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.”
