Personal Revelation

"Helping Others to be Spiritually Led" 

by: Elder Richard G. Scott 

Excerpts from the talk above.

Patterns of Light

Spirit of Revelation

Elder David A. Bednar

When Revelation Is Not Received

Be patient. 

(Even Prophets wait faithfully on the Lord.)

Increase efforts to be more spiritually in tune.

(Too much distraction, noise, anger, etc.)

Increase study and prayer. 

(Even the Savior prayed more earnestly.)

More faithful in obeying commandments.

Set the matter aside.

(Inspiration often comes when our minds are not consumed with the matter.)

We may be seeking counsel on matters that we should determine for ourselves, using our own best judgment based on study and reason.

We may have received an answer but didn’t want the answer we received. 
(Joseph Smith - Lost Manuscript)

Patterns of Light - Elder David A. Bednar

Cautions About Personal Revelation

1-   Doctrines and Covenants 109: 44;  9: 9;  Matthew 6: 10

      We should pray that the Lord's will be done - and be willing to submit our will to His.

2-   Doctrines and Covenants 88: 68

      We should remember that revelation will come in the Lord's own time and way.

3-   Doctrines and Covenants 28: 2, 6-7; 43: 2-4

      We receive revelation according to our stewardship and responsibilities. 

4-   Doctrine and Covenants 11: 13-14;  50: 23-24

      We should discern whether the revelation has come from God.

How the Holy Ghost Communicates With Us

1-   Doctrine and Covenants 8: 2-3;  85:6;  1 Kings 19: 12; 1 Nephi 17:45; Helaman 5: 30 

      He uses the still, small voice to communicate to our minds and hearts.

2-   Doctrine and Covenants 6: 15; 11: 13-14; 128: 1

      He enlightens our mind.

3-   Doctrine and Covenants 6: 22-23
      He brings peace to our minds.

4-   Doctrine and Covenants 9: 7-8;  Luke 24:32
      He may cause a burning in the bosom.

5-   Doctrine and Covenants 98: 12

      He often reveals things "line upon line, precept upon precept" rather than all at once.

What do we need to do to receive revelation?

~Doctrine and Covenants~

1 -   Section 9:8; JSH 1: 8-10
       Study the matter in your mind.

2-    Section 138: 1-11; JSH 1: 11-12
       Ponder the scriptures and the teachings of Prophets.

3-    Sections 6: 5, 14;  8: 1; 42: 61;  88: 63-64; 1 Nephi 15: 11; Moroni 10: 4
       Inquire of the Lord in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you will receive an answer.

4-    Sections 63: 23;  76: 5-10;  93: 1, 28;  101: 7-8
       Be obedient and serve God.

5-    Sections 5: 24;  19: 23;  112: 10;  136: 32-33
       Be meek and humble.

6-    Sections 25: 10;  30: 2 
       Focus on the things of God rather than the things of the world.

Revelation - Seven Seals

Possible time line of the Seven Seals

Click HERE to see PDF version

Oaks - Purposes of Revelation

As I review the following eight purposes of revelation, I hope you will recognize the extent to which you have already received revelation or inspiration and resolve to cultivate this spiritual gift for more frequent use in the future.

1. The testimony or witness of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ and that the gospel is true is a revelation from God.  

2. Prophecy is another purpose or function of revelation. Speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost and within the limits of his or her stewardship, a person may be inspired to predict what will come to pass in the future.

3. A third purpose of revelation is to give comfort.

4. Closely related to the feeling of comfort is the fourth purpose or function of revelation, to uplift. At some time in our lives, each of us needs to be lifted up from a depression, from a sense of foreboding or inadequacy, or just from a plateau of spiritual mediocrity. Because it raises our spirits and helps us resist evil and seek good, I believe that the feeling of uplift that is communicated by reading the scriptures or by enjoying wholesome music, art, or literature is a distinct purpose of revelation.

5. The fifth purpose of revelation is to inform. This may consist of inspiration giving a person the words to speak on a particular occasion, such as in the blessings pronounced by a patriarch or in sermons or other words spoken under the influence of the Holy Ghost. 

6. The sixth type or purpose of revelation is to restrain us from doing something. 

7. Seventh. A common way to seek revelation is to propose a particular course of action and then pray for inspiration to confirm it.

8. The eighth purpose or type of revelation consists of those instances when the Spirit impels a person to action. This is not a case where a person proposes to take a particular action and the Spirit either restrains or confirms. This is a case where revelation comes when it is not being sought and impels some action not proposed. This type of revelation is obviously less common than other types, but its rarity makes it all the more significant.

View the Full Talk HERE

Avenues of Revelation