Authority and Revelation
many times have you heard "stop questioning and just have faith?" Such
authoritarian commands paint religion into a corner of ignorant
obedience without question. But we actually want to know God! We want
to actually feel His love. So, how do we actually build a personal
relationship with God? Is it possible?
Yes! And here is how to do it.
There is an element of religion called revelation. This revelation can
come down the ranks of ecclesiastical authority, but more impactive to
us is that God can speak to us directly. Have you ever felt that God
was speaking to you? We call this personal revelation. It can be
obtained through doing some simple, yet important things:
1. Start by being humble enough to pray and open up to God
2. Study as much as you can about God. Read out of the scriptures, but
also read other books about God. Gather as much information as you
can. Many people have different opinions about Him. You must decipher
the maze of opinions and find the straight truth. This is a difficult
endeavor, but God will help you.
3. Look for answers. These answers can come in a multiplicity of ways,
but first you must look for them. Meditate and seek the quite moments.
Those times the Spirit of God can communicate more clearly. When an
answer does come, it will be accompanied by feels of joy and peace.
Look for these times. Don't worry if it doesn't come all at once. It
takes years for some people.
Let me share a personal anecdote from my own life for how this worked for me.
When I was 14 I wanted to know if God was real. I was told growing in
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) that I did
need to seek my own personal relationship with God. No parent or
Priest was going to be able to build that relationship for me. That is
why I decided I was going to go out in the woods near my house and
pray to know if God was there.
Many think or profess that a revelation will come in a beam of light
or a mighty physics defying miracle. Mine did not. I only felt one
impression: study. So that what I did for the next six years. I read
the scriptures, yes, the Bible, the Book of Mormon and I also read
other books. Philosophy, history, theology. I read Immanuel Kant, John
Locke, Plato, Edward Gibbon and I was starting to build my perception
of reality and my knowledge of God. At length I came to a logical
conclusion of who God is. I knew God. But did I have a relationship? I
would say that I did but not a complete one.
When I was 19, I decided to serve a mission for my church. It entailed
giving up two years of my life for God by leavening hearth and home to
travel to a new place with the intention of serving the community and
Proselyting. One night as I was kneeling at my bed in prayer, a
distinct and overwhelming feeling came upon me. It was the presence of
God. That is the only way I can describe the feeling. It was the Holy
Ghost.
It just came as I was pondering about the story of Abraham in the Old
Testament. So you know the one I am talking about? Where Abraham is
asked to sacrifice his son? I just thought that was a really weird
story but then I understood it. God wanted to show Abraham what God
had to do for us. That is, sacrifice his own Son Jesus Christ so that
through him the world might live with God forever after this life.
And that is when I felt like I had a relationship with God. I know
that you can find that too. Follow the steps outlined here adapted to
yourself and your circumstances and you will find God. And for study,
just start!
I love being here and would personally wish you luck in your own
spiritual journey. May God bless you in it! In the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
To learn more go to:
Www.mormon.org
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