Answering Questions

I am asked questions like:

How do you talk to God?

How do you see visions?

How do you get revelations?

Why does God talk to you and not to me?

There must be more to it than just keeping the commandments.  I already keep the commandments.  I keep the commandments just as much as you do. 

Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc … 

The emphasis of the question is on the subject of ‘me.’  What they are really asking is why “you”? You are a nobody.  In other words, I am too poor, too unpopular, I don’t hold their “priesthood”, I don’t do things by their traditions, and they are right! I don’t believe as they believe, so then they cannot figure out how God would possibly be willing to talk to me.  Well the answer is quite simple, that is exactly the reason that He does talk to me.  And He will talk to you for the same reasons.  All you have to do is qualify yourself. All you have to do is follow correct beliefs, correct principles.  God is no respecter of persons, He will talk to you too. 

There are two main reasons that I see why some people have such a difficult time obtaining direct revelation from Heaven. 

One is that these people are not willing to give up their worldly desires.  They try to keep the commandments, but at the same time they refuse to give up their worldly desires.  They are always looking for that “happy medium.”  Well, stop!  You cannot serve God and mammon.  If you want Heaven’s blessing, give up the world.  It is that simple. 

The other is that their faith is based on false doctrine.  They believe in false principles.  In order for faith to bear fruit, it must be based on a correct principle. 

To quote from the Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third, verses 2-5:

“2. Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. 

3. First, the idea that he actually exists. 

4. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. 

5. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will.  For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Paul says: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Moroni chapter 10 teaches me that if our faith is founded in correct principles, then we will have the gifts of God. 

And Joseph Smith made the observation, “A man who has none of the gifts has no faith; and he deceives himself, if he supposes he has.” 

So qualify yourself, give up the world, correct your beliefs about God, and put Him first.