Heavenly Mother: The Exhibit

As I've been working on my "miniseries" on spiritual gifts, I wanted to let you know about a photographic exhibit that's been posted on another blog.

Anna Killian's blog page, "Her", is a very tasteful, inspiring glimpse into the most important woman in the universe: Heavenly Mother. 

The introductory graphic says, "To every human being who has ever wondered what their Heavenly Mother is like, or if She is even there. I know She is." By clicking that graphic, and subsequent ones, you're taken on a tour of Anna's online exhibit, which is composed of several images and personal testimonials that are very touching to me.

I join Anna in humbly declaring that I know She is.

Many years ago, I was privileged to give a priesthood blessing to Jolene, my best friend's girlfriend. In that blessing, Jolene was told that Heavenly Mother felt all of Jolene's pains, saw every break in Jolene's broken heart and heard every drop of Jolene's tears as they hit the floor. I lost touch of Jolene, but I've always remembered the sweet, overwhelming love I felt from an invisible female presence who was near in that room that day.

Sometimes I imagine, in my mind's eye, what She sees as she looks at Her children on the earth. I sense Her tears. Sometimes, they're tears of sadness, as She contemplates the spiritual darkness which separates Her from Her children. Other times, I'm confident they're tears of happiness, as She witnesses a few of Her sons and daughters overcoming incredible odds on the Savior's path back to Her awaiting arms.

It's my hope that this online exhibit will touch you as well, regarding She who helps give light, life and love to us all.

YOUR Enos Experience

As we read in my previous post, Enos heard the voice of the Lord in His mind. He was declared "Blessed." His ability to directly and intimately dialogue with the Lord was an outgrowth, a natural evolution, of his relationship with Christ. As a result, Enos was internally motivated to help others -- even his enemies -- enjoy that same relationship with God.

Some may believe that such an event is an impossibility, or at the very least, a scriptural account of a remarkable event which happened to a remarkable man approximately 2,500 years ago. The tendency to believe that it could happen to anyone other than, perhaps, general authorities is pretty commonplace.

Such beliefs are historically and scripturally unfounded.

Even more, there ARE people -- alive today -- who approach God on a regular basis, with wrenched, broken hearts, in mighty prayer.

There ARE people -- alive today -- who have unquestionably and undeniably heard God's voice in their minds.

There ARE people -- alive today -- who have been declared by God as "Blessed" (yet you will probably never know of it).

There ARE people -- alive today -- who regularly wet their pillows at night, praying that the Lord would spare others, even enemies, with the light of his everlasting gospel of love and hope.

There ARE people -- alive today -- who do what they can, regardless of the consequences, to help bring about those blessings.

Please, make no mistake: Enos' story can and should be likened to today.

There are some who are alive and well, this very minute, who have been blessed with an Enos-like event. They have no idea why they were declared "Blessed". They consider themselves misfits, rejects and definitely among the least likely, of all the people they know, to qualify for such an eternal declaration. Yet they sought it, and left the rest to God.

And in time, God delivered. In spades.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

It is no small thing to be awakened in the early morning, literally feel the hand of Jesus Christ lightly squeezing your upper arm while gently but confidently saying, "[First Name], you are Blessed."

It changes you. It transforms you. You are never, ever the same from that moment on.

So please, with all my heart, believe.

Believe that this happens.

Believe that it could even happen to a soul so rebellious and proud as you.

OK. In my next post, we'll talk about what happens after someone follows Enos' steps...

"I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee..." (2 Kings 20:5)