In
conferences we can receive the word of the Lord meant just for us. One
member testified: “As I listened to your address, I was astounded. …
Your talk was personal revelation directly from the Lord to my family.
I have never experienced such a strong manifestation of the Spirit in
my life as those minutes when the Holy Ghost spoke directly to me.”
Another said, “I have never before felt so profoundly that a talk was being given to me.”
This is possible because the Holy Ghost carries the word of the Lord unto our hearts in terms we can understand.7
When I take notes at conference, I do not always write down exactly
what the speaker is saying; I note the personalized direction the Spirit
is giving me.
General Conference, October 2013, Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Robert D. Hales
What is said is not as important as what we hear and what we feel.8 That is why we make an effort to experience conference in a setting where the still, small voice of the Spirit can be clearly heard, felt, and understood.
General Conference, October 2013, Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Robert D. Hales
The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives.
Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare and is evident in the experiences of Nephi as he tried several different approaches before successfully obtaining the plates of brass from Laban (see 1 Nephi 3–4). Ultimately, he was led by the Spirit to Jerusalem, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). And he did not learn how to build a ship of curious workmanship all at one time; rather, Nephi was shown by the Lord “from time to time after what manner [he] should work the timbers of the ship” (1 Nephi 18:1).
David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, April 2011, General Conference
Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”2 How do we know the Father and the Son for ourselves? By personal revelation. Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life—to return back into Their presence.
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.”5 We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
I testify that on the hillside or the meadow, in the grove or closet, now or in the eternities to come, the Savior’s words to each of us will be fulfilled: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”21 While we are commanded not to seek after signs, we are commanded to “seek … earnestly the best gifts.”22 These gifts include the Holy Ghost and personal revelation. That revelation will come “line upon line, precept upon precept,” as the Savior said, and “unto him that receiveth [the Lord] will give more.”23
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
General Conference, October 2013, Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Robert D. Hales
What is said is not as important as what we hear and what we feel.8 That is why we make an effort to experience conference in a setting where the still, small voice of the Spirit can be clearly heard, felt, and understood.
General Conference, October 2013, Strengthening Faith and Testimony, Robert D. Hales
The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives.
David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, April 2011, General Conference
Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare and is evident in the experiences of Nephi as he tried several different approaches before successfully obtaining the plates of brass from Laban (see 1 Nephi 3–4). Ultimately, he was led by the Spirit to Jerusalem, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). And he did not learn how to build a ship of curious workmanship all at one time; rather, Nephi was shown by the Lord “from time to time after what manner [he] should work the timbers of the ship” (1 Nephi 18:1).
David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, April 2011, General Conference
We
as members of the Church tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic
spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may
even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes
His work. The very “simpleness of the way” (1 Nephi 17:41)
of receiving small and incremental spiritual impressions that over time
and in totality constitute a desired answer or the direction we need
may cause us to look “beyond the mark” (Jacob 4:14).
I
have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their
personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because
they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions. Perhaps
as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul
on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe
something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives
of these well-known and spiritually striking examples. If you have had
similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just
keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do
so, you “cannot go amiss." David A. Bednar, The Spirit of Revelation, April 2011, General ConferenceEach of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”2 How do we know the Father and the Son for ourselves? By personal revelation. Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life—to return back into Their presence.
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.”5 We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
I testify that on the hillside or the meadow, in the grove or closet, now or in the eternities to come, the Savior’s words to each of us will be fulfilled: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”21 While we are commanded not to seek after signs, we are commanded to “seek … earnestly the best gifts.”22 These gifts include the Holy Ghost and personal revelation. That revelation will come “line upon line, precept upon precept,” as the Savior said, and “unto him that receiveth [the Lord] will give more.”23
Personal Revelation; The teachings and Examples of the Prophets. October 2007. Ensign. General Conference.
Nephi took that opportunity to teach his brethren how to receive personal revelation.
He said: “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye
will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye
shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these
things shall be made known unto you.”4
The way to receive personal revelation
is really quite clear. We need to desire to receive revelation, we must
not harden our hearts, and then we need to ask in faith, truly believe
that we will receive an answer, and then diligently keep the
commandments of God.
Personal Revelation and Testimony; Barbara Thompson, General Conference, Ensign, October 2011.
You have your agency, and inspiration does not—perhaps cannot—flow unless you ask for it, or someone asks for you.
No message in scripture is repeated more often than the invitation, even the command, to pray—to ask.
Prayer
is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may
remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in
your heart. Pray on your knees.
Boyd K. Packer. Personal Revelation; The Gift, the Test, and the Promise. October 1994, General Conference, Ensign.
No comments:
Post a Comment