Personal Revelation

Brooke and Will, 

I think that one of the most important and most beautiful message of the Restored Gospel is the principle of continuing personal revelation from our Heavenly Father. 

The restoration of Christ's church on the earth began with Joseph Smith being prompted by your favorite scripture ever Brooke : " If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God.." ( James 1:2 ).

From this we learn that we can ask God anything, and not only can we ask God anything, we should ask Him many things, for the scriptures say, " Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good..." ( Alma 37:37 ).

As I continued to read in Genesis, I read about Abraham's son Isaac not being about to have children through his wife Rebekah. Isaac prayed for her and she was able to conceive (vs.21).

 Rebekah thought the children were struggling within her. We learn a great deal in this scripture account. We see that we can ask the Lord ANYTHING, as Rebekah did go to the Lord in prayer about this concern. The scripture says, " She went to inquire of the Lord." (vs.22).

The Lord answered her as He said, " Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people should be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." ( vs.23 ).

In your own life you will have many questions. I can promise you that I know without doubt that our Father in Heaven would rather you go to Him about any question that you have, than anyone else on the earth. I have had great and miraculous instructions and answers given to me by Our Father in Heaven as I have gone to Him seeking for counsel, and answers in prayer.

It is also important to remember that although we are taught to counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, that does not mean that each and every time that we go to the Lord in prayer about something, that He will automatically tell us what we should do. 

Sometimes answers are unfolded line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little( 2 Nephi 28:1 ), and we begin to see a portion of His answer to our questions, until we are prepared to receive a fullness.

Sometimes we are given the opportunity to show more faith, for believing that we will receive guidance and answers is a test of our faith that must be shown to receive miracles. ( Jarom 1:3-4 )

 Sometimes we are told that it is our choice ( D&C 99: 7-8 ), or that it mattereth not, as He does want us to learn to choose for ourselves. He has said, 

" It is not meet that I should command in all things." ( D&C 58:26 ).

It is an important reminder that even though the Brother of Jared was chastised for THREE HOURS by the Lord, for not coming to Him in prayer; when The Brother of Jared did go to Him and asked Him for instructions, The Lord did give him some instructions,

 but, ended with the answer, " What will ye that I should prepare for you?...." ( Ether 2:25 ) 

and we see that ultimately the Lord wants us to individually choose things for ourselves after we are prepared to make good choices; He will give us what we may, because if we ask, " We shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. " ( D&C 4:1 )

" Many men seem to have no ear for spiritual messages nor comprehension of them when they come in common dress....Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication." - Spencer W. Kimball 

" There are spiritual influences that are just as deep and meaningful as anything that is tangible to the natural senses; yet they cannot be described or explained. They come through the still small voice of the spirit. They are penetrating but cannot be described any more than the feelings of love, sympathy, friendship, can be defined and fathomed." - Joseph Fielding Smith ( Man, His Origin and Destiny ) 

" A sudden stroke of ideas which come into our mind as pure intelligence, this is revelation " - Joseph Smith 

" I will tell you....in your heart." ( D&C 8:2 ) 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.