There is an odd paradox people bump into about the time they begin discovering that there is a grand eternity of mortal blessings suddenly available to them through an inspired personal quest. When someone teaches their spiritual ears to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and their bodies to yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, then these blessings flow. What seems to happen next is that they usually mention their new joy to several people, including people they admire spiritually, and they receive skepticism, doubt and are told to be careful. Then begin the feelings of aloneness, isolation and pondering why there must be a paradox between two true things: their unfolding spiritual heights and the spiritual platform they were standing upon to reach it.
A paradox is something that appears impossible, yet is nevertheless the case. We naturally want to be supported in our new quest, and we want to know that this is where we are supposed to be and not off on some tangent. The paradox is that some don’t feel encouraged – they feel dissuaded.
Here’s the key: I’ve written about it several times on the Un-Blog, but I don’t mind restating it because it is so important. They Church IS true and it IS functioning exactly as Jesus Christ intends. Nothing is broken. The Church administers the ordinances and bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost. From there, most of what we receive spiritually is a result of a personal quest to fulfill ordinances, keep covenants and to claim promised blessings. When we do, then vast and eternal things begin to happen. This is the correct order of things, and it is in harmony with what the scriptures teach, and what the church teaches.
The scriptures are replete with witness to the validity of this type of spiritual pursuit. Every prophet recorded in scripture, every single one of them, was isolated, persecuted and rejected, and yet triumphed personally by weathering every hazard. We don’t experience any degree of institutional opposition today – only the words and acts of persons of limited spiritual perception.
These gifts and spiritual happenings are spiritually discerned, and people arrive at them at their own speed and on their own timetable. Saying them from the pulpit wouldn’t make people understand them, because that understanding is only derived through the Spirit, not by words. In a perfect world, one where pornography wasn’t more common than prophecy, these principles would be shouted from the rooftops. For now, they are deeply held within the hearts of those who seek and find.
If someone attended a university and obtained a PhD in some field, it would be illogical to look back at someone still taking basic courses and wonder what’s wrong with them, or what’s wrong with the university. Nor would it be logical for someone in an airplane lifting off the runway to glance back at the airport, and wonder what’s wrong with the people still milling around in the airport. The very fact that you are in the air proclaims the validity and correctness of the airport.
As I said in the beginning, it is paradox, albeit one that faith easily unravels.
Brother John
© February 2012, John M. Pontius, all rights reserved. Non-commercial reproduction permitted.
This is so true. Sometime when I share some of the deeper but very basic truths with others who I think should understand, I would get an empty or flippant response which demonstrates their total lack of understanding, nevertheless, I feel that it is my duty to bear witness of these truths when lead by the spirit.
I do think however that a miracle is occurring among members of the the church, young and old, to receive these messages. Here is an example: I teach a youth Sunday School class in my ward, and toward the end of each lesson I summarize and remind them of the importance of obedience to the still small voice. Most Sundays, the young men and women would be so restless and talkative, that I would go away wondering whether or not they got the message that I tried to deliver, but this past Sunday was different. It started out with them being their usual selves and me trying to present the lesson while at the same time trying to correct their behavior. This went on up until approx. 10 minutes before the class was to end when all of a sudden, each youth in the class went silent, sat still in their chairs and fastened their eyes on me as I presented the summary then bore my testimony. I remember wondering as I was talking, what in the world was happening because I had never before seen them act this way. They all sat there in that state for a full 8-10 minutes then the assigned person said the closing prayer and the class ended. Later that evening the RS President came to my home and told me that her son, who was in my class, told her that the Sunday School lesson was the best lesson that he had ever had.
I am certain now that the youth in my class have all received the message of obedience to the voice of the Lord which I had been trying to deliver to them for so long.
I agree. There is a definite and observable spiritual renaissance occurring. The key to sharing these things is, as in all other things, to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Then, you say what is right when it is right. Otherwise, you get the misunderstandings and flippant responces.
Keep up the good comments,
John
Thank you again for your living reminders.
Spot on!
Patience is the key. I have often wondered how many times others have tried to share these things with me and I wasn’t able to discern the truths being presented. It wasn’t until I was lead by a particular set of promptings of the Spirit to start down the path I am on that I had my spiritual eyes opened. I have often wondered if I could/should have started paying attention earlier in my life. However, I think that the set of experiences that I have had up the point where I realized what was happening were perfect in maturing me and preparing me to embark on this Celestial journey. Each of us has had a marvelous work and a wonder take place in our mortal lives in order to help us get started on this journey!
So how did you know I needed this today
I wanted to write and ask if you or anyone else seemed like at times they were traveling so fast, almost quantumly, and you wondered if you were on the right track because no one was following. You even try to explain it and feel like shaking people in church because they skip over scriptures and don’t dig in and understand it like you do. It’s like when you read a passage and you can’t even fully explain it, but you just know it and understand it already or it is revealed to you at that precise time. I tried to explain it to someone and yes they think you are veering in the wrong direction. After awile you start to question if maybe you really are being mislead, but you come back to that peace and confirmation that the Holy Ghost is revealing the truth. It’s almost scary sometimes as I look at the world and realize what we really are surronded by and how Satan has blinded so many of us. Why did I become so lucky to break away from that and how do I help others to see it as I do. I’ve wondered lately if this is the separation at the tree of life. Some partook of the tree and then left ashamed and mocked and pointed at the ones that stayed and continued on. Maybe my test is to see if I can withstand the mocking of other LDS friends and family who think I’ve let go of the rod. My question is then, how do we continue to progress when maybe a spouse isn’t progressing as fast. The gap is becoming larger though we are both progressing but I want it for them as well. Do I continue to share or is this such a personal journey that I keep it to myself?
Brian gave a wonderful answer to your question. See if it makes sense and if not ask your question again. The key is to be guided in everything by the Holy Spirit. Even with family, this is the only way to truly do it right.
JMP
This journey is wonderful! Thank heaven for such an outlet for us to discuss our thoughts and feelings through this “unblog”. When I first came across this unblog and Brother Pontius I was enduring one of the most severe trials and tests of faith I have ever been up against. I was searching for hope and peace. This unblog has been such an instrument in my healing. I was hesitant at first to make comments and use my full name. However, it was because I used my real and full name that others in my own ward approached me. After reading one of my comments, a ward member called me out of the blue and said you are reading Bro. Pontius writings. We discovered that we are on the same journey. She let me know there were others on our ward too. What a treasure in so many ways! People to share insights, a spiritual closeness and connectedness, and a knowledge that we are, in fact. not “crazy” and not alone! A miracle indeed!
Bro John,
Thanks for your words, and the Spirit you have shared it in.
I have been through some learning experiences lately. There were several situations in our ward that people misunderstood and went to the Bishop over. In the end the members involved learned new doctrine about who is the Gentile church, where we stand, and the Bishop (I am the 1st counselor) said “I feel I can trust you even more now, having gone through this experience seeing what is in your heart.” He apologized for how hard it was, as Stake Leadership were concerned in the area about apostate groups, and questioned me thoroughly regarding my involvement (or lack of) in any groups. The stake has been loosing members, and many are strong one’s leaving due to history or doctrinal issues.
For me, I learned many lessons, most of all to ONLY speak as moved upon by the Spirit, and to otherwise “hold thy Peace” as nothing is gained trying to give what is not wanted.
I had been prompted to share only the things that the Spirit moved upon, and I had in my exuberance to share gave more than what was needful.
The journey is a personal journey, and I had previously ignored many prompts in my life to seek for further light, and did not at those times. I am learning love and patience with others, and with myself.
Thanks again
Brian, thanks for your comment. It helped me. I recently had my inlaws show my private blog to their stake president to get his advice on what to do with me — and they also told my parents they were sick over me leading to apostasty – all a result of me testifying (on my personal blog for my family history) that I know God alone can save me and the prophets/apostles can’t do that for me. It is such an unfortunate thing happening to many of us. It gives us the great opportunity to learn and practice charity to others who also profess to follow God. We show the Lord we will follow Him and His ways even when persecuted.
John,
As we have discussed in recent months, this is something I have been struggling with for many years. Most recently a comment I made about a “greater” principle was driectly challenged during a HP priesthood lesson by several individuals including a former bishop, a recently returned mission president and son-in-law of an apostle, and a current high councelor. Later I was able to share with them some reverences verifying my comments. However, this casused some real concern within me. Who am I, what posture do I have to understand these things when others whom I esteem as great men of high standing in the Church do not? As it turned out this process was a significant trial of faith for me. Even though I did not and do not consider this event “organized institutional opposition,” I now see that it is deeply entrenched false traditions of the generations that result in blindness and unbelief, and end up as opposition from those so affected.
I am eternally grateful to you for helping me see the steps necessary to receive a witness of the truth about this. I just need to remember that men sometimes judge incorrectly, but God never judges incorrectly. The Spirit bore witness as I read this UnBlog that the Church organization is perfect and has led me to this point…just as it should have. There is nothing wrong with the people still in the airport. My job isn’t to save them. The Spirit will lead them to greater knowledge if they seek it. My stewardship is to teach my posterity as lead by the Spirit what the steps on the path are, how to recognize them and how to take them at the appropriate time. If I can remember that and not let my excitment, ethusiasm or ego push me to speak when I should not, I have a full expectation that my family and I will travel the path that Father designed for us!
Love you,
Terry
Dear Terry,
Those kind of lessons are harsh. It’s so difficult to understand that sort of thing. But, you have it right of course. The answer to almost every question is “Follow the Spirit”. The cause of almost every harsh experience is because we didn’t. It is a hard lesson to learn, but it brings so much peace and joy. I admire so much what you are doing with your family.
Love to you and yours,
John
My heart is with you, Terry. It is one thing to understand how younger, less experienced members in this faith are not ready for greater things. It is much harder to understand why men of high standing in the Church persecute others for their knowledge of greater things while they deny their existence or relevance.
Great thoughts Bruder. It truly is a lonely journey. I have on several occasions had my wife tell me I am wierd because I read the scriptures all the time and I constantly think of what I should be doing to progress the work of the Lord in this part of the vineyard. I love my wife, she is wonderful but she is at a different place in her life in seeking the greater blessings of the spirit. That is alright, it is an individual journey. You love your spouse unconditionaly, you are humble, teachable. You do not flaunt or feel you are better than others with the knowledge that you have. All glory goes to the Father and the Son, we are nothing, but we are everything to the Father. As we continue on this journey great blessings will be given to us, most of which will never be shared with anyone even a spouse. Glory in what you have been given, bless mankind with it humbly and anonymously. Follow the spirit in all that you do.
Bruder
Thank you S in ID. You are right as usual. We just do what is right, and let the Lord sort out the details.
God bless,
John
I just want to tell you how true and how timely this posting is. Yesterday, my parents told me they are worried and think I’m off in the deep end.
While lonely at times, I have an insatiable desire for truth. My parents will come around some day.
I wholeheartedly endorse every sentiment expressed in earlier comments: patience, prudence and above all listening to the Spirit.
Anyone got any hints about how to restrain that first flush of elation when the light dawns, without quenching the Spirit?
I refer to my own experience some years back when a very humble and spiritually based Gospel Doctrine teacher explained the significance of D&C27:
14.
I had always thought that as a women (since females don’t hold the priesthood) Adam-ondi-Ahman was out of my reach and was amazed to realize that wasn’t so. I walked home feeling like my feet weren’t touching ground and I so wanted to share this wonderful increase in understanding. Big mistake on my part: I still get flak from immediate family and others, that seems to have its origin in my unwise attempts to share.
Comments, anyone?
I joined the church at age 20. I married in the Temple. I envisioned my life with many great dreams of raising righteous and wonderful children who would go on missions and marry in the temple and I would have a peaceful and joyful marriage. NOT! Such trials! Such surprises! Such inexperience on my part. Bewilderment was my middle name. I was led to spend most my life on my knees begging and pleading for the Spirit to guide me. It came, little by little over the years. A sentence here a song there in direct answer to prayer. Sometimes words popped into my head at the end of the day, just out of the blue, in answer to a question from the morning and I was caught by much surprise. Words of encouragement, comfort, direction, and chastisement as well. It was the glue that held me together and still does today 42 years later. Yes, I know the feeling as friends thought I was nuts at times but I knew God knew me personally and He was tutoring me in His thoughts which are often not the thoughts of the world.
A few years ago I experienced a new and shocking development in my life and BAM I was back down on my knees more than ever before. I was pleading with all my soul constantly day and night for direction and for whatever gifts of the Spirit God would consider that I would need for my sojourn on this earth to be a tool in His hands and to have direction.
Soon the few sentences turned into paragraphs and then pages as fast as I could write it came with encouragement, comfort, direction, chastisement and enlightenment. It comes consistently as a flood when I ask and am ready. It never contradicts the gospel but enlarges on it in every way.
I asked, why me? I know that I am nothing and I make lots of mistakes in life. I’m not fluent in speaking, my memory is kind of crummy and I am just a very average person. I have a few very special friends who have profound gifts of the Spirit different that mine but they respect and revere my gift and I theirs. We find much peace and joy in one another. But mostly I cannot even speak of this gift to friends or members of the church because it seems very few know the Holy Ghost from a hole in the ground and I feel like a stranger on the earth.
I have come to the conclusion that it is God who is my judge, not me. He sees into my heart and has forgiven me of my sins and he knows I try very hard to be a righteous person and I have pled with all my heart and he has honored me.
I know that there are many profound gifts waiting to be given but I think I could have had mine sooner if I would have begged and pled and asked earlier.
I think there are many righteous people that are just asleep to the fact that belief is the first requirement and couple that with a driving desire that motivates. So many are just fulfilling their church membership on a very superficial level and perhaps they lack the motivation that super trials can bring. It would not be my desire to have any of my trials be given to another person, however, I thank God for loving me enough to be willing to humble me to the point when I would FINALLY beg and plead.
As a word of comfort I would say that we are not alone by any means. There are a great many, like ourselves, who are quietly and patiently receiving mighty gifts of the spirit.
Even the Prophet Joseph had this experience when he shared his First Vision with a local Methodist minister. Joseph records, “I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt…”. Joseph’s internal struggle seems evident as he found it necessary to reassure himself: “So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true…”(JS-H 21, 25).
It makes me think we ought to be cautious who we set on a pedestal spiritually, including ourselves. To any teenage boy it would have seemed logical to elevate a full-fledged minister in such a way, just like it does for us to do so with our church leaders today. Titles, however, aren’t what bring us closer to God. The temple endowment is a good illustration of our equal standing before Him, it being the symbolic rite of coming into God’s presence. Whether you’re an apostle or the janitor you sit in the same set of seats and approach the veil with no special regard over another. It is the beauty of the Gospel and a witness to the universal love of Christ toward all men and women.
Some members not only remain grounded, but have forgotten they’re even at an airport. I hear many of our apostles recently reminding us that we came here to fly (see ‘Your Potential, Your Privilege”, “Come to Zion”, etc.)
Those whose spirits soar shouldn’t lose faith in the church; they are the church (Hel 3:33-35). They should be the first to sustain all church leaders in righteousness and serve diligently in any capacity required of them.
Very well said. Thanks!