From the book of the above name, Larry W. Tippets shares:
The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is this single most important skill that can be acted upon in this life. ~Julie B. Beck
We can not overstate the importance of personal revelation in our lives. If it were not for repeated affirmations from God, that He lives, that Jesus is my Savior, and that the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is divinely directed, I would not likely be a member of the Church today. Some who have left the Church have done so because they have not been able to recognize a clear response to their prayers. Let us examine the importance of personal revelation, along with some themes, categories, and channels of revelation, and how our journals can assist us.
You may have noticed that in nearly every general conference (I cannot think of an exception), one or more talks or portions thereof, are given on the subject of personal revelation. While serving as stake Sunday School president, I was asked by the stake president to take the second hour of ward conferences one year to encourage the Saints to study the teaching of the living prophets. My counselors and I surveyed a total of 250 + (Personal revelation was the fourth most frequent theme, after faith in God and Jesus Christ, marriage and the family, and temple ordinances and covenants. Consider the significance of he following statements by prophets and leaders about personal revelation:
- Boyd K. Packer: “During unsettled times, the most important thing we can teach to members of the Church worldwide is how to receive revealed instruction, prompting, guidance, direction, warning, and to learn to trust. “
- Richard G. Scott: “If you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit, you will bless their life immeasurably and eternally”
- Robert D. Hales: “Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the important truths of our existence:
It is imperative that you see yourself as the recipient of these promises. Far too many Saints believe in revelation to the prophets, General Authorities, and local leaders but lack the belief that they, too, should receive it. Revelation is always available to each of us, but we often fail to see it or to recognize it when it comes. President Boyd K. Packer reminds us that we have the same access to revelation for the concerns of our lives as the apostles and prophets (see Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, November 2007, 9)
From my journal: Counsel from a Prophet
“As tired as I am I must record the events of this evening before the passage of time dilutes the insights I have gained. After one of the most difficult weeks I have had as and institute director, the Lord crowned it with a blessing tonight. Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke at our fireside for returned missionaries and friends, with nearly 4,000 in attendance. Elder Ballard’s message was exceptional. He stressed the importance of pulling away from the world and avoiding the rush of the world. ‘Rushing prevents revelation!’ I was especially pleased when Elder Ballard emphatically stated. ‘You are just as much entitled to revelation as the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency’.” (March 9, 2003)
