From the beginning, God has spoken to His children. Adam and Eve “heard the voice of the Lord God” (Genesis 3:8). God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament (see, e.g., Genesis 46:2, Exodus 6:2) and to His disciples in the New Testament Church (see, e.g., Acts 9). He spoke to Book of Mormon prophets (see, e.g., 1 Nephi 7:1, Helaman 13:3), and he speaks to prophets in this dispensation (see, e.g., Doctrine and Covenants 1:17, 138:11).
But He does not limit His communication to leaders alone. Standing in front of Pontius Pilate before His crucifixion, Jesus the Christ testified, “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37). As the Bible explains, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” (Psalm 95:7‒8; Hebrews 4:7)
By Study
The ninth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declares: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (The Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 1:9.)
Assignment
Study carefully the Gospel Topics essay titled Revelation and follow each of the links for related topics, scripture references, scripture study resources, messages from Church leaders, videos, learning resources, and stories.
By Faith
Revelation comes in many forms, but the most common for baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the revelation we receive from Church leaders, such as at the semiannual general conferences, and the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost. Those promptings often come as a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12; 1 Nephi 17:45; Doctrine and Covenants 85:6), and we live in a noisy world that may drown it out if we allow that to happen.
Yet the Spirit is also extraordinarily powerful, and no amount of noise from the adversary can drown it out if we are listening for it. When we are in tune and seeking to hear the still small voice, it “whispereth through and pierceth all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:6).
Spiritual gifts, including revelation, do not require perfection to receive. As the Lord said in Doctrine and Covenants 46:9, “they are given for the benefit of” not only “those who love me and keep all my commandments,” but also those “that seeketh so to do.” As long as we “ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth . . . by the power of the Holy Ghost,” and “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:4‒5)
Assignment
First, establish a regular pattern of daily studying the scriptures and the general conference reports. This need not take long. Start with just five minutes a day, preferably at the same time of day when you are least likely to experience interruption. Consistency is the key. A little a day every day will bring great spiritual benefits. As you study this revelation, you will receive revelation, often in the form of promptings about how to apply what you are studying in your life.
Also, as you pray privately morning and night, make a conscious effort to pause during or after your prayers to listen for the still small voice. If necessary, ask yourself, “What would the Lord have me do now?” and then record the promptings you receive. Review these recorded promptings from time to time. They can strengthen you in times of weakness or difficulty.
Finally, learn to recognize the blessings the Lord gives to you each day. President Henry B. Eyring’s 2007 general conference address “O Remember, Remember” provides a good example of how to do this.
Credit for the image at top of the page: Stock photo from depositphotos.com.
