It’s wonderful how faith is shared and creates belief in others. When we declare the wonders of God, it helps encourage others to believe in God and His power. Jesus often taught that He could do no miracle because of unbelief or that they had so much faith that He could perform miracles for them. Our belief is a key element in receiving the miracles desired. As we share our witness of Him and His wonderful gifts, it helps others believe.
In Helaman 5 the wicked Lamanites had put Lehi and Nephi in prison. They were told by Aminadab, one who was once a believer, that if they cried unto the voice until they believed, the darkness would then be removed. They do and the darkness leaves and the Spirit comes and fills their souls with unspeakable joy and glory. They hear the voice of God, angels come down from heaven and minister unto them. Then after this glorious experience they are told to marvel not and not doubt. I’m assuming that means to not doubt that they had this wonderful experience. This is a common pattern. As soon as the Spirit leaves, the devil and his angels come to try and convince us that the marvelous experience we or someone just had didn’t happen. Moses 1 is a good example of this.
Then the record shares that they went forth, ministering to the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about the things which they had heard and seen. This convinced the majority of the Lamanites, because of the greatness of the evidences which they received. Those that believed laid down their weapons of war, their hatred, and the traditions of their fathers (Helaman 5:41-50). In other words, they repented.
When we declare our witness of the beautiful spiritual experiences we have, we help others exercise faith in Christ and repent and be filled with the love of God.
There is an evil tradition being passed down, that we ought not to share spiritual experiences. What would the scriptures or our journals look like if no one shared spiritual experiences? There would be no reason to read them for they would not increase faith in Christ and God’s plan for us. What would happen if Joseph Smith never shared seeing God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ? What would have happened to the Lamanites in the time of Helaman 5?
We have another witness of the power of sharing sacred, spiritual experiences with King Lamoni and his declaration after awakening from his slumber in Christ. When he awoke he declared, “I have seen my Redeemer…” (Alma 19:13). He bore this witness to those that had the same dark veil of unbelief as he had had a few moments before. After awakening and declaring his witness of the Lord, he and his wife and eventually their servants all sink down, being overpowered by the Spirit. When they awake they minister unto the people and declare that they had seen angels and conversed with them (Alma 19:12-14, 34). After hearing their witnesses the record states that many did believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they did establish a church among them (Alma 19:35). They shared sacred, spiritual experiences to the unbelieving and that helped others increase their faith in Christ and believe.
I believe this evil tradition has developed because of misunderstanding the scriptures. In Alma 12:9 we are told, “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall impart only according to the portion of his words which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.”
The portion of His words that He has granted unto the children of men includes receiving the Spirit of the Lord, seeing angels, receiving the ministering of angels, healings, the gifts of the Spirit, hearing the voice of the Lord, hearing the voice of God, the Father, seeing Jesus and seeing Father. If we are allowed to share any spiritual experience that is in the scriptures, the way I believe Alma taught us in Alma 12:9, then let us open our mouths and see the same results that the lamanites experience in Helaman 5.
Please don’t believe the false tradition that we aren’t to share spiritual experiences. Unbelief and wickedness are the results; whereas, sharing spiritual experiences results in faith in Christ and God and repentance (Helaman 5:51).
In all things we should act under the influence of the Holy Ghost but I’d say our current culture has swung the pendulum way too far in the direction of NOT sharing spiritual experiences and look at the fruits. Many youth, children and adults are slipping away into forbidden paths.
May God bless us to proclaim His holy name and bear witness to the marvelous light and life that He offers as we come unto Him. This is my prayer.
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