How can I have a personal audience with Heavenly Father face to face?
Question
Gramps,
The scriptures give plenty of evidence that man can see God face to face and speak with Him. In addition our temple ceremonies seem to imply that one can receive a personal audience with God the Father or His Son. And in writing this I feel the Spirit telling me this is indeed possible.
Tell me, how can I receive a personal audience with my Heavenly Father face to face, while in the flesh?
Derek
Answer
Dear Derek,
Not only do our temple ceremonies imply that we can gain a personal audience with the Lord Jesus Christ, it also shows the steps for that. And not only does the rite suggest such a thing, the scriptures are filled with such promises. As the Spirit is already prompting you, I will only give you minimal guidance and let Him be your Teacher. The plainest instruction I have found is D&C 93:1,20.
“Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;… For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of [God the Father’s] fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.”
In your scripture search, you may also want to seek out the Lord’s discourse on the First and Second Comforters (John 14-16). Joseph Smith taught: “Now what is this other [Second] Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself; and … when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, … and the Lord will teach him face to face” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 150-151).
Another scriptural phrase, used by Peter, that you may want to look at is “the more sure word of prophecy” (see 2 Peter 1). Peter used this phrase when encouraging the saints to make their calling and election sure (another related phrase).
For additional study, read Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Elder McConkie’s sermons and writings will often connect passages together to explain some of the concepts, but the foundation always seems to come back to Joseph Smith and the scriptures.
I have to here issue a word of caution. There is a great curiosity among the Saints with regards to this doctrine. We want to know the mysteries without the hard work of covenantal obedience. We want the physics degree without ever attending the lab. Unfortunately, there are a number of wolves in sheep clothing who (like the Gnostics of old with their writings on Christ’s 40-day ministry) are more than willing to publish a rubric and welcome you into an exclusive club. Follow the Spirit over the provocative trumpeting of such false leaders.
Finally, I must emphasize again the importance of letting the Spirit be your guide (after all, how can you receive the Second Comforter without first receiving the First?). It is the Spirit which testifies of the truth and relevance of the passages you read. It is the Spirit which testifies of the Father’s approbation for your faithfulness. It is the Spirit that teaches and instructs on the areas where you need to focus now in your climb from grace to grace.
The Lord bless you Derek.
Gramps
Here’s the thing. If you want to see the Savior first you have to hear and respond to His voice and so that means we have to get really really really familiar with the holy ghost and realize also that holy ghost does not testify of himself that he is really communicating the mind of God to us. I’ve read this scripture and felt the same call but realize that I first must become intimate with our heavenly father voice.
Very nice answer.
This is a little off to one side. A man died and ended up in a line for an interview. As he got closer there were chairs. As he got close indeed he noticed that he could hear a little of the interview. The guy ahead of him was a real man. The next guy after him was a quite soft spoken gentleman, and not very forceful. In the last chair before the door he heard someone asking the man who had just gone in to tell what he knew of Jesus. The guy said that Jesus was a good guy who saved everyone from the devil. The unknown voice again asked what he knew of Jesus. The man said that if you went to church you could learn all of that stuff, but that you could also worship him in the mountains. Once more he was asked what he knew of Jesus and the man said he was born on Christmas and everyone got gifts because it was such a wonderful season.
Now it was his turn. The voice belonged to a guy who must have been kinda of a medium big shot. His eyes were intelligent and penetrating but he did not have any new or nice clothes. He looked him right in the eye and asked “What he knew of Jesus”. He answered that Jesus was the Son of God, born in the meridian of time to Joseph and Mary to redeem the world. The guy said “Yes, but tell me what you know of Jesus”. He told him that Jesus selected the disciples to carry on after him, that he was crucified because of the wickedness of men, and that because he died on the cross all mankind would be resurrected. The guy said “Yes, but tell me what YOU know of Jesus”, he seemed a little sad. He told him that Jesus was an important person in his day, that he was a great teacher who taught great truths to the people. That it was wrong to steal and run around. That it was important to smite those who did not behave properly. After being sent out of the interview room he found that he could still hear the interview in his chair next to the door.
He heard the question “Tell me what you know of Jesus”. The soft spoken gentleman talked a little about the Good news and how it gave instructions to those who studied it, and how the depth of understanding always increased as you continued to study. How we would be forgiven as we forgave others. Of the importance of visiting church and paying tithing. The question came again, “Tell me what you know of Jesus”. The man spoke of the example of the Savior in his life upon the earth. Spoke of the importance of prudent living and how prayer often pointed the path. Of making the home a haven from the world where the weak might begin to grow strong. Of staying out of debt. Of visiting the sick and the afflicted. Of sharing with his neighbor and helping him to help himself. Of the concept of serving his Lord by serving his fellow man. Once again came the question “Tell me what YOU know of Jesus”. He heard a little shocked cry from the man after him. He heard him stumble to his knees. He heard in an amazed voice. “My Lord, My Savior and Redeemer, My advocate with the Father. I thank thee for this chance to meet you” “How did you know I would recognize thee ?” “My sheep hear my voice, and in hearing me hear also the Father.” “Come ye meek and lowly of heart, enter in to your rest, and enter in to our work, that many may join us”.
I am sure I heard some version of this story somewhere. It is one I cannot do justice to. I would be honored if you and the others you work with would shine it up and make it presentable. The intent is that only those with enough of a desire to actually study would recognize him, but that the grace offered unto us would help us to recognize him also if our desire to follow him had borne fruit. It would be his Grace and not our poor efforts, but that our weak efforts will bear rich blessings in the bounty of his Grace. If you all can aid me in this I would much appreciate it. Thank you.