The Heavens Are Open

As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I teach a lot of people about Jesus Christ, His gospel and doctrine. Among the topics I teach about is prayer. Prayer is the communication between you and our Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father not only hears our prayers but listens to them. Many people I have met either don't believe this or have a dramatically different definition of prayer and its purpose. Most people believe God answers their prayers. However, at the same time those people believe the heavens are closed and that no more revelation is given to man. I believe this is due to people not knowing what revelation really is. To help us better understand what revelation is let's use the word reveal in place of revelation. When you ask God a question, for help, guidance, direction, knowledge, understanding etc you are asking for revelation. When you ask God to help you choose the best path for you to take He answers you by "revealing" (revelation) the path He knows will be the best for you. Everyone is entitled to personal revelation. Meaning you can receive answers to questions that apply to yourself. You can not receive revelation for other people unless you are authorized by God. There are many accounts in the Old Testament where a king or general will ask the Lord's chosen prophet what God's will is for him and his people. Prophets have the authority from God to receive revelation for others. Apostles of Jesus Christ also have this authority. This is how they knew what to say and how to correct the saints in different areas in their epistles to the leaders of the church in those areas. So it is easy to understand that without that prophetic, and apostalic authority the doctrines of Christ's church were changed over time. This also helps us understand why people believe God answers their prayers yet revelation has ceased. After the apostles died revelation did cease because no one else at that time had the authority to receive the revelation needed to lead and guide The Church of Jesus Christ. In 1820 the heavens were once again opened! God had called a prophet to restore The Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. Jesus Christ called twelve apostles to be His special witnesses in the latter days. Since the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ with His priesthood authority there is an unbroken chain of succession in preisthood authority from the first prophet called in this dispensation (Joseph Smith) to the current prophet Thomas S. Monson, as well as a succession of twelve apostles since the restoration to now. Jesus Christ's chosen prophet and apostles walk and speak on earth today! Please listen to them and then pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him to "reveal" to you if these men are in fact His prophets and apostles. God can not lie and if you believe He answers your prayers then listen to these men, ponder their message, and ask God for confirmation that they are what they claim to be. I know that if you have real intent when you pray and ask in faith for this personal witness from the Holy Ghost He will answer you, I promise you this. I bear my witness and testimony to you that these men are prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ. http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/what-are-prophets-testimonies?lang=eng