Thoughts on Personal Revelation
The Prophet Joseph Smith once said “Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” (History of the Church, 6:50.) Then there is this:
If we wish to receive personal revelation, we need to prepare ourselves for it by living the gospel as fully as possible and by being humble. This is not to say that the Lord cannot or will not send inspiration by the Holy Ghost to anyone at any time--many receive inspiration from the Lord to guide them in finding the Lord. But I think ongoing personal revelation comes to those who prepare themselves for it. We do not have to be perfect, but we should be sincerely trying to do the best we can to follow the Lord and do His will. I think being humble is a major factor, as well.
Different people might receive personal revelation in different ways, but if we live close to the Lord through prayer and scripture study and obedience, we come to know Him and how He communicates with us. We learn over time how to recognize the Lord's voice in our minds and hearts, so that we are not deceived by our own wishes or by Satan's influence. You might say that personal revelation is something that we grow into during our lives on earth. We live faithfully and we gradually receive more and more. What we receive then helps us to do better and to be better.
Personal revelation to guide us through our lives--what could be finer?
"And again, verily I say unto you that it is your priviledge, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am------not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual"(Doctrine and Covenants 67:10)Also, there is the brother of Jared:
And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting. Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him. (Ether 3:19-20)When I read such statements as this, I think of what a wonderful gift we have in personal revelation, and I also think that we fall short in using this marvelous blessing from the Lord.
If we wish to receive personal revelation, we need to prepare ourselves for it by living the gospel as fully as possible and by being humble. This is not to say that the Lord cannot or will not send inspiration by the Holy Ghost to anyone at any time--many receive inspiration from the Lord to guide them in finding the Lord. But I think ongoing personal revelation comes to those who prepare themselves for it. We do not have to be perfect, but we should be sincerely trying to do the best we can to follow the Lord and do His will. I think being humble is a major factor, as well.
Different people might receive personal revelation in different ways, but if we live close to the Lord through prayer and scripture study and obedience, we come to know Him and how He communicates with us. We learn over time how to recognize the Lord's voice in our minds and hearts, so that we are not deceived by our own wishes or by Satan's influence. You might say that personal revelation is something that we grow into during our lives on earth. We live faithfully and we gradually receive more and more. What we receive then helps us to do better and to be better.
Personal revelation to guide us through our lives--what could be finer?
Labels: inspiration, Jesus Christ, knowledge
posted by Mary A | 5:44 PM
4 Comments:
"...so that we aren't deceived by our own wishes or by Satan's influence." Home run, Mary.
Thank you, Pop. :)
God really does want to bless us. Our lack of faith and unworthiness holds us back so much. I certainly would want to feel very worthy before being in God's presence. I also would want to be in very clean surroundings and dressed appropriately.
Barb, I agree that God does want to bless us and that we hold ourselves back. We don't have to be perfect, but if we are doing the best we can at the moment, God will speak to us in some way and will bless our lives.
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