Gramps,

Can you define ‘the windows of heaven’? I pay tithes, yet feel like I’m in the dark. I don’t even feel connected way too often.

Raymond

Answer

Raymond,

In religious discourse, a veil often symbolizes a barrier or separation between the mortal world and the divine realm. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “parting the veil” refers to the process of overcoming this spiritual barrier to gain greater understanding, receive divine revelation, and experience Godly blessings.

The term “revelation” itself can be seen as a play on words: “re-” (again) and “velation” (veil) combine to signify the act of removing a veil to access divine knowledge. Revelation is considered essential for personal spiritual growth and is often sought through prayer, scripture study, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. President Russell M. Nelson emphasized this in his 2018 General Conference talk, highlighting that removing the veil is crucial for receiving divine insights.

Scriptures provide a foundational understanding of these concepts. For instance, in Matthew 13:43, Jesus speaks of the righteous shining forth in the kingdom of their Father, an imagery that aligns with the idea of parting the veil to reveal divine glory. Similarly, the Book of Mormon reinforces this metaphor by encouraging believers to strive for spiritual clarity and insight, thereby symbolically removing the veil that obscures their understanding.

The phrase “opening the windows of heaven” is another powerful metaphor used to describe the influx of divine blessings and spiritual enlightenment that followers of the Church seek. This imagery suggests a release of abundant blessings from the heavens, contingent upon faithful living and adherence to divine commandments.

Malachi 3:10 in the Old Testament speaks directly to this concept:

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” 

This passage shows the connection between faithful stewardship and the reception of divine blessings.

Modern Church leaders, including President Nelson, have reiterated the importance of maintaining faith and obedience to access these blessings. In his teachings, President Nelson links the “windows of heaven” to receiving personal revelations and experiencing the tangible blessings that come from living a Christ-centered life.

Understanding these metaphors intellectually is just the beginning; applying them in daily life is where true spiritual transformation occurs. Here are practical steps believers can take to “part the veil” and “open the windows of heaven”:

1. Faithful Obedience

Obeying God’s commandments is foundational. This includes keeping the Sabbath day holy, adhering to the Word of Wisdom, and fulfilling the covenants made in sacred ordinances. Faithful obedience creates an environment conducive to receiving revelation and blessings.

2. Prayer and Meditation

Consistent and sincere prayer invites the Holy Spirit to guide individuals. Meditation on scriptures and quiet contemplation help in recognizing and removing the spiritual veil, allowing divine messages to be internalized and acted upon.

3. Service to Others

Engaging in service fosters a Christlike love and humility. By serving others, individuals align themselves with divine will, which in turn opens avenues for receiving blessings and spiritual insights.

4. Personal Revelation

Actively seeking personal revelation through the Holy Spirit encourages a direct and personal connection with God. This involves listening, pondering, and acting upon the promptings received during prayer and study.

When believers successfully “part the veil,” the effects are transformative, both personally and collectively within the faith community.

Individuals often experience increased clarity in decision-making, enhanced spiritual experiences, and a deeper sense of peace and purpose. These blessings are seen as manifestations of God’s love and guidance. 

A collective experience of divine blessings fosters unity and strengthens the faith community. Shared spiritual experiences and mutual support create a resilient and compassionate community.

Ultimately, parting the veil and opening the windows of heaven align believers with their eternal purposes. It reinforces the belief in an everlasting relationship with God and the pursuit of eternal progression.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

I have been spending a lot of time reading the scriptures lately, especially the Book of Mormon and the New Testament. Both books are filled with many miracles performed by righteous prophets, church leaders and the Savior himself. There are many examples when evil men asked for a sign or proof of the power of God. They were often cursed because of their lack of faith. Most miracles were done in the presence of the righteous and were a result of their faith. I do understand the importance of this. My question is, why do we not seem to have miracles like in the scriptures?

We have many righteous people, the Priesthood and a living Prophet and Apostles. I would not dare ask this question in church as some would say I have no faith, but I need to understand this.

Brent

Answer

Dear Brent,

Miracles are probably more common today than they were in the times of the scriptures. We must remember that times have changed. Many of the things that were miraculous in those early times are now commonplace because of the advancement of science. Still, the signs that follow them that believe today include knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world; knowing the differences of administration; knowing the diversities of operations, whether they be of God; being gifted with the word of wisdom, and with the word of knowledge; having faith to be healed; having faith to heal; the working of miracles; prophesying; the discerning of spirits; speaking with tongues; the interpretation of tongues, to name a few. See D&C 46:12-25.

Since such signs follow them that believe, and in themselves are very sacred, they are not trumpeted before the world, nor are they used to demonstrate the power of the priesthood or the truthfulness of the Church. The wicked will seek after some sort of a miraculous sign on which to base their belief, and partly in order to prevent that sort of a following the miracles that do occur are not advertised.

But let me give you just one simple example of miracles in our day-the gift of tongues. Perhaps no gift is more prevalent in the Church today than this one gift. Can you imagine tens of thousands of 19-year-old young men and women each year acquiring the skill to speak foreign languages with confidence and ability with just two months of training? If there ever was a miracle that is one. Also, practically every family in the Church has had experience with the gift of healing under the hands of the holy priesthood. Indeed, all of the miracles that have been mentioned in the scriptures have been manifested among the saints in our day.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

I recently read about Christ casting the Legion of demons into a herd of swine, whereupon the entire herd runs into the sea and perishes.  Then those feeding the swine flee to the city and those within the city come out to meet Jesus and ultimately ask him to leave.

I would assume that these pigs were an income source for those who were feeding them.  Why would Christ cast the demons into the swine, knowing it would result in the caretakers losing their source of income?

Rexanne

Answer

Rexanne,

You may be a bit too focused on money to receive the true message of this scripture.  The Lord doesn’t really care how much money you make.  He will always provide enough for what He deems to be your needs as long as you’re willing to do your part, whatever that may be.

…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

 

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (Matt 6: 28-30)

Remember Timothy’s counsel to us.

…the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Tim 6:10)

Wealth is a tool like any other.  And if used for good, then it shall be a good tool.  If used for evil, then it is an evil tool.  If these people asked Jesus to leave because they valued their swine more than they did the well being of their fellow man, would they use money for good or for evil?

Perhaps it is better to know that the ultimate goal of the Lord is more important.  Always remember that our ways are not His ways.  His ways are above our ways.

Later on in the story the Lord reveals what good was done at the cost of the swine and the lost income therefrom:

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

 

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

 

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.  (Mark 5:18-20)

What do you think the worth of a man’s soul is?

Gramps

Gramps,

John was telling Jesus that there was a man [who not followeth them] casting out devils. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name. From my understanding – people can perform miracles with faith alone and do not need the Priesthood to perform miracles?

Marco

Answer

Hello Marco,

I think Mark 9, verses 39-42 really gets to the core of what Jesus is trying to teach John:

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

 

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

 

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

 

42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Jesus’ primary concern in this context seems to be for the anonymous stranger who, out of good intentions, is trying to do good in Jesus’ name and advance His cause.  The Lord did not want the zeal of this spiritual “little one” to be squelched, or “offended”, by an inappropriate insistence on legalistic procedures.  Of this situation Elder James E. Talmage wrote (in Jesus the Christ, chapter 24, pages 390-391):

“That the man who had attempted to do good in the name of Jesus was evidently sincere, and that his efforts were acceptable to the Lord we cannot doubt; his act was essentially different from the unrighteous assumptions for which some others were afterward rebuked; he was certainly a believer in Christ, and may have been one of the class from which the Lord was soon to select and commission special ministers and the Seventy.”

In a footnote to this passage, Elder Talmage contrasts this incident with the unsuccessful attempt of the sons of Sceva to cast out devils in Christ’s name as related in Acts 19:13-17.

Is it possible to work miracles through faith alone?  Clearly, yes.  In a recent conference address on healings, Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:

We know that the prayer of faith, uttered alone or in our homes or places of worship, can be effective to heal the sick. Many scriptures refer to the power of faith in the healing of an individual. The Apostle James taught that we should “pray one for another, that ye may be healed,” adding, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). When the woman who touched Jesus was healed, He told her, “Thy faith hath made thee whole” (Matthew 9:22). Similarly, the Book of Mormon teaches that the Lord “worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men” (Moroni 10:7).

 

A recent nationwide survey found that nearly 8 in 10 Americans “believe that miracles still occur today as [they did] in ancient times.” A third of those surveyed said they had “experienced or witnessed a divine healing.” Many Latter-day Saints have experienced the power of faith in healing the sick. We also hear examples of this among people of faith in other churches. A Texas newspaperman described such a miracle. When a five-year-old girl breathed with difficulty and became feverish, her parents rushed her to the hospital. By the time she arrived there, her kidneys and lungs had shut down, her fever was 107 degrees, and her body was bright red and covered with purple lesions. The doctors said she was dying of toxic shock syndrome, cause unknown. As word spread to family and friends, God-fearing people began praying for her, and a special prayer service was held in their Protestant congregation in Waco, Texas. Miraculously, she suddenly returned from the brink of death and was released from the hospital in a little over a week. Her grandfather wrote, “She is living proof that God does answer prayers and work miracles.”

Truly, as the Book of Mormon teaches, God “manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles … among the children of men according to their faith” (2 Nephi 26:13).

(Emphasis added.)

What, then, is the advantage of having a priesthood holder attempting to call down the same miracle?

Primarily, the advantage lies in the authority of the person offering the blessing.  This authority allows the priesthood holder the discernment he needs to, in the words of Bruce R. McConkie, “stand in the place and stead of his Master—who is the Chief Elder—in ministering to his fellowmen” (Only an Elder, June 1975) such that the priesthood holder’s voice becomes the Lord’s voice; the priesthood holder’s acts, the Lord’s acts.

The Lord recognizes this authority and, in the 42nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants, offers a special promise to those who seek blessings of healing through it:

44 And the elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me. . . .

 

48 And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed.

Notice that this promise does not say “may” be healed, or “might” be healed; but shall (for which one could grammatically substitute “must” or “will”) be healed.

Priesthood authority, then, can facilitate the working of great miracles even if those same miracles might also be attainable by faith alone.  However, one place where priesthood authority is absolutely irreplaceable is in the governance of the Church and the administration of saving ordinances.  In address entitled simply “Ordinances” given at BYU on February 3, 1980, Elder Boyd K. Packer drew a connection between the words ordain, ordinance and order; and I would highly recommend that you read the entire talk.  It is available here.

Gramps

I have been reading a book of Temple Manifestations. There is a section relating to baptism in the Temples. A phrase was used of baptism and confirmation for the healing of the sick. It describes how endowed members would go to the Temple and be “baptized and confirmed” and would leave healed. It also quotes that baptism for the dead and healing must be done in the Temple font. I never heard of baptism and confirmation in the Temples for the living. Have you heard of it? Where in the scriptures is this located? I would appreciate any information on this issue you could provide. Thank you,

Linda, from New Jersey

Dear Linda,

I don’t have any idea what kind of a book you have been reading. Certainly many people have been healed of their illnesses when they were baptized. It is true that baptisms for the dead must be performed in the holy temples. It may also be true that some people have been miraculously healed while performing proxy baptisms. But such things, being as sacred at they are, are generally not publicized.

Gramps

I recently herd about there were three Nephites that helped out on the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette,NY.Is there some scriptual facts that prove thaT TO BE TRUE?

Harry

Dear Harry,

In late May, 1829,  Joseph Smith continued to translate the Book of Mormon with Oliver Cowdrey in Harmony, Pennsylvania where the persecution continued to intensify.  Oliver, who was friends with David Whitmer, had previously written him concerning the divinity of the work Joseph was involved in.  He had sent him a few lines of translation and witnessed that he knew the plates contained a record of the people who had inhabited this continent.  At this time Oliver wrote the Whitmers to see if it would be possible for them to stay with the Whitmers in Fayette and continue the translation there.  David had volunteered to help as scribe.  Peter Whitmer, Sr., David’s father, invited Joseph and Oliver to stay with them.  Lucy Mack Smith in her “History of Joseph Smith” relates the following story.  “Peter Whitmer, Sr. told his son David: ‘”I think you would better go down to Pennsylvania as soon as your plaster of paris is sown.’  (Plaster of paris was used to reduce the acidity of the soil.  Normally this would have taken two days to complete.)  The next day David went to the fields to sow the plaster, but to his surprise he found the work had been done.  His sister, who lived near the field, said that her children had called her to watch three strangers the day before spread the plaster with remarkable skill.  She assumed they were men David had hired.”

David was able to leave immediately for Harmony and was met on the edge of town by Joseph and Oliver.  David had not communicated his coming, but Joseph had seen in vision the details of David’s trip.  As they were traveling to  Fayette, David described the following event:  “A very pleasant, nice-looking old man suddenly appeared by the side of our wagon and saluted us with ‘good morning, it is very warm,’ at the same time wiping his face or forehead with his hand.  We returned the salutation, and, by a sign from Joseph, I invited him to ride if he was going our way.  But he said very pleasantly, ‘No, I am going to Cumorah.’  This name was something new to me.  I did not know what Cumorah meant.  We all gazed at him and at each other, and as I looked around enquiringly of Joseph, the old man disappeared… “‘…It was the messenger who had the plates, who had taken them from Joseph just prior to our starting from Harmony.”  This comes from the “Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith,”  Millennial Star, 9 Dec. 1878, p. 772.

Even though they went through persecutions and other trials, they were wondrous times filled with visions and visits from heavenly beings.

Gramps

Dear James,
As you have indicated, there are different manifestations of the gift of tongues. Missionaries in the Mormon Church by and large learn the new language of their field of labor by the gift of tongues. This is a marvelous gift, confirming the truthfulness of the gospel and allowing it to be taught by the Holy Spirit through young missionaries who, by themselves, would neither be able to teach the truths of the gospel or speak the languages that the investigators speak, in order to teach them. That manifestation of the gift of tongues is perhaps the most prevalent spiritual gift in the Lord’s Church today, other than the gift of testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. A less prominent manifestation of the gift of tongues is to have someone speak in an unknown tongue, and another person interpret what was said.. This unusual manifestation of the gift of tongues is always accompanied by some purpose of the Lord to instill faith or testimony in the hearts of those whom the Lord would so bless. The prophet Joseph Smith taught—
“We believe that the Holy Ghost is imparted by the laying on of hands of those in authority, and that the gift of tongues, and also the gift of prophecy are gifts of the Spirit, and are obtained through that medium; but then to say that men always prophesied and spoke in tongues when they had the imposition of hands, would be to state that which is untrue, contrary to the practice of the Apostles, and at variance with holy writ” (HC 5:26-28.).
Some religious organizations of today focus their theology on that unusual manifestation of the gift of tongues, as was reported in Acts 19, where it was a manifestation that Paul’s rebaptism of those who had been baptized without authority, was indeed a valid baptism.
Gramps

Dear Melissa,
All of the gifts of the gospel mentioned in section 46 of the Doctrine & Covenants are with us today every bit as much as they ever were, and some in greater profusion than they have ever been manifested before. The gift of testimony of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, is a rather emotional experience of nearly every one of the approximately 13 million members of the Church. And it is indeed a miracle when members of the Christian churches hear the gospel and receive that true testimony by the gift of the Holy Ghost. They then know as a personal revelation from God what they merely believed before.
The gifts of faith to heal and faith to be healed are gifts possessed and practiced by many, many members of the Kingdom. The gift of tongues is perhaps the most prevalent spiritual gift in the Church. Can you imagine some 25,000+ youth of the Church each year learning a foreign language with such proficiency that many acquire native ability in the new tongue before their two-year missions are over? And the learning experience starts with only six weeks of formal training! There is no language training program in the world that can come anywhere near such a capability as that. There is only one plausible explanation for such masterful control of a new language in such a short time by so many youth. It is without any shadow of doubt an expression of the promised gift of tongues. Such gifts in such profusion are an indelible proof that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the kingdom of God restored again to the earth in direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Gramps

Dear Gramps,

In Gospel Principals today we were reading and studying Chapter 12, The Atonement. When we came to page 74, the second paragraph says “On the third day after his crucifixion, Christ took up his body again and became the first person to be resurrected”. That brought to mind the story of Lazarus, Mary, and her sister Martha. Christ raised Lazarus after he had been dead for four days– John 11. Now I believe the whole point of the miracle was to show Martha his miracles and help her belief. Now wouldn’t Lazarus be the first person to be resurrected?

Jim

Answer

Dear Jim,

In the miracle of bringing Lazarus back to life, he was not resurrected. He was just made to live again as a mortal. There was no change in the physical nature of his body, and so at some point, he would have died again.

When Jesus was resurrected, his body underwent a fundamental change. For instance, the mortal life-giving element, blood, no longer flows in the veins of a resurrected person, but rather a spiritual material. The flesh and bone are rejuvenated and made to live again, but vitalized by the spirit in the veins. Such a body is eternal in nature, no longer subject to death, and has other properties, such as the ability to pass through objects that are opaque to mortal bodies, and apparently to travel through space without the lapse of time. The appearance of the resurrected being, Moroni, to the boy Joseph Smith, is instructive in this regard—

While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person ….After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance (Joseph Smith-History 1:30-32, 40).

Gramps

Dearest Gramps,

Our child was born with a massive heart problem. We have struggled greatly with this and have tried to do those things that we know how to do to help him… i.e., fast, pray, give healing blessings. We know that we have been blessed to have him, we count each moment as a blessing. Scientifically there is no reason for him to be alive (he is 2 now), but generally he thrives as if there is no problem. I understand that THIS could be our answered prayer, that he thrives… But the doctors are still SO CONCERNED… amazed, but also worried! They constantly tell us that he could die at any moment. And so we sometimes fear, even though we know we have been blessed. The doctors will be taking action by performing a second open heart surgery on him soon.
I know Heavenly Father loves and blesses us…More than we can see, and I think we have faith that whatever happens is HIS will.

What I don’t know is concerning blessings. How many blessings does it take (to heal for example)? Basically, If Heavenly Father doesn’t HEAL my child’s condition, is it because of a lack of faith on my or my spouse’s or family’s part ~ OR because Heavenly Father has a
different plan? How can I know?

ALSO: Is it a “lack of faith” to ask for numerous blessings? Should one be enough? I ask for blessings all the time from my husband, but the thought came to me that maybe instead of exercising faith (like I thought I was doing by asking), maybe it was a “lack of faith” to constantly ask for blessings. What is your opinion?

Is one enough?

Answer

Dear Is One Enough?,

Your questions undoubtedly go deep into the heart of many parents with children who have life threatening conditions. Perhaps I may make a few comments on some aspects of your concerns. In the first place it is my personal opinion that among those who love the Lord and keep his commandments there are no accidents. Our Father loves all his children, and is without a doubt more concerned than we are for their eternal welfare. But He sees life from a very different perspective than our own. As Paul says,

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor. 13:12).

There are needs and opportunities on the other side of the veil, just as there are here. But God controls the time table. He give us life a second at a time–tick, a second, tick, a second–but never the promise of the next one.

You express two particular concerns–one, about the number of blessings that would be appropriate to give a person, and two, whether praying repeatedly for a given blessing is an act of faith or a lack of faith.

Concerning blessings, again it is my personal opinion that anointing with consecrated oil and pronouncing a blessing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit might be done one time unless the condition changes for the worst. Repeated blessings by the laying on of hands, however, would not be inappropriate.

Concerning importuning the Lord repeatedly for the same blessing would seem to me to be an act of faith, rather than a lack of faith. We are told to pray constantly–to have a prayer always in our heart–the Savior even went so far as to say, Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). The point is that is would seem inappropriate not to have continually on our minds the welfare of those who are near and dear to us, and repeatedly appealing to the Father in their behalf would seem to be the appropriate and natural thing to do..

Gramps

Gramps,

I recently saw a PBS special with various scholars discussing Jesus. One referred to Mark 8:22-25 as a favorite scripture because it showed the “humanity” of Jesus since he apparently had to try a second time to “get it right” and heal a blind man. Please comment.

Joe

Answer

Dear Joe,

How curious that those who claim to represent the Savior are so quick to attribute fault to him rather than to the children of men among whom he ministered. If they read into Mark 8:22-15 supposed imperfections in the Savior, it would be interesting to learn what interpretations they would put on the following scriptures, that imply that Christ was and is perfect.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15.

After the Savior anointed the eyes of the blind man, he saw “men as trees, walking.” Undoubtedly, the man did not see clearly, so the Savior put his hands on the man’s eyes again and made him look up, whereupon he then saw clearly. Nothing more is recorded in the scriptures of this occurrence. But no doubt there was much more to it. So the biblical scholars had to make some assumptions to fill in the blanks. If they had known Jesus for who he is they would never had assumed that he made a mistake, or had to practice the art of healing. He was perfect, the only perfect man who ever lived. Why could not those learned men have just as easily assumed that the poor man who was blind didn’t have at first sufficient faith to be healed, but through the ministrations of the Savior his faith increased to the point where the anointing was successful?

Gramps