Mysteries of Heaven
(This was one of the articles [based on a true story] I wrote for my writing class back in college at BYUH, in 2005; under the human interest story)
In the “Joseph’s Smith’s Discourse,” it was written: “When you stare at the stars
Janette Manzano Catahan
for five minutes, you will learn of heaven more than what is written about it.”
Janette Manzano, sophomore in TESOL once mentioned this quote to her roommate Joann Diray, sophomore, biology student. The mysteries of heaven, then literally unveiled for both of them.
That same night, May 13, the two went stargazing at around midnight. They laid their backs on the grass yard by Hale 3. “We talked on different things about the gospel,” said Diray. Being a person who has a number of queries about matters on spirituality, she started asking Manzano, a returned missionary.
“I told her that I am wondering why my favorite star, the Polaris or the North Star always stays in the north,” Diray related. “[When] almost all the stars are rearranged.”
She believed that the North Star was one of the signs of Jesus Christ’s birth and that it was the same star that guided and led the wise men to Bethlehem. She also considered it “so magical also because it is the most important star for travelers and sailors.”
Her theory: “Maybe the Polaris is Kolob. Maybe it is the star where God lives.”
Their conversation, according to Diray was steered to Heavenly Father and His goodness. The discussion gradually became more intense and profound. She added, “Janette said that Heavenly Father might really be very sorrowful when Jesus Christ was crucified and died.”
They both continued on recalling God’s wrath in Jesus’ death as the earth that time met an awful and total destruction. “When we were talking about Heavenly Father, Janette exclaimed, ‘Look! (pointing upward), It’s like Heavenly Father!’”
The two can’t believe their eyes. White clouds at nighttime and in a form of a being? They supposed and strongly believed and felt that it was Heavenly Father’s image.
“He hears us,” Manzano exclaimed with tears. “He is there to guide us and let us know that He listens to us.”
Diray first supposed that it was a mere coincidence when the clouds appeared forming the image of a supreme being. The clouds resembling a heavenly icon floating in the air, seemed staying above their eyes moving slowly and smoothly, as Diray described.
While in awe, Diray popped more questions on the existence of the so-called cherubims and seraphims. As she queried, she adored the charms of angels. “Then suddenly,” she said. “I saw in the form of clouds an outline of a little angel that seems looking down at us with its flowing, wing-like dress.”
The two were again amazed on what they saw, more when they saw not just one angel-like image, but three. They were filled with emotions. “I cried so hard,” Diray stated. “This time I realized that all of these were not coincidences; these were not based on imaginations but based on truth proven by faith and promptings of the Spirit.”
But it didn’t end there.
Joan Diray served a full-time mission at the Utah Temple Square.
When the angel-like images dispersed, the conversation went on a little turn. Manzano asked Diray on how sure is she if Carlo (Diray’s boyfriend) is the right person for her. She replied that she had made her decision, a matter of prayer and fasting. Then they went on talking about temple marriage. They both shared their desires and future plans about having a family and goals of having the three right things – with the right person, at the right time, at the right place.
A mass of clouds again resembled an image of someone holding and blowing up a trumpet. For Latter-day Saints church members, they know who that would be — Moroni. And for the two, it’s never a mere chance why a Moroni-like image appeared to them while they were in a deep conversation about celestial marriage. Every LDS would know.
“It was the same image in the spire of the temple though it was a really big form and only half of the body was shown,” Diray described. “The trumpet and his head were prominently formed.”
The two again burst into tears because of what they have witnessed. “It’s like the heavens are saying that ‘do not fear, for you will be able to reach your goal if you continue to be worthy,’” Diray hopefully uttered. “It’s like it is saying that ‘you will be married there so do not worry”
“I really can’t express fully what we saw.”
They indeed stared at the stars for more than five minutes and they have witnessed things that were really unexpected and way beyond their imaginations. The heavens unraveled its mysteries.
(from L-R) Ckaz C. Anderson, Janette M. Catahan and Joan Diray
In an LDS perspective, it’s believed that each could receive personal revelations. This is considered one form of it. Everything has its purpose. They both contemplated on what’s the purpose of that considered, edifying and wonderful thing that happened to them.
“It strengthened my testimony,” Diray gave witness.
There are no coincidences. “We know that it is more than mere clouds,” Manzano attested. “It is a representation of God’s protection and guidance.”
She believed that it was a reminder and an assurance. “Here at BYUH, I felt the need of that kind of spiritual strength to build up a testimony of the Lord’s love for his children.”
“At that time, I felt that God really cares,” Manzano further testified. “I know that evening, God was communicating with us.”
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What an amazing story! It inspires me to seek for Heavenly truths more deeply and faithfully… Thanks for sharing this.
Love the story. I hope to read more stories like this. What an experience it was! Truly uplifting…
Amazing and interesting!
If we keep on learning the word of God and keep on communicating with Heavenly Father, mysteries will be unfolded, bit by bit, line upon line…