Personal Revelation

Recognizing answers to prayers is something that I have struggled with my whole life. I have found it important to look back at previous answers to recognize answers to current prayers. I was comforted to learn recognizing personal revelation is a life long process, not something that is learned all at once. Moving forward I plan to follow Elder Nelson advice and ask with “real intent.” Not real intent to receive an answer, but real intent to follow and take action on the answer I am given.

1.Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness.

I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit. Richard G. Scott “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance” October 2009

2.Revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. David A. Bednar “The Spirit of Revelation” April 2011

3.Think of what a glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge from celestial sources! It is our privilege and opportunity as bearers of the priesthood to seek personal revelation and to learn how to know the truth for ourselves through the sure witness of the Holy Spirit.

Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges and priesthood duties. Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Your Potential, Your Privilege” April 2011

4.Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it shall be given you;seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Russell M. Nelson “Ask, Seek, Knock” October 2009

5.Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and direction for us. Robert D. Hales “Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets” October 2007

6.We need not worry if we can't simultaneously do all the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time. Richard G. Scott “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace And Happiness” October 2006

7.To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.” “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given. Russell M. Nelson “Ask, Seek, Knock” October 2009

8.This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth. Dallin H. Oaks “Two Lines of Communication” October 2010

9.The best way of finding truth is simply to go to the origin of all truth and ask or respond to inspiration.1 For success, two ingredients are essential: first, unwavering faith in the source of all truth; second, a willingness to keep God’s commandments to keep open spiritual communication with Him. Richard G. Scott “Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions” October 2007

10.Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Boyd K. Packer “Personal Revelation: The Gift, The Test, and The Promise” October 1994