1 Nephi 1:11

[poohthebear]

For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat apondering in mine heart I was bcaught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high cmountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

...AND BELIEVING THAT THE LORD WAS ABLE TO MAKE THEM KNOWN UNTO ME......

This hit me like a brick today. To BELIEVE that the Lord is ABLE to make things known unto me is awesome !!!

[MrShorty]

I find it an interesting contrast to Laman and Lemuel. I can't remember the exact reference, but it's right after Nephi goes through the vision of the tree of life, he finds his brothers complaining that they can't understand their father's vision. Nephi asks them if they have inquired of the Lord, to which they reply that the Lord doesn't make such things known to them. They didn't believe God would make things known to them so they wouldn't ask.

Yes, it is amazing that God can make things known unto us.

[pam]

1 Nephi 15:8

And I said unto them; Have ye inquired of the Lord?

[MrShorty]

Thanks, Pam, and then onto vs. 9 "We have not: for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us."

[pam]

He won't make something known if we don't inquire.

[mordorbund]

At the risk of sounding like Hemidakota (pbuh) - what's to stop us from seeing it as well?

Remember Elder McConkie's final conference address where he said he would bathe the Savior's feet in his tears, but with the same surety that Jesus is the Christ that he has now (because of the Spirit's witness)? He also gave this challenge:

May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement.

We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth.

We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation.

As we read, ponder, and pray, there will come into our minds a view of the three gardens of God—the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden of the Empty Tomb where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.

In Eden we will see all things created in a paradisiacal state—without death, without procreation, without probationary experiences. We will come to know that such a creation, now unknown to man, was the only way to provide for the Fall. We will then see Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, step down from their state of immortal and paradisiacal glory to become the first mortal flesh on earth. Mortality, including as it does procreation and death, will enter the world. And because of transgression a probationary estate of trial and testing will begin. Then in Gethsemane we will see the Son of God ransom man from the temporal and spiritual death that came to us because of the Fall.

And finally, before an empty tomb, we will come to know that Christ our Lord has burst the bands of death and stands forever triumphant over the grave.

Four and a half years later, Elder David B. Haight shared the vision he had of the Lord's ministry. He includes a description of the Last Supper:

The first scene was of the Savior and His Apostles in the upper chamber on the eve of His betrayal. Following the Passover supper, He instructed and prepared the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for His dearest friends as a remembrance of His coming sacrifice. It was so impressively portrayed to me—the overwhelming love of the Savior for each. I witnessed His thoughtful concern for significant details—the washing of the dusty feet of each Apostle, His breaking and blessing of the loaf of dark bread and blessing of the wine, then His dreadful disclosure that one would betray Him.

I love that he describes the bread.

I was given, by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, a more perfect knowledge of His mission. I was also given a more complete understanding of what it means to exercise, in His name, the authority to unlock the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven for the salvation of all who are faithful. My soul was taught over and over again the events of the betrayal, the mock trial, the scourging of the flesh of even one of the Godhead. I witnessed His struggling up the hill in His weakened condition carrying the cross and His being stretched upon it as it lay on the ground, that the crude spikes could be driven with a mallet into His hands and wrists and feet to secure His body as it hung on the cross for public display.

What's stopping us?

[pam]

At the risk of sounding like Hemidakota (pbuh) - what's to stop us from seeing it as well?

There is a difference in stating you received a vision or dream or whatever the case may be for yourself. One that would answer a question or help you strengthen your testimony. But to state you are receiving visions or dreams or revelation for multitudes of others would be incorrect.

That would be the difference between your comments and Hemidakotas.

[Dove]

For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat apondering in mine heart I was bcaught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high cmountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

...AND BELIEVING THAT THE LORD WAS ABLE TO MAKE THEM KNOWN UNTO ME......

This hit me like a brick today. To BELIEVE that the Lord is ABLE to make things known unto me is awesome !!!

Hello, Poohthebear;

Thanks for bringing this up. I like a lot of the scriptures in this section, they seem to follow a sequence.

1 Nephi 10:17~ "And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God-and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come-I Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek Him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest Himself unto the children of men.

Verse 19~ For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I love these verses! The sequence I was mentioning follows in these verses;

after I had desired to know/the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thout?

believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me./And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

I think a great recipe for faith is to first desire to know, and then to believe that the Lord is able to make these things known unto us, according to our desires and His will.

I find the Lord is always ready and willing to answer my sincere prayers. He may not reveal all things to me; but, He always provides me with answers.

Edited July 18, 2011 by Dove

[Guest gopecon]

I can answer for what's stopping me from having visions like Elder Haight's. A) I don't have the faith of an Apostle or Prophet. If/when I develop that faith, then it may come in the Lord's own time. I don't know that visions are just out there for anyone to have, unless the Lord has a purpose in showing them to us.