Receiving Personal Revelation
Boyd K. Packer
Revelation In A Changing World
October 1989
1. Following baptism, one is confirmed a member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a brief
ordinance, during which there is conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thereafter, all through life, men,
women, even little children receive the right to inspired direction to guide
them in their lives—personal revelation! (See Alma 32:23.)
2. The patterns of revelation are not dramatic.
The voice of inspiration is a still voice, a small voice. There need be no
trance, no sanctimonious declaration. It is quieter and simpler than that.
3. Our physical body is the instrument of our
spirit. In that marvelous revelation, the Word of Wisdom, we are told how to keep our bodies
free from impurities which might dull, even destroy, those delicate physical
senses which have to do with spiritual communication.
The Word of Wisdom is a key to individual revelation.
It was given as “a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak
and the weakest of all saints.” (D&C 89:3.)
4. An unusual
spiritual experience should not be regarded as a personal call to direct
others. It is my conviction that experiences of a special, sacred nature are
individual and should be kept to oneself.
The Spirit of Revelation
David A. Bednar
April 2011
5. Revelation
is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great
blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy
Ghost. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The Holy Ghost is a
revelator,” and “no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving
revelations” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 132).
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.
6. 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).
7. In many of
the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to
do our best, to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26), and to trust in Him. We may not
see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual
impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without
absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we
honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more
consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence
that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God
will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that
declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”
Personal Revelations:
The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets
Robert D. Hales
October 2007
8. Personal
revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our
existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus
Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and
direction for us.
9. 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.
Two
Lines of Communication
Dallin H. Oaks
October
2010
10. In the personal line we pray directly to our
Heavenly Father, and He answers us by the channels He has established, without
any mortal intermediary. We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus
Christ, and He answers us through His Holy Spirit and in other ways.
The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the
Son (see John 15:26; 2 Nephi 31:18; 3 Nephi 28:11), to guide us into truth (see John 14:26; 16:13), and to show us all things we
should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). This personal line of
communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of
our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a
loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel
plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of
its truth.
11. The direct, personal channel of communication
to our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost is based on worthiness and is so
essential that we are commanded to renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath day. In this way we
qualify for the promise that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, to
guide us.
Ask,
Seek, Knock
Russell
M. Nelson
October 2009
To
access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep
desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith
in [Jesus] Christ.” 2 “Real
intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.
The
next requirement is to study the matter diligently.
12. Even more amazing than modern technology is
our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware,
software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the
Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it
shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you.” 1
This
timeless offer to provide personal revelation is extended to all of His
children. It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! I have received
and responded to that heavenly help. And I have learned that I always need to
be ready to receive it.
13. For each of you to receive revelation unique
to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord
asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the
glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,
patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,”
you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto
you. 12
14. Every Latter-day Saint may merit personal
revelation. The invitation to ask, seek, and knock for divine direction exists
because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ. It exists because this is His
living Church. 17 And we are blessed today because President Thomas S.
Monson is His living prophet. That we may hearken to and heed his prophetic
counsel is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
How
to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for your Personal Life
Richard
G. Scott
April 2012
15. The Holy Ghost communicates important information
that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and
essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of
promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for
the purpose of this message, it is inspiration.
16. When I am faced with a very difficult matter,
this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and
understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start
reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for
inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord
wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of
doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the
scriptures.
There
are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to
emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost.
Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is
slight.
Another
principle is to be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will
offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does
not. A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life.
Another
enemy to revelation comes from exaggeration or loudness in what is stated.
Careful, quiet speech will favor the receipt of revelation.
On
the other hand, spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health
practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits
increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. We will live for
our appointed life span. However, we can improve both the quality of our
service and our well-being by making careful, appropriate choices.
It
is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the
Spirit.
Revelation
can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition
from sleep to wakefulness. If you strive to capture the content immediately,
you can record great detail, but otherwise it fades rapidly. Inspired
communication in the night is generally accompanied by a sacred feeling for the
entire experience. The Lord uses individuals for whom we have great respect to
teach us truths in a dream because we trust them and will listen to their
counsel. It is the Lord doing the teaching through the Holy Ghost. However, He
may in a dream make it both easier to understand and more likely to touch our
hearts by teaching us through someone we love and respect.
When
it is for the Lord’s purposes, He can bring anything to our remembrance. That
should not weaken our determination to record impressions of the Spirit.
Inspiration carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to
us. Recording will also enhance our ability to recall revelation. Such
recording of direction of the Spirit should be protected from loss or intrusion
by others.
17. One must be ever mentally and physically
clean and have purity of intent so that the Lord can inspire. One who is
obedient to His commandments is trusted of the Lord. That individual has access
to His inspiration to know what to do and, as needed, the divine power to do
it.
For
spirituality to grow stronger and more available, it must be planted in a
righteous environment. Haughtiness, pride, and conceit are like stony ground
that will never produce spiritual fruit.
Humility
is a fertile soil where spirituality grows and produces the fruit of
inspiration to know what to do. It gives access to divine power to accomplish
what must be done. An individual motivated by a desire for praise or
recognition will not qualify to be taught by the Spirit. An individual who is arrogant
or who lets his or her emotions influence decisions will not be powerfully led
by the Spirit.
When
we are acting as instruments in behalf of others, we are more easily inspired
than when we think only of ourselves. In the process of helping others, the
Lord can piggyback directions for our own benefit.
18. Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth
to fail but to succeed gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why
recognizing answers to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Sometimes we
unwisely try to face life by depending on our own experience and capacity. It
is much wiser for us to seek through prayer and divine inspiration to know what
to do. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine
power to accomplish an inspired objective.
19. Should choices be wrong, they can be
rectified through repentance. When its conditions are fully met, the Atonement
of Jesus Christ, our Savior, provides a release from the demands of justice for
the errors made. It is wondrously simple and so incomparably beautiful. As you
continue to live righteously, you will always be prompted to know what to do.
Sometimes the discovery of what action to take may require significant effort
and trust on your part. Yet you will be prompted to know what to do as you meet
the conditions for such divine guidance in your life, namely, obedience to the
commandments of the Lord, trust in His divine plan of happiness, and the
avoidance of anything that is contrary to it.
20. The more closely you follow divine guidance,
the greater will be your happiness here and for eternity—moreover, the more
abundant your progress and capacity to serve. I do not understand fully how it
is done, but that guidance in your life does not take away your agency. You can
make the decisions you choose to make. But remember, the disposition to do
right brings peace of mind and happiness.
