Introduction
Toward the mid-point of his ministry, the Savior raised an important question to his disciples. The account records:
He asked them, “... whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
We later read that he “charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” The prompting of this question and answers seems to be in response to a larger issues -- people were not sure who Jesus Christ was. This may seem surprising for us today, as it is almost clear to us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. But some historical context is needed before moving on.
During Christ’s life and before, there were many claiming to be the messiah. In fact, it would not be uncommon for a person living in Jerusalem to see messianic claimants crucified to the cross. It was a common thing. This is the world into which Christ comes. A world where many are claiming to be the messiah of prophecy. Thus, for many, Jesus’ teaching of the coming of the Kingdom of God was probably something all too common. The message may have been new in some areas, but the central claim of Christ being the Son of God, the deliverer of Israel, would have had an all too familiar and common tone. Thus, Christ began His ministry against this backdrop, seeking to call repentance to a world whose ears had probably grown deaf to such a call.
With that in mind, let’s turn back to the verse quoted earlier. Based on the context just provided, we make the following observations: One, despite all that Christ did, many still did not know who he truly was. Two, God is willing to reveal to us what our eyes can’t discern.
It is the second observation that I would like to focus on -- the idea of revelation. We learn after Christ’s asking, he charged his disciples to not tell anyone. This is odd. If Christ’s mission is to deliver the captives and preach repentance, why wouldn’t he want his disciples to tell anyone?
The answer, I believe, lays in the need for personal revelation. In finding for ourselves, through the spirit, the truth of the thing in question, instead of relying on what others say.
Importance of Revelation
However, before proceeding any further, it important to understand why revelation is important. To do this, we need to go back to Genesis and humanity’s expulsion from God’s presence. When Adam and Eve were expelled, they had to learn a new way of communicating with God. Unlike their experience in the garden, where God talked with them face-to-face, Adam and Eve were cast into the world, where God’s physical presence was gone. However, Adam and Eve were still able to call upon him by spirit. And through this they received commandments. Such commandments allowed them to begin working their way back toward God.
This is illustrated in the first commandment that Adam and Eve received which involved the sacrifice of animals. God, from the garden told Adam and Eve to sacrifice. They did so. Later, we read in the Book of Moses that an angel appeared to them and explained the purpose. The account records:
6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. 8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. (Moses 5: 6-8)
Both hearing God’s voice and seeing angels are forms of revelation. From this account, we learn that after God revealed the ordinance and an angel appeared to explain the purpose, thereby giving Adam and Eve and an understanding of not only what they were doing, but the plan of redemption. Thus, the revelation served to teach them eternal truths that they couldn't have learned any other way. And this is the one key point: revelation is important because it reveals to us truths, truths that we wouldn’t be able to discover any other way.
Moreover, it provides guidance. Besides accounting what happened immediately after Adam and Eve, the Book of Moses details how revelation guided Adam and Eve. The account shows that Adam and Eve “ceased not to call upon God.” And because they didn’t, they were guided throughout their life. This is the same for Adam’s posterity that obeyed the Lord, the chapter concludes:
58 And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost. 59 And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy ordinance, and the Gospel preached, and a decree sent forth, that it should be in the world, until the end thereof; and thus it was. Amen.
Revelation was designed so that all could learn of the gospel and their way back to God.
Definition
The Doctrine and Covenants is a useful starting point in getting a definition. In speaking to Oliver Cowdery, the Lord taught: “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” This is verse helpful because it reveals that channels in which revelation is given: the mind and heart. Furthermore, in reading that verse, notice that the Lord does not just say heart or mind separately. Instead revelation occurs to both of these facilities. This is important to note because when we often talk about revelation, we describe it as a feeling. For instance, we say we “felt” the spirit. Or we “felt” that that we should do something.
Now, I’m aware that for some, when they say “felt”, they may be meaning both feeling and thought. However, for many I believe they associate the spirit with a feeling separate from information communicated to the mind. This is problematic for two reasons: First, God’s knowledge is vast and endless, restricting what he wants to communicate to feelings limits what God can reveal. Second, Because feelings can be manipulated, they are not a reliable way of receiving communication from God. This is not to say, however, that God does not communicate by feelings. I think, at times, he does. Instead, it is to stress that relying on feelings as a way to receive revelation is limiting what God can reveal.
For some this may be shocking, but a quick study of the scriptures reveals the truth of this principle. Let’s look at a few:
1) Enos
In the Book of Enos, we read of Enos’ desire to receive a remission of his sins. We read his desire was so great that he spent the entire day and night in prayer, crying to the Lord for a remission of his sins. Eventually, the Lord responded. But how did he? By speaking to him. The account states: “And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.” Yet, instead of stopping there, Enos continues asking the Lord questions, and, in the process learns. If the Lord were to communicate this through feeling alone, than it most likely would have been difficult for Enos to learn what he needed to learn. He learned about how his sins were forgiven. He learned, like Nephi, about the the American land and how it was given to the Nephites.
Notably, after asking and receiving answers to questions, Enos writes, “And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord;” The words communicated to him made his faith unshakable.
2) Acts
Acts 26 accounts the conversion of Paul. We read that as Paul is making his way to Damascus, he sees a bright light above his head. In the middle of the light, is Christ. Christ calls Paul to repentance and Paul follows. This revelation involved both audible and visual elements. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Paul would have repent if the revelation was merely through feelings.
3) Nephi
In seeking to understand his father’s dream, Nephi asked for revelation. The Lord responded. And what resulted was a revelation that spanned the time from his family to the end of times. If Nephi did not have this type of revelation it would have been hard to learn the things that he did. This vision is probably one event that motivated Nephi to keep a record of his people; he knew the reason. If it were by feelings, Nephi would not have learned those truths.
4) Daniel
Unlike Nephi or Paul, the majority of Daniel’s revelations came through dreams.
While the examples may seem to be the out of the norm, the opposite is true -- they are the norm in scriptures.
Degrees of Revelation
Besides showing that revelation frequently communicated through words, the examples above also reveal that revelation comes into degrees. An analogy I like to use is that of TVs. For instance, throughout time the resolution has increased in TV’s making the picture clearer. With each successive invention, the resolution is improved , making the image on the screen clearer and more vibrant.
This same idea applies to revelation. There are different types of revelation, ranging from low to high resolution. Our goal as Christians is to seek out the higher resolution because it gives a clearer picture. Some of the different types of revelation are as follows:
1. Communication to the Heart
2. Distinct Impressions or Thoughts
3. Speaking to the mind
4. Dreams
5. Visions
6. Ministration by Angels
7. Ministration by Christ
However, before moving on, I would like to make a quick clarification to what I said earlier. While there is definitely a difference of clarity between feelings and visions, the line between dreams and visions or dreams and angelic ministration is not as clear. In other words, some revelation is clearly that of a lower form, whereas others forms are not. For example, most of Daniel’s revelation came from dreams. Also, Lehi had a vision before he had a dream about the tree of life.
Therefore, the main point is to seek after revelation that makes the information you receive clearer and easier to understand. Additionally, seeking revelation beyond feelings is helpful because it can convey more information that is helpful in First, understanding the mind and will of God and, Second, accumulating knowledge that is essential for salvation.
How to Receive Greater Revelation
Now having established what revelation is and its various levels or degrees, I would like to dedicate the remainder of my talk to how to receive revelation and also how to improve the level of revelation we receive.
1. Believe in Revelations
In order to receive revelation we have to believe in it. God only works according to our belief and trust in him and what he can do.
On this, Moroni writes:
13 Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. 14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.
Also,
18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ. 19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men…. 23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: aIf ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.
2. Ask Questions
James 1: 5 states,
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Christ promised, 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; dknock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
God is willing to teach us what we don’t know. Sometimes the reason for God’s silence is that we don’t ask enough questions. If you read Doctrine and Covenants, many of Joseph Smith's revelations came as a response to questions he had about a particular scripture. In fact, the restoration came about because Joseph Smith asked God which church to join.
3. Read and Study the Scriptures
One helpful tool is knowing what to ask God are the scriptures. The scriptures contain accounts of people who interacted with God. They also contain accounts of those who failed to interact with him. Study the characteristics of the righteous versus those of the wicked. While doing this, ask the Lord to guide you. Another tip is identifying contradictions. God places apparent contradictions in the scriptures so that it prompts us to ask.
4. Ponder
As you read the scriptures, ponder them. Read them slowly and pay attention to what words or phrases stick out. Think deeply about the words. The scriptures are different than other types of books because they are meant to be read slowly and carefully.
On this Joseph Smith taught,
It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence; and we feel fearful to approach Him on subjects that are of little or no consequence, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially about things the knowledge of which men ought to obtain in all sincerity, before God, for themselves, in humility by the prayer of faith; (DHC 1:338-339)
5. Be Observant and Test and Filter Revelation
Besides asking questions, another helpful way is being observant to communications by the Spirit. Carry a notepad with you and write down impressions you get. Ponder on them to see if they are from the Lord. For me, I have a notepad in my car and use my phone to record impressions.
Furthermore, Elder Richard G. Scott gave some suggestions about how to process and examine revelations. He accounted what he does. They are as follows:
1. Record
2. Seek for accuracy by pondering (make sure the interpretation is correct)
3. Studying meaning and application
4. Express to Lord my understanding
5. Wait for further confirmation
6. Check with Lord
7. Ask if there is more
8. Repeat
While the process may be different for each person, I have found Elder Scott’s approach very helpful. On my phone, I have two categories for revelation: 1) Possible Revelation and 2) Confirmed Revelation. When I receive an impression, I record it in my Possible Revelation category. I then follow Elder Scott’s steps to determine whether the revelation is true. Also, because not all impressions come from God, I also put my impressions through another filter to determine whether they are from God or the Devil. The steps I use are as follows:
Does it testify of Christ?
Is my faith/trust/belief in Christ increased?
Does it lead me to good or does it build up my pride?
Does it cause me to seek after attention and fame based on the experiences I’ve received?
Does it cause me to be judgmental of others failings
Do I think I’m better?
Does it lead me to repentance?
Does it align with scripture
Does it give me desire to bring others to the same light?
Do I have more love?
Does it leave me to rejoice?
Does it cause me confusion?
After having run through this, if I notice that I’ve answered yes to the negatives and few to the positive, I reject the revelation and ask the the Lord for true revelation. And repeat the same process until I sure. I then place it in the Possible Revelation category until I am certain that it came from God.
6. Sacrifice time
Because the mind of God is far above what we can comprehend, we need to sacrifice time for study and prayer. The Gospel is rooted in sacrifice. One type of sacrifice is time. Take a quick account of your day. Take note of time that you have available and time you don’t. Take advantage of the available time. Use that time for scripture study, prayer, and/or service. As you begin doing this, you will receive more light. After some time, you will realize that you need more time to learn about God. This is where the real sacrifice comes in. You will have to look at giving up some of the things you enjoy in order to learn more from God. For me, I have stopped watching TV and have chosen to sacrifice sleep. But I can say that it has been worth it.
7. Gain knowledge from the resources you already have
The Lord teachers according to our understanding. Therefore the more we know, the more God is able to communicate to us. Therefore, we should spend our time learning as much as we can. This can come from scripture study or it can come from people.
On this, Joseph Smith taught:
We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect.
Our ability to understand the things of God will increase based on the level of effort we put into it. God is not a respecter of persons. This means that God will reward anyone with knowledge so long as the put effort into getting it. Otherwise if obtaining spiritual truths were based on intelligence alone, many wouldn’t be saved. God is merciful. He has given us a mind that can grow in receiving spiritual knowledge.
6. Obey the Commandments
Besides being diligent, we also need to keep the commandments of God. Commandments come in two forms: 1) Universal; and 2) Personal. Universal commandments are those that apply to the church. Personal are those that apply to you. Another way to think about personal commandment is your conscience. What you know is right. Following that. As you do, more commandments will be given to you. Follow those. Don’t give up. If you fall, repent and press forward. It is challenging, but the reward is better than any treasure of the world.
Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good bworks, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; (Alma 26:22)
And,
If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (D&C 42:61)
To mysteries of God bring joy and life eternal. There is nothing greater.
We All Have the Privilege to Receive Wonderful Knowledge from God
Before closing, I want to stress one last point: No matter who you are, your position in the church, in society, you are not blocked from receiving great revelations from God. God does not reward a person because of his appearance, status, or wealth, but upon his or her heart. If you heart is pure and you exercise faith and diligence, then all things will be made known. That is a promise for the Lord. Take it to the bank. It is a promise worth more than any assurity you can find in this world. Read the scriptures, God is reliable. Trust him. As you seek to follow him, you will make mistakes. Count on it. Learning involves mistake. But push forward. The fruits are worth it. And while change might not happen in a instant, God will feel after you and deliver you. It might temporal or spiritual or both, but it will be a deliverance that matters, and will leave you in rejoicing the Lord.