In a metaphorical sense, a faithful person comes to “see God” as he or she begins to see more clearly the hand of God in all things; the plans and purposes of God undergirding all existence; the love of God so wondrously shed forth among all mankind. In the ultimate sense, one who, through the sanctifying powers of the Spirit acquires true sainthood and therefore becomes pure in heart, is entitled to see the Lord face to face.
Joseph Smith taught that after one has received and cultivated the gift of the Holy Ghost, if he continues to hunger and thirst after righteousness and endures faithfully the trials and tests of this life, he will find his calling and election made sure—that is he will gain the assurance of eternal life.
It will then be his privilege, based upon continued obedience and fidelity to the laws of the Lord-for this is an additional blessing-to receive what the Prophet called the second comforter, the personal presence of Christ the Lord. (See Teachings, pp. 149-51.)
In speaking of the importance of individual and community holiness in entering the house of the Lord, a revelation declared:
“And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God”
(D&C 97:15-16; compare Psalms 24:3-4).