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.

Lawrence E. Corbridge | January 22, 2019

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.

devotional 2019

J. Scott Miller | October 2, 2018

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.

devotional 2018

Kevin J Worthen, President of Brigham Young University.

Kevin J Worthen | September 11, 2018

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.

devotional 2018

Michael Orme | June 5, 2018

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.

devotional 2018

Brianna M. Magnusson | May 15, 2018

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.

devotional 2018

Matthew O. Richardson | October 25, 2016

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.

devotional 2016

Jay E. Jensen | January 8, 2012

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.

devotional 2012

James P. Porter | March 22, 2011

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.

devotional 2011

Michael A. Jensen | May 5, 2009

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.

devotional 2009

Rodger Sorensen | July 29, 2008

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.

devotional 2008

Elder Gerrit W. Gong, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gerrit W. Gong | March 20, 2007

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.

devotional 2007

Henry B. Eyring—second councilor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Henry B. Eyring | September 10, 2006

Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the service of the Lord.

devotional 2006

Arnold H. Green | July 5, 2005

Discerning our journey through the world entails, first, choosing specific worthy destinations rather than just drifting somewhere.

devotional 2005

Elder David A. Bednar, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

David A. Bednar | May 10, 2005

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.

devotional 2005

Charles A. Didier | September 21, 2004

Scriptures and revelation teach us the very doctrine of hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and tell us about our divine nature and our divine destiny. As children of our Heavenly Father, we were created with hope within ourselves, with the Light of Christ, with a divine potential.

devotional 2004

LaNae Valentine | June 29, 2004

Growing in our ability to receive revelation is like learning a new language or learning to play a musical instrument. We must practice diligently for a long time before we feel comfortable with it. We must be patient with ourselves, recognize that we might have some setbacks, and persist until we become masters at recognizing a witness of the Spirit.

devotional 2004

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf | November 11, 2003

The Holy Ghost will be the wind beneath your wings, placing in your hearts the firm conviction of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and His place in the eternal plan of God, your Eternal Father.

devotional 2003

H. Burke Peterson | July 16, 2002

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.

devotional 2002

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jeffrey R. Holland | March 2, 1999

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.

devotional 1999

Elaine S. Marshall | May 25, 1998

Elaine S. Marshall offers some professional, personal, and scriptural perspectives on knowing, as well as the limits of temporal and spiritual knowledge.

devotional 1998

Gerald N. Lund | December 2, 1997

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…

devotional 1997

L. Lionel Kendrick | May 20, 1997

Receiving personal revelation is not a passive process. As we seek such revelations, we must prepare for these sacred experiences.

devotional 1997

James E. Faust | January 7, 1996

The Lord can bless any of His children with an epiphany of knowledge and guidance. Consistent, strong inspiration is possible through the Holy Ghost.

devotional 1996

President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

M. Russell Ballard | November 6, 1994

Kirtland is truly a holy ground of this dispensation. The Church basks in the light of revelation today to a great extent because of the great Pentecostal outpouring that Joseph and the Saints received in Kirtland.

devotional 1994

James E. Faust | September 5, 1993

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.

devotional 1993

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ.

Neal A. Maxwell | October 11, 1986

Through the witness of the Book of Mormon and prophetic revelation, the gospel offers great answers to age-old questions of the soul.

devotional 1986

Glenn L. Pace | March 25, 1986

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.

devotional 1986

Richard G. Ellsworth | July 23, 1985

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,…

devotional 1985

Ted E. Brewerton | March 25, 1984

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.

devotional 1984

Paul H. Dunn | February 28, 1984

Cultivate a relationship with your Heavenly Father, and seek His guidance as you make important decisions. He will lead, protect, and help you.

devotional 1984

Dallin H. Oaks—first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dallin H. Oaks | September 29, 1981

I know that God lives and that revelation to his children is a reality. I pray that we will be worthy and willing, and that he will bless us to grow in this principle of revelation.

devotional 1981

Noel B. Reynolds | June 30, 1981

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.

devotional 1981

Joe J. Christensen | June 10, 1980

You can make revelation a personal reality as you search the scriptures, commune with the Father, and live in keeping with divine commandments.

devotional 1980

John H. Groberg | May 1, 1979

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.

devotional 1979

LeGrand Richards | November 28, 1978

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.

devotional 1978

S. Dilworth Young | May 17, 1977

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.

devotional 1977

Jeffrey R. Holland | September 26, 1976

General conference is an opportunity to fulfill the commandment to "meet together oft," to edify one another, and to receive revelation.

devotional 1976

Hartman Rector Jr. | January 6, 1976

We all seek answers to our prayers, and these six questions will help you determine whether a revelation is from the Lord.

devotional 1976

Roy W. Doxey | July 30, 1974

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…

devotional 1974

Bruce R. McConkie | February 27, 1973

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.

devotional 1973

Bruce R. McConkie | October 11, 1966

Intellectual study of the gospel is necessary, but cannot take the place of personal revelation that comes through searching and asking.

devotional 1966

Marion G. Romney | February 14, 1962

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.

devotional 1962

Mark E. Petersen | January 1, 1962

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.

devotional 1962

Hugh B. Brown | May 17, 1961

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.

devotional 1961

Hugh Nibley | March 20, 1956

The great men of the sixth century believed in contemplation and in action, and they weren’t afraid to ask God for revelation.

devotional 1956

Harold B. Lee - Mormon Prophet and Apostle

Harold B. Lee | February 7, 1956

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.

devotional 1956

Harold B. Lee | October 15, 1952

God speaks to us through prophets and through personal revelation. However, we must be humble and watchful to receive His words.

devotional 1952

Joseph Fielding Smith - Mormon Prophet and Apostle

Joseph Fielding Smith | June 16, 1952

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith speaks of historical and current events, especially in the Middle East, as fulfillment of prophecy given in the scriptures.

devotional 1952