Open Heavens

While the phenomenon of the heavens “opening” to persons who receive visions of God and angels is well known from the scriptures, it is not so commonplace that every believer in Jesus experiences it. And yet, as the scripture says, “The gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God” (Helaman 3:28). So why the disparity between the possibility and actuality? In my experience, there are two explanations, which are really one.

First, many who believe in Jesus fall short of believing him—of believing all his words and what they imply. Second, many don’t fully practice his law and word that are his gospel. And yet, doesn’t the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its holy priesthood afford men “the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” (Doctrine & Covenants 107:18–19)? If Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and “no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6), then surely all who would see the Father, whether in this life or the next, must fully embrace that truth, way, and life, not the just parts they like.

In my experience, those blessings are possible to attain only upon God’s children paying the price, which, in spite of personal foibles, acts of ignorance, or generational iniquities, breaks through all barriers and confirms the promise of God’s word. To me, gaining and maintaining an open “portal” to the heavenly presence has nothing to do with “trying to make it happen” or simply having the desire. It has everything to do with losing oneself in God’s service and being directly led by him. It is evident to me that that alone makes it possible, even unavoidable, for God to intervene in his children’s lives and fulfill those high expectations he has implanted in their hearts through his glorious prophecies and marvelous revelations.