Connecting With God

Is God hard to reach on a personal level? Some groups of people throughout human history have evidenced that their answer to this question is yes. Some believe that a human sacrifice, or long periods of self-inflicted suffering, or building an immensely tall tower is necessary to appeal to God's attention. Without trying to criticize the beliefs and practices of others, for all honest seekers of God will find Him, I submit that approaching god with the end to connect with Him can be achieved as correct principles are followed honestly.
Honesty is the key. This is the first principle to seek a connection with god. The words of the Prophet Moroni testify of that: "For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto god, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing." (Moroni 7:6 italics added). God is "bound when [we] do what [He] say[s], but when [we] do not what [He] say[s], [we] have no promise." (D&C 82:10). Therefore, when the Son of God promises "ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7) during the Sermon on the Mount the condition for this promise is that we do what He says by coming to Him with a sincere and honest heart. The consecutive principles can only be validated as the first principle is followed.
the second principle is preparation, but before discussing this principle in detail I would like to provide an analogy as a basis for this and the rest of the principles. Let us think of a time when information didn't travel quite as fast as it does today. Back to when I couldn't have shared this information with you except if it was coming from my own mouth. As early as the prophet Enoch there is record that those who sought for revelations, communications, and connections with God went to a mountain to receive those blessings (Moses 7:2-3). Likening the climbing of a mountain to our journey to connect with God we must start with preparation. Preparation for mountain climbing is essential for success, and is a pattern we can see illustrated in the lives of prophets throughout the scriptures who achieved a connection with God. Referring to Enoch, he needed to be anointed and washed (Moses 6:35) before his journey up the mountain. Nephi "desired to know" (1 Nephi 11:1) what his father saw and needed to ponder on those things before his journey to the mountain. Our preparation could be extremely similar to Nephi's and Enoch's.
Principle three is taking advantage of the resources God has already given us. An interesting irony lies in the object of the group of people that tried to build a tower to reach God. They were exerting effort into building something that already existed in the world that served the same purpose. the summit of mountains creates a perfect "altar" at which one can commune with God. Had these people not been consumed by their pride they might have realized one only needs to use the God-given gifts on earth to reach him.
My testimony is that God is present in our lives. I testify of the veracity of His words: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) with emphasis on the last part that lets us know just how intimate a relationship the Savior wants to have with us. Not as the neighbor who brings cookies occasionally, but as the friend who we have invited to dine with us, a friend who is ever present, ever supportive, and ever teaching to edify. He is there, we just need to seek Him honestly.