Being Exposed - Part 1

In the parable of the Garden of Eden, it speaks about Adam and Eve being naked. As we read this word in modern terms we think of nudity, or without clothes. While this may have been literally true in some sense, one way to understand this parable is to exchange the word naked for exposed. In this sense naked is truly a complete exposure of your Soul (or Being) which is the sum of your (thoughts/heart/intent/intelligence/faith/consciousness/feelings/virtue/attributes). This is how the Powers of Heaven communicate with each other, “bursts of intelligence” as their Souls are (exposed/discerned/transmitted/received/penetrated/revealed/communicated). 

Therefore, the heavens sometimes shake, or the earth groans, or concourses of angel’s sing or mourn, for when God communicates you receive far more than words it is (reception/exposure/discernment) to his very Soul and you understand in the depths of your soul his Word and you are filled with … 

As Denver taught (and I paraphrase), “The Heavens communicate, and it is left to you choose the words.” There is a wealth of information to unpack here. This also gives a glimpse into how Joseph Smith (translated/revealed/composed) the Book of Mormon and other scripture or revelations. I’ll save that for another time. 

 

When God clothed Adam and Eve, he veiled this Celestial form of communication. Humanity was left to imperfectly communicate by making sounds or drawing symbols. He (clothed/veiled) our Souls to each other, and now we can lie/hide/deceive/trick/manipulate our fellow man. 

 

When you are in the presence of God, your Soul is exposed. In part, this is how you communicate with him. It transcends words. On the other hand, I cannot think of anything more (terrible/shame/embarrassing) than entering his presence with sin. I would rather be buried in the Mariana Trench and covered by mountains than endure that for one moment. When Adam and Eve were first in the garden, they were naked (i.e., their Souls were exposed) and they were not ashamed, for the course they were pursuing was according to the will of God. The circumstances changed drastically after partaking of the fruit and they knew their error was exposed to all and they hid amongst the trees of the garden. 

 

Here is truth I have been instructed to write: when you pray, tap into your very Soul, speak more than words- expose/show/transmit/communicate/cry/wrestle your energy of heart/spirit/intent/feelings/intelligence - Soul. How do you tap into your Soul and communicate like this? Your eye must be single, it must be your every desire, laying aside every other thing, (yearning/wanting/hoping/my Soul hungered) to be the favorite of heaven over everything else. Your heart must not be set on this world. It aches for something better. Read Lecture Six in the Lectures on Faith for this key of knowledge. Weave lecture six in your heart, place it on your soul’s mantle, and gaze into its depths. 

 

I have found when I have been able pray like that, the Heavens instantly respond. When you work by faith, you work by mental exertion rather than physical force. This is how you pierce the Heavens. This is how the Powers of Heaven communicate with each other and when they (receive/discern/see/hear/understand) a communique like that from earth they react. This is an ability veiled within us to be discovered, or if already found, exercised, and strengthened. 

That is not to say prayers of words are meaningless, on the contrary we have an (Advocate/Mediator/Messiah) whose grace can Celestially amplify our telestial prayers on our behalf in Heaven. There are many types and forms of prayers. Prayers of worship, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of mourning, prayers of blessing, sacramental prayers, the baptismal prayer. Private prayers, public prayers, prayer circles, prayers in your heart. All of them are important, and each have their time and place. If you want the key ingredient to the secret sauce, it is this: pray always.