Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets

The most important truths of our existence are the living reality of God as our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and direction for us as individuals.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
That passage has been quoted by at least two different speakers this session.

After praying, interviewing, studying, and praying again, Elder Benson asked if I knew who the new president would be. I said I had not received that inspiration yet. He looked at me for a long time and replied he hadn’t either. However, we were inspired to ask three worthy priesthood holders to speak in the Saturday evening session of conference. Moments after the third speaker began, the Spirit prompted me that he should be the new stake president. I looked over at President Benson and saw tears streaming down his face. Revelation had been given to both of us – but only by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father’s will as we moved forward in faith.

Our responsibility is to seek personal revelations for ourselves and for the responsibilities the Lord has given us. . . Do we see the pattern of revelation in the lives of prophets? Are the threads of that pattern also woven through our lives? We know that the pattern centers on the Atonement. We receive the blessings of the Atonement when we repent of our sins and keep the commandments. This we covenanted to do when we were baptized, and we renew that covenant each week as we partake of the sacrament.

Generally, those miracles will not be physical demonstrations of God’s power – parting of the Red Sea, raising of the dead, breaking down prison walls, or the appearance of heavenly messengers. By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God’s power – tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow.

While we are commanded not to seek after signs, we are commanded to “seek . . . earnestly the best gifts.” These gifts include the Holy Ghost and personal revelation.

Let us follow His example and pray for the Spirit of God, giving thanks for its marvelous blessings in our lives.