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The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil
In the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of John, Christ promised His followers He would send a Comforter to them. This Comforter is also referred to as the Holy Ghost. In addition to the Holy Ghost, Christ "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." Christ is the Second Comforter.
This book is about the process of receiving the Second Comforter. This highest aspiration of mankind is to come into contact with the Infinite and Eternal. The Psalmist "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." From ancient to modern yearnings, mankind has sought God's presence in their lives.
The Second Comforter describes this process, as set out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is an Odyssey through the greatest principles, ordinances, and meanings of the Latter-day Saint faith in a comprehensive narrative. It will change the way you think of yourself-- and the way you choose to live your life.
Highly readable, easily understood, and soul stirring, The Second Comforter will comfort and inform all who read it.
This book is about the process of receiving the Second Comforter. This highest aspiration of mankind is to come into contact with the Infinite and Eternal. The Psalmist "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." From ancient to modern yearnings, mankind has sought God's presence in their lives.
The Second Comforter describes this process, as set out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is an Odyssey through the greatest principles, ordinances, and meanings of the Latter-day Saint faith in a comprehensive narrative. It will change the way you think of yourself-- and the way you choose to live your life.
Highly readable, easily understood, and soul stirring, The Second Comforter will comfort and inform all who read it.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2006
64 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 11, 2009
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend, but I wouldn't really recommend it to others. I'd recommend instead spending the time reading and pondering the scriptures - you'll learn the same things, plus more.
July 29, 2014
Full disclosure: I didn't finish. 20% in I felt it wasn't worth my time to finish. Read on to see why.
First, Snuffer spends almost an entire chapter explaining who the book is for and who would not be benefited by reading the book. I fell into the category of not being benefited. Nevertheless I am intrigued by the topic and Snuffer's Testimony of seeing Christ and the claim that all can do so, so I continued on.
Here's the thing. Snuffer seems to see things in a very black and white manner. I don't. He claims that there is a very specific formula that MUST be followed and that this formula is the same for everyone. He backs up the claim with scripture in a very convincing manner. But real life just isn't like this. We're not all cut from the same mold and so no one pattern can possibly work for everyone. Only having read the first few steps of what MUST be done, I can say with surety that it doesn't work that way in my life. I have done what he suggested before without the promised (by him) outcome. I have no reason to think that by doing the same thing, I should receive different results.
Other than this, he writes in an interesting, engaging way. If you choose to read the book, I have no doubt you'd enjoy it. Just don't feel bad if you try his formula and find it doesn't work for you. I highlight 50 times in the 80 or so pages I read. So lots of quotable material. Maybe someday, when I'm bored and have nothing else to read, I'll come back and finish it.
First, Snuffer spends almost an entire chapter explaining who the book is for and who would not be benefited by reading the book. I fell into the category of not being benefited. Nevertheless I am intrigued by the topic and Snuffer's Testimony of seeing Christ and the claim that all can do so, so I continued on.
Here's the thing. Snuffer seems to see things in a very black and white manner. I don't. He claims that there is a very specific formula that MUST be followed and that this formula is the same for everyone. He backs up the claim with scripture in a very convincing manner. But real life just isn't like this. We're not all cut from the same mold and so no one pattern can possibly work for everyone. Only having read the first few steps of what MUST be done, I can say with surety that it doesn't work that way in my life. I have done what he suggested before without the promised (by him) outcome. I have no reason to think that by doing the same thing, I should receive different results.
Other than this, he writes in an interesting, engaging way. If you choose to read the book, I have no doubt you'd enjoy it. Just don't feel bad if you try his formula and find it doesn't work for you. I highlight 50 times in the 80 or so pages I read. So lots of quotable material. Maybe someday, when I'm bored and have nothing else to read, I'll come back and finish it.
August 3, 2010
This is a very interesting book with huge potential but it can be rated from 1 to 5 depending upon the spiritual preparedness of the person reading it. I found nothing in it that was offensive nor contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. Nothing was presented which was outside the parameters of the scriptures and the words of the prophets (both living and deceased). I would only recommend it to those who are prepared to take a major step in their lives.
June 9, 2015
This book has meant a lot to me. It got me seriously thinking about my relationship with the Lord and how seriously I take that relationship. I enjoyed the way the author delved into the scriptures, teaching and expounding them in a way that made me want to search the scriptures more, to ask the Lord to teach me and to strive to connect with heaven on a much more personal level.
December 20, 2013
The best church book I have read in many year !!
October 2, 2012
I can remember learning about "The Second Comforter" and having "Your Calling and Election Sure" and wondered how that happened and whether it was very common. I have heard about people that have had that experience and even talked to one person. When I asked how that was achieved he basically told me to just pray for it. That wasn't a very satisfying answer. It wasn't until I read this book by Denver Snuffer that I come to appreciate more fully what is involved and the change in your life that occurs in the process.
Denver Snuffer joined the church when he was 19. The book describes some of the process of his conversion and life, but mostly it provide the foundation and tools for a person to get an audience with Christ.
Denver Snuffer provides this interesting perspective about the book from his blog entry of Feb. 12, 2010. "So I think taking only the testimony alone contradicts the whole purpose which it was written. The testimony was merely a brief, nine word ratification of the book's teachings. The focus is a manual for the reader to do that for themselves. The reader, not the author, is the focus of the book. Indeed, with only brief exceptions, my personal present intrudes into the book to highlight how to do something wrong. Then the book explains how to get it right."
And on June 2, 2010: "Study what I've written carefully and anyone will find it is all there. Several people have done so, and have received the promised results. But they took care and devoted careful, solemn and ponderous thought to the matters set out in what I have written. That is what the writings were intended to produce, and why they were commissioned to be written by the Lord. I know that the process is true, because I have lived it. I know that the descriptions provided in my writings are sufficient, because they have produced results akin to my own."
The book walks a person through the process necessary to have an audience with the Savior. The attainment of such a goal is on the Lord's timetable not ours. There are many interesting insights on the path.
One of the steps is obedience, "The interesting thing about the process is that actual light -- or enlightenment -- is acquired through obedience. It is not acquired in any other way. It is specifically not acquired by study or scholarship alone." (p. 50)
The author uses the experience of Nephi to describe the events along the path. Speaking of God, "He is not distant. He is a part of each of our daily lives. We can ignore Him, or acknowledge Him. But whether we accept or reject His involvement, Nephi's view is that He is present and concerned. . . In the end, Goliaths are merely opportunities for you to demonstrate your faith. They will be swept away when they no longer serve any purpose." (p. 75)
"Here is Nephi's list of several concrete steps which must occur for anyone to receive the things of God in vision or revelation: 1. Desiring to know, 2. Believing the Lord can make them known to you. 3. Pondering or thinking deeply and prayerfully." (p. 89)
Snuffer talks about how significant and difficult the process can be, "The first time I spoke in Fast and Testimony . . . I testified 'I know this Church is true.' at the time it would have been much more correct to say that I believed it to be true. I was a long way from knowledge. But I was fervent in my belief. I did not have any idea the difficulties and sacrifices involved in trading faith for knowledge. If I had known then, I would perhaps have stayed content with belief" ( p. 100)
As indicated earlier, we have to ask, or as Snuffer says, "It is not Heaven's responsibility to force upon us answer to questions which we do not ask" (p. 111)
Because of Snuffer's experience, he can testify that this process if available for the humble Saint. "There is a notion among some Saints that these things are reserved for Church leaders holding high office. That false notion is so widespread it deserves special notice here." (p. 151)
"And so it is with these things. They can be learned, but they can't be taught. Those who are willing to receive them, however, will receive them. But only when they are prepared to respect the limits which should always separate the sacred from the profane." (p. 177)
Surprisingly you must already have faith that will not be improved by a visit from the Savior before you are ready for a Second Comforter experience. "When your faith in His ordinances is secure enough that seeing Him will produce no further conviction of His word, no greater confidence in Him and no additional confirmation than what you have already, you are prepared to receive Him. . . If your faith would increase because of this experience, you are not ready for it. The Second Comforter comes to confirm the faith which already resides in a person, not to produce that faith." (p. 266)
Even though this is a marvelous spiritual experience, the individual still feels totally inadequate. "But what is relevant here, and so very important, is that those feelings of inadequacy do have great value. Feelings of inferiority, or of not quite belonging, or of being less than you should be, all lead to the essential humility needed for the next step. (p. 309)
Getting the opportunity to converse with the Lord, brings with it an exposure to Satan. "Because of these things, the path to heaven runs through hell. You don't get the epiphany without confronting Satan." (p. 348) He also mentions that the reason it is called "The Second Comforter" is that you need comfort after confronting Satan.
Even after such a marvelous experience, you still participate in the normal mortal activities. "The Second Comforter never has and never will remove life's difficulties. Life will continue much the same as it did before, although the challenges may become greater." (p. 387)
I find particularly interesting, Snuffer's attempt to describe the experience of being in the presence of the Lord, "Here is yet another (my) attempt: His love will crush you. It will overwhelm and intimidate you. It will bring you involuntarily to your knees in adoration and humility. It is not possible to feel love of this kind from Him and remain aloof of confessing, as Moses did: 'Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.' (Moses 1:10)" (p. 391)
We find the reason why this book was written in a footnote on page 396: "If the author had not been asked to write this work, the author's own experience would have remained a private matter, as it was for years before writing of this book."
Finally as promised we get his short testimony of his encounter with the Lord. "He is the Second Comforter. I know He lives, for I have seen Him. He has ministered to me" A footnote is included with this testimony: "The full content of these things are of course personal, never intended for public display, and not needed as a part of this text. This is about bearing testimony of the process itself and the already declared doctrines. I am adding my weak voice to those of others who proclaim this to be true. This is not about personal matters, the revelation of which would amount to improperly profaning the sacred, nor is it about preaching any new doctrines, which is altogether inappropriate." (p. 405)
One final quote from the book: "The overwhelming majority of us will, ten minutes after death, regret we did not do more with this second estate. Our regrets will be because we did not seek more earnestly, pray more devoutly, fast more frequently, and gain a greater measure of truth and light than we gained here. Change that for yourself." (p. 424)
As you can see this isn't just a book "about" The Second Comforter, but a book about the process of making ourselves ready to approach God. I found it very exciting and revealing of the process and what is required in our own lives if we wish for such an experience. It is much more than just desiring to confront God, but it is a process of changing our lives so that we become more like the Savior. (1 John 3:2) It is a difficult journey, but oh so rewarding. Not just in the opportunity to see and experience the Savior, but also in the growth and development of our own souls.
Denver Snuffer joined the church when he was 19. The book describes some of the process of his conversion and life, but mostly it provide the foundation and tools for a person to get an audience with Christ.
Denver Snuffer provides this interesting perspective about the book from his blog entry of Feb. 12, 2010. "So I think taking only the testimony alone contradicts the whole purpose which it was written. The testimony was merely a brief, nine word ratification of the book's teachings. The focus is a manual for the reader to do that for themselves. The reader, not the author, is the focus of the book. Indeed, with only brief exceptions, my personal present intrudes into the book to highlight how to do something wrong. Then the book explains how to get it right."
And on June 2, 2010: "Study what I've written carefully and anyone will find it is all there. Several people have done so, and have received the promised results. But they took care and devoted careful, solemn and ponderous thought to the matters set out in what I have written. That is what the writings were intended to produce, and why they were commissioned to be written by the Lord. I know that the process is true, because I have lived it. I know that the descriptions provided in my writings are sufficient, because they have produced results akin to my own."
The book walks a person through the process necessary to have an audience with the Savior. The attainment of such a goal is on the Lord's timetable not ours. There are many interesting insights on the path.
One of the steps is obedience, "The interesting thing about the process is that actual light -- or enlightenment -- is acquired through obedience. It is not acquired in any other way. It is specifically not acquired by study or scholarship alone." (p. 50)
The author uses the experience of Nephi to describe the events along the path. Speaking of God, "He is not distant. He is a part of each of our daily lives. We can ignore Him, or acknowledge Him. But whether we accept or reject His involvement, Nephi's view is that He is present and concerned. . . In the end, Goliaths are merely opportunities for you to demonstrate your faith. They will be swept away when they no longer serve any purpose." (p. 75)
"Here is Nephi's list of several concrete steps which must occur for anyone to receive the things of God in vision or revelation: 1. Desiring to know, 2. Believing the Lord can make them known to you. 3. Pondering or thinking deeply and prayerfully." (p. 89)
Snuffer talks about how significant and difficult the process can be, "The first time I spoke in Fast and Testimony . . . I testified 'I know this Church is true.' at the time it would have been much more correct to say that I believed it to be true. I was a long way from knowledge. But I was fervent in my belief. I did not have any idea the difficulties and sacrifices involved in trading faith for knowledge. If I had known then, I would perhaps have stayed content with belief" ( p. 100)
As indicated earlier, we have to ask, or as Snuffer says, "It is not Heaven's responsibility to force upon us answer to questions which we do not ask" (p. 111)
Because of Snuffer's experience, he can testify that this process if available for the humble Saint. "There is a notion among some Saints that these things are reserved for Church leaders holding high office. That false notion is so widespread it deserves special notice here." (p. 151)
"And so it is with these things. They can be learned, but they can't be taught. Those who are willing to receive them, however, will receive them. But only when they are prepared to respect the limits which should always separate the sacred from the profane." (p. 177)
Surprisingly you must already have faith that will not be improved by a visit from the Savior before you are ready for a Second Comforter experience. "When your faith in His ordinances is secure enough that seeing Him will produce no further conviction of His word, no greater confidence in Him and no additional confirmation than what you have already, you are prepared to receive Him. . . If your faith would increase because of this experience, you are not ready for it. The Second Comforter comes to confirm the faith which already resides in a person, not to produce that faith." (p. 266)
Even though this is a marvelous spiritual experience, the individual still feels totally inadequate. "But what is relevant here, and so very important, is that those feelings of inadequacy do have great value. Feelings of inferiority, or of not quite belonging, or of being less than you should be, all lead to the essential humility needed for the next step. (p. 309)
Getting the opportunity to converse with the Lord, brings with it an exposure to Satan. "Because of these things, the path to heaven runs through hell. You don't get the epiphany without confronting Satan." (p. 348) He also mentions that the reason it is called "The Second Comforter" is that you need comfort after confronting Satan.
Even after such a marvelous experience, you still participate in the normal mortal activities. "The Second Comforter never has and never will remove life's difficulties. Life will continue much the same as it did before, although the challenges may become greater." (p. 387)
I find particularly interesting, Snuffer's attempt to describe the experience of being in the presence of the Lord, "Here is yet another (my) attempt: His love will crush you. It will overwhelm and intimidate you. It will bring you involuntarily to your knees in adoration and humility. It is not possible to feel love of this kind from Him and remain aloof of confessing, as Moses did: 'Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.' (Moses 1:10)" (p. 391)
We find the reason why this book was written in a footnote on page 396: "If the author had not been asked to write this work, the author's own experience would have remained a private matter, as it was for years before writing of this book."
Finally as promised we get his short testimony of his encounter with the Lord. "He is the Second Comforter. I know He lives, for I have seen Him. He has ministered to me" A footnote is included with this testimony: "The full content of these things are of course personal, never intended for public display, and not needed as a part of this text. This is about bearing testimony of the process itself and the already declared doctrines. I am adding my weak voice to those of others who proclaim this to be true. This is not about personal matters, the revelation of which would amount to improperly profaning the sacred, nor is it about preaching any new doctrines, which is altogether inappropriate." (p. 405)
One final quote from the book: "The overwhelming majority of us will, ten minutes after death, regret we did not do more with this second estate. Our regrets will be because we did not seek more earnestly, pray more devoutly, fast more frequently, and gain a greater measure of truth and light than we gained here. Change that for yourself." (p. 424)
As you can see this isn't just a book "about" The Second Comforter, but a book about the process of making ourselves ready to approach God. I found it very exciting and revealing of the process and what is required in our own lives if we wish for such an experience. It is much more than just desiring to confront God, but it is a process of changing our lives so that we become more like the Savior. (1 John 3:2) It is a difficult journey, but oh so rewarding. Not just in the opportunity to see and experience the Savior, but also in the growth and development of our own souls.
December 23, 2017
Denver Snuffer (yes, that's his real name), the author of this book, has made a lot of noise within Mormonism in recent years. He claims to have even seen Jesus on more than one occasion. As the "founder" of what has become known as "THE REMNANT" movement (even though they don't claim any sort of hierarchy or leadership), Snuffer has emerged as the most prominent voice of a new and growing sect of Mormonism. I have been interested in this movement (out of pure curiosity and little more), so I thought I would give his book a chance.
To be honest, I found the book to be somewhat boring. I didn't see anything that jumped out to me as controversial. The book, in a nutshell, tells people that if they are faithful enough, they too can possess the "Second Comforter" (or the right to have Jesus personally visit you). Snuffer provides the reader with a "formula" that will lead the disciple to eventually stand in the presence of Jesus himself.
My guess is those who are already skeptical about Mormonism will find Snuffer to be just another crazy man. Those who already embrace the "follow the brethren" mantra will probably not even touch this book to begin with, since Snuffer is now an apostate (he was excommunicated from the LDS church not long ago). Those who are, as the Remnant puts it, looking for further light and knowledge or have gone through a faith crisis but still crave/believe in Mormonism, are likely to see this book as a breath of fresh air...the meat after milk they have long been craving. In short, your perspective is what will determine your opinion of Snuffer, his book and this movement in general.
Personally, I found the book to be relatively harmless and, frankly, quite boring. As I said, there wasn't any glaring examples of "anti-Mormonism" in the book itself. Snuffer tries hard to rely on scripture and places tremendous emphasis on the importance of keeping the commandments, honoring covenants, etc., which should ring familiar to most devout Mormons. As for his claims to have seen Jesus, I don't really care, but then again I don't get bent around the axle over that sort of question. I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to such things and doubt anyone really "sees" Jesus.
I know a lot of people love Snuffer's work and movement, particularly because of his emphasis on seeing/experiencing Jesus in the flesh. I also know that most traditional LDS won't give Snuffer the time of day (especially now that he's been given the scarlet letter of apostasy). For me personally, I don't have much of an opinion. The book good...I guess...but it didn't leave much of an impression on me. It was mild vanilla in taste. I don't mean any disrespect to those who find Snuffer's work of value. To each their own. It just didn't do much for me.
To be honest, I found the book to be somewhat boring. I didn't see anything that jumped out to me as controversial. The book, in a nutshell, tells people that if they are faithful enough, they too can possess the "Second Comforter" (or the right to have Jesus personally visit you). Snuffer provides the reader with a "formula" that will lead the disciple to eventually stand in the presence of Jesus himself.
My guess is those who are already skeptical about Mormonism will find Snuffer to be just another crazy man. Those who already embrace the "follow the brethren" mantra will probably not even touch this book to begin with, since Snuffer is now an apostate (he was excommunicated from the LDS church not long ago). Those who are, as the Remnant puts it, looking for further light and knowledge or have gone through a faith crisis but still crave/believe in Mormonism, are likely to see this book as a breath of fresh air...the meat after milk they have long been craving. In short, your perspective is what will determine your opinion of Snuffer, his book and this movement in general.
Personally, I found the book to be relatively harmless and, frankly, quite boring. As I said, there wasn't any glaring examples of "anti-Mormonism" in the book itself. Snuffer tries hard to rely on scripture and places tremendous emphasis on the importance of keeping the commandments, honoring covenants, etc., which should ring familiar to most devout Mormons. As for his claims to have seen Jesus, I don't really care, but then again I don't get bent around the axle over that sort of question. I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to such things and doubt anyone really "sees" Jesus.
I know a lot of people love Snuffer's work and movement, particularly because of his emphasis on seeing/experiencing Jesus in the flesh. I also know that most traditional LDS won't give Snuffer the time of day (especially now that he's been given the scarlet letter of apostasy). For me personally, I don't have much of an opinion. The book good...I guess...but it didn't leave much of an impression on me. It was mild vanilla in taste. I don't mean any disrespect to those who find Snuffer's work of value. To each their own. It just didn't do much for me.
March 1, 2014
Sometime interesting - but this book is far from a comprehensive dialogue on the subject and more of the dialogue of a hobbyist - who despite having a few beautiful moments in relation to the gospel entirely contradict himself repeatedly in the subject matter... And seems to have gained popularity based upon the deep desire for members of the church to come closer to this subject rather than actually contribute to the subject... He talks but without consistent understanding and uses the term second comforter in such casual terms it's counterproductive to the discussion. I would lie if is didn't day I didn't learn something - it was just unfortunate that it was never really about the subject matter.
January 23, 2010
Amazing. I kept saying to myself "*I* could've said that!" "He's right!" and so forth. Only twice did I find him saying something that I just didn't know about whether I could agree or not. On those, I still don't know and will have to ponder them at length.
I believe the man, and I agree with what he's saying.
Not an easy book, but he's the "Real Deal". What he's teaching is valuable for each Latter-day Saint.
Cliff
I believe the man, and I agree with what he's saying.
Not an easy book, but he's the "Real Deal". What he's teaching is valuable for each Latter-day Saint.
Cliff
June 2, 2013
I agree with a bunch of the reviews about this books is good depending on how ready you are to follow ALL of the Commandments God has given us. ;) This can be a pretty cut and dry book, but it also has so much information and exciting treasures of insight that I have never thought about before. It is an inspiring book, based on scriptures and is uplifting to the soul.
It causes you to want to be a better person and love everyone. Now, who wouldn't want that?
It causes you to want to be a better person and love everyone. Now, who wouldn't want that?
Currently reading
June 23, 2008Wow...I'm only into the 2nd chapter and I have this book marked up to the hilt!! If you have questions about your spiritual connection with God, and/or desire to have a greater understanding of what it means to have such a witness of His connection with you...well, this book is top notch.
It's not something you skim through. It's a book for deep pondering. I'm totally loving it so far.
It's not something you skim through. It's a book for deep pondering. I'm totally loving it so far.
June 23, 2008
This is quite honestly the BEST LDS book I have ever gotten my hands on. It took me weeks to read it, because I was taking my time to absorb. The message is pure, deep and powerful. A must read for all those whose spiritual gifts are not being magnified, or who need validation to call them forth!
March 9, 2009
Deeply introspective and thought provoking. Not a fast read but triggered for me many hours of contemplation and self-evaluation. Even months after reading, I still find myself pondering many of the concepts I learned here.
I have purchased several copies of this book as gifts, but it is one of those books that can only be read and digested if you are seeking and hungry for spiritual growth.
I have purchased several copies of this book as gifts, but it is one of those books that can only be read and digested if you are seeking and hungry for spiritual growth.
Read
March 27, 2009pretentious, presumptuous, gaggy
December 26, 2010
One of my all time favorite books!!!!!!!!
December 17, 2016
The author has been excommunicated and currently offers people re-baptism via his website. No thanks.
December 20, 2010
Changed my life. Beautiful work.
January 5, 2011
Fantastic book. Thank you.
July 13, 2013
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...
On my blog, I review a lot of LDS books. For some reason, most of them are not found in Deseret Book. I don’t know why that is. Perhaps it is because some of them are considered controversial. I’m fairly certain Denver Snuffer does not care if his books are in Deseret Book. He has written that he wants people to have to search them out, make an effort to find them.
I thought I had reviewed his first book, The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. Apparently not. I wrote about it here, but didn’t cover much of the material. There is already a plethora of book reviews out there on Amazon, Goodreads, and various other sites. I thought it might be helpful to share my study notes from the introductory overview.
Note that the numbers at the beginning of each paragraph correspond to the page numbers found in the 2008 second edition of the book. These are simply the notes I took as I read those pages. There may be some overlap and some additional ideas I have added but that’s because I felt inspired to add it as I was reading the content. I always want to be able to teach from my notes.
3 – The Lord is the Promised Second Comforter – There are two comforters. The first is the Holy Ghost. The second is the Lord. (John 14:15-18). This is a basic doctrine of the church. I think most people who have attended any LDS Sunday school class over the years have heard it at one time or another. The idea is that when we are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, we should continue to humble ourselves before the Lord, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, seeking to live by every word of God. We then have the promise that we may receive the other Comforter, which is to have the Lord minister unto us from time to time. Apparently, there are times when we need the comfort of a personal visit from the Lord to help us pass through trials. Besides, there are some things that can only be revealed in person.
4 – We are to have the heavens opened unto us – Joseph Smith claimed to have been visited by the Lord on several occasions. He taught that this promise is to be taken literally by all the Saints. It is not just a promise for Joseph or the current prophet of the Church. Joseph wanted us to understand that this is an actual, physical visit with the Savior to us. This involves having the heavens opened. It is the culminating part of Christ’s gospel in which the Savior ministers to us individually, one at a time, just as he has ministered to others before. In other words, it should not seem strange or unusual to us to have or expect the Lord to visit us, while we are yet mortal. This is a promise to all the Saints. It is our heritage and a blessing for those who strive to keep his commandments. Obedience is a requirement. We should seek for and obtain this blessing.
5 – You can receive Him – there is no exception – When the Lord makes a promise, he does not excuse himself. He intends to keep his promises, even if men do not. If we come to him in obedience, he has no intention of leading us along, only to disclose an exception. There is no exception. We can all receive Him as he has promised. In the Millennium, men will walk and talk with the Savior. Any person who abides the laws that will be kept during the Millennium can expect to receive the promised blessings of the Millennium, including that of walking and talking with the Savior. It is the privilege of the saints today to receive the Lord, to separate ourselves from the world, to ask for and to receive the personal ministration of the Lord Jesus Christ. This doctrine is a part of the fullness of the gospel. It is a promise of Jesus Christ unto those who love Him. If you obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel, exercise faith and come unto Christ, he will keep his promise. D&C 93:1 lays out the five requirements for receiving the Lord.
6 – You will always need church programs and ordinances –Some teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are not for the novice. They require maturity, time and patience. The Church has wisely chosen to focus on the basic doctrines of salvation in the curriculum, especially since so many members are new to the gospel. As we grow and mature in the gospel, we are left in large measure to seek further light and knowledge on our own. Some people think that seeking to be ministered unto by the Lord is one of those “mysteries” from which we should stay away. Done the right way, with the right understanding, approached in humility as intended, it is right. You can never outgrow the programs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can never outgrow the need for the saving ordinances. The Church is His medium for delivering the gospel. Therefore, it will not be something you leave behind. Besides, it’s a great place to give service and help others learn the gospel and the only place to pay tithes to an authorized agent.
7 – Intellectual criticism brings no revelation – Many church members want a deeper understanding of the gospel. There are numerous publications and organizations, trying to append themselves to the church, attempting to satisfy this desire for higher knowledge. Dialogue and Sunstone are two periodicals addressed to Mormon intellectuals. While there is much good found in their covers, there is also much criticism and even outright hostility toward the views of the Church in many of the papers and conferences of such organizations. Revelation does not necessarily come through critical thinking. Although we are commanded to study things out in our own minds before we turn to the Lord for a confirming witness of the truth, finding fault with the Church or those we sustain as its leaders does not bring us closer to the Lord. To be learned is good if we hearken to the counsels of God. Humility is needed with intelligence.
8 – Debate is not the right method – Seemingly established to combat Dialogue and especially Sunstone, FARMS (Foundation for Ancient Religious and Mormon Studies) and FAIR (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) grew out of the need to respond to the critics who employ scholarship or pseudo-scholarship to accuse the Church of alleged failings. These groups seem to employ a combative approach (especially FAIR) in presenting pros and cons of many matters that are not included in the Church’s internal teaching materials. These approaches promote debate among the Saints which has never been unifying. I have read many stories of disenchanted individuals who report they had never heard of some doctrine or practice of the church until they read it on the FAIR website. Sometimes the arguments composed to explain the questionable historical events do more harm than good, leaving seekers unsatisfied. Note that FARMS is now the Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and a part of BYU.
9 – Intellectual approach is insufficient – All of these publications provide some interesting reading. The polemics are entertaining, even when they are not enlightening. They can be useful for defining issues and providing a source for further study, but they make no attempt to instruct in the process of receiving the Second Comforter. Denver’s book is about receiving the Second Comforter. It is an attempt to show the reader a roadmap for going from where he or she is now to the position where the Lord can be received. The book is not about the afterlife or some future millennial day when all mankind will see the Lord. Rather it is about receiving the Second Comforter during your present lifetime. The Book will explain what it means to receive the Second Comforter and outline a course of conduct to apply those teachings in your life. It is intended to provide a practical guide, an examination of what you must do in order to receive the promised blessing. It is not intended for mere academic inquiry. It is also not a scholarly work. It is about how the scriptures teach us to grow in light and truth until we reach a perfect day.
10 – Reason and scholarship does not produce revelation – Many of the things discussed in this book will be foolish to the academic. Scholars are some of our harshest critics. This work does not participate in the scholars’ debates. The greatest theologians in history have failed to crack open the heavens in the slightest. Reason alone does not provide light and truth. There are some irrational – or more correctly extra-rational – sources of truth as well. Angels do not come to us because we have an interesting paper to present to them. The well-schooled are not those who have received the greatest truths revealed to mankind. Angels visited and Christ ministered to fishermen and plow boys. The greatest prophets of history came with less education than most modern-day high school graduates. They had access to truth from another source. There is a significant distinction between the process followed by the revelators and the reasoning of theologians and scholars. Divine revelation will never come through the scholar’s tools. Instead, it comes as people follow the principles of the gospel and obey the commandments of God.
11 – Revelation obtained through a practical process – Even those who rely on reasoning and intellect must ultimately base their reasoning on the basic truths revealed to simple but faithful people who have received revelation. Scholars attempt to teach others to use analytical tools to reach reasoned conclusions. They use logic, reason and supporting studies to establish their “truths.” Prophets attempt to duplicate their experiences by teaching others to obey God and to ask Him to reveal hidden knowledge. Prophetic knowledge is not obtained merely by study, reason or logic. It is obtained by obedience to God’s will and from revelation. What we need is a practical process to discover what is required to get revelation and then we want to get that revelation. We want the truth through revelation. The scriptures tell us how to get the “mysteries of God.” Learning these “mysteries” is the fullness of Christ’s Gospel. Scholars do not pretend to uncover new mysteries or revelations from God. They do no attempt to open the heavens for us. On the other hand, the scriptures do attempt to open the heavens to all, under specific conditions. Some knowledge can only be received by revelation. It is to be learned but is not to be taught.
12 – Seek further light and knowledge – The majority of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are composed of new converts. The primary focus of the teachings of the Church in Sunday school and Sacrament meetings is always going to be the fundamental principles of the gospel. Discussing the “mysteries” before the foundations have been adequately established is more destructive than edifying. Immaturity leads some curious but unprepared folks to seek these things prematurely. Encouraging them in this before they are ready may result in deep frustration or even losing their testimony altogether. In most lives it will take many years of development before this process is appropriate. Those many years of development can best, perhaps only, be acquired by faithful service within the Church. Church service is the best means for obtaining the necessary preparation. The Church is literally preparing its members for citizenship in heaven. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the work of God. Through its institutions the ordinances which must precede and accompany the acquisition of mysteries are given to the members. Seeking further light and knowledge is not independent the Church, but utterly reliant of it. We need the Church. The Church needs our strength and support.
13 – Must live up to what we receive – Throughout his ministry Joseph was always torn between the desire or requirement to teach on the one hand, and the preparedness and willingness of the Saints to receive instruction on the other. In Nauvoo, Joseph lamented: “I could explain a hundredfold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.” Permission to reveal and preparation to receive go together. No one is “permitted” to reveal something else unless “the people are prepared to receive them”. That limit also applies to angels. God waits for each person’s preparation before giving them light and truth. We decide what we are willing receive. If you decide you are willing to receive more, then you must follow the path to do so. There are rules which govern these things. We want to find and follow those rules. You cannot avoid the rules and then hope to get what they offer. This book is a guide to discover and apply those rules.
14 – So many people are not prepared with basics – Those who are unprepared will never receive and incorporate spiritual things into their lives. Since they are unwilling to live a higher standard they will not be judged against that standard before they have first had a merciful season to prepare. Almost anyone will accept truth if they are prepared to identify it as truth. But many people are unprepared, and cannot recognize it as true. So, for them, the Lord withholds information to allow them to prepare first. You have no right to impose upon unprepared souls, higher information than they are able to bear. This book is intended only for active, faithful members of the Church with many years of faithful living. It is for those faithful members who have felt there is something more to the Gospel, but do not have a secure sense of how to proceed to receive it. It is for people whose lives have been filled with years of active service in the Church supporting its programs and providing service to others. It is for those who have attended the temple, and consistently returned to worship there. It is for the few humble followers of Jesus Christ as described by Nephi (2 Ne 28:14). You decide if it is for you.
15 – People today have received the Second Comforter – To receive the Second Comforter we must allow others who have been so blessed to serve as our guides. Their instructions and testimony need to be accepted and followed. The steps in this book are not innovative. They are based entirely on the scriptures. This book will show the propriety of these things from scripture and then show the reader how to approach the task. If this subject makes you uncomfortable, this book may not be suitable for you. Heaven will not open to the skeptic. On the other hand, if you believe there is a deeper level available through faith which you long to experience but is just beyond your reach because you are unsure how to proceed, this book can help you. You may already have the faith required, but you may lack the knowledge or the confidence to realize these things are in fact available to you. Rest assured they are part of Christ’s Gospel. There are people today who have received the Second Comforter. It can be done by any Saint who is willing to abide the conditions set to receive this kind of comfort. It can be done by you.
16 – Rethink – Search into the mysteries of Godliness – Joseph admonished the Saints; “I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness.” The notion you should “leave the mysteries alone” has become a mantra for some Saints. Perhaps that is an appropriate mantra for most Saints and in most settings and for all those whose maturity in the Gospel has not prepared them for receiving the deeper things of Christ’s gospel. But there are some Saints who have a legitimate right to these things. Gospel understanding is not meant to make you popular or garner acclaim. It is meant to remake you into a humble servant, to change your heart so you, like the Good Samaritan, will minister to others in need. You will not get recognition for pursuing this effort. It must be a private struggle, about which the world will never know. If you hope for status from the experience, you will be disappointed. But if you wish to know God, you will not [be disappointed].
17 – Visions are private and for our own benefit – Receiving these things does not mean you are authorized to get in front of the Brethren who preside as authorized agents, and begin teaching doctrines either in addition to or different from their authorized message. No one, at any time is authorized to teach beyond what the Lord’s chosen authorities have taught. Joseph said, “…if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction…” The mysteries can be received by any person who will follow the process to receive them, but they cannot be taught. You should note that within this last quote from Joseph is the expectation that there will be those who will receive “a vision or visitation from a heavenly messenger.” That is the right of the Saints. It is one of the characteristics of true faith that the heavens communicate to men and women on the earth.
18 – Many people are learned but cannot be taught – However, limited disclosure is one of the requirements of receiving these things. We are to “impart only according to that portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” (Alma 12:9) If you are incapable of obeying these requirements, then you cannot receive any new mystery by revelation. Heaven will not permit any soul to receive mysteries if they cannot resist revealing them unwisely to others. The constraint that they may be learned but cannot be taught is enforced by withholding them from those who will not be able to abide by this constraint. If you are one of those who cannot respect this limitation, then the process will not work for you. Joseph said, “The reason we do not have the secrets if the Lord revealed to us, is because we do not keep them, but reveal them; we do not keep our own secrets…” Joseph later said, “If God gives you a manifestation; keep it to yourselves.” The Second Comforter is for your individual comfort and instruction, not for public display.
19 – We must be trusted to keep sacred things sacred – An audience must be prepared and worthy to learn of sacred things. This is a binding limitation and an essential part of the process. To be qualified you must be someone who can be trusted to keep sacred things sacred. Of course, when required to testify of something by the Lord, the Lord’s insistence upon that testimony always takes precedence. The general rule is to keep them to yourself. The exception is when the Lord constrains you to do otherwise. The Second Comforter is not provided in order to produce faith. Rather, he comes in response to faith. If you are seeking a sign, it will not be given. He comes to you at the end of a path, and not merely to begin or move you along. If you hope to receive a sign as a result of the message in this book, you will be disappointed. The witness comes after the trial of our faith. These things are given in follow-up to a lengthy process. They are not given before then. “Those who are the most anxious to see these things , are the least prepared to meet them…” (Joseph Smith DHC 5:31). There is a process, and it must be followed. The revelation comes after a maturation process, not before.
20 – Learn to practice perfectly the right sequence – The process needn’t take long, but almost always does. The expression “practice makes perfect” is really incorrect. If you practice imperfectly you cannot hope to become perfect. The expression should be “perfect practice makes perfect.”
On my blog, I review a lot of LDS books. For some reason, most of them are not found in Deseret Book. I don’t know why that is. Perhaps it is because some of them are considered controversial. I’m fairly certain Denver Snuffer does not care if his books are in Deseret Book. He has written that he wants people to have to search them out, make an effort to find them.
I thought I had reviewed his first book, The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. Apparently not. I wrote about it here, but didn’t cover much of the material. There is already a plethora of book reviews out there on Amazon, Goodreads, and various other sites. I thought it might be helpful to share my study notes from the introductory overview.
Note that the numbers at the beginning of each paragraph correspond to the page numbers found in the 2008 second edition of the book. These are simply the notes I took as I read those pages. There may be some overlap and some additional ideas I have added but that’s because I felt inspired to add it as I was reading the content. I always want to be able to teach from my notes.
3 – The Lord is the Promised Second Comforter – There are two comforters. The first is the Holy Ghost. The second is the Lord. (John 14:15-18). This is a basic doctrine of the church. I think most people who have attended any LDS Sunday school class over the years have heard it at one time or another. The idea is that when we are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, we should continue to humble ourselves before the Lord, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, seeking to live by every word of God. We then have the promise that we may receive the other Comforter, which is to have the Lord minister unto us from time to time. Apparently, there are times when we need the comfort of a personal visit from the Lord to help us pass through trials. Besides, there are some things that can only be revealed in person.
4 – We are to have the heavens opened unto us – Joseph Smith claimed to have been visited by the Lord on several occasions. He taught that this promise is to be taken literally by all the Saints. It is not just a promise for Joseph or the current prophet of the Church. Joseph wanted us to understand that this is an actual, physical visit with the Savior to us. This involves having the heavens opened. It is the culminating part of Christ’s gospel in which the Savior ministers to us individually, one at a time, just as he has ministered to others before. In other words, it should not seem strange or unusual to us to have or expect the Lord to visit us, while we are yet mortal. This is a promise to all the Saints. It is our heritage and a blessing for those who strive to keep his commandments. Obedience is a requirement. We should seek for and obtain this blessing.
5 – You can receive Him – there is no exception – When the Lord makes a promise, he does not excuse himself. He intends to keep his promises, even if men do not. If we come to him in obedience, he has no intention of leading us along, only to disclose an exception. There is no exception. We can all receive Him as he has promised. In the Millennium, men will walk and talk with the Savior. Any person who abides the laws that will be kept during the Millennium can expect to receive the promised blessings of the Millennium, including that of walking and talking with the Savior. It is the privilege of the saints today to receive the Lord, to separate ourselves from the world, to ask for and to receive the personal ministration of the Lord Jesus Christ. This doctrine is a part of the fullness of the gospel. It is a promise of Jesus Christ unto those who love Him. If you obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel, exercise faith and come unto Christ, he will keep his promise. D&C 93:1 lays out the five requirements for receiving the Lord.
6 – You will always need church programs and ordinances –Some teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are not for the novice. They require maturity, time and patience. The Church has wisely chosen to focus on the basic doctrines of salvation in the curriculum, especially since so many members are new to the gospel. As we grow and mature in the gospel, we are left in large measure to seek further light and knowledge on our own. Some people think that seeking to be ministered unto by the Lord is one of those “mysteries” from which we should stay away. Done the right way, with the right understanding, approached in humility as intended, it is right. You can never outgrow the programs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can never outgrow the need for the saving ordinances. The Church is His medium for delivering the gospel. Therefore, it will not be something you leave behind. Besides, it’s a great place to give service and help others learn the gospel and the only place to pay tithes to an authorized agent.
7 – Intellectual criticism brings no revelation – Many church members want a deeper understanding of the gospel. There are numerous publications and organizations, trying to append themselves to the church, attempting to satisfy this desire for higher knowledge. Dialogue and Sunstone are two periodicals addressed to Mormon intellectuals. While there is much good found in their covers, there is also much criticism and even outright hostility toward the views of the Church in many of the papers and conferences of such organizations. Revelation does not necessarily come through critical thinking. Although we are commanded to study things out in our own minds before we turn to the Lord for a confirming witness of the truth, finding fault with the Church or those we sustain as its leaders does not bring us closer to the Lord. To be learned is good if we hearken to the counsels of God. Humility is needed with intelligence.
8 – Debate is not the right method – Seemingly established to combat Dialogue and especially Sunstone, FARMS (Foundation for Ancient Religious and Mormon Studies) and FAIR (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) grew out of the need to respond to the critics who employ scholarship or pseudo-scholarship to accuse the Church of alleged failings. These groups seem to employ a combative approach (especially FAIR) in presenting pros and cons of many matters that are not included in the Church’s internal teaching materials. These approaches promote debate among the Saints which has never been unifying. I have read many stories of disenchanted individuals who report they had never heard of some doctrine or practice of the church until they read it on the FAIR website. Sometimes the arguments composed to explain the questionable historical events do more harm than good, leaving seekers unsatisfied. Note that FARMS is now the Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and a part of BYU.
9 – Intellectual approach is insufficient – All of these publications provide some interesting reading. The polemics are entertaining, even when they are not enlightening. They can be useful for defining issues and providing a source for further study, but they make no attempt to instruct in the process of receiving the Second Comforter. Denver’s book is about receiving the Second Comforter. It is an attempt to show the reader a roadmap for going from where he or she is now to the position where the Lord can be received. The book is not about the afterlife or some future millennial day when all mankind will see the Lord. Rather it is about receiving the Second Comforter during your present lifetime. The Book will explain what it means to receive the Second Comforter and outline a course of conduct to apply those teachings in your life. It is intended to provide a practical guide, an examination of what you must do in order to receive the promised blessing. It is not intended for mere academic inquiry. It is also not a scholarly work. It is about how the scriptures teach us to grow in light and truth until we reach a perfect day.
10 – Reason and scholarship does not produce revelation – Many of the things discussed in this book will be foolish to the academic. Scholars are some of our harshest critics. This work does not participate in the scholars’ debates. The greatest theologians in history have failed to crack open the heavens in the slightest. Reason alone does not provide light and truth. There are some irrational – or more correctly extra-rational – sources of truth as well. Angels do not come to us because we have an interesting paper to present to them. The well-schooled are not those who have received the greatest truths revealed to mankind. Angels visited and Christ ministered to fishermen and plow boys. The greatest prophets of history came with less education than most modern-day high school graduates. They had access to truth from another source. There is a significant distinction between the process followed by the revelators and the reasoning of theologians and scholars. Divine revelation will never come through the scholar’s tools. Instead, it comes as people follow the principles of the gospel and obey the commandments of God.
11 – Revelation obtained through a practical process – Even those who rely on reasoning and intellect must ultimately base their reasoning on the basic truths revealed to simple but faithful people who have received revelation. Scholars attempt to teach others to use analytical tools to reach reasoned conclusions. They use logic, reason and supporting studies to establish their “truths.” Prophets attempt to duplicate their experiences by teaching others to obey God and to ask Him to reveal hidden knowledge. Prophetic knowledge is not obtained merely by study, reason or logic. It is obtained by obedience to God’s will and from revelation. What we need is a practical process to discover what is required to get revelation and then we want to get that revelation. We want the truth through revelation. The scriptures tell us how to get the “mysteries of God.” Learning these “mysteries” is the fullness of Christ’s Gospel. Scholars do not pretend to uncover new mysteries or revelations from God. They do no attempt to open the heavens for us. On the other hand, the scriptures do attempt to open the heavens to all, under specific conditions. Some knowledge can only be received by revelation. It is to be learned but is not to be taught.
12 – Seek further light and knowledge – The majority of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are composed of new converts. The primary focus of the teachings of the Church in Sunday school and Sacrament meetings is always going to be the fundamental principles of the gospel. Discussing the “mysteries” before the foundations have been adequately established is more destructive than edifying. Immaturity leads some curious but unprepared folks to seek these things prematurely. Encouraging them in this before they are ready may result in deep frustration or even losing their testimony altogether. In most lives it will take many years of development before this process is appropriate. Those many years of development can best, perhaps only, be acquired by faithful service within the Church. Church service is the best means for obtaining the necessary preparation. The Church is literally preparing its members for citizenship in heaven. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the work of God. Through its institutions the ordinances which must precede and accompany the acquisition of mysteries are given to the members. Seeking further light and knowledge is not independent the Church, but utterly reliant of it. We need the Church. The Church needs our strength and support.
13 – Must live up to what we receive – Throughout his ministry Joseph was always torn between the desire or requirement to teach on the one hand, and the preparedness and willingness of the Saints to receive instruction on the other. In Nauvoo, Joseph lamented: “I could explain a hundredfold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.” Permission to reveal and preparation to receive go together. No one is “permitted” to reveal something else unless “the people are prepared to receive them”. That limit also applies to angels. God waits for each person’s preparation before giving them light and truth. We decide what we are willing receive. If you decide you are willing to receive more, then you must follow the path to do so. There are rules which govern these things. We want to find and follow those rules. You cannot avoid the rules and then hope to get what they offer. This book is a guide to discover and apply those rules.
14 – So many people are not prepared with basics – Those who are unprepared will never receive and incorporate spiritual things into their lives. Since they are unwilling to live a higher standard they will not be judged against that standard before they have first had a merciful season to prepare. Almost anyone will accept truth if they are prepared to identify it as truth. But many people are unprepared, and cannot recognize it as true. So, for them, the Lord withholds information to allow them to prepare first. You have no right to impose upon unprepared souls, higher information than they are able to bear. This book is intended only for active, faithful members of the Church with many years of faithful living. It is for those faithful members who have felt there is something more to the Gospel, but do not have a secure sense of how to proceed to receive it. It is for people whose lives have been filled with years of active service in the Church supporting its programs and providing service to others. It is for those who have attended the temple, and consistently returned to worship there. It is for the few humble followers of Jesus Christ as described by Nephi (2 Ne 28:14). You decide if it is for you.
15 – People today have received the Second Comforter – To receive the Second Comforter we must allow others who have been so blessed to serve as our guides. Their instructions and testimony need to be accepted and followed. The steps in this book are not innovative. They are based entirely on the scriptures. This book will show the propriety of these things from scripture and then show the reader how to approach the task. If this subject makes you uncomfortable, this book may not be suitable for you. Heaven will not open to the skeptic. On the other hand, if you believe there is a deeper level available through faith which you long to experience but is just beyond your reach because you are unsure how to proceed, this book can help you. You may already have the faith required, but you may lack the knowledge or the confidence to realize these things are in fact available to you. Rest assured they are part of Christ’s Gospel. There are people today who have received the Second Comforter. It can be done by any Saint who is willing to abide the conditions set to receive this kind of comfort. It can be done by you.
16 – Rethink – Search into the mysteries of Godliness – Joseph admonished the Saints; “I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness.” The notion you should “leave the mysteries alone” has become a mantra for some Saints. Perhaps that is an appropriate mantra for most Saints and in most settings and for all those whose maturity in the Gospel has not prepared them for receiving the deeper things of Christ’s gospel. But there are some Saints who have a legitimate right to these things. Gospel understanding is not meant to make you popular or garner acclaim. It is meant to remake you into a humble servant, to change your heart so you, like the Good Samaritan, will minister to others in need. You will not get recognition for pursuing this effort. It must be a private struggle, about which the world will never know. If you hope for status from the experience, you will be disappointed. But if you wish to know God, you will not [be disappointed].
17 – Visions are private and for our own benefit – Receiving these things does not mean you are authorized to get in front of the Brethren who preside as authorized agents, and begin teaching doctrines either in addition to or different from their authorized message. No one, at any time is authorized to teach beyond what the Lord’s chosen authorities have taught. Joseph said, “…if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction…” The mysteries can be received by any person who will follow the process to receive them, but they cannot be taught. You should note that within this last quote from Joseph is the expectation that there will be those who will receive “a vision or visitation from a heavenly messenger.” That is the right of the Saints. It is one of the characteristics of true faith that the heavens communicate to men and women on the earth.
18 – Many people are learned but cannot be taught – However, limited disclosure is one of the requirements of receiving these things. We are to “impart only according to that portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” (Alma 12:9) If you are incapable of obeying these requirements, then you cannot receive any new mystery by revelation. Heaven will not permit any soul to receive mysteries if they cannot resist revealing them unwisely to others. The constraint that they may be learned but cannot be taught is enforced by withholding them from those who will not be able to abide by this constraint. If you are one of those who cannot respect this limitation, then the process will not work for you. Joseph said, “The reason we do not have the secrets if the Lord revealed to us, is because we do not keep them, but reveal them; we do not keep our own secrets…” Joseph later said, “If God gives you a manifestation; keep it to yourselves.” The Second Comforter is for your individual comfort and instruction, not for public display.
19 – We must be trusted to keep sacred things sacred – An audience must be prepared and worthy to learn of sacred things. This is a binding limitation and an essential part of the process. To be qualified you must be someone who can be trusted to keep sacred things sacred. Of course, when required to testify of something by the Lord, the Lord’s insistence upon that testimony always takes precedence. The general rule is to keep them to yourself. The exception is when the Lord constrains you to do otherwise. The Second Comforter is not provided in order to produce faith. Rather, he comes in response to faith. If you are seeking a sign, it will not be given. He comes to you at the end of a path, and not merely to begin or move you along. If you hope to receive a sign as a result of the message in this book, you will be disappointed. The witness comes after the trial of our faith. These things are given in follow-up to a lengthy process. They are not given before then. “Those who are the most anxious to see these things , are the least prepared to meet them…” (Joseph Smith DHC 5:31). There is a process, and it must be followed. The revelation comes after a maturation process, not before.
20 – Learn to practice perfectly the right sequence – The process needn’t take long, but almost always does. The expression “practice makes perfect” is really incorrect. If you practice imperfectly you cannot hope to become perfect. The expression should be “perfect practice makes perfect.”
February 18, 2019
I’ve been in the room with people who could say with a straight face they have seen the resurrected Jesus Christ. The age of visions, or at least of people claiming them, never ended. It continues, often underground or at a grass roots level. Within Mormonism, a book of some note on this subject is Denver Snuffer’s The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil.
Though Mr. Snuffer has since been excommunicated, he wrote this book while still a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In terms of its agenda, The Second Comforter is as much a call for people to join the restored Church as it is an instruction manual for obtaining a visitation from Jesus Christ. Still, the book's main selling point is this: Snuffer lays out a path which leads from mere hope in God to literally embracing Him and feeling the nail prints in His resurrected body.
In public addresses, Snuffer often showers listeners with all sorts of historical/theological minutia of a scholarly nature. In this book, Snuffer keeps things fairly user-friendly, focusing on The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and temple worship as essentials. One of the things The Book of Mormon does exceedingly well is depict visions and visitations from the Lord. On the downside, both The Book of Mormon and Snuffer’s book engage in relentless restatement of a fairly straightforward gospel. Perhaps this belaboring approach is a byproduct of Snuffer’s training as a lawyer.
In any case, it’s hard to imagine someone missing the point of this book. Also important, Snuffer seems to genuinely believe in this vision-seeking process. Though I have my misgivings about the man and his message, I can state the following from extensive personal experience. In The Second Comforter, Snuffer only teaches and promises what has been routinely taught and promised in mainstream Mormon Sunday Schools, priesthood meetings, and exclusive missionary gatherings for decades.
This was not an enjoyable read for me; let's just say the dutiful prose doesn't flow. But it was a worthwhile read. Though The Second Comforter wants for some judicious editing, it makes its point. Believers of The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's visions have a clear call to seek out personal encounters with the divine. And for non-Mormons wanting to understand how a quirky 19th Century New England movement became a global religion, Denver speaks directly to why. Devout Mormons claim to have the ear of the Almighty. Denver Snuffer remains a prominent thought leader within Mormonism. In this foundational book, he describes the richest experience Mormonism claims to offer mortals: receiving a personal visitation from Jesus Christ.
Though Mr. Snuffer has since been excommunicated, he wrote this book while still a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In terms of its agenda, The Second Comforter is as much a call for people to join the restored Church as it is an instruction manual for obtaining a visitation from Jesus Christ. Still, the book's main selling point is this: Snuffer lays out a path which leads from mere hope in God to literally embracing Him and feeling the nail prints in His resurrected body.
In public addresses, Snuffer often showers listeners with all sorts of historical/theological minutia of a scholarly nature. In this book, Snuffer keeps things fairly user-friendly, focusing on The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and temple worship as essentials. One of the things The Book of Mormon does exceedingly well is depict visions and visitations from the Lord. On the downside, both The Book of Mormon and Snuffer’s book engage in relentless restatement of a fairly straightforward gospel. Perhaps this belaboring approach is a byproduct of Snuffer’s training as a lawyer.
In any case, it’s hard to imagine someone missing the point of this book. Also important, Snuffer seems to genuinely believe in this vision-seeking process. Though I have my misgivings about the man and his message, I can state the following from extensive personal experience. In The Second Comforter, Snuffer only teaches and promises what has been routinely taught and promised in mainstream Mormon Sunday Schools, priesthood meetings, and exclusive missionary gatherings for decades.
This was not an enjoyable read for me; let's just say the dutiful prose doesn't flow. But it was a worthwhile read. Though The Second Comforter wants for some judicious editing, it makes its point. Believers of The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's visions have a clear call to seek out personal encounters with the divine. And for non-Mormons wanting to understand how a quirky 19th Century New England movement became a global religion, Denver speaks directly to why. Devout Mormons claim to have the ear of the Almighty. Denver Snuffer remains a prominent thought leader within Mormonism. In this foundational book, he describes the richest experience Mormonism claims to offer mortals: receiving a personal visitation from Jesus Christ.
March 23, 2018
Interesting and Uplifting :)
September 11, 2019
Great book. It's a little weird that the author went apostate because, apparently, when he wrote this book he had different (and, in my opinion, better) values. The book is right on. I loved it.
July 27, 2013
This book has taken its place on my shelf of 'The Classics." I am beginning to discover that some of the best books ever written are from what most would consider 'obscure authors.' Those who are ever learning yet never able to come to the truth because of their willingness to only study the obscure leaves of the Gospel, will not appreciate this book but yet will benefit from it most. He takes the simple Gospel and presents it in a way that makes you want to be and do better. Most significant to me is his chapters on Obedience. I am one who wants to learn more and more about the Gospel and so I study all the wonderful authors like Hugh Nibley and Clean Skousen etc. These scholars have done much for the church and are inspired men. Their works are absolute treasure and have their place in the overall study of the Gospel. But through Mr. Snuffer I have discovered that all the study and pondering in all the world will not give me those true deep mysteries of the Gospel. This is only given to those who keep the commandments. This is what jumped out at me in the book the most. I have a new focus. A renewed passion for obedience. A new mentality for which I will always be eternally grateful to this author.
June 21, 2017
Not a book I feel like I'd ever need to read again, BUT this book was a huge turning point in my spiritual life.
I certainly wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you're a Mormon who feels like there's something more to the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon than what you're getting from Sunday School and GC talks, I'd recommend giving this one a try.
The writing was boring af, but the message was exactly the stepping stone I needed to really find God. To be honest, all I really needed (though I did eventually purchase and read the whole book) was the introduction available as a preview on Amazon.com, so go check that out before you spend any of your money, haha
I certainly wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you're a Mormon who feels like there's something more to the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon than what you're getting from Sunday School and GC talks, I'd recommend giving this one a try.
The writing was boring af, but the message was exactly the stepping stone I needed to really find God. To be honest, all I really needed (though I did eventually purchase and read the whole book) was the introduction available as a preview on Amazon.com, so go check that out before you spend any of your money, haha
December 17, 2012
I have learned so much from the author's knowledge and insights of the scriptures, the temple and life's experiences. Only by becoming a Zion individual, can we ever hope to be a Zion people and dwell with the Savior. Improving ourselves now is the key to obtaining the Second Comforter. This is a book to slowly read and ponder.
The author is a little repetitive on his warnings, but I do understand why. If someone isn't ready for this information, it would be better for them to stop reading, than to continue.
The author is a little repetitive on his warnings, but I do understand why. If someone isn't ready for this information, it would be better for them to stop reading, than to continue.
November 21, 2015
Powerful testimony
What I like:
• the central theme is that personally SEEing Jesus Christ is possible, and should be sought after
• information is presented in a way very palatable to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What I don't like
• too much appeal to LDS leadership authority
Who should read this?
• anyone interested in personally knowing God
• reader ought to be familiar with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other LDS scriptures
Why 5 stars?
• uniqueness, authenticity, clarity, importance, and accessibility
What I like:
• the central theme is that personally SEEing Jesus Christ is possible, and should be sought after
• information is presented in a way very palatable to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What I don't like
• too much appeal to LDS leadership authority
Who should read this?
• anyone interested in personally knowing God
• reader ought to be familiar with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other LDS scriptures
Why 5 stars?
• uniqueness, authenticity, clarity, importance, and accessibility
August 13, 2016
I generally don't like the idea of rating religious books, but I did think this book that Dan recommended to me was really good. I enjoyed how he related the contents of The Book of Mormon in an original way and brought out insights I had never thought of before. I liked reading about his conversion to the LDS faith and how his spirituality evolved. I enjoyed what he said about what Joseph Smith taught and the significance of temples. It is an interesting read.
November 27, 2013
I found his personal style challenging at times, as he discourages readers who are not serious about wanting to commune personally with the Lord. Snuffer has suffered quite a bit of abuse from those who think that this aspiration is unrighteous, but the scriptures as I read them invite us to draw near, purify ourselves and enjoy the Lord's presence. I find this goal sharpens my desire to choose the right and not settle for "good enough". It also inspires more devoute scripture study & prayer.
October 26, 2010
This is exactly what I have been looking for. When you reach a certain level, you feel the need to know more and God will send it your way. I'm still reading it, but this man is brilliant and very adept and cutting through all of the culture and REALLY understanding scripture and doctrine. I am LOVING IT. But, I don't recommend it to anyone who isn't really wanting it.
August 1, 2013
A very inspiring and uplifting discourse which explains the importance of absolute obedience to the commandments and the rewards and blessings that will come from doing so. I highly recommend this book to someone who is seriously studying the Gospel with the desire to have a more personal relationship with the Savior.
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