The Second Comforter

Roughly 14 years ago, while living in Maryland, I had the wonderful experience of being an ordinance worker in the Washington D.C. Temple. For roughly two years I spent Thursdays from 2 pm till closing (10pm) in the temple. This was an experience I will always treasure. It was here that I really began to love the House of the Lord. Spending many hours in the temple at a time increases the rate of personal revelation. I felt great power there and was given strength to choose the right. It is on the topic of personal revelation that I would like to write tonight.

As I fulfilled various responsibilities in the temple, great moments of inspiration would come over me. I would ponder things I see and hear and the “eyes of my understanding” would be open to wonderful things. On afternoon while pondering some of the temple clothing, a light went on in my mind and I suddenly understood the ( one of the)meaning(s) of this particular piece of clothing. It was so clear to me that I felt a desire and excitement to share it with others. When given an opportunity to talk to another brother that I really respected, I told him of my revelation. He responded in a way that through me for a loop. He said “that’s hogwash, it doesn’t mean that at all. It only means exactly what it says it means.” I was really taken back. How could anyone question something I received from personal revelation? I really struggled with this question for a couple of weeks. Then while once again in the temple, and asking the Lord why such an important thing could be so minimized by someone I truly respected, the voice of the Lord into my mind and said “I told this to you, don’t you think I could tell him also?” I was taught an important lesson that minute. The Lord tells us certain things that are simply for us. It is not our job to discuss it to anyone else.

For nearly two years now I have been holding something like this very close to my vest. The Lord told me it was not my place to discuss it with others. Recently, however, this has changed. I have been prompted to write on a topic that is very sacred and very dear to my heart.

I have mentioned in multiple blog posts over the past couple of years that I read a book that changed my life forever. It is called “The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord through the Veil” by Denver Snuffer. This wonderful book is the story of Denver Snuffer, his conversion to the church as a young man, and ultimately his declaration that he has received the Second Comforter, or in other words he has had a personal audience with Jesus Christ. I know this sounds perhaps a bit fantastic to some, but I know that it is true. Let me explain my experience of coming to this knowledge.

In January of 2009 I was packing for a business trip to Florida and was looking for something to read while I was gone. I noticed a book on a cabinet in our entryway that I had never seen before. It was “the Second Comforter.” It had about 100 colored tabs attached to the pages by the previous reader. I called out to Ann to ask her where the book had come from. When she told me Yvonne Bent had given it to me I literally rolled my eyes and said to myself “Oh Brother.” I made a quick judgment in my mind. I asked myself “who does she think she is reading a book like this (Yvonne and I have since laughed about this), and who does this Denver Snuffer think he is to write on a topic like this?” I was of the opinion that only “The Brethren” were capable of writing about the gospel and especially on a topic like this. Despite these thoughts, I took the book anyway thinking I would get a good laugh out of it.

Several years ago the church magazine the Ensign had a section titled “I have a question.” Members of the church were allowed or encouraged to write in and ask questions about the gospel and usually a General Authority would write the response. I remember reading a particular question about 15 years ago that formed my opinion on this topic. The question was written by a bishop and went something like this; “In my first interview with a recently returned missionary I asked him about his goals for the future. He told me he had a goal of having his calling and election made sure by the time he was 30. How should I respond to this young man?” The person responding to the question went on to give an answer that made me believe that “Calling and Election made sure” simply doesn’t happen; or if it does, very rarely: Maybe the Prophet and maybe the Apostles. For the next 13 years or so I believed this.

As I began to read “The Second Comforter” I became enthralled. I couldn’t put it down. I read the entire flight. I also read every spare minute on my busy trip. I finished it on the return flight. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Actually I could believe it… but how could it be? Christ does appear to just regular people today. How could I get this blessing in my own life?

I read “The Second Comforter” four times that year. I read as many other books on the topic that I could find as well. Come to find out there are multiple books on the topic. Another great one is “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” by John Pontius. The greatest books on the topic however (besides the scriptures) are the Messiah series by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. Without a doubt I learned more from these books than I can express in words. He makes it very clear that seeking a personal audience with the Savior is something we can all strive for.

So what does it mean to me and how has it affected my life?

The past two years have been a whirlwind and my life has been turned upside down… in a remarkably good way. I have learned so much by the whisperings of the Spirit. I feel like every part of my world has changed. I have been prompted not only to forgive others, but to pray for my enemies. Although not really having any enemies I have had amazing experiences by praying for those I don’t particularly care for. I posted a blog on one of these experiences a couple of years ago.

I have had many experiences that have taught me about humility. I’ve learned what kind of husband and father the Lord wants me to be. I’ve learned these from very difficult experiences. I’ve learned much about charity and kindness. I’ve learned that material things mean nothing. I’ve learned about the Law of Consecration and I’ve learned volumes about the House of the Lord.

Very importantly I have learned that I am nobody. In the beginning this was very difficult for me to accept. For most of my life I felt I had an important mission to accomplish. My pride made me believe that this mission would put me in the spotlight. I have learned over time that this simply just is not meant to be. I justified my actions in many ways by doing the right thing, but making sure that others knew I did the right thing. I have learned how convoluted this thinking is. I am learning that the Lord wants me to draw no attention to myself. This should have been a no-brainer but is something I had to be taught through experience.

I now know that I do indeed have a mission: This mission is to build faith in Christ in others. I have learned to do this without any thought for recognition. I simply want others to feel the love of the Savior that I feel. One way of filling this mission is by sharing this blog, and by sharing this important topic with others.
I’ve not yet received the Second Comforter in my life but I know I will one day. Conversing with the Lord through the veil is the thought that guides nearly every decision in my life. It should have been obvious all along that conversing with the Lord through the veil is the very purpose of the temple. When I read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, I recognize that the only message is to lead us to Christ. Lehi saw Him, Nephi saw Him, Jacob saw Him, Enos, Alma, the sons of Mosiah, The Brother of Jared, Mormon, Moroni and others all saw Him. They all testify of Him. I am striving to add my name to this amazing list.

I want to end this post by quoting the prophet Joseph Smith "The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the saints. . . .

"Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions—Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (TPJS 149-151)

Since first reading Denver Snuffer’s book “The Second Comforter” I have given away roughly 30 copies. Everyone who has read it has been moved by its message; some of them profoundly. One dear friend put it this way “I am now on a path that I didn’t know existed. I have stepped through a door by which there is no turning back.” Another friend said “It has become the handbook of my life.” I encourage all who are reading this, and are ready to truly follow the Savior, read this wonderful book. I know it is available on Amazon but it is also available at Benchmark books in Salt Lake City. Or, if you feel inspired, call me and I will get you a copy myself.... this is one way I can lead others to Christ.