefited In many instances, those who have had such experiences take courage from the example of Joseph Smith and others who in the face of such threatening opposition still shared his own personal experiences. In the event that the lie does not achieve its primary goal by shutting the mouths of the witnesses, it turns to those listening and attempts to shut their ears. This is accomplished easily as those who accept this lie automatically discredit anyone who makes such claims without any further examination or consideration.

As a testament to the effectiveness of this lie, you only have to consider how much the general membership has heard or understands about the subjects discussed in this book. This is amazing when we consider the many scriptures and talks that address these subjects.

Other lies that have been propagated focus on your unworthiness to experience the same for yourself. Remember that anything that does not encourage you to achieve your potential is not of God. Because God is not a respecter of persons, every blessing God has to give is available to you.


For those that seek this blessing, we share our own experiences here...

[Updated on: Sun, 06 February 2011 22:20] by Moderator

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