Friday, July 10, 2015

Prior to having Couples Prayer tonight, I mentioned to Carol, "My body is craving ice cream and my spirit is craving Calling and Election Assured".   So she wisely said,  "Why don''t you have both at the same time?"

So I am eating some rocky road ice cream as I post this about Calling and Election after which I will study this document and have mighty prayer before retiring.

These 2 paragraphs come from a book entitled,  "Experiencing The Mighty Change"  and can be obtained on line by typing in  Experiencing the mighty change-shalyce    on Yahoo for free.  It is the 4th one listed.   The authors are Hal Wilcox and G. Randall Klimt.      These 2 paragraphs come at the end just before the appendix.     The appendix consists of recorded experiences of those who  "received it".

PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING THIS BLESSING TODAY 
As we mentioned earlier, since January 1993 when we began distributing this book, we have met something like half a dozen people who we know have had their calling and election made sure. We have also heard of many others. Only one or two of those we know of are at the end of their lives. Most are middle aged or younger and most have yet to serve in any major leadership position, such as Bishop, etc. Most will not say a word about what they have received, but once in a while, by listening very carefully to what is said, one can put the pieces together. Those that we are certain about we have known well enough that they have been more open with us. 

The real lesson is not only that this blessing is real and available, but that it is happening to people right now, today, all around us. And the number of those receiving it will only increase as events proceed ever more rapidly to the divinely decreed crescendo that seems to be so very near, even at the door. So for those who truly and earnestly desire these blessings, there is no better time to begin the quest than right now. 

My Calling And Election Experience by Bishop  

When I was 16, I received a testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after years of study and much fasting and prayer. You see, even though I was born into the Church and given a name and a blessing as an infant and then baptized at age 8, I lived in a "part-member" family. My father was increasingly anti-Mormon as I grew up, and my mother was LDS, but did not really have a testimony and had no scriptural background. As I entered my teen years, my father inundated us children with anti-Mormon literature. It was very convincing to a young mind.

However, I recognized that the LDS Church held certain beliefs which were Biblical, all of which no other church taught, such as the Godhead, baptism for the dead, baptism by immersion, the importance of the priesthood with all of its offices, Word of Wisdom, gifts of the Spirit, etc. Also, there were some major flaws in the deductive reasoning in the anti-Mormon literature which even a young teenager could easily see through. It became evident that anti-Mormon authors felt that it was worth lying or using deceptive reasoning in order to save their fellow man from the monster of Mormonism. But in my little teenage brain I reasoned that if it was false, why would they have to lie and deceive to "prove" that it was false?

I finally determined, for the time being, to follow the LDS faith, which was the most Biblical of all the churches I had studied, until I found the true church. When I made that decision, the Spirit witnessed to me that it is the true Church and I understood that over time, the things which did not seem Biblical about the Church, would be explained [which they were].

Subsequently, I went on a mission and served faithfully in five bishoprics, two high councils, and many other callings over many years. I learned to hear the voice of the Lord as I progressed spiritually. One thing that stuck with me, ever since I read the Book of Mormon as a teenager, was Moroni's description of the Brother of Jared seeing the finger of God and Moroni's challenge for the reader to see Christ for himself. I always desired to receive that sacred blessing. As time passed, I learned that to see Christ in this way was known as receiving the Second Comforter. I learned that there was another spiritual experience related to the Second Comforter, known as receiving one's calling and election made sure [CE].

Over the years, I read and listened to the scriptures many times over. I had many spiritual experiences as I vicariously lived and relived the experiences of people in the scriptures. It became painfully obvious to me that few members of the Church actually read the scriptures daily, even though the prophets constantly challenge us to do so. It was so obvious because so few people could accept the possibility that we can follow Moroni's counsel and see the Savior in this life.

When I was in my forties, the Spirit witnessed to me that I would receive my CE within seven years. This was very comforting and I did not doubt that this was a real possibility.
About four years later, I found myself embroiled in an extreme spiritual trial. One day at work, I went into a storage room to pray for guidance. I knew what the Lord's will was. However, doing the right thing could possibly destroy my family, my reputation in and out of the Church, ruin me economically, etc. In short, everything I held dear was probably on the line if I did what was right. It was one of those situations in which the right thing to do was not obvious. In the storage room, I prostrated myself flat on the floor, face down in humble prayer. I promised the Lord that I would do his will. At that moment, I saw in my mind's eye the Savior prostrating himself before the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, "Thy will be done." I understood more fully the Savior's obedience to the Father.

At that same moment, I understood that I had proven to myself that I would always do the Lord's will. I came to understand that it was not so much a test to prove to God who I was, but to prove to myself who I was. God already knew who I was. Instantly the Spirit witnessed to me that I had reached a threshold in my spiritual development. Because I would do the Lord's will no matter what the consequences, my calling and election were sure. I would receive eternal life. I felt a peaceful assurance that I had reached the goal that I had set long before as a teenager under the tutelage of Moroni.

A few months later, I was discussing the concept of the Second Comforter with a friend. The friend quoted a scripture which states that we will see him with our spiritual eyes, not our physical eyes. As I pondered this statement, it came to me that I had seen the Savior with my spiritual eyes in the Garden of Gethsemane and in other similar visions. I also realized that many times over the years, I had known precisely the Lord's will on certain topics as if he, himself, had told me.

Suddenly a whole new world of knowledge and understanding became available to me. I still had to work at it like before, but it did come faster and more abundantly. I was surprised and saddened to find out that our trials do not end when we receive our CE. I learned that Joseph Smith Jr. received his CE in 1831 [D&C 132] and subsequently suffered many trials. I soon understood that the Book of Mormon is testimony after testimony of people who had received the Second Comforter and how they had received it. Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Enos [an explicit story of his experience], King Benjamin, King Mosiah, the Almas, Helaman, Nephi and Lehi [Helaman's sons], Nephi [the son of Nephi who met the Savior when he appeared in America], the Brother of Jared, Mormon, and Moroni had all received the Second Comforter. This was an amazing realization to know that the Book of Mormon is one big testimony about this most sacred spiritual experience.

It also became apparent to me that the temple endowment is a map of how anyone can enter into the presence of the Savior. As we live each covenant in the endowment, we move from the Telestial level of personal spirituality to the Terrestrial level and then on to the Celestial level of righteousness. It is graphic and very simple, culminating in meeting the Savior and entering into the Celestial world.

I found a talk by President Marion G. Romney challenging the men in the Church to receive the Second Comforter. This was most incredible seeing as how the topic is rarely broached in meetings or manuals. The talk is entitled "The Light of Christ" and can be found by searching the Church website.

After experiencing this for myself, I noticed that there are certain things people say and do that expose them as CEers. I was stunned to learn that many others in the Church today have received their CE and the Second Comforter! It was actually very comforting to know this. I understand that there will be a contingent of these people ready to welcome the Savior when he returns to the earth. This makes perfect sense when you think about it.

The journey continues after CE. It is not really an ending, but a new beginning. There is such a realization of how much more there is to learn and how little the CEer knows. It is like standing at the tiny little apex of the beginning of infinite knowledge and understanding. But there are angels and Gods there to help facilitate the learning. So I add my testimony and challenge in conjunction with those of my dear friends in the Book of Mormon: that it is possible and it is important to seek to know the Savior in this life and to become his friend.

-Bishop

•  

This post like some of the others on this blog is long; however, very relevant to the subject:  the subject being, "The Greater Portion".   There exists on the earth today various individuals who actually believe the scriptures as well as Joseph Smith who "beg" us to make our calling and election sure.  I continue to quote Amonhi as one of many who has, with his wife, accomplished that.

Here is his story:

 

Postby Amonhi » Fri Jul 31, 2015 5:49 am

I have a very strict policy not to share personal information related to my history. This is me following the spirit and not keeping that policy. 

I think that some of this information might add some example and meaning to some of my counsel which has been hard for some to accept because it goes against their understanding of how we should interact with God.

I was raised in the church and in my early teens I demanded that God respond with the threat that if He didn't then either 1) He wasn't there, 2) He was there but didn't have the power to respond in a way I could recognize or 3) He was there and had the power to respond but didn't care about me enough to respond, all of which was reason for me not to 1) Believe in Him, 2) respect Him as a God, 3) Care about Him and so would leave the church principles and teachings of a clean, moral life and would walk my own path which included drugs, sex, other fun like the other young teens my age were doing and making fun of me for not doing. I also told Him that if He did respond, I would Know that 1) He did exist, 2) He was powerful enough respond in a way I would recognize and 3) He cared about me enough to hear and communicate with me and that He would deserve my respect and I would do my utmost to obey and follow Him to the best of my ability. He had one change and it was that moment. 

He responded in a VERY powerful way that I could not refute. It was a very powerful turning point in my life.

A few years later, also in my teens, I had a terrible experience and demanded of God in a very angry and blaming tone, "How could you let this happen! I have done everything you told me to do and you are supposed to protect me from stuff like this!" To which He immediately responded in an equally passionate and direct tone, "I told you how to prevent this 3 times and you heard it but didn't listen!!" And I immediately remembered each of the three warnings that were VERY clear and direct via the Holly Ghost. And so I learned how to recognize the still small voice.

I have counseled others to not pray idly pray but to "demand responses from God" and "put something on the line so that you are risking something. Make it real. Make it count." I have given this advice from my own experience as I found that breaching the veil for me, and for others I have known required an attitude that I encapsulate with the word "demand". Others don't like the idea of demanding answers from God, but I don't know what else to call it or say that I did above. I learned to expect answers when I needed them, the moment I needed them. (I am somewhat impatient I guess.) 

Anyway,

I had memorized all seminary answers before serving a mission, (pray, read scriptures, attend church, obey leaders, pay tithing, etc.). But I was really very unstudied. I read the BoM before my mission like most people were you read each word and by the end of the chapter you don't know or remember anything you just read or only barely got the story line. 

On my mission, I began to study and learn what the scriptures had to say and realized that what the members believed and were taught didn't match up to what the scriptures said. I marked each scripture which required me to know what each verse meant or which doctrines it applied or related to. So, I began teaching what the scriptures said in church and pointing to them as the source while still serving as a missionary and people were astounded and thought I was wise. I simply followed the Lords counsel, 

Doctrine and Covenants 11:21

21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

Once I had obtained the word through study, the Lord through the still small voice told me the moment I needed an answer what it was with scripture references and cross references. There were a few occasions when I needed some information that wasn't found in the scripture and He gave me a vision showing me in graphic detail the answer, once He pulled a nasty little trick where I read pages of information out of my own set of quad (scriptures) which was from the original text, (as written by Moses, except in English of course), which gave me great insight and detail into a particular concept. It was a nasty little trick because I couldn't go back and reread it, mark it or reference others to it because it wasn't really there. a Year later, the week I returned from my mission and had access to the internet, I looked it up and found that it was accurate to what I read but I had a little more detail than the scholars who spent their lives studying the history of those things.

Like most LDS, I married shortly after returning home while in college. My wife and I got our C&E shortly after we were married, (About 16 years ago now), Joined the Church of the Firstborn, met Christ then met God (Father and Mother), kept having revelations and visions, meeting with the Firstborn, nearly mastered receiving revelation and visions, etc. Until as expected from hindsight, but unexpected from my TBM world view, My wife and I began to have little clashes with my local leaders who were far behind behind us in their own spiritual progression and relied heavily on what I now understand to be correlated doctrine, and yet demanded obedience and wanted to play the role of god in our lives.. You know how leaders are, "God put me in this position, and God put you under me. I am your judge, and I hold your salvation in my hands. As far as you're concerned, I am God over you!"

Some were better leaders than others, but as the lord pointed out,

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, (including leaders in the church), as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. - D&C 121:39

So, we took our plight to the Lord who said,

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion[/u], by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. - D&C 121

He explained that these verses were talking about leaders in the church who have the priesthood conferred on them and with it were given position in the priesthood and used that position and priesthood to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men (whom they believed to be under their stewardship in and out of the church). And as a result they didn't have true priesthood, ie. the powers of heaven, ie. couldn't cures or bless, ie. couldn't forgive or ascribe sin and were not recognized by God as having any validity beyond the grave, (See D&C 132:7-14). We, my wife and I, were both then called, ordained and sealed as High Priests by angels to be missionaries for the Church of the Firstborn as described here:

11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe?

A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.

And we have served diligently with others who have had similar experiences to do just that.

With that introduction, I invite you to read my first thread on this forum which was written to fulfill my calling and mission, "The Fastest Way to Make Your Calling and Election Sure"

And encourage you to consider obtaining a copy of Elliaison's "The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Making Your Calling and Election Sure" written by multiple contributors who have he same calling and mission.

Yes, I have researched quite a bit, but as Joseph Smith pointed out,

"Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject" (TPJS, p. 324; cf. HC 6:50).

He also declared that

"the best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching" (TPJS, p. 191).

I would like to add that while I am a prophet, I don't want to be your prophet. It is not my intention to set myself up as a standard or a leader to be followed. My wife and I adamantly reject followers and have gone to great lengths to prevent Prophet seekers like those who commonly put their faith in President Monson and the other 14 men who lead the LDS church or put their faith in Denver Snuffer and go to him with every little question regarding how to live their lives and what to do to build and live in Zion, etc. If you ask me a stupid question like, "what kind of tooth paste does God want me to use?" I will likely give you a stupid response like, "You tell me some irreverent information first and declare it to be God's will and then I will answer your question in like manor."

My goal is the Lord's goal as spelled out in the Preface to Doctrine and Covenants as given by the Lord,

17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;

18 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets—

19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—[/color]

20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;

We don't need more prophets over you, we need more prophets OF you.

Peace,

Amonhi

There are those individuals who are unconvinced that it is possible to see God while in mortality and they say that, "if it's not in the scriptures, I won't believe it."

Here are 62 scriptures which not only verify the possibility of seeing God, but some of them  maintain it is our responsibility to seek his presence.

John 14:21 "he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him."
Matt. 5:8 (3 Ne. 12:8) the pure in heart shall see God
JST-Matt. 11:27 "and no man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son and they whom the Son will reveal himself; they shall see the Father also."
Heb. 12:14 "follow peace and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Gen. 12:7 Lord appeared unto Abraham
Daniel 10:5,6 Daniel sees the Lord; describes his appearance.
Ezek. 1:1 Ezekiel sees "visions of God."
Acts 7:55 Stephen sees "God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."
Gen. 26:2 Isaac sees the Lord.
Gen. 28:13 Jacob sees the Lord in a dream.
D&C 67:10-12 Faithful elders shall be quickened by the Spirit and see the face of God.

	It is your privilege
	A promise to those that have been ordained unto this ministry
	Inasmuch as ye strip yourself from jealousies, fears humble yourself before me
	the veil shall be rent, you shall see me and know that I am
	not with carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual
	No man has seen God at any time in the flesh except quickened by the Spirit
	Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.

D&C 88:67,68 eye be single to my glory, whole body filled with light, no darkness, comprehendeth all things, sanctify yourselves, days will come . . . you will see him, he will unveil his face, in his own time, own way, own will
Gen. 31:24 "God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night"
Gen. 32:30 Jacob: "I have seen God face to face"
Gen. 35:9 "God appeared unto Jacob again."
Exodus 3:2 Moses "angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire" "the bush burned with fire [but] was not consumed."
Exo. 24:9-17 Moses, Aaron, Nabab, Abihu, 70 of the Elders of Israel, and nobles of the children of Israel "saw God . . . and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone; and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." "sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel."
1 Kings 3:5 "Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night."
2 Chron. 1:7 "God [did] appear unto Solomon."
D&C 84:20-24 By power of Melchizedeck priesthood is the "power of godliness manifest" ordinances and authority thereof, without which no man can "see the face of God, even the Father, and live." Moses taught this to the children of Israel, sought to sanctify them, they hardened their hearts, could not endure his presence, God's anger kindled; they should not enter into his rest (while in wilderness); rest is fullness of his glory.
D&C 93:1 forsake sins, come unto Christ, call on his name, obey his voice, keep his commandments, "shall see my face and know that I am."
D&C 97:15,16 Do not suffer unclean things to enter the temple, my glory will rest on it, my presence shall be there, I will come into it, all pure in heart who enter shall see God.
D&C 101:38 "And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life"
D&C 109:5 "Build a house to thy name [temple] so that the Son of Man might have a place to manifest himself to his people."
Num. 11:25 "Lord came down in a cloud"
Num. 12:6,8 "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream . . . and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold."
Num. 22:9,20 "God came unto Balaam."
Num. 23:4 God met Balaam
1 Sam. 3:21 "And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh" to Samuel
Ezek. 1:26-28 Ezekiel sees throne of God, sapphire stone, as the appearance of a man, brightness of a fire, as the appearance of a rainbow around.
Amos 9:1 Amos sees the Lord
Acts. 7:2 God appeared to Abraham
2 Chron. 18:18 Micaiah said, "I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the hosts of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left."
D&C 110:1 Lord appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
D&C 110:7,8 "I will manifest myself in mercy unto my people in this house." will appear to my servants and speak unto them, if they keep my commandments, do not pollute the holy house.
Alma 12:29 "[God] send angels to converse with them, who caused man to behold of his glory."
D&C 136:37 "Ye are not yet pure; ye cannot yet bear my glory; but ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my words
Moses 7:4 Enoch sees the Lord
Abr. 1:15 Abraham sees Jehovah
Moses 8:22 Shem, Ham, and Japeth "walked with God"
JST-Gen. 14:30,31 "everyone ordained after [the order of the Son of God]. . . should have power . . . to stand in the presence of God."
Mormon 1:15 Mormon sees the Lord at age 15
Ether 9:21,22 "Emer executed judgment in righteousness . . . he saw the Son of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his day; and he died in peace."
Alma 36:22 Alma saw God as Lehi did and the numberless concourses of angels and longed to be there.
Ether 12:39 Moroni said Jesus "talked with me face to face, . . . he told me in plain humility, even as one man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things."
Daniel 7:9 Daniel "beheld...the Ancient of days...whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne was like a fiery flame...thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand [100 million] stood before him: the judgment was set"
Daniel 3:22,25 after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire, the king's counselor said, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire . . . and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Moses 1:5 "No man can behold all my works except he behold all my glory, and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain in the flesh on the earth."
1 Ne. 2:16 the Lord "visits" Nephi.
2 Ne. 2:4 Jacob "hast beheld in thy youth his glory"
1 Ne. 1:8 Lehi "saw God"
D&C 107:49 "and [Enoch] saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually."
D&C 107:53,54 Lord appeared unto Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah at valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman.
2 Ne. 25:14 "after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name..."
Ether 12:12 The Lord shows not himself to the children of men until after their faith.
Alma 19:13 king Lamoni said "I have seen my Redeemer, and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe..."
Alma 36:22 Alma "saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising God."
Alma 36:26 "because of the word that [God] imparted to me [Alma], many . . . have seen eye to eye as I have seen, therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know."
Mormon 1:15 Mormon "being 15 years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus."
2 Ne. 10:2,3 Jacob (Lehi's son) and Isaiah "have seen my Redeemer even as I [Nephi] have seen him."

Other references found since the above compilation:

Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
3 Ne. 11:8 (3 Ne. 11:1-28:15) "they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them..."

 

This testimony comes from a sister known only as Mary on the internet.

-Receiving Calling and Election and the More Sure Word of Promise-  
My husband came across the doctrine of Calling and Election while on his mission.  Before and after we were married we read all we could find about it and studied the Gospel in general, but still had many questions which weren't answered in our searching.   Some of the things we read were accurate, some were not.  Here is my story...
     I had some business in Salt Lake City, Utah, home of the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  I had wanted to go to the Temple the night before but instead babysat for the friends with whom I was staying and cleaned some messes the children had made.  I felt sad that I hadn't been able to attend that night and when I went to bed I was very prayerful about it.  I told my friends that I would be attending an early session the next morning.  I had many questions on my mind, one of which being, "Where is the Holy of Holies?"  We had been told that in order to make one's Calling and Election Sure, there had to be a call from the prophet inviting us to the temple where he would escort us to the room called the "Holy of Holies."  There we would be privileged to meet with the Savior.  This was heavily on my mind as I drove through the rain storm which the morning brought.  I went alone.    The Spirit was very strong in the car all the way to the Temple and it continued to be very strong as I dressed and then waited in the Chapel for my session to begin.  I had felt the Spirit most of my life, but this morning it was exceedingly strong and bright.  The Spirit was increasingly stronger throughout the endowment session and as I entered the Celestial Room.  I wanted to sit and pray and commune with the Lord and so my eyes panned the room to find the spot where I would feel comfortable as I did this.  My eyes fell on a single chair which was on the far side of the Celestial Room, by itself on the left looking from the Veil and close to the corner.  I sat in that chair and began to pray.  As I was praying a voice came to my mind as if it were verbalized out loud, but it spoke to my soul, spirit to spirit.  It was like Enos' description of the voice he heard.  
     I was first told to look to the left.  There were three rooms there with closed doors.  There was a large urn in front of the one in the center.  I was told, "This room is the Holy of Holies."  I was then told, "Thy sins are forgiven thee and thou are acceptable unto me."   I thought, "How can this be?", but I knew the Lord would not lie and I felt peace and more joy than I had ever felt before.  It was so sacred to me that I told no one until I got to my home, though there were no instructions given to keep it secret. 
     I told my husband when I was home again.  He wondered what this could have been.  How could I have been given this priceless gift without all the fanfare that we believed was necessary?   I KNEW  the Lord loved me despite my sins and shortcomings and that I could be with Him again if I were acceptable to Him and I had been told just that!   I dared not hope that I had received the More Sure Word of Promise, even though I had, indeed.  It was September, 1989.
      Moving into the future, in 2007 I was given a vision while I was sleeping.  In my vision I was in the Monticello, Utah Temple.  I was in the Terrestrial room, about 3 rows back from the front, and was the only one in the room.  The room was lit brightly as it always is.  As I sat there it was made known to me that I was to rise and go to the veil.  I have been told by the Spirit not to reveal intimate details more than I will write here except in person as the Spirit dictates, but I can say that the nail marks in the Savior's hands are  much larger than I expected.  There is much scar tissue in the center of His right hand.  His voice permeated my soul, soft and kind and loving.  When I was face to face with Him, He looked down at me with such deep love! (I am 5'2" and He is much taller than I am.)   His love permeated my whole soul and I felt love like I had never felt before in this mortal probation.  He embraced me and I knew that I would someday be with Him forever and ever, never to go out, no more pain or sadness.  When I woke I wanted to tell everyone but I didn't.  I relayed it only to my husband.  I pondered it in my heart.  
     I have heard since that it is common to first hear that you will receive, then after a period of time, which is different for each individual, the presence of the Lord is given. 

This also came from, "Experiencing The Mighty Change"...

While we do not know personally the individual in this story, his story has impressed us deeply. A man had been praying for some time to meet one of the three Nephites. The Spirit spoke to him and said in substance, “Why pray to meet one of them? Why not pray to meet the Savior?" So he began to pray to meet the Savior. Not long thereafter his new prayer was answered at which time his calling and election was also made sure. This man subsequently explained to my friend who told me this story that the Savior loves us so much, it's like a child who wants a new bike that costs $150 but the child only has $1. Simply by putting forth a sincere effort and putting up the $1, the Savior then makes up the difference. We think it also worth noting that the Lord did not simply appear to him, HE HAD TO ASK FOR IT before the Lord appeared. 

Prior to having Couples Prayer tonight, I mentioned to Carol, "My body is craving ice cream and my spirit is craving Calling and Election Assured".   So she wisely said,  "Why don''t you have both at the same time?"

So I am eating some rocky road ice cream as I post this about Calling and Election after which I will study this document and have mighty prayer before retiring.

These 2 paragraphs come from a book entitled,  "Experiencing The Mighty Change"  and can be obtained on line by typing in  Experiencing the mighty change-shalyce    on Yahoo for free.  It is the 4th one listed.   The authors are Hal Wilcox and G. Randall Klimt.      These 2 paragraphs come at the end just before the appendix.     The appendix consists of recorded experiences of those who  "received it".

PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING THIS BLESSING TODAY
As we mentioned earlier, since January 1993 when we began distributing this book, we have met something like half a dozen people who we know have had their calling and election made sure. We have also heard of many others. Only one or two of those we know of are at the end of their lives. Most are middle aged or younger and most have yet to serve in any major leadership position, such as Bishop, etc. Most will not say a word about what they have received, but once in a while, by listening very carefully to what is said, one can put the pieces together. Those that we are certain about we have known well enough that they have been more open with us.

The real lesson is not only that this blessing is real and available, but that it is happening to people right now, today, all around us. And the number of those receiving it will only increase as events proceed ever more rapidly to the divinely decreed crescendo that seems to be so very near, even at the door. So for those who truly and earnestly desire these blessings, there is no better time to begin the quest than right now.