One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.

In his first talk in a General Session of Conference since becoming the President of the Church, President Nelson  chose to speak about the importance of revelation – for the Church and in our personal lives.

When you think about all of the things that President Nelson could have spoken about, what might be some of the reasons he chose to speak about revelation?

Revelation for the Church

As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I prayed daily for revelation and gave thanks to the Lord every time He spoke to my heart and mind.

Imagine the miracle of it! Whatever our Church calling, we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small.

Here President Nelson indicates that we don’t have to be the Prophet or a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles but that we can receive revelation ‘whatever our Church calling.’

What does President Nelson here indicate are some of the prerequisites for receiving this revelation? (prayed daily for revelation, truly receive the Holy Ghost, learn to discern and understand his promptings).

He then gives us a couple of examples of how revelation is obtained:

1. the calling of the two new apostles and

2. the manner in which the Quorum of the Twelve reach decisions.

Note that in example 1 – I prayerfully met one-on-one with each Apostle. I then sequestered myself in a private room in the temple and sought the Lord’s will. 

Some initial preparatory work was done, he went to the temple and then he sought the Lord’s will.

In example 2:  As we wrestle with complex matters, a thrilling process unfolds as each Apostle freely expresses his thoughts and point of view. Though we may differ in our initial perspectives, the love we feel for each other is constant. Our unity helps us to discern the Lord’s will for His Church.

In our meetings, the majority never rules! We listen prayerfully to one another and talk with each other until we are united. Then when we have reached complete accord, the unifying influence of the Holy Ghost is spine-tingling! 

Views are expressed and listened to in an atmosphere of unity and love until there is ‘complete accord’ and then the witness of the Spirit comes.

How can this model help us as we seek for inspiration and revelation for our callings individually and in our Council meetings?

Revelation for our lives

What counsel does President Nelson give us regarding how to receive revelation in our personal lives?

Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”

• pray
• listen
• record thoughts and feelings
• follow through on promptings

President Nelson then challenges us:

I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation

Why is this an important challenge that we should all accept?

What important keys to increasing our spiritual ability to receive revelation does President Nelson then set out?

Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.

Did any of those surprise you? Can you understand why they are important?

If the answers don’t come as quickly as we would perhaps like, President Nelson counsels:

To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

President Nelson urges us, pleads with us to act:

My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.

Consider what you can do to follow President Nelson’s pleadings to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.

Additional inspirational quotes:

I will, in the commencement of my remarks, take up a subject upon which much has been said in the pulpit and in the chimney corner. It is regarding the Spirit of the Lord manifesting his will to his children. There is no doubt, if a person lives according to the revelations given to God’s people, he may have the Spirit of the Lord to signify to him his will, and to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties, in his temporal as well as his spiritual exercises. I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privileges. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.32-33)

‘I sometimes think that one of the best-kept secrets of the kingdom is that the scriptures open the door to the receipt of revelation.’ (Bruce R McConkie, Doctrines of the Restoration, p.243)

I have total confidence and faith in the wisdom and omniscience of a loving, merciful Heavenly Father. To be dependent on Him, yet to communicate with Him, I must make faithful personal effort on a never-ending basis. (Marvin J Ashton, “Know He Is There,” Ensign, Feb. 1994, 54)