How We Can Have a Spiritual Experience Like Those in the Scriptures?
A Dissection of Ether 4:7
“And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.”
Faith
“... exercise faith in me ...”
How this answers our question
Spiritual experiences come when we exercise faith—faith that moves us toward God with humility, trust, and obedience. We do not wait for heaven to act; we act in faith, showing the Lord that our hearts are ready for what He desires to reveal.
Supporting Scripture
“And now, except he humble himself and acknowledge unto me the things that he has done which are wrong, and covenant with me that he will keep my commandments, and exercise faith in me, behold, I say unto him, he shall have no such views, for I will grant unto him no views of the things of which I have spoken.”
Why this matters:
This verse teaches us that revelation is withheld not because God is reluctant, but because our hearts must be aligned with Him. Humility, repentance, covenant loyalty, and exercised faith create the spiritual conditions where God can safely reveal more.
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The Principle
Faith that leads to spiritual experience is covenantal faith—faith expressed through humility, repentance, obedience, and trust. When we align our lives with God, we become the kind of people who can receive what the people in scripture received.
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Applying the Principle to Our Lives
- We humble ourselves instead of defending our flaws
- We acknowledge our wrongs honestly before God
- We renew our covenant loyalty through obedience
- We act on promptings rather than hesitating
- We trust God’s timing more than our own
As we live this way, we place ourselves in the same spiritual posture as the brother of Jared—faith‑filled, humble, covenant‑bound, and ready for God to reveal more.
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Sanctification
“... that they may become sanctified in me ...”
How this answers our question
Scriptural experiences were given to people whose hearts were being purified—people willing to let God reshape their desires. Sanctification is not perfection; it is yielding. It is letting the Lord cleanse our motives, soften our hearts, and align our will with His so revelation has a place to rest.
Essential Supporting Passages
These are the minimum Topical Guide core texts that define Sanctification across scripture:
- “Sanctify them through thy truth.” — John 17:17
- “Sanctified … by the Spirit of our God.” — 1 Corinthians 6:11
- “Sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.” — Helaman 3:35
- “Sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.” — Hebrews 10:10
- “By the blood ye are sanctified.” — Moses 6:60
Why these matter:
Together, these passages reveal the whole pattern of sanctification:
- Truth enters us
- The Spirit applies Christ’s power
- We yield instead of resist
- Christ’s offering makes holiness possible
- His blood cleanses and consecrates us
This is the same pattern behind every scriptural spiritual experience.
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The Principle
Sanctification is Christ’s work in us—activated by truth, empowered by the Spirit, received through yielding, and completed through His atoning blood. We do not sanctify ourselves. We yield, and He transforms.
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What This Looks Like in Us
- We let go of grudges, pride, and self‑protection
- We allow the Spirit to correct us without resisting
- We seek purity of intention, not performance
- We desire God more than we desire the experience
- We let truth confront us and reshape us
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Applying the Principle to Our Lives
- We welcome truth, even when it exposes us
- We yield our hearts, refusing to cling to old desires
- We invite the Spirit to cleanse and reorder our inner life
- We trust Christ’s offering, not our effort
- We let His blood cleanse us, removing stain and resistance
As we live this way, our hearts become the inner room where revelation can dwell.
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Manifestation
“... then will I manifest unto them ...”
How this answers our question
Spiritual experiences in scripture were always God’s response to a prepared heart. Manifestation is not something we force; it is something He gives. When faith and sanctification are present, the Lord reveals Himself in ways suited to our capacity, our stewardship, and our readiness.
Supporting Scriptures
“Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men.”
“And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.”
“And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;”
“But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.”
“And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.”
“And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.”
⚷ “And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.”
“Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.”
Why these matter
These passages reveal the pattern behind manifestation:
- God is willing to reveal “all things,” but He does so in order
- We receive according to our heed and diligence
- Greater manifestations come only after we receive the lesser things with faith
- Revelation is withheld when we refuse to believe what God has already given
- Manifestation is a test of faith, not a reward for curiosity
This means spiritual experiences are not about spiritual intensity—they are about spiritual trustworthiness.
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The Principle
Manifestation is God’s initiative, given according to our faith, our readiness, and our willingness to receive what He has already revealed. He reveals more when we honor what He has already given.
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What This Looks Like in Us
- We recognize God’s presence in subtle and powerful ways
- We receive impressions, clarity, peace, or direction
- We experience moments where heaven feels near
- We see God’s hand in our daily walk
Applying the Principle to Our Lives
- We treat small impressions as sacred
- We act on what we already know
- We show God we can be trusted with more
- We welcome His presence in ordinary moments
- We receive the “first things” with faith so He can reveal the “greater things”
As we live this way, God manifests Himself in ways suited to our readiness, just as He did in scripture.
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Revelation
“... the unfolding of all my revelations ...”
How this answers our question
Scriptural experiences often came through unfolding—a gradual opening of understanding, insight, and vision. Revelation is not a single moment; it is a process of God revealing truth layer by layer as our spiritual capacity grows.
Supporting Scripture
“Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.”
Why this matters
This verse reveals the pattern behind revelation:
- God gives revelation in measured portions
- Some truths are preserved until we are ready
- Revelation is timed according to His wisdom, not our urgency
- He reveals “all things” only when it is spiritually safe and spiritually useful
Revelation is not withheld out of reluctance—it is withheld out of wisdom. God reveals truth in the order that will bless us, not overwhelm us.
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The Principle
Revelation unfolds according to God’s timing, our readiness, and our willingness to receive and act on what He has already revealed. We receive more when we honor what we already have.
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What This Looks Like in Us
- We receive line upon line
- We understand truths we once only believed
- We see patterns, connections, and divine purposes
- We gain spiritual sight, not just spiritual feelings
Applying the Principle to Our Lives
- We study with diligence and expectation
- We act immediately on revelation we receive
- We treat every whisper of the Spirit as sacred
- We let God unfold truth at His pace
- We trust that withheld revelation is preserved, not denied
As we live this way, revelation becomes the ongoing conversation between heaven and our soul, just as it was for those in scripture.
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Relationship
“... Jesus Christ… the Father of the heavens and the earth ...”
How this answers our question
The ultimate spiritual experience is not a moment—it is a relationship. The Lord reveals Himself not to impress us, but to draw us into covenant closeness. Every scriptural experience was relational: God making Himself known to His children so we could know Him, trust Him, and walk with Him.
Supporting Scripture
“And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.”
Why this matters
This verse anchors revelation in identity. Christ reveals Himself as:
- Jesus Christ — the covenant name
- The Son of God — the One who shows us the Father
- The Father of heaven and earth — the Creator who holds all things together
- The Creator of all things — the One who governs the universe yet knows us personally
This means spiritual experiences are not primarily about visions, manifestations, or moments—they are about knowing the One who stands behind them. Revelation is relational because God is relational.
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The Principle
The greatest spiritual experience is knowing Jesus Christ—His character, His voice, His nearness, and His identity as the Creator and Redeemer. Revelation is not merely information; it is encounter. It is God making Himself known so we can walk with Him.
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What This Looks Like in Us
- We come to know Christ personally
- We feel His nearness, His character, His voice
- We trust Him as the Creator and Redeemer
- We walk with Him daily, not occasionally
Applying the Principle to Our Lives
- We speak to Him as a real Person, not an idea
- We look for His hand in our ordinary days
- We trust His identity when our circumstances shake
- We let His voice shape our decisions
- We walk with Him in covenant loyalty
As we live this way, our spiritual experiences become part of a living relationship, not isolated moments. The greatest manifestation God can give us is Himself.
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Closing Summary
“A People Prepared for His Presence”
As we walk through Ether 4:7, we discover that spiritual experiences are not distant, rare, or reserved for ancient prophets—they are the natural fruit of a prepared heart. When we exercise faith, yield to sanctification, welcome divine manifestation, receive revelation, and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ, we step into the same spiritual pattern lived by the brother of Jared.
The Lord is not withholding Himself; He is preparing us to receive Him.
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Final Thoughts
“He Meets Us Where We Are, But Not Where We Stay”
Every movement toward God is met by a movement from God. He honors our smallest efforts, enlarges our capacity, and invites us into greater light. We do not earn revelation—we grow into it. We do not force spiritual experiences—we become the kind of people who can receive them.
The Lord’s pattern is consistent: He lifts, He teaches, He unfolds, and He draws us closer until knowing Him becomes the greatest experience of all.
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Testimony
“He Reveals Himself to the Willing”
I testify that Jesus Christ is the One who sanctifies, manifests, reveals, and restores. He is the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things, and the One who knows us by name. As we humble ourselves, yield our hearts, and walk with Him in covenant loyalty, He will reveal Himself to us in ways suited to our readiness and our faith.
I know that the same God who opened the heavens to the brother of Jared is willing to open them to us. And as we follow this pattern, He will make Himself known.
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