Summer nights in Southern California were often chilly, but not so cold as to discourage my brothers and me from camping in our backyard. We rarely slept in a tent, although on occasion we set one up. But that was more for the fun of it. Most often we spread out a tarp on the grass and then unrolled our nylon sleeping bags. We grabbed our pillows and a flashlight and were all set to go. Mom and Dad would leave the back door unlocked, so we could use the bathroom. My recollection is that we were usually too tired or too lazy to make the long trek inside the house, and instead chose to water the plants.
We laid on our backs and told stories, and jokes. We laughed and tried not to be so noisy as to garner a visit from dad. Every so often he would poke his head out of the backdoor and remind us that we were keeping the neighbors (he and mom) awake. The night sky was filled with stars. We fell asleep watching for shooting stars. In the morning when we awoke there was a thin film of moisture coving our sleeping bags. The plastic tarp we had set out was usually the wettest. Even our hair and pillows were damp. Some time during the night the dews from heaven had distilled upon us.
When we were a little older we joined a boy scout troop. Dad was our scoutmaster. He took us on many backpacking trips in the High Sierras. Again, we preferred sleeping under the stars whenever possible. The night sky was much darker in the backcountry, not perfused with light from nearby houses or street lights. I was always amazed at how many more stars I could see when we were out backpacking. Those same stars were in the heavens during the day, but to see them at all or to really appreciate their brightness a dark backdrop was necessary to provide contrast. In other words the sky needed to be totally dark. In fact, the darker the sky, the more and the brighter the stars seemed to shine.
“I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the nights.”
The same can be said of gospel principles and personal revelation. The world we live in is becoming increasingly secular, evidenced by current trends which attempt to denigrate the divinely appointed institution of marriage and mock the importance of morality. These trends serve as the ever darkening backdrop for the light of gospel truths. As individuals, and society in general, move further and further from God, the brightness of gospel principles will, like the stars in the heavens, shine brighter and brighter.
Today, as in olden days, voyagers who navigate using heavenly light will be guided through future tempests to safe harbors of peace, personal revelation and enlightened understanding. Brilliant stars, emanating the pure light of plain and precious truths will continue to reveal doctrinal constellations with increased clarity.
“Our responsibility is to seek personal revelations for ourselves and for the responsibilities the Lord has given us.”
The need for guidance from God, including personal revelation will increase in direct proportion to the mounting wickedness in the world. For me personal revelation comes most often at night, when I have fallen asleep thinking and looking to heaven. When I awaken, usually when it is still way too early to get up, I discover that thoughts and personal insights have distilled on my mind like dews from heaven. And as with celestial precipitation, I have found if I don’t get up right away and write down what’s in my mind, then it too will evaporate with the light of day. Not all of it, for a residue of inspiration still remains.
The peaceful solutions and understanding are clearest
when I Arise, while it is still dark outside and I write them down.
Image courtesy of Jason Jenkins, Creative Commons