Speeches by Topic Topics | Revelation
As we navigate this difficult and often confusing mortal life, we need God’s guidance and comfort. Because He is the Father of our spirits and loves us with an eternal love, He wants to communicate with us and provide the help we need. This communication is called revelation.God communicates with His children both collectively and individually. When He gives commandments or guidance applicable to the whole world, He speaks through His mouthpiece on earth: the prophet. The scriptures are filled with teachings given through God’s prophets throughout history that can be used in our day to provide guidance and direction. The scriptures are filled with revelation given through God’s prophets, and though each revelation has specific relevance for the time period in which it was received, many are still relevant in our day. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (1 Nephi 10:18), and that just as He spoke through prophets in days of old, God has called prophets and apostles today. He declares that whether His words are given “by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). We are promised that the Holy Ghost will give us each our own witness of the divine calling of the prophet and other Church leaders.However, the prophets are not our only channel of revelation. For our personal and unique challenges—making important decisions or coping with trials, for example—we need personal revelation. This revelation comes in many forms, including inspired thoughts, feelings of comfort and assurance, or words from the scriptures or prophets that stick out to us in answer to our prayers.We can receive guidance for our own lives as well as to help our families and those who have been placed in our stewardship. Seeking and recognizing personal revelation can be difficult, requiring patience, sincerity, humility, and a willingness to act on the answers we receive. However, the Lord promises that “whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you” (Moroni 7:26). These devotional addresses echo that promise. They help us to understand the nature and process of revelation, both prophetic and personal, and to apply such revelation to our lives so that we can be blessed by it.
Stand Forever
We must be grounded on the rock of revelation, and although we may not know the answer to every question, we must know the answers to the primary questions. And if we do, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us and we will stand forever.
Humble Uncertainty
There is, however, a soul-expanding kind of doubt that proceeds from an attitude of humility—the species of humility that openly admits our weaknesses. When we begin to see ourselves and our weaknesses clearly, we arrive at a state of vulnerability similar to what Joseph Smith faced as he unwittingly prepared himself for the Sacred Grove.
Receiving Revelation
But there is even more good news for those who question their ability to receive and recognize revelation despite their sincere but often seemingly ineffective efforts to do so. It is that you are likely doing better at receiving revelation than you think. The scriptures make clear that it is possible to be influenced by the Holy Ghost and not fully recognize it.
Recognizing and Understanding the Spirit at BYU
As we all know, this world we live in has been purposely designed to challenge us in the choices that we make and in the manner in which we react to the inevitable adversity that finds us. This mortal experience can take a toll on our testimony and commitment to the gospel. It is precisely in these times of testing that we need to be intellectually honest with ourselves and consciously remember the authentic spiritual experiences we have had. This is part of the sacramental promise that we make to always remember Christ.
Revealing Questions
Questions—particularly questions that arise about the gospel—can be especially trying. Questions are inherently born of uncertainty, and we as humans are vehemently opposed to uncertainty. We dislike the feeling of not knowing because we feel vulnerable. Yet this vulnerability can actually be a sacred space.
Stand Up Straight, Smile, and Remember Who You Are
I testify that if you seek help and invite others into your life, then your life will be fuller, your success will be more meaningful, and you will find peace.
The Unspeakable Gift of the Holy Ghost
I humbly pray that you will desire more earnestly to be worthy of the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that you may grow in the ability to recognize His promptings, that you may “be still and know” (D&C 101:16) the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost, and that you will express gratitude for Him and His guidance, for to express gratitude invites more of the Spirit.
Receiving and Recognizing the Holy Ghost
Brothers and sisters, Heavenly Father did not send us to this earth without also sending the Holy Ghost to guide and protect us. One of the most important skills we must learn in this life is to receive and recognize the quiet whisperings of the Spirit.
Our Life-Changing Partnership with the Spirit
By using our agency to change our behavior, we empower the Spirit to change our hearts. We must truthfully identify those things currently keeping us from following the Savior as fully as we should and, unlike the young rich man, be willing to put those things on the altar of sacrifice.
Evidences of the Heart
We do not have to physically be in the Sacred Grove to receive guidance and instruction from our Heavenly Father. Nevertheless, we must learn the language of the Spirit for ourselves and find our own sacred places in which we personally come to know the things of God by the Spirit of God.
Live Right Now
Promptings from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost can help us live right now. I am grateful Heavenly Father respects perfectly our agency and at the same time—in circumstances and at times He knows best—also prompts and guides us.
Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times
With faith, clean living, pure motive, and the love of Christ, we can expect revelation every day through the Spirit of God.
Discernment for Journeying Through Babylon to Athens and Zion
My wife and I once boarded a train going south from Paris to Marseilles, a Mediterranean port. At Lyon, about halfway there, part of the train (the part we were in!) split off and headed east toward Geneva. As soon as we saw the Alps, we realized that we were off course. We got off in Grenoble, caught a train back to Lyon, then took a later train to Marseilles.…
“Quick to Observe”
Much like faith precedes the miracle, much like baptism by water comes before the baptism by fire...so being quick to observe is a prerequisite to and a preparation for the gift of discernment. We can only hope to obtain that supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction if we are quick to observe—if we both look and obey.
Our Spiritual and Temporal Foundation: Scriptures and Revelation
Revelation is how we at BYU combine spiritual and secular knowledge. We can positively impact the world as we create a spiritual and temporal foundation.
Discerning the Will of the Lord for Me
As I have thought about what I could say during this devotional today that might be of value and use to you, my thoughts took me to this question: “What do I wish I had known or better understood when I was your age?” Upon pondering that question, many topics came to mind. However, one that stands out is that I wish I had better understood how to discern the…
The Wind Beneath Your Wings
At times we will go through trials and need to be lifted up. Control, attitude, and faith in divine power will create wind beneath our wings and lift us up.
Stones in the Wall
When we sin, we build a wall of stones around us, making it difficult to hear spiritual impressions. As we remove the stones, we gain guidance from God.
"Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence"
Don’t lose your confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had. That tenacity is what saved Moses when the adversary confronted him, and it is what will save you.
Perspectives on Knowing in a Human Science
Elaine S. Marshall offers some professional, personal, and scriptural perspectives on knowing, as well as the limits of temporal and spiritual knowledge.
The Voice of the Lord
Today I would like to speak with you about a topic that is of the most singular importance to every person here. It is a topic that is especially important to you who are young adults and facing some of the most important decisions of your life—mission, education, career, marriage. That topic is personal revelation, or hearing the voice of the Lord. When we are baptized and confirmed members of…
Personal Revelation
An understanding of how personal revelation works will allow us to develop a closer relationship with God and to live better, happier lives.
Personal Epiphanies
The Lord can bless any of His children with an epiphany of knowledge and guidance. Consistent, strong inspiration is possible through the Holy Ghost.
What Came from Kirtland
We owe much to the Kirtland era of Church history. This time of the restoration is rich in visions, revealed doctrine, and essential progression.
The Voice of the Spirit
You will not be able to travel through life on borrowed light. The light of life must be part of your very being. The voice you must learn to heed is the voice of the Spirit.
Great Answers to the Great Question
Through the witness of the Book of Mormon and prophetic revelation, the gospel offers great answers to age-old questions of the soul.
The Elusive Balance
There is a balance to be found in life between looking to the Lord's hand in all things and using your God-given agency to guide you through life.
Spiritual Experience
My brothers and sisters, I want to begin by telling you that I feel and know the responsibility that is mine in talking to you this day. It is always an immense responsibility to talk of the ways of the Lord, and so I pray that I may be blessed to say the things of my heart, and that you will be able to receive them as they are meant,…
Guidance: Ongoing Guidance Is Needed for All
In order to accomplish the things we truly desire, we need ongoing guidance from the Lord. Ted E. Brewerton shares basic principles for seeking and following such revelation.
Seek and Ye Shall Find
Cultivate a relationship with your Heavenly Father, and seek His guidance as you make important decisions. He will lead, protect, and help you.
Revelation
Revelation serves many purposes necessary and beneficial: it testifies, prophesies, comforts, uplifts, informs, restrains, confirms, and impels.
Reason and Revelation
Gospel learning comes both by the process of reason and revelation, and all must take care to learn by the Holy Ghost rather than be deceived by Satan.
On Making Revelation a Personal Reality
You can make revelation a personal reality as you search the scriptures, commune with the Father, and live in keeping with divine commandments.
What Is Your Mission?
Discovering your mission in life is a daunting, but not impossible task. If you trust Him and have the courage to act, God will guide and shape your life.
We Believe in Prophecy
We believe in the gift of prophecy. We can see today the fulfillment of prophecies from long ago, and they give us faith to follow our living prophets now.
Living Flames, Not Dead Ashes
Learning to listen to the promptings of the Spirit brings safety. Every worthy individual is entitled to the companionship of the Spirit. If you listen, you will find he is often more eager to help than we are to obey.
Remembered and Nourished by the Good Word of God
General conference is an opportunity to fulfill the commandment to "meet together oft," to edify one another, and to receive revelation.
How to Know If Revelation Is from the Lord
We all seek answers to our prayers, and these six questions will help you determine whether a revelation is from the Lord.
Accept Divine Counsel
The modern scriptures have received my attention and time during the twenty-six years I’ve been on the faculty at Brigham Young University—and for some time before then, in fact. I include in this body of material the sermons and writings of the General Authorities of the Church, especially the prophets, seers, and revelators of our dispensation. My special emphasis of study and teaching has been the Doctrine and Covenants. The…
Agency or Inspiration—Which?
It is our obligation to go to work on our problems and then counsel with the Lord and get the ratifying seal of the Holy Spirit on the conclusions that we’ve reached; and that ratifying seal is the spirit of revelation.
How to Get Personal Revelation
Intellectual study of the gospel is necessary, but cannot take the place of personal revelation that comes through searching and asking.
Flesh Is Flesh and Spirit Is Spirit
The things of the world, or of the flesh, must be learned by the methods of the world. The things of the spirit, however, must be learned by the Spirit.
A Proper Orientation on the Threshold of Life
You are just now on the threshold of life, with many important decisions to make. Make them wisely and in keeping with the teachings of the gospel.
Your Eternal Flight
Your life's journey is like a flight in an airplane—you need to pay careful attention to your instruments, and keep your sight fixed on your destination.
Lessons of the Sixth Century
The great men of the sixth century believed in contemplation and in action, and they weren’t afraid to ask God for revelation.
But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet
Elder Harold B. Lee invites us, as Jesus commanded Paul, to "arise and stand upon thy feet." We can receive revelation and answer the call of the Lord.
Divine Revelation
God speaks to us through prophets and through personal revelation. However, we must be humble and watchful to receive His words.
Leadership Week: Fulfillment of Prophecy
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith speaks of historical and current events, especially in the Middle East, as fulfillment of prophecy given in the scriptures.
