Sunday, December 27, 2020

The Best Ways to Receive and Recognize Personal Revelation from the Holy Ghost

 

Importance of Receiving Revelation

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, Grow into the Principle of Revelation, Liahona Jan. 2021

Satan has marshaled his forces and is raging against the work of the Lord and those of us engaged in it. Because of the increasing dangers we face, our need for divine guidance has never been greater, and our efforts to hear the voice of Jesus Christ—our Mediator, Savior, and Redeemer—have never been more urgent.

Immerse Ourselves in the Scripture

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, Grow into the Principle of Revelation, Liahona Jan. 2021

First, we immerse ourselves in the scriptures. Doing so opens our minds and hearts to the Savior’s teachings and truths. The words of Christ “tell [us] all things what [we] should do” (2 Nephi 32:3), especially in these days of uncertainty and upheaval.

Elder Holland, “To “Hear Him” Is the Essence of the Restoration,” Church Blog 11/8/20

For me, the most obvious and most immediate way that God has spoken to me, day in and day out, has been through the scriptures. The 18th section of the Doctrine and Covenants teaches that if you have read the words, you have heard the voice of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:36). It is literal to me that those words on that page are His words. They are canonized and carry a spiritual impact. If I am in tune, I hear His voice.

Listening After Our Prayers

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, Grow into the Principle of Revelation, Liahona Jan. 2021

If we will stay on our knees for a while after we finish our prayer, thoughts, feelings, and direction will come into our mind. Recording those impressions will help us remember what actions the Lord would have us take.

Recording Impressions

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, Grow into the Principle of Revelation, Liahona Jan. 2021

If we will stay on our knees for a while after we finish our prayer, thoughts, feelings, and direction will come into our mind. Recording those impressions will help us remember what actions the Lord would have us take.

 

Learn How to Say Focused, Determined Prayers

Elder Holland, “To “Hear Him” Is the Essence of the Restoration,” Church Blog 11/8/20

There are many lessons that come out of that Sacred Grove experience. Not the least is the opposition that Joseph Smith faced before the great revelatory moment of the Father and the Son. The adversary was opposing that experience, including the prohibition of his prayerful speech—particularly because this supplication was going to lead to the great revelation. Then Joseph exerted his power against the adversary’s, made that breakthrough, and had his great revelatory experience.

There is a great lesson in that about muscular, urgent, determined prayer to fight through, whether it is the adversary’s opposition, the cares of the day, or the distractions of our mind. We have many things that can keep us from having that divine experience. And we, like Joseph, will have to exert all our power to have the magnificent experience that God wants us to have.

 

Pray Vocally and Maybe Earlier in the Evening

Elder Holland, “To “Hear Him” Is the Essence of the Restoration,” Church Blog 11/8/20

I Hear Him by Making Quality Time to Pray Vocally

As Joseph did, I believe it is important for us to pray out loud. It is basic to what God intends for us in our communication with Him. He invites a conversation, if you will, and wants so much to “hear us.” We should make every effort to let Him hear us—literally.

The scriptures occasionally talk about the Lord speaking, and they sometimes describe His voice. Sometimes it is a soft voice. Sometimes it is a loud voice. But it is always a penetrating voice. It is always a voice that captivates and engages the whole soul. For me, to say out loud the words of my prayer is to make it crisp and almost visible. Prayer takes on a meaning and a life that is not quite the same when I am just thinking words or mumbling a bit. When we communicate clearly to Him, we can expect to “hear Him” more clearly in return.

If you wait until midnight, when you are exhausted, and then say your prayers, it might be only a half-hearted effort before you tumble into bed. Consider moving that prayer up to earlier in the evening, when you are alert and attentive and can make it more powerful. Prayer time ought to be quality time, not just time that happens to be left over when everything else is done—the last gasp of the day, so to speak.

 

Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign, May 2007

“I wonder if we can ever really fathom the immense power of prayer until we encounter an overpowering, urgent problem and realize that we are powerless to resolve it. Then we will turn to our Father in humble recognition of our total dependence on Him. It helps to find a secluded place where our feelings can be vocally expressed as long and as intensely as necessary.”


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