A Prayer of Faith

I was on a date when it finally happened.

It was something I had waited for, worked for, hoped for. Something that had eluded me for too much time. Something that brought such a thrill that I wanted to call home to share my excitement and relief.

I finally “got in” a Magic Eye picture.

They had been all the rage at our family parties. I would sit and listen to the “oooooo”s and “aaaahhhh”s as relative after relative would discover the wonder lurking in that third dimension. I tried many tricks at those parties, but couldn’t seem to get my eyes to do what they were supposed to do. I was left with what was simply printed on the page. But it was clear that seeing the image beyond the image was an experience worth seeking. (I wanted to “ooooo” and “aaahhhh”!)

And, at last, perseverance paid off. The initial rush of finally seeing beyond the two-dimensional image was thrilling enough, but then I discovered that the longer I was “inside” the image, the more clearly I could see. I could even “look around” – and it was as though I was in another world.

A few years later, I had another “Magic Eye experience,” but this time it was with the scriptures. It was one of those more rare and intense “pure intelligence” experiences that was like having light poured into my mind and soul. What made it all even more interesting (and humbling) is the realization that I could have had learned these things months earlier had I really heard and seen what an apostle of the Lord had taught. The insights I had gained were about the temple, and the scriptures and Bible Dictionary entries I had read had been suggested by Elder Nelson in a Conference talk and then again in an Ensign article less than a year later. (I discovered his article open on my bed after receiving the flood of light.) It was as if the Lord wanted me to realize what treasures can be found through words of the prophets and the scriptures, if I have eyes to see, and am willing to feast on those words in faith.

Of course, most of our experiences with studying the gospel aren’t quite as dramatic as what I have shared. But the principle I was hit over the head with that night is true: when we feast on the word of God (personally and as “fellowcitizens with the saints”), we can gain insights through the Spirit. We can have those “a-ha” moments – Magic Eye Moments, if you will – that help us see beyond what our mortal minds and eyes alone can teach us. They give us a glimpse here and a glimmer there of an eternal dimension. The more we learn through the Spirit, the more clearly we can really see and understand “things as they really are, and…things as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13).

I am thrilled to be a part of A Prayer of Faith, because I believe there is power in the saints gathering together to strengthen each other in faith. I love being a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and so I am particularly thrilled to join with other women in exploring the gospel, the Atonement and the eternal value of women in God’s plan. Doubt is no stranger to most of us, but the Spirit can help us see beyond those doubts if we will seek the Truth in faith. We can have Magic Eye Moments! We can see a little beyond the “dark glass” and know a little more “as also [we] are known” (1 Cor. 13:12)!

Thank you to all who have made this site possible, and thank you for letting me be a part of A Prayer of Faith!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 at 12:16 am and is filed under Whisperings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.