To
say that the scriptural accounts of those who have had visions of God’s kingdom
beyond the veil are easy to comprehend would be an understatement. We have no
reference to describe such experiences and we simply lack the language also. The
Prophet Joseph Smith provided a perspective on this when he said:
“Could
we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the
relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little
about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them,
can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to
God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the
ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five
minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was
written on the subject.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 324)
Even
the Saviour had difficulty explaining the workings of the universe and the
kingdoms that existed within it in a revelation given to Joseph Smith and
contained in Doctrine and Covenants 88. You can almost feel His frustration in
reading His words: “Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may
understand?” (v 46) And then His summation of the difficulty of the task: “Behold,
all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these
hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.”
(v 47)
Isaiah
endeavoured to describe what he was permitted to see of the celestial sphere in
chapter 6 of his book (vs 1-4) by using images and terms with which his readers
could identify, but even he sensed how much he fell short of communicating the
reality of his experience. The description of his experience is definitely
beyond my understanding or appreciation because I cannot relate to it.
Others
who have had visions of the celestial realms have cited Isaiah’s somewhat
adequate summation of such an experience which readers of all generations and
time-lines can understand:
“For
since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear,
neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him
that waiteth for him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
Paul
refined Isaiah’s explanation to the Corinthians by saying: “But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart
of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1
Corinthians 2:9)
Perhaps
the testimony of the Nephites is the greatest of the glories beyond the veil:
“And
no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the
hearts of men conceive so great and marvellous things as we both saw and heard
Jesus speak; and no one can conceive the joy which filled our souls at the time
we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” (3 Nephi 17:16-17)
The
joy is an incentive to those who want to experience the reality of the glories
beyond the veil…..
Some
days, Father, I cannot bear,
The
absence of Your touch.
I
cannot wait for Your embrace
That
I have missed so very much.
In
this abyss of worldly darkness
I
stumble but I fall into the arms of Him
Who
lifts me higher than I can go.
I
fly to You, Father, on my wings of faith,
I
sail through stormy skies,
Seeking
for Thy face.
Look
Father, no hands!
Only
trust in these strong arms
Of
my Saviour’s loving grace.
-
CATHRYNE ALLEN
