Comments on: My Experience with the Savior

By: Russ

Russ — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:05:37 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing that. I would read your book if you wrote one.

By: Al

Al — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:10:12 +0000

Jared,

I read your experience and consider it to be uplifting and inspiring. I appreciate your willingness to share it. If you decide to move forward with writing a book, I believe it will be a challenging but fulfilling experience. If even a few people read the book and are inspired by it, many could be benefited by the ripple effect of your testimony.

By: Jared

Jared — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:34:05 +0000

Spektator–

Thanks for the links. I’ve been reading, Experiencing the Mighty Change. Excellent!

By: Spektator

Spektator — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:38:52 +0000

Jared,
Experiencing the Mighty Change is available online here: http://toddjumper.com/ETMC/etmc.htm.

The other book is part of a set by James Custer and can be acquired here:

http://www.jamescuster.com/book.html

I have long thought a book would be a great way to pass on my perspective to my family… but none of them read books any more. Maybe a video would be better…

Bro. Custer passed away last year.

By: Jared

Jared — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:39:56 +0000

Spektator–

Thanks for commenting. I always enjoy it.

The doctrine of Christ is everything if we desire to be joint-heirs with Christ.

Thanks for the info on the books. I am looking forward to finding and reading them.

I am currently reading, I Need Thee Every Hour, by Blaine M. Yorgason. Excellent book. It is out of print but it is worth the effort to find a copy. It is 500 pages of explanation, and exhortation about being born again. I learned that it never got out of the first printing because of lack of interest. It was published by Deseret Book–Sheri Dew really pushed it. The saints of our day our not too interested in books on the first principles of the gospel. It will take a crisis to move them. That’s what it took in my life to get my attention, so I can’t be too critical.

Having said that, I don’t think a book on the doctrine of Christ will be a money maker. If I publish, I’m certain I will have to carry it financially. Blaine M. Yorgason is a known author and if Deseret Book couldn’t get to a second printing that is an excellent indication of the business side of a book like I have in mind.

Nothing would please me more than at the day of judgment to have the Lord pleased with my efforts to help members of the church, not only be born again to see the Kingdom of God, but to be born again to enter. If a book can do that, then I’ll go for it.

By: Spektator

Spektator — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:58:47 +0000

Jared,
I also hold the ‘doctrines of Christ as found in the Book of Mormon’ as critical to the understanding of what we are to do in this life. What would our church be like if it held solely to the doctrine of Christ found in 2 Nephi 31/32 and 3 Nephi 11? I would add the singular reference to the doctrine of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 10, verses 67-69. We are told not to add or take away from the doctrine as taught in 3 Nephi 11. Shouldn’t that be important enough to shout from the rooftops?

Relative to publishing a book. I would agree with Jay that it should not be for personal glory or money. I completely disagree with him on the rest of his comment. Do apostles have some exemption from priestcraft that allows them to collect book royalties?

There are two books that I believe are good examples how to approach it. One is called “Experiencing The Mighty Change” which was published anonymously. The other is a book by James Custer called “The Unspeakable Gift.” The first one has been an important part of my core library since I found it several years ago. The latter is a little strange since Bro. Custer redefines ‘translation’ in a way that is counter to my experience. Have you come across either of these?

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:43:53 +0000

Jay–

I won’t respond to your latest comment, other than to say I feel sad.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:37:30 +0000

If you want to share a personal experience openly and not make money off of it that would seem fine. I know of another person who had a personal spiritual experience with Joseph Smith. His name was Cody Judy and if you recall he decided to threaten the a CES Fireside audience with a bomb. Granted it was not really a bomb but President Hunter and the congregation did not know that.

The examples you used above were all prophets and Brigham did not say you should try to make money off of these experiences, that is called priest-craft and is very dangerous.

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:58:46 +0000

Jay–

Thanks for responding. Your advice is welcomed.

I’ve thought this over carefully. I agree we must be careful not to seek to build ourselves up, our eye should be single to the glory of God. To avoid even the appearance of doing otherwise I have written this blog anonymously. If I write book,I will most likely write it using a pen name.

You cited several scriptures to emphasize your point. The scripture also give many examples of Spiritual experiences being used as a means of increasing faith. King Benjamin talked freely about the angel who appeared to him (Mosiah 3:2), so did Amulek (Alma 10:10). Ammon sought to show forth the power that was in him (Alma 17:29). The apostle Paul related his experience with Christ without hesitation (Acts 26:13-18).

There are many examples that can be shown that clearly teaches that the Lord uses the manifestation of His Spirit to increase faith among the saints as well as in missionary efforts.

In our day, Brigham Young said:

It yields solid satisfaction to hear men testify of the truth of the Gospel. It is always peculiarly interesting to me to hear the Saints tell their experience. It is to me one of the best of sermons to hear men and women relate to each other how the Lord has wrought upon their understanding, and brought them into the path of truth, life, and salvation. I would rather hear men tell their own experience, and testify that Joseph was a Prophet of the Lord, and that the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and other revelations of God, are true; that they know it by the gift and power of God; that they have conversed with angels, have had the power of the Holy Ghost upon them giving them visions and revelations, than hear any other kind of preaching that ever saluted my ears. JD 1:90-91

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:18:45 +0000

I would advise you to be very cautious when sharing Personal spiritual experiences. I think it is wise to be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19. She did not go around telling everyone about her special spiritual experiences. There is always the temptation to try and aggrandize ourselves on our spiritual experiences.

“But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich.” Joseph Smith History 1:46