Last April, I introduced you to "The Blog Reader who Received their Calling and Election" -- a female member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to another who has received such an assurance. Although I will not reveal his identity or location, suffice it to say he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lives in the Western United States. Despite what he says about his lack of humility, my interactions with him have demonstrated that he is an extremely humble man, with a humble, gentle voice and demeanor. He is your quintessential "regular church member" who you could be sitting next to in a church meeting, never knowing the blessings he has received.
Here is his story...
I most humbly write to you of my experience. When you shared the
characteristics of those who have their calling and election I was
stunned. I never knew of the depth of humility the called saints live
their life. It’s no wonder the Lord has made a point to let them know
of their calling and election. He needs these humble followers to do
His will.
I have
always been somewhat of a rebel. If you were to ask my family, they
would quickly identify me as a rebel. Not in the worldly sense, just
not always willing to do things as upright members of the church do
them.
For the
past twenty some odd years since I served a mission for the church, I
have tried and tried to have a better relationship with the Lord. My
mission was great! I had lots wonderful spiritual, faith-building
experiences. I have remained faithful in the church with callings and
all the normal stuff members do. However, spiritually I was silently
suffering.
I was
suffering from a terrible addiction. I had talked about it with
several bishops. Of course, one more recent trip to the bishop’s
office, I was told to start attending some meetings and read some book
about following twelve steps like they do in AA. I was confused, yet I
attended several meetings determined to fix my addiction and lay to rest
my horrible self. The more I went to these meetings, I realized this
is not what I wanted for myself. I struggled with the guilt of this for
years. I was not following the council of my bishop and I just figured
I would be damned for it. And I was damned for it.
I will be very
frank. I did not desire a program established by men to manage my
addiction. I knew I would have to confess to myself and others for the
rest of my life that I was an addict. No! I wanted real, lifelong
healing from this sore which had held me back. I desired the
unreasonable and pushed aside a church sponsored program which appeared
to me as be a battle of the wills. A path that I knew I could not
endure. Great for other people who embraced the program, but simply did
not speak the language of this poor, lost soul.
Yes,
I was damned and I knew it. At times I just considered taking my
life. Yep, this had become a favorite fantasy when the flames of hell
licked at my feet. I could just end it all and go early to the place I
knew I would end up anyway, telestial glory. I was never very serious
about the prospect, just liked to allow this fantasy to temporarily
block the intense feeling of being such a huge loser who couldn’t seem
to get control of life. Damned, going to hell and addiction beset by
ugliness. A spiritual abyss with no way to get myself out. And I was
right, I never did dig out of that hell. It had become a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
Out
of left field, a close acquaintance spoke some things to me that gave
space for a faint idea of change. Of course I had heard about all the
other ideas and programs before. But as my friend spoke to me, I
noticed a light in her that I had not seen before. A healing had taken
place in her. She had also been through the mire. She talked of the
Lord healing her from her afflictions. I decided to listen to her story
of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. After hearing of her healing, I let
her story settle into my heart (like in Alma 32), where I watered it,
nurtured it and began to see the fruit of her experience. So I decided
to try it for myself.
It
was really a pretty simple idea. An idea I had heard about and read
about many times over the years. Just give it all to the Savior. I
used to cast that thought out of my mind as soon as it came in. This
time, I knew of the fruit and I could no longer cast it out as dross
like I had before. My friend shared her technique with me. It did not
occur to me then, but I would later begin to know why it took a special
technique for me to repent. I had been knocking my head against the
repentance door for so long, it held no power for me. I needed a new
way. A way to distract my mind long enough to allow the Lord to relieve
me of my burdens. I realize this sounds strange and peculiar, but it
was the only way for the Lord to get my attention long enough for me to
give it up. And give it up I did!
As
I gave up my burden, the Lord began to speak to me. He spoke to me in
my language. I don’t mean just the English language. I mean in the
language, the thoughts, gifts and knowledge that I needed to hear. He
poured out blessings upon me, too wonderful to put to pen. Where I had
been stopped up before, revelation began to flow. I never knew of the
power of personal revelation until I was truly conversing with the
Lord. I could ask Him questions and he would respond by giving me what I
needed to know in my personal language.
After
a very short time, the Lord began to express his deep, abiding love for
me. He began to share knowledge about His interactions with me in the
pre-earth life. He told me stories. He gave me visions. I listened
intently. I went from having a nice experience with the Savior and Him
helping me with my addiction problems to discovering my true spiritual
identity.
The
Lord began to reveal a work to me. It was something that I had to do.
Something akin to building the empire state building with toothpicks. I
was floored by the immensity of the request. I listened and followed
His request. He told me to learn His ways as defined in the New
Testament and the Book of Mormon. He told me I would find answers to my
questions there. He also told me I had been given the authority to
complete my assignment. So I began this wonderful journey of piecing
together how to perform the Lord’s will. I have gained incredible
gospel knowledge on this path.
After
I had been on this journey for a couple months, I realized that my
addictions had become less prevalent. They were diminishing. One
Saturday, I felt strongly that I needed to go to the temple. I could
feel a tangible presence with me all day. I went to the temple that
evening and had the most profound experience of my life. He Spirit of
the Lord came down upon me and I saw visions and was blessed like I
never had been before. So intense was the Spirit, that I knew I could
never deny my experience. So vivid were the visions that I knew I could
call upon them in my mind the rest of my days. I was truly a new
person in Christ. I drove home stunned and with my head in the clouds.
It was a
complete transition for me. In just a matter of weeks I went from the
depths of spiritual hell on earth, to spiritual enlightenment and
bliss. And the key was to give all my sins, sorrow, pain,
embarrassment, shame, guilt, suffering, feeling of spiritual abandonment
(the list goes on and on). I gave it all to the Lord and He gladly
took it from me. I no longer had these sins in my life and the Spirit
of God rested upon me and cleaned my soul. I was sanctified before the
Lord. I no longer have desire to go to that dark place of that terrible
addiction I had suffered from. I had a new hope in Jesus Christ.
I
had a long time friend over to my house and I shared some of my
experiences. I have been recording all these experiences at the
direction of the Spirit. I shared some of the stories about how the
Lord told me of my place with Him and of the assignment I had to
complete. I shared other profound experiences as well as what happened
in the temple. My friend who had been studying the subject for years
asked me if I knew what had happened. I looked at my friend in the eye
and shared my gratitude that the Savior had literally removing my
addictions from me. My friend acknowledged that the Savior had indeed
removed this from me and had shared a certain profound knowledge with
me. My friend pointed out, from my own records of these experiences,
that the Lord had shared the knowledge of my calling and election.
It
took my friend showing me what I had written about how the Lord had made
promises to me that I would be with Him forever more. I had just
thought the Lord was trying to boost my confidence. I didn’t have
enough self-assurance to recognize that I had received my calling and
election. In fact, it was not just one time that the Lord had told me.
As I went back and reviewed my records, I saw multiple instances of the
Lord coming right out and telling me of my eternal place with Him. I
was so thick and consumed in everything I had been going through, it
took a dear friend to point out the obvious right in front of me. One
of the promises I have received in all of this is that the Lord would
visit me in person while I am yet in the flesh. A knowledge I hold
sacred. Yes, I have a new faith in Jesus Christ. A hope that will
never again depart from my soul!
The
ten characteristics you put up were so very real to me. I can testify
to that fact. What is especially profound to me is that all this
happened when I held no church calling other than home teacher. I just
figured the Lord needed me to take a break from all the callings I had
served in so I could receive the True Calling of Christ. Yes, I am just
ordinary folk with ordinary problems and I would say I don’t deserve
any of the Lord’s special attention or saving blessings, except now I
know what I know about myself. I can no longer doubt the Lord’s calling
and election for me in my own personal language.
I
add my humble witness to yours that the characteristics you presented
are so very real. I pray that people will take heart and
find their own calling and election with the Lord. It is very real. It
is the best thing that could ever happen to the children of the Lord.
If people could begin to see how important this sacred event
is to them in their salvation, if they could just cast off their
current beliefs for just one moment and let these words to be planted in
their hearts, I know a mighty change would follow. Of this I bear my
humble witness.
It it true! It is true! It is true! Amen and Amen and Amen! Hosanna to god and the Lamb!
This post brought me to tears of hope. Thank you for posting these things.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Thank you! What a blessing to have insight and such guidance.
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful! It gives me hope that I too can overcome my weaknesses through the power of the Savior. I appreciated your 10 characteristics of those that have had their calling and election made sure. They were ordinary people like me who kept their focus on the Lord. I thank you, and each of those that shared a piece of their experience with you. Knowing that real people today have achieved this through their love and faith tells me that I can do it too. I wish we talked more about things like this at church. It would help all of us to keep that goal in mind, so that we could remember that this is real and that the Lord really does believe in each of us.
ReplyDeleteI am so appreciative of such accounts and testimonies. They help us know what is possible, and to focus our desires on what is most important.
ReplyDeleteIn this account, it seems that one of the keys to achieving what he did was that his friend shared a special technique with him -- "My friend shared her technique with me." What was this technique?
Because he says: "I would later begin to know why it took a special technique for me to repent" -- I would add to that, if it requires a special repentance technique that might be a key for many of us to unlock this special blessing, it would be genuinely helpful to know what this technique is.
ReplyDeleteYes please share this technique.
ReplyDeleteAs one well-acquainted with the feelings of "spiritual abandonment," I also would like to learn more about this "technique" of repentance that helped your friend connect with heaven and leave his burdens with Christ, if he is willing to share what he learned.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the 5 posts on characteristics of those who have the C&E.
ReplyDeleteIts seems to me that the key was given in your 5 parts. Its stated simply humble yourself (w/a broken heart/contrite spirit) and give it all the Christ. Everything holding nothing back, all your pain, sins, wants, needs, and hopes. Let Christ carry them. That will begin the transformation if I am reading this right. My experiment to try.
Thank you again.
HOW do you give your burdens, shortcomings, etc to Christ?
ReplyDeleteSeek, ask, knock. Give Him your broken heart and contrite spirit. Send up a beacon of real intent that reaches the throne of Heaven. For me that looks like tuning out the world 100%. Instead of radio while driving, I listen to conference talks or book of Mormon or lds podcasts...joyfully! No more pg13 movies. Tv is rare. I do my home teaching. Temple is a joy. I pray all day as possible. I beg for opportunities to serve. I return and report. I fast oft. I hunger and thirst after righteousness… and most of all I do not listen nor do I take counsel from my fears or any other dark forces that seek to destroy me. I cast those out of my midsts. Rather, I rejoice in the light that the Lord sends to my spirit to sustain me. And I know He will sustain you as you figure out what is required of you.
DeleteIs it perfect, am I? Nope. I mess up… I am too impatient and too hard on myself… I want to be translated yesterday :D but I immediately repent and find Him always ready to forgive so I can get going. 742neeson@gmail.com
Mike
I often wondered how to give it all to the Lord and prove you have accepted the atonement. I learned that forgiving is the key. We all want mercy for ourselves but demand justice for others. If we truly accept Christ as our savior then we must trust that He will do what He said He would and leave the judging and mercy to His capable hands.
ReplyDeleteI can testify that this example is exactly how it is done!
ReplyDeleteLearn to truly pray even while sinning. "Look to me in every thought, doubt not neither be afraid." If we could just understand that Heavenly Father wants us to pray no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, and no matter what we have done, and then listen for encouraging thoughts which tell us things like. "I love you no matter what" "my love is meritless, there is nothing you can do to make me love you more, and there is nothing that you can do to make me love you less" "please don't give up on me and I won't give up on you" "just keep praying this is not who you really are, you will not always be this way" "I promised you that I would be you're Savior and I cannot lie" "you see you can make good decisions, it's actually your in your good nature" "if you could only see who you will become you would never do that again, just know that it's greater than you can imagine"
ReplyDeleteHe is a God of encouragement drawing us closer and closer until he can give us what we most desire!
I've read your "characteristics" of Called and Elected people, and I mostly disagree that they all can be lumped thusly. So here is my recommendation as to their "characteristics":
ReplyDeleteThey all truly belive in the reality of redemptive powers of Jesus Christ. Period. End of story.
I've had my C&E, and when it happened, I doubted it. I didn't know much about the subject other than it was only for "important people." Three more times in the first week the Lord reiterated to me my C&E and the Holy Ghost certified the same in words as to all three assurances. In the ensuing months, the Lord has assured me two more times, as I again questioned if this was really happening. I felt so bad for doubting this about myself, but each time the Lord was so nice and just told me to relax.
Then I went searching about C&E and found that what I had experienced was genuine and more common than I realized.
As far as the "characteristics" are concerned, I'll give a little background about my self:
I'm 34 and single, with a law degree. I served a mission in Washington DC. I haven't been to the temple in 6 years because it makes me feel anxious. I was a Road construction foreman for 16 years and missed most Sundays as a result of travel. Im a competitive shooter and I like to hunt. Ive ridden a motorcycle all over the USA and have probably upset other motorists with my riding habits (speed). I have a minor calling in the church. Right now I live in my parents basement and am in between jobs. I do read and study the scriptures daily and I do consider myself a scriptorian, however.
I believe the best reason for having your C&E is to provide against future storms; to rely on that assurance when things seem impossible. Life hasn't been peachy since my C&E but I take things in stride now where previously I would worry way too much. For the 7 or so years prior to my C&E I would say the devil himself was my "constant companion" while the Lord watched silently. Now, that has subsided and my powers at casting out Satan have improved so it's not a big deal. I asked the Lord why I had to go through that and he said "you had to live through hell to prepare yourself for the future. It had to be done."
Thankfully those endless nights of torment (Job mentions this specific torment, the devil had his dreams; I cried when I read his account) ended and the Lord said they would end a few months before they did. Once they ended the Lord told me "you never blamed me or turned against me, so I've stuck with you." It was a massive test, that took almost a decade. On top of this I've had many Abrahamic tests that shook me.
I judge myself often because I am "in Mormon culture but not of Mormon culture." I'm a 34 yr old single male with a law degree who lives in his parents basement. I'm not doing the approved, regular, proper, canned things an "alpha" elder should be doing (i.e. mechanizing my salvation by acclaim, posterity, finances, carrer path, cars, a nice house, etc...) I've had home teachees and home teachers say stuff like "you'll get things together soon," or "what's the problem" and other such overbearing, innapropriate, judgmental things. This makes me pretty upset but I usually just smile back at them. The church membership doesn't realize how judgmental they can be. The Lord has told me he is quite displeased with such.
Just the last few days the Lord told me salvation isn't a "ladder"; that is far too simple a thing to explain the nuance and complexity of the "case" that each prospect presents. Salvation is an INDIVIDUAL thing.
Like the Lord says in the New Testament, (paraphrasing); there shall be many from east and west who will sit and dine with abraham, while israel is rejected. It's the same with C&E.
Anonymous (12/18/16)
ReplyDeleteThanks you for your account, I find it most inspiring, particularly because you haven't shied away form the messiness of life. In fact I'm most instructed by the way you describe the Lord working with you in the messy stuff of life, very real in that sense.
Thanks, Creed. The messes (primarily of my creation) of life continue. Yet so does the Lord's unwavering desire to turn my messes into magnificence, my lemons into lemonade. He is too good to me.
DeleteCreed, I assume your response was directed at me (based on your date heading). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you mean by messiness, but I think I have an idea. Mormon culture believes a "clean" life (i.e. mechanizing salvation and the so-called ease of life that follows) is the result of righteousness. But if you look at some of the most approved lives ever lived (Christ, Job, JS, Joseph of Egypt, Brigham Young, Moroni, Jacob, Nephi, Ester,...) they all were beset with the Devil and opposition and out-of-ordinary lives. They weren't "strerile" people, but had real zest, and we're often ridiculed for being different.
Mormon culture extols what I call "success gospel," a very near Joel Osteen version of Christianity, and it is obvious to me Mormons by and large have fallen into the trappings of pride, thusly.
The reason I sort of take issue with the use of the word "messiness" is, it connotes I brought those things in my life by willful negligence or dereliction to the things I should have been doing, i.e. mechanizing my salvation. These things came because I stuck my stake in the ground and declared who I wanted to follow, and devil saw it, and the Lord saw that the Devil saw and gave grace enough to help me grow from such things, thus "turning all things together for my good" as Jacob says, and as my patriarchal blessing says.
When you use the word messiness to describe this, you are using the wrong word, and frankly, it shows how subconscious Mormon culture can be in judging those who go through hard times (i.e. "...they brought it on themselves", as King Benjamin warned against).
You see what I'm getting at? Messiness isn't the word I'd use...but refinement.
I read this and rejoice. I am 48, byu grad, temple married, no one special really (in the eyes of the world, that is)… but God thinks I am pretty fantastic evidently :D
ReplyDeleteI too had all of my addictions taken from me about 18 months ago as if overnight. The Lord has been so merciful. He has been with me almost daily. I used to be an apostate/atheist and definitely was a vile sinner embracing Babylon when about 4 years ago I felt His Spirit feeling after me. I resisted but He persisted. I began to have sacred experiences happen to me as I began to put forth effort to draw nearer to the Lord. The week I knew I would never revisit my addictions ever again was incredible. I too felt the 12 step program was a substitute for the Savior's healing power. I am so glad it works for many but I had my own path I guess. I have watched Him heal the sick hundreds and hundreds of times during my life, I preached that faithfully for 2 years in Spain as a missionary. I gave always been moved to tears when I would read or see Him heal the sick and or raise the dead. I watched Him heal in the scriptures and on video representations… I knew he could heal the afflicted and did not doubt he could heal addiction. When He did it for me, I was so amazed even though I knew He could do it…. I testify that the Savior has given me a new heart. I no longer have any desire to do evil but to do good continually. I long to serve Him daily. I am a new creature in Christ, born again. I am not the same person I was 18 months ago. I look forward to seeing His face on His own time table. Meanwhile, He continues to fill my heart with light and love as I do my part to worship Him every day and what a joy that is! God Bless. If you wish to talk to me I can be reached at 742neeson@gmail.com