What is Christian Mysticism?
Rediscovering the Sacred and the Still
Written by Cheri Stirling
Our modern society often prioritizes certainty over mystery, and noise over stillness, many faithful seekers find themselves yearning for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Within this hunger lies an ancient and sacred path—Christian mysticism. While this term may seem foreign or even suspect to some Latter-day Saints, the heart of mysticism resonates deeply with restored gospel principles. At its core, Christian mysticism is not about secret knowledge or esoteric rituals. It is about encounter—experiencing the living Christ, not just knowing about Him
What Is Christian Mysticism?
Christian mysticism is the pursuit of direct, personal communion with God. It centers on experiential knowledge of the divine—encounters that transcend words, doctrines, and ordinances while also being grounded in them. Mystics often speak of deep inner transformation, divine love, and union with God. They seek not merely to believe in Christ, but to abide in Him.
For disciples of Christ, this language may echo the scriptural invitation to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32), or Christ’s promise in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you” (D&C 88:63). The path of mysticism is not a departure from restored truths—it is often a deepening of them.
The Roots of Mysticism in Scripture
Christian mysticism isn’t a fringe phenomenon; its roots run through the scriptures. Consider the sacred experiences of:
- Moses, who spoke with God “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11).
- Nephi, who was “caught away in the Spirit of the Lord” and shown visions of the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 11).
- Enoch, who walked with God and saw all generations (Moses 7).
- Joseph Smith, who testified of seeing the Father and the Son, and described communion with angelic beings.
Each of these prophets lived a mystical life—a life of direct divine encounter. The Restoration itself began with a mystical experience: Joseph’s First Vision. In this sense, Latter-day Saints stand on a profoundly mystical foundation, even if we don’t often use that word.
Mysticism Isn’t Mysterious—It’s Relational
One common misconception is that mysticism is secretive or reserved for spiritual elites. But mysticism is simply the lived reality of the first great commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).
Mystics across Christian history—such as Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Ávila, and Brother Lawrence—emphasize loving God with the whole being and cultivating constant awareness of His presence. In Latter-day Saint terms, this is akin to developing the companionship of the Holy Ghost and learning to “pray always” (2 Nephi 32:9), and receiving our baptism of fire.
Mysticism invites us to move beyond merely knowing about God and into truly knowing Him. This relational knowing often grows through silence, contemplation, stillness, and inner surrender—practices that deepen our capacity to feel and follow the Spirit.
Mystical Practices to Embody the Gospel
Mystical spirituality is about inhabiting the Gospel more fully. Here are some mystical practices that may be beneficial to your personal discipleship:
1. Contemplative Prayer
Unlike supplication or gratitude prayers, contemplative prayer focuses on being with God without words. It’s the kind of “mighty prayer” that Enos offered, a deep soul wrestle. One popular form is centering prayer, where a disciple chooses a sacred word (like “Jesus” or “peace”) and gently returns to it whenever the mind wanders.
This practice echoes the instruction to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It helps quiet the mind and open the heart to the whisperings of the Spirit.
2. Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)
This ancient Christian method of engaging scripture invites slow, meditative reading. Instead of racing to finish chapters, you choose a short passage, read it repeatedly, and pause to reflect, pray, and listen. It’s less about extracting doctrinal points and more about letting the Word of God speak personally.
For Latter-day Saints, this can be a transformative way to approach the scriptures, particularly those who have grown up in seminary or institute classes, to help us slow down—reading not just to study, but to commune.
3. Sacred Silence
In modern church culture, we’re often saturated with good messages, meetings, and ministering. But in all the activity, silence can become a forgotten sacrament. Jesus Himself “withdrew… to pray” in solitary places (Luke 5:16), and the early Saints in Zion were commanded to “cease from much laughter… and to be sober” (D&C 88:121).
Moments of intentional silence—before prayer, during temple worship, or in nature—can create sacred space where the soul can hear the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
Why It Matters Now
In today’s digital, distracted age, mysticism offers a sacred recalibration. It reminds us that the gospel is not just a checklist or theology, but a relationship with the Divine. For many modern Saints, mysticism answers an aching question:
“Is it possible to truly know God—not just know about Him?”
The mystical path says yes—and that this knowing is the very purpose of mortality. The Lectures on Faith teach that no one can exercise saving faith unless they know God’s character intimately. Mysticism nurtures this knowing not through debate or intellect alone, but through stillness, surrender, and love.
The Temple: A Mystical Schoolhouse
If mysticism means drawing near to God, then the temple is its sacred classroom. Every symbol, covenant, and moment of reverence is designed to elevate our souls toward divine presence. In this way, temple worship is deeply mystical—it beckons us to move beyond the veil of mortality and commune with eternity.
Latter-day Saints are mystics every time we ponder our covenants, meditate in the celestial room, or seek revelation within sacred walls. The temple teaches us not just what to do, but how to be still enough to hear the Lord.
In our temple symbolism course, Meghan and Cory Jensen help you through lessons that teach you how to find these patterns with the scriptures as your guide.
Embracing the Mystery
Perhaps, one of the most beautiful aspects of mysticism is its comfort with mystery. It teaches us that we do not need all the answers to walk with God. In a faith that rejoices in continuing revelation, mysticism helps us live in the tension between what we know and what we yearn to know.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said: “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”
Mysticism is that embrace—the deep, faithful abiding with the Lord, even when answers are slow, even when the heavens seem quiet, allowing us to embrace the ebbs and flows of revelation.
Mysticism as a Path of Discipleship
Christian mysticism is not a threat to our modern theology—it is a deep wellspring within it. It is what happens when doctrine becomes encounter, when truth becomes transformation. It invites us into a way of being where God is not just believed in, but known; not just worshipped, but loved with the whole soul.
Mysticism is not about escaping mortality—it is about sanctifying it. It’s a call to slow down, to listen, to wonder, and to walk with God through the veil of the everyday.
As you seek to follow Christ with greater devotion, consider this mystical invitation: Not to do more, but to be more fully present with Him who is already near.
References & Additional Resources
- Moroni 10:32
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
- Exodus 33:11
- 1 Nephi 11
- Moses 7
- Joseph Smith History
- Matthew 22:37
- 2 Nephi 32:9
- Psalm 46:10
- Doctrine and Covenants 88:121
- 1 Kings 19:12
- “Good Things To Come,” Jeffrey R. Holland
- House of Learning Course
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