Developing a Personal Relationship With Jesus Christ - Powerful Testimonies

This topic seems to be growing in great interest in many circles as of lately. I couldn't refrain from sharing what the Spirit has taught me. 

Did you know there are about twelve experiences recorded in the New Testament of Jesus personally visiting his apostles and disciples in between His Crucifixion and final ascension into Heaven? In fact, during one of those visitations He appeared above a group of 500 bretheren all at the same time. Paul tells us of some of those accounts,

"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."  1 Corinthians 15:4-8

When Jesus finally ascended into Heaven there were two angels that said to His apostles,

"...Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." 

As we reflect on the timeline and process of Jesus' ascension we see that His final ascension into Heaven was preceded by many visitations in the flesh. If He is to return in the same manner that He left (from the Heavens), would that mean that the process might also be the same? A succession of visits and appearances in the flesh to His chosen servants leading up to His final return and descent to the earth?

When the Savior ministered for 40 days following His crucixicition, He was preparing His disciples for their approaching missions. Luke states that during the 40-day ministry the Savior spoke “of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God,” Mark concurs that Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples included the charge to go “into all the world, and preach.” Mark 16:15 Could it be that prior to His return, He will in likewise manner appear unto His disciples all over the world and give them instruction for their last days missions, to gather in the final harvest? Will He again share precious things pertaining to the Kingdom of God?

In the Book of Mormon it is recorded in Third Nephi that during 34 A.D. the resurrected Savior visited the American continent and ministered to the Nephite people in the flesh. He spoke of many things that "no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things" (seen and heard). 3 Nephi 17:17   Could the Savior have been speaking in Heavenly tongues? And might this have created the powerful event as the veil was opened and angels ministered unto the people? They too were taught many beautiful truths pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 

In 3 Nephi 18:25, Jesus commands them to feel Him and to see Him, then to likewise go unto the world and preach this commandment.  

"And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation."

As we think about the many lands and nations upon the earth that forbid proselyting, evangelism, and the practicing of Christianity, we might wonder how these people will ever learn of Jesus Christ and know that He is their personal Savior? Could it be that the Lord will work upon them in like manner as He did the Nephite people, Alma the Younger, or the Apostle Paul?

As scripture says, the apostle Paul (prior to his conversion) was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus on a mission to arrest any who were preaching of Jesus Christ, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a great light. He was struck blind, but after three days his sight was restored by Ananias of Damascus and Paul began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the Son of God.

Could the Lord appear to those who have not known Him, and choose them to His ministry? To gather in the fold from their part of the world to prepare for the greater gathering that is to come? Could this be the first step toward their receiving the fullness of the gospel? Could the Lord already be preparing His people right now? 

As you ponder that question, I'd like to share with you some scripture, followed by some of my most favorite interviews of those who did not know Jesus was their Savior until they had their own Divine encounters with Him. We are talking  Jews, Muslims, atheists, occult members, and those in communist countries where Christianity is forbidden. 

Just how can we explain people of diverse or non-Christian faiths having such encounters, conversions, and callings? In Moroni 7:24-26 Moroni tells us, 

"And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.

Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."

In Moroni 7:30 Moroni tells us the purpose of ministering angels and just who they visit;

"For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.

And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.

And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men."

No, they do not focus on those who are near perfect, rather they call the imperfect to repentance. He declares His word unto those whom He chooses (whom he has called to repentance) so that they may bear testimony of Him. And let me tell you, these kinds of conversions make the best testimonies, and often lead to even greater conversions. He does this to prepare a way for men to have faith in Him, so the Holy Ghost may have a place in their hearts. This prepares the way (the desire to receive) to the fullness of the gospel and the covenants. 

Just as there are diverse ways that He manifests truths to the children of men Moroni tells us there are also diverse ways that He administers gifts of the Spirit to all men. He reminds us that God cannot be put in a box. As we encounter others (using our gift of discernment) who have received spiritual gifts in a manner that seems "outside the box" He reminds us that they (all good gifts that bear good fruit)  are all from the same God. We need not fear or doubt them. These gifts are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God in which He has said are manifested in different ways. 

"And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them."

These scriptures I have shared contain a wealth of treasure and I encourage you to ponder them with sincere prayer. 

I hope you enjoy the videos of the beautiful testimonies (shared below) as much as I have, but before you watch them, I'd like to share some of my most favorite quotes from the recent General Conference about attaining our own personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. Per the Stake President's message shared at our recent stake conference, that's the most important thing we should be seeking right now. I have felt a strong witness of the truth of that. It has been the theme of my stake conference as well as General Conference. Did you hear it too?

“'Thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.' Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him?" Neill F. Marriott

"If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day."  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"...we must bring the Savior into our life—into our very being—that we may be one. How does this happen?

...spend much time in secret with Jesus alone

...If we yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then holiness is what we seek, in both body and spirit." Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Make time and take time to come to know Jesus Christ..." Jean B. Bingham

CONCLUSION

Could the apostles be encouraging us to seek the Lord so that we might come to know Him in a way that we never imagined possible? So, that when He comes to us we will know Him because we will be like Him? The imagination is a powerful gift that the Lord has given us, are we using it enough? If we can visualize it first, we can bring it to life with faith. The Lord calls many to His work, but few say "yes Lord". It is my prayer that with great zeal we say "yes" when He calls.