I've been thinking a lot lately on the nature of personal revelation, and the way I mainly receive it; through dreams. Even as a child, my dreams were very vivid. Whether my dream was peaceful and fun, or scary and unsettling, it was lucid, vivid, clear, and full of meaning. I can recall those early childhood dreams as easily as those I had last night. I have always been grateful for the knowledge, instruction, insight, understanding, peace, joy, comfort, visuals of the future, and detailed premonitions I have received through dreams.
Over the years, and through many provident experiences, I realized that dreams are a powerful way I receive and interpret God's will for me. The information I've received in dreams has literally saved lives on several occasions. I keep a "dream journal" to write down my dreams when I wake up. As I come to consciousness, my mind is often filled with the interpretation of the dream. I write down the interpretations as well, knowing that the dream is important and impactful in the work of my conscious life. I have been humbled on many occasions to re-read old passages and realize that what I had dreamed several years prior, was fulfilled in near perfect detail in reality. I know that by being a good steward of the information I receive by recording and trusting it, I am further blessed with additional experiences and understanding. This principle is true for all. When we acknowledge, regard and appreciate our blessings, we are further blessed.
I have learned by experience never to underestimate dreams as a source for personal revelation. In fact, I have come to trust and count on the information I receive and I find myself praying for dreams that further my understanding as I study gospel principles.
Scripture also states that dreams, visions, and an increase in the Lord's spirit will be poured out on men, women and children in the last days. I know this is true.
Joel 2:
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
“In all ages and dispensations God has revealed many important instructions and warnings to men by means of dreams. When the conscious mind and physical senses are released from their activity, the nerves relaxed, and mankind lies asleep, it is then that the spiritual senses are at liberty in a certain degree to assume their functions, to recall some faint outline, some confused and half-defined recollections of that heavenly world, and those endearing scenes of their former estate. Their kindred spirits then hover about them with the fondest affection, the most anxious solicitude. Spirit communes with spirit, thought meets thought, soul blends with soul, in all the raptures of mutual, pure, and eternal love. In this situation the spiritual organs (and if we could see our spirits, we would know that they have eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to speak, and so on) may converse with deity, or have communion with angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect.” If we will learn not to be so sophisticated that we disregard that possibility of impressions from those who are beyond sight, then we too may have a dream that may direct us as a revelation.
The revelations of God are the standards by which we measure all learning, and if anything does not agree with the revelations, then we may be certain that it is not truth." --Parley P. Pratt
I can think of numerous times I know that I communed with angels and "kindred spirits" in dreams. Several weeks ago, I dreamed that Aura was getting married and I was at her wedding party. I was taking photos with my phone. When they drove away, I put my phone down on a table while I talked with other guests. A few minutes passed and I went to get my phone from off of the table. It was gone. I got on my hands and knees and crawled under the table, looking on the ground and in random purses and bags. I looked on and under all the tables, in flower arrangements, in the kitchen, asked people if they'd seen it, and became more and more distressed. I couldn't find it anywhere. I was heartsick that the photos of the wedding party, which were irreplaceable, were gone. I started to cry. For some reason, I called out for my grandma. This would not be unusual, except she died in February. In my dream, I seemed to be aware of that as well.
Within an instant, she walked toward me, looking her same beautiful self as I saw her before her illness. She asked me what was wrong. I told her I'd lost my phone and all the photos I'd taken. "Did you look in your pocket?" she asked. I told her I had. "Check again," she said. I put my hand in my right pocket and felt my phone. As I was taking it out to look at it, she said "Don't worry. I'm right here watching and helping when you need me." I understood the big picture of what she was saying. She meant that she was watching and helping with the problems and perplexities of the lives of our family, that she was mindful and proactive in providing assistance. I was comforted when I awoke moments later, knowing that she had in fact, visited me and affirmed her position as a spiritual ally for me and my family.
That dream served in strengthening my faith, especially of the future and in all the problems and projects I am working on now. I know that I am not working on them alone and that all will work out as it should so long as I am obedient and do all in my power, and trust God with the rest.
Due to a life threatening circumstance involving the birth of my ninth baby this January, I had to have major surgery. I was taken to the operating room and given a local anesthetic through a mask over my mouth and nose. I remember only seeing the room briefly before my consciousness ended. Once I was completely out, I was intubated and my surgery lasted four and a half hours. The first thing I remember as my breathing tube was being removed was a cough, and then I said "You're waking me up from a really good dream." I don't remember any of what was happening during that time I was out, or who was there, only that it was immensely enjoyable. Considering I prayed every available angel and ancestor in attendance, I have a feeling I was at an amazing family reunion. I fell asleep again after stating that I had a good dream. I think it no accident that I remembered that.
Several days later, I talked to one of the surgeons. There were four who performed my surgery. With all the nurses and interns, there were seventeen people present at the surgery, besides myself. I asked her about the surgery and if she was nervous about how complicated it would be. She told me that she had been perplexed about it. She knew it was very risky. She said that the night before the surgery, she had a dream about it. She saw how and what to do and followed through with it perfectly in her dream. When it came time to do it for real, she was calm because she said it was exactly like what she had seen in her dream. I knew it was an answer to the many prayers offered in my behalf.
Dreams and revelation are as real as the images we see, and the sounds we hear in our temporal reality. This film is an excellent clip on personal revelation and how to better tune in to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbDZnrxBLMI've never liked sleeping, but always loved to dream. I guess there has to be some balance so that I wouldn't want to be sleeping all the time just to have the opportunity to dream.
The thought of cycling Suncrest, which is a new housing development atop South Mountain, Draper, has loomed on the horizon of my mind since I started cycling in March. I didn't initially view it with anticipation. I associated the thought of summiting Suncrest, with dread. Reaching its peak is a sort of rite of passage from novice to semi-seasoned rider, though, so I kept the thought out there in the distance as something I'd maybe like to try, someday.
Sierra jumping from a 40 foot diving platform at Lava Hot Springs, ID.
