In the Sunday morning session of April 2018 general conference Russell M. Nelson, sustained the day before, as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the membership of the church, gave a timeless message titled: ‘Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives’. He said:
“Brothers and sisters, how can we become the men and women—the Christlike servants—the Lord needs us to be? How can we find answers to questions that perplex us? If Joseph’s transcendent experience in the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that God speaks to His children.
The Prophet Joseph Smith set a pattern for us to follow in resolving our questions. Drawn to the promise of James that if we lack wisdom we may ask of God (see James 1:5), the boy Joseph took his question directly to Heavenly Father. He sought personal revelation, and his seeking opened this last dispensation.
In like manner, what will your seeking open for you? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
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 you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day by day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 132).
Does God really want to talk to you? Yes! “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course. . . as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:33, scroll down to verse 33].
You don’t have to wonder about what is true (see Moroni 10:5, scroll down to 5). You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own revelation you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.
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. (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign, May, 2018)
Also from ‘Teachings of Russell M. Nelson (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 2018). 333-35
