Sometimes we receive revelation even when we do not understand the purposes of the Lord.
I knew that Elder Cook and Elder Holland served in the same mission but I didn’t realize they served at the same time and that they were companions – much less that Elder Cook was the senior companion in that companionship.
Here is another message that Laura should be truly hearing but even if she were here she would discount its contents right now.
Personal revelation is available to all who humbly seek it and is as important as prophetic revelation.
I need to consistently pray for Laura to feel and recognize the comfort of the Holy Ghost.
Sometimes we receive revelation even when we do not know the Lord’s purposes. Shortly before Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was called to be an Apostle in June of 1994, I had a beautiful revelatory experience that he would be called. I was a regional representative and could see no reason I would be given that knowledge. But we were companions as young missionaries in England in the early 1960s, and I had a great love for him. I considered the experience a tender mercy for me. In recent years, I have wondered if the Lord was preparing me to be junior in the Twelve to an incredible missionary companion who was my junior companion when we were young missionaries. I sometimes warn young missionaries to be kind to their junior companions because they never know when they might be their senior companion.
Sometimes these communications might also serve to reinforce for us how revelation comes to us.
The prophet Enoch foresaw the days in which we live. The Lord acknowledged to Enoch the great wickedness that would prevail and prophesied of the “great tribulations” that would occur. Nevertheless, the Lord promised, “But my people will I preserve.” “And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten.”
The Prophet Joseph Smith received revelation after revelation. Some have been addressed during this conference. Many revelations received by the Prophet Joseph have been preserved for us in the Doctrine and Covenants. All the standard works of the Church contain the mind and will of the Lord for us in this last dispensation.
In addition to these great foundational scriptures, we are blessed with continuing revelation to living prophets. Prophets are “commissioned agents of the Lord, authorized to speak for Him.”
Some revelations are of monumental importance, and others enhance our understanding of essential divine truths and provide guidance for our day.
How important any revelation is can be measured independently on the institutional side and for any given individual.
When important changes to bless our homes were announced at the October 2018 general conference, I testified “that in the deliberations of the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the temple, … after our beloved prophet petitioned the Lord for revelation … , a powerful confirmation was received by all.”
At that time, other revelations relating to sacred temple ordinances had been received but not announced or implemented. This guidance commenced with individual prophetic revelation to President Russell M. Nelson and tender and powerful confirmation to those participating in the process. President Nelson specifically involved the sisters who preside over the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations. The final guidance, in the temple, to the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was profoundly spiritual and powerful. We each knew we had received the mind, will, and voice of the Lord.
I wonder if sometimes the pattern doesn’t start with personal revelation to the prophet. It may start with the prophet encountering an idea and discussing it with the leadership of the church before revelation confirms, refined, or refutes the original idea.
We also declare our heartfelt desire to be reunited with those who have been struggling with their testimonies, been less active, or had their names removed from Church records. We desire to feast with you “upon the words of Christ” at the Lord’s table, to learn the things we all should do. We need you! The Church needs you! The Lord needs you! Our heartfelt prayer is that you will join with us in worshipping the Savior of the world. We know that some of you may have received offense, unkindness, or other conduct that is not Christlike. We also know that some have had challenges to their faith that may not be fully appreciated, understood, or resolved.
Each time I hear that, even the first time, I thought Laura should hear it. Thankfully she is making much progress since this was spoken.
Personal revelation is based on spiritual truths received from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth, especially that of the Savior. Without the Holy Ghost, we could not really know that Jesus is the Christ. His seminal role is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and Their titles and Their glory.
The Holy Ghost can influence everyone in a powerful way. This influence will not be constant unless one is baptized and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost serves also as a cleansing agent in the process of repentance and forgiveness.
Making ourselves unworthy of the Holy Ghost will impede our ability to receive revelation even when we are asking sincerely. We must always look honestly at whether we have a roadblock.
Some principles that prepare us to receive revelation include:
- Praying for spiritual guidance
- Preparing for inspiration.
- Partaking of the sacrament worthily.
If we are choosing not to do any one of those three things it will be a roadblock to receiving revelation.
I assure you that revelatory guidance can be received by each of us as we humbly labor in the Lord’s vineyard. Most of our guidance comes from the Holy Ghost. Sometimes and for some purposes, it comes directly from the Lord. I personally testify that this is true. Guidance for the Church, as a whole, comes to the President and prophet of the Church
I’ll try not to read too much into that but to know that it comes directly from the Lord there must be something qualitatively different than when it is coming from the Holy Ghost.
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