There are a significant number who have received all the blessings discussed on this site.  Many, including most of the Elliaison Contributors, have received their blessings without Elliaison's help.  However, we are pleased to see that many are applying the information provided on our websites and in our books and articles and receiving their blessings as a direct result.  

          It is true that most people are NOT often open about their more significant spiritual experiences while talking to large groups.  For example, you will very rarely hear someone in a church meeting or talk clearly and directly affirm that they have met the Christ or seen angels.   However, it is often said in shrouded words that are witnessed by the spirit to those who have “ears to hear”.

          We recognize and understand that many sincere people claim to have knowledge of these things by stating, "I know that Jesus is the Savior", when actually they have a strong testimony by the spirit and have never gained this knowledge by meeting him personally.  Those who have real knowledge might say something like, "I know from personal experience that Christ lives.”  Such knowledge can only come as a person meets the savior personally.

          A witness of Christ through the Holy Ghost is called a Testimony of Christ and according to John the Revelator, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" and makes a person a prophet in the most limited sense, (Rev.19:10).  This is because the same spirit that witnesses to our hearts of Jesus Christ, also tells us of those things which are not seen but which are prophetic.  It is the same witness and experience, but instead of having a witness of Christ whom they have never seen, they receive a witness of some other thing that they have never seen, like a future event.  When you receive a witness by the Holy Ghost regarding something you have not seen, it is called "the word of prophecy" or "a prophecy".

          Peter explained this more clearly saying,

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:21

          Just prior to explaining this, Peter explained that there is a greater witness than the witness of the Holy Ghost.  He explained that he and his brethren had this greater witness.  This greater witness is to see for yourself and receive the witness of the Holy Ghost that testifies of what you are seeing.   To see Christ and have the witness of the Holy Ghost tell you, "This is Christ" is a greater witness than that of the spirit alone.  “The more sure word of prophecy” is the term that references an eyewitness, or someone who has firsthand personal experience with Christ or other things they are teaching about.   Peter said he and his brethren where such witnesses,

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
…
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” – 2 Peter 1:16-19

          Testimony changes to knowledge 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, or what they learned in their experiences, this is not the norm.  Just as sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ only encourages faith and is required for 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 which are largely the experiences and witnesses of those who have had such experiences and shared them.  If they hadn’t shared them, then we wouldn’t be blessed to know about them.

          In addition, if you have not had these experiences yourself and are looking for a guide who is able to teach you those things you need to know to breach the veil and see the heavens for yourself, it would be wise to know if that person has done so for themselves or not.  It puts their teachings and directions into proper perspective.

          If you needed to learn how to do something and you were looking for an instructor to teach you, you would want someone who can teach you from experience.  In every area of life, we recognize the value of experience.  But for some reason, when it comes to our spiritual direction and instruction, so many of us are willing to learn from and follow those who neglect or refuse to provide their qualifications.

          Imagine if you went to a doctor’s office and while in the waiting room you discovered that the only qualification the physician had or provided was their title or position at that clinic.  Then, when you went to interview the doctor to see if they would sufficiently be able to instruct you in your physical heath, you asked them about their qualifications and experience and they responded by telling you that it is not proper to ask such questions or that information like that is too special to share with you no matter how much you would respect and honor it.

          Here is the thing, they would be right if they were not endeavoring to instruct and lead others.  Once they accept a position of leadership in which they endeavor to help others to accomplish a goal, it becomes a right of those they lead to know if they have themselves achieved that goal or not.  For the sake of our spiritual progression, we need to know the qualifications of the people leading us.  If we believe that they can bring us to Christ but they have never been in his presence themselves, then they really don't know what they are doing.  If they haven't breach the veil themselves, they are guessing and hoping those they follow can live their instructions better than they can, but they may not have considered that the reason they have not achieved the goal for themselves is not their ability to live according to their own instructions but that the instructions are based on the traditions of men and will never lead you correctly.  

          For example, we hear all too often people teaching that we need to live the commandments and laws of the church perfectly to become perfect, but the scriptures clearly state that the laws and commandments come from the lower priesthood and never made anyone perfect.  If you want to come to God, rather than trying to live the law better, focus your efforts on gaining a better hope in Christ...

          If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

          For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. - Hebrews 7:11 & 19

          We can tell you these things with certainty because we have breached the veil and stood in the presence of God and His Savior.  We know the path and are able to lead those who do not until they too know the path and can in turn lead additional others until all equally know the path.

          If we are learning from any person or group, then it is important that we know if they are able to teach and lead us to the goals we are seeking to achieve.  If they have not experienced the blessings we want, then the chances of them leading us to the results we desire are slim.  In such instances, it becomes a case of the blind leading the blind.

          Even the greatest of scholars are limited in their knowledge if they haven’t had personal experience.  Anyone who knows enough to lead someone else to a blessing or experience will most certainly know enough to have had the experience for themselves.  If they have not, then they do not know enough to teach you to have it either.  This is why Peter said that he was an “eyewitness” having “a more sure word of prophecy” and having established himself as an experienced authority he then says, "ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."

          We read the scriptures to learn from these spiritual experts so that we can become spiritual experts ourselves by having the same experiences they have had.  They therefore want us all to be prophets.

“And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? (I) would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” – Numb. 11:29

          They want us all to make our calling and election sure.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” - 2 Peter 1:10

          And ultimately equal with Christ and God.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" - Philippians 2:5-6

          And because God is no respecter of persons, (Acts 10:34), any blessing that is available to one is available to all.

          With this understanding firmly in place, we would like  to point out to you that while this site is informative and provides a great deal of insight, revelation and new information, it cannot and does not replace or superseded the need for your own personal revelation.  

          You cannot borrow our, (or anyone else's), oil for your lamps to light your way through the dark night.  You must have the ability to provide your own light to guide yourself or you will not be among those virgins who enter into the marriage, (see Matthew 25:1-13).  Each person must have their own oil and be able to provide for themselves enough light to last the night and not think that they can rely on the light and revelation of others to guide them.  

          This means that you should not believe what you read on this site, (or any other), without receiving the witness of the Holy Ghost on each point of doctrine and having your own direct connection to God.  Only by the powerful witness of the Holy Ghost can you learn for yourself what is true.

          President Brigham Young said:

"There are those among this people who are influenced, controlled, and biased in their thoughts, actions, and feelings by some other individual or family, on whom they place their dependence for spiritual and temporal instruction, and for salvation in the end.  These persons do not depend upon themselves for salvation, but upon another of their poor, weak, fellow mortals.  I do not depend upon any inherent goodness of my own, say they, to introduce me into the kingdom of glory, but I depend upon you, brother Joseph, upon you, brother Brigham, upon you, brother Heber, or upon you, brother James; I believe your judgment is superior to mine, and consequently I let you judge for me; your spirit is better than mine, therefore you can do good for me; I will submit myself wholly to you, and place in you all my confidence for life and salvation; where you go I will go, and where you tarry there I will stay; expecting that you will introduce me through the gates into the heavenly Jerusalem....Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them, They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold scepters of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course." - Brigham Young