Remember That God Has and Will Deliver Us

SCRIPTURES THAT DISCUSS BOTH “REMEMBER” AND “DELIVER”

1 Nephi 4:3, 11-12, 17

3 Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

 

1 Nephi 7:11, 17

11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?

 

Alma 29:11-12

11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

 

Mosiah 9:17

17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.

 

Mosiah 23:13, 23-24, 27, 29

13 And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you.

 

Mosiah 27:16

16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

 

Alma 9:10, 22

10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?

 

Alma 36:2, 27-29

2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.

 

Alma 38:4-5

4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.

 

Alma 62:50

50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.

Helaman 7:20

20 O, how could you have forgotten your God in the very day that he has delivered you?

 

Helaman 12:2

2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.

 

NONE COULD DELIVER EXCEPT THEIR GOD

 Come Follow Me, New Testament

What could have inspired Peter to leave the safety of his boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee during a boisterous storm? Peter had accepted this invitation once, and he was willing to accept it again, even if it meant facing his fears and doing something that seemed impossible.

Perhaps the Lord will not ask us to step out of a boat in the middle of a storm or contribute our meager supply of bread when thousands need to eat, but He may ask us to accept directions even when we don’t fully understand them. Whatever His invitations to us may be, they may sometimes seem surprising or even frightening. But miracles can happen if we, like Peter, will set aside our fears, our doubts, and our limited understanding and follow Him in faith.

 

Mosiah 21:5, 14-15, 36

5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side.

 

Mosiah 24:13-14: I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

 

Mosiah 24:21: he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.

 

Alma 36:2-3 and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions. And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

 

 

BUT IF NOT

Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

GOD DID DELIVER

1 Nephi 13:19

19 And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.

 

2 Nephi 3:9-10

9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

 

2 Nephi 9:11-13, 25-26

11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

 

2 Nephi 7:2

2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their drivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.

 

Omni 1:7-9, 25

7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

 

Mosiah 2:4, 31

4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

 

Mosiah 25:8, 10, 16, 21

8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

 

Alma 1:8

8 Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage.

 

Alma 19:27

27 And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their brethren, the Lamanites.

 

Alma 45:1

1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.

 

Alma 50:22

22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

 

3 Nephi 28:20

20 And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite the earth with the word of God, insomuch that by his power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them.

 

 

PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE OR ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

 

1 Nephi 17:14

14 Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.

 

1 Nephi 5:5, 8

5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.

 

2 Nephi 4:31

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

 

Mosiah 28:7, 11

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

 

Alma 58:10-11, 37

10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.

 

Mosiah 28:7, 11

7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

 

Mosiah 24:13, 16-17, 21

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

 

Alma 15:17

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/15.17?lang=eng&clang=eng#p17

17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction—

 

Alma 17:35

35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.

 

Alma 48:16

16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

 

Alma 16:6

6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.

 

Alma 2:28

28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them.

 

3 Nephi 13:12

12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 

3 Nephi 4:8, 33

8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.

 

 

WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET DELIVERED

 

Mosiah 9:17

17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.

 

Mosiah 29:20, 40

20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.

 

Alma 56:47, 54, 56

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

Alma 60:11, 20-21

11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.

 Alma 44:3, 6, 8-9, 14

3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.

 

Mosiah 11:21, 23, 25-26

21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.

 

Alma 61:13, 21

13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

 

Mormon 3:13, 15

13 And thrice have I delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and they have repented not of their sins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to get the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our life.

Below are statements made by President Russell M. Nelson since he was called as prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, January 14, 2018. This post also includes a few quotes from his 2017 talk, "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives."

Need to come closer to Christ

• It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures—perhaps measures we have never taken before—to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. 
• We have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now, to counteract the speed with which evil and the darker signs of the times are intensifying.
• These are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
• There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.

 

How to get the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our life.

• To do anything well requires effort. Becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ is no exception.
• Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry.
• Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. 
• Internalize the truth that the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to you. He took upon Himself your misery, your mistakes, your weakness, and your sins. He paid the compensatory price and provided the power for you to move every mountain you will ever face.
• Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.
• The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. 
• Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
• Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.
• I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen.
• I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation.
• I asked the young adults of the Church to consecrate a portion of their time each week to study everything Jesus said and did as recorded in the standard works. I invited them to let the scriptural citations about Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide become their personal core curriculum.
• Learn about miracles. Miracles come according to your faith in the Lord.
• Seek and expect miracles. The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, “doubting nothing.” Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith.

 

Blessings that the Atonement of Jesus Christ brings in our lives.

• Nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on Jesus Christ.
• Each of God’s children deserves the opportunity to hear and accept the healing, redeeming message of Jesus Christ. No other message is more vital to our happiness—now and forever.
• The more you learn about the Savior, the easier it will be to trust in His mercy, His infinite love, and His strengthening, healing, and redeeming power.
• Faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life. All things are possible to them that believe.
• The pure doctrine of Christ is powerful. It changes the life of everyone who understands it and seeks to implement it in his or her life. The doctrine of Christ helps us find and stay on the covenant path.
• When your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear.
• Few things will accelerate your spiritual momentum more than realizing the Lord is helping you to move a mountain in your life.
• During these perilous times of which the Apostle Paul prophesied, Satan is no longer even trying to hide his attacks on God’s plan. Emboldened evil abounds. Therefore, the only way to survive spiritually is to be determined to let God prevail in our lives, to learn to hear His voice, and to use our energy to help gather Israel.
• Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
• Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.

Book of Mormon Theme: 1 Nephi- The Lord will help us accomplish what is necessary

Once in a while for my gospel study time, I enjoy going through my Book of Mormon from the beginning and reading just the passages I underlined. As I did that this week, the following theme was very apparent throughout 1 Nephi, – the Lord will “prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them.”

Many of us are familiar when Nephi says it in 1 Nephi 3:7, but the same wording is used in other places as well.

In Chapter 1, Nephi himself explains that he is going to show us this principle.

1 Nephi 1: 20 But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Examples of This Wording

• ·         1 Nephi 3:7: I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
• ·         1 Nephi 5:8: And she [Sariah] spake, saying: I know of a surety that the Lord has given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them.
• ·         1 Nephi 9:5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these [2^nd] plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I now not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works.
• ·         1 Nephi 17:3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.

Examples of How the Lord Prepares a Way

·         Sending promptings is one way the Lord helps us accomplish things:

 After they give their best efforts to get the plates but nothing works, Nephi makes a third attempt. This time he says:

1 Nephi 4:6-7: I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.  Nevertheless I went forth...

·         Strengthening us to endure is sometimes the way the Lord “prepares a way...”:

1 Nephi 17:2-3 And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, ...our women were strong, yea , even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.

And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

·         We have to be given power from the Lord:

      1 Nephi 4:31 ...having received much strength from the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban...

1 Nephi 7:17 ...I prayed unto the Lord...wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

·         The Lord prepares us for an unseen future event:

1 Nephi 9:5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these [2^nd] plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I now not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works.

·         The Lord provides miracles:

1 Nephi 16:16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.

1 Nephi 16:29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

·         The Lord shows us from time to time how to do something we can’t accomplish on our own:

1 Nephi 18:1 And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.

1 Nephi 18:2 I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men.

1 Nephi 18:3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

The Protection of the Priesthood for our Families in the Last Days

 

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” April 2016

I urgently plead with each one of us to live up to our privileges as bearers of the priesthood. In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity.

President Boyd K. Packer, “The Power of the Priesthood,” April 2010

He said, “Now, fathers, I would remind you of the sacred nature of your calling. You have the power of the priesthood directly from the Lord to protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary’s mischief will be that power.”

Deep Obedience - Exact Obedience brings Miracles and Gospel Blessings

Elder Nelson said a mission is an exercise in obedience training. “Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles.”

“Deep Obedience"

Kim B. Clark

Obedience connects us to the Savior and opens channels for His love and power to flow into us, much like life-giving nutrients flow from the trunk of a tree into its branches. The Savior said:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; . . .

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.²

The Lord gives us commandments so that we might have His love, joy, and power in our lives. When we disobey those commandments, we weaken our connection to Him. If we do not repent, we become cut off from the source of divine power and joy in life. But the more we obey His commandments, the more we draw near to Him, the stronger the connection becomes, the greater the joy we experience, and the more we become like Him. We abide in Christ, and we prosper in the land. 

Once we see commandments as a blessing, our whole attitude towards obedience changes. Obedience stops being something that weighs on us because we are supposed to do it and becomes something we want to do because we know it brings blessings and joy, and we know it is the way to become more like Christ. The kind of obedience that connects us to Christ and brings divine love, power, and joy into our lives is not a reluctant, surface kind of obedience. It is obedience of the whole heart and soul.  It is deep obedience. 

President Ezra Taft Benson described that change of attitude and deep obedience in this way:  

“When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.”³

We have been called to discipleship and leadership in the great work of the Lord in the last dispensation. And the way forward and upward, the way to prosper in the land, is deep obedience to the Lord.

As we read section 59 together, I will highlight five dimensions of deep obedience:

(1) love God with all your heart;

(2) walk the strait and narrow path;

(3) bring to the Lord a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit;

(4) keep the Sabbath Day holy; and

(5) do all these things with gratitude and a cheerful heart.

Seeing the Hand of the Lord in My Life Each Day

I loved this quote when I first heard it, and I have tried off and on to make it a daily practice. What I have finally found that works for me is to ask during my evening prayers if I have seen the hand of the Lord that day. Then I dictate the details in a note to myself and then I write it up the next morning in my journal. 

I change his paragraph into a bullet list format because everyone of the the promises in the bullet list has happened to me. The biggest one for me is I am "ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers." I am so grateful for President Eyring's suggestion.

Pres. Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Oct. 2007

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?”

As I kept at it, something began to happen:

• ·       As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day.
• ·      As that happened, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
• ·      More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew.
• ·      I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.
• ·      I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.
• ·      And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.

How to Recognize the Holy Ghost and Personal Revelation - Different Ways Revelation Comes

I.       GENERAL STATEMENTS ABOUT THE HOLY GHOST

1.  The spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than by personal contact even with Heavenly Beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibers and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.  Joseph F. Smith Inst. Oct. 1935

2.      Men ought—above all things in this world—to seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There is no price too high, no struggle too severe, no sacrifice too great, if out of it all we enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 253

3.      President Boyd K. Packer has counseled us that often when we receive guidance from the Holy Ghost, we get directions without explanation.  Neal A. Maxwell, The Promise of Discipleship, p. 99

4. God does not have to justify all his ways for the puny mind of man. If a man gets in tune with the Lord, he will know that God's course of action is right, even though he may not know all the reasons why. Pres. Benson 10-1967

5.      There is no doubt, if a person lives according to the revelations given to God’s people, he may have the Spirit of the Lord to signify to him His will, and to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties, in his temporal as well as his spiritual exercises.  I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privileges. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, p. 32

6.      There are two parts to your nature—your temporal body born of mortal parents, and your immortal spirit within. You are a son or daughter of God.  Physically you can see with eyes and hear with ears and touch and feel and learn. Through your intellect, you learn most of what you know about the world in which we live. But if you learn by reason only, you will never understand the Spirit and how it works—regardless of how much you learn about other things.  Your spirit learns in a different way than does your intellect. Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation” Ensign, Nov 1994

7.  On one occasion in a meeting I heard President Marion G. Romney say, "I always know when I am speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost because I always learn something from what I've said. Boyd K. Packer, Teach Ye Diligently, p.357
8. Rather than take notes, pay attention to the impressions you receive as we consider a most sacred topic. If all that you know after tonight is what you hear, then you will have missed the meaning of this discussion. Boyd K Packer – CES Devotional, Nov. 6, 2011
9. "The best counsel for us to give young people is that they can arrive back to Heavenly Father only as they are guided and corrected by the Spirit of God. So if we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost." Henry B. Eyring, "Help Them on Their Way Home," Ensign, May 2010, 25
10.  “We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment.”  Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct. 1994

11.  Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death and burial of the man of sin; and the coming forth out of the water, the resurrection to a newness of spiritual life. After baptism, hands are laid upon the head of the baptized believer, and he is blessed to receive the Holy Ghost. Thus does the one baptized receive the promise or gift of the Holy Ghost, or the privilege of being brought back into the presence of one of the Godhead; by obedience and through his faithfulness, one so blessed might receive the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in his daily walks and talks, even as Adam walked and talked in the Garden of Eden with God, his Heavenly Father. To receive such guidance and such direction from the Holy Ghost is to be spiritually reborn.  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, Chapter 4 

II.    DIFFERENT METHODS THE SPIRIT COMMUNICATES

A. THOUGHTS

1.  A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; that is, those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning [to recognize] the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus." TPJS, p. 151

2. "When there comes to you things that your mind does not know, when you have a sudden thought that comes to your mind, if you will learn to give heed to these things that come from the Lord, you will learn to walk by the spirit of revelation" (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Mexico City Area Conference 1972, p. 49).

B. A FEELING OF LIGHT or DARK:

1)      The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. You feel peace, hope, and joy when it speaks to your heart and mind that something is true. Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light. Any feeling I may have had of darkness is dispelled. And the desire to do right grows.  Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times, Elder Henry B. Eyring CES Fireside 9/10/2006
2) It can come as positive or negative feelings about how to act.  Dallin H. Oaks

2)      As the elevator doors quietly opened, there stood President Joseph Fielding Smith. There was a moment of surprise in seeing him, since his office is on a lower floor. As I saw him framed in the doorway, there fell upon me a powerful witness—there stands the prophet of God. That sweet voice of Spirit that is akin to light, that has something to do with pure intelligence, affirmed to me that this was the prophet of God. Elder Boyd K. Packer Gen Con April 1971

C. IN YOUR MIND & HEART:

1) “In that revelation the Lord defined revelation: 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. [I love the combination there of both mind and heart. God will teach us in a reasonable way and in a revelatory way--mind and heart combined, by the Holy Ghost.]   Jeffrey R. Holland "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence" BYU, 2 March 1999

2) “An impression to the mind is very specific.  Detailed words can be heard or felt and written as though the instruction were being dictated.  A communication to the heart is a more general impression.  The Lord often begins by giving impressions.  Where there is a recognition of their importance and they are obeyed, one gains more capacity to receive more detailed instruction to the mind.  An impression to the heart, if followed, is fortified by a more specific instruction to the mind.”     --Richard G. Scott, BYU Symposium 1998

3) The Savior defines two separate ways: "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost." Answers to the mind and heart are messages from the Holy Ghost to our spirits. For me, response to the mind is very specific, like dictated words, while response to the heart is generalized, like a feeling to pray more.” Elder Richard G. Scott “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” Ensign, May 2007

D.    FEELINGS or FEELING OF PEACE: 

1). It is not unusual for one to have received the gift and not really know it.

I fear this supernal gift is being obscured by programs and activities and schedules and so many meetings. There are so many places to go, so many things to do in this noisy world. We can be too busy to pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit. The voice of the Spirit is a still, small voice—a voice that is felt rather than heard. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought put into your heart. Boyd K. Packer, Apr. 2000

2) “The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers.  It caresses so gently, that if we are preoccupied, we may not feel it at all.” Boyd K. Packer, Candle of the Lord, Ensign. Jan. 83

2) “That voice of inspiration is so quiet and still that it can be explained away.  It is easy to be disobedient to that voice.  It often takes great courage to follow it.  But to Latter-day Saints it is a clear signal.”  Boyd K Packer Let Not Your Heart be Troubled, p. 232

3) “Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient” H. Burke Peterson, Ens. Jan 1974

4) " You must study it out in your mind; then . . . ask me if it be right, and if it is right . . . your bosom shall burn . . . ; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."  Then the answer comes as a feeling with an accompanying conviction. Oliver Cowdery was taught another way in which positive answers come: "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?"¹² The feeling of peace is the most common confirming witness that I personally experience. When I have been very concerned about an important matter, struggling to resolve it without success, I continued those efforts in faith. Later, an all-pervading peace has come, settling my concerns, as He has promised.  Elder Richard G. Scott “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” Ensign, May 2007

5) “When confronted with a problem I prayerfully weigh in my mind alternative solutions and come to a conclusion as to which of them is best. Then in prayer I submit to the Lord my problem, tell him I desire to make the right choice, what is, in my judgment, the right course. Then I ask him if I have made the right decision to give me the burning in my bosom that He promised Oliver Cowdery. When enlightenment and peace come into my mind, I know the Lord is saying yes. If I have a ‘stupor of thought,’ I know he is saying no, and I try again, following the same procedure.  I repeat: I know when and how the Lord answers my prayers by the way I feel” Marion G. Romney, New Era, Oct. 1975, 34–35
6) It is so simple and so precise that we often pass it by, thinking that it is just our own idea or a passing thought, not revelation.  Joseph B. Wirthlin, Finding Peace in our Lives, 174

7) For many it is hard to accept as revelation those numerous ones in Moses' time, in Joseph's time, and in our own year--those revelations which come to prophets as deep, unassailable impressions settling down on the prophet's mind and heart as dew from heaven or as the dawn dissipates the darkness of night.  Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication. Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, May 1977

8) “Most often what we have chosen to do is right.  He [Heavenly Father] will confirm the correctness of our choices His way.  That confirmation generally comes through packets of help found along the way.  We discover them by being spiritually sensitive.  They are like notes from a loving Father as evidence of His approval.  If, in trust, we begin something which is not right, He will let us know before we have gone too far.  We sense that help by recognizing troubled or uneasy feelings.” Richard G. Scott, Nov. 89

9) “One of the most challenging things that General Authorities are asked to do is to choose a new stake presidency.  The series of interviews with the priesthood leadership of the stake allows the potential candidates to “pass before” the presiding authorities.  As they do so, thoughts and feelings begin to come to them.  Rarely are these thoughts and feelings dramatic or remarkable.  They are almost always very gentle and very subtle, almost like a whisper.  Sometimes they come when the person first enters the room.  A very quiet feeling comes that he could be the one.  Other times it is something the person say that triggers a feeling of rightness.  Occasionally, feelings may come from simply hearing the name of a person the authorities have not yet met.  It is no more than a fleeting feeling that this name could be significant.  Later, when that person comes in, they have a feeling of peace about him. When the interviews have been completed, the two authorities close the door and spend time together reviewing their experience.  They look inward, reviewing the feelings they have had or thoughts that have come to them. Eventually the two brethren come to a consensus.  At that point they pray.  When the prayers are finished, they briefly sit, quietly looking inward, searching their heart and listening for that still small voice of confirmation.  It has been a little surprising to me how often the Lord sends what I call a “confirmation” or a “second witness”.  Gerald N. Lund, Hearing the Voice of the Lord, 54-58 

E.     BURNING IN THE BOSOM:

1)    “What does a “burning in the bosom” mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word “burning” in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity. That is the witness many receive. That is the way revelation works.”  Dallin H. Oaks, “Teaching and Learning by the Spirit”, Ens. Mar. 97

2)      “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right” (D&C 9:7–8; emphasis added).

3)      “This may be one of the most important and most misunderstood teachings in all the Doctrine and Covenants. The teachings of the Spirit often come as feelings. That fact is of the utmost importance, yet some misunderstand what it means. I know of persons who think they have never had a witness from the Holy Ghost because they have never felt their bosom “burn within” them. The burning of the bosom, I suggest, is not a feeling of caloric heat like combustion but a feeling of peace and warmth and serenity and goodness.” –Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “In His Own Time, In His Own Way.”

2) “His word will come into my mind through my thoughts, accompanied by a feeling in the region of my bosom. It is a feeling which cannot be described, but the nearest word we have is “burn” or “burning.” Accompanying this always is a feeling of peace.” S. Dilworth Young, “The Still Small Voice,” Ensign, May 1976

3) “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being.  Describing the promptings from the Holy Ghost to one who has not had them is very difficult. Such promptings are personal and strictly private! Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation” Ensign, Nov 1994

F.     VOICE IN YOUR MIND

Just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.” --Pres. Henry B. Eyring, 2007 “O Remember, Remember”

Now I know, my brothers and sisters and friends, and bear witness to the fact that revelation from the Lord comes through the spoken word, by personal visitation, by messengers from the Lord, through dreams, and by way of visions, and by the voice of the Lord coming into one’s mind. Most often, however, revelation comes to us by means of the still, small voice. Marion G. Romney, “Prayer and Revelation,” Ensign, May 1978, 48

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-harold-b-lee/chapter-6?lang=eng 

Another way by which we receive revelation was spoken of by the prophet Enos. He pens this very significant statement in his record in the Book of Mormon: “And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind. …” [Enos 1:10.]

In other words, sometimes we hear the voice of the Lord coming into our minds, and when it comes, the impressions are just as strong as though He were sounding a trumpet in our ear. …

In a story in the Book of Mormon, Nephi upbraids his brothers, calling them to repentance, and gives voice to the same thought when he says: “… and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words. …” (1 Nephi 17:45.)

Thus the Lord, by revelation, brings thoughts into our minds as though a voice were speaking.

G.    STUPOR OF THOUGHT

Answers to the mind and heart are messages from the Holy Ghost to our spirits. For me, response to the mind is very specific, like dictated words, while response to the heart is generalized, like a feeling to pray more.¹⁰   Then the Lord clarifies, "But if [what you propose] be not right you . . . shall have a stupor of thought."¹¹ That, for me, is an unsettling, discomforting feeling.  Elder Richard G. Scott “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” Ensign, May 2007

H.    LINE UPON LINE – Incremental

“Put difficult questions in the back of your minds and go about your lives. Ponder and pray quietly and persistently about them. The answer may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little there, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (D&C 98:12). Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration” Elder Boyd K. Packer “Prayers and Answers,” Ensign, Nov. 1979

 “Many of us typically assume we will receive an answer or a prompting to our earnest prayers and pleadings. And we also frequently expect that such an answer or a prompting will come immediately and all at once. Thus, we tend to believe the Lord will give us A BIG ANSWER QUICKLY AND ALL AT ONE TIME. However, the pattern repeatedly described in the scriptures suggests we receive ‘line upon line, precept upon precept,’ or in other words, many small answers over a period of time. Recognizing and understanding this pattern is an important key to obtaining inspiration and help from the Holy Ghost.”  Elder David A. Bednar, “Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept,” New Era, Sept. 2010

Trials: The Obstacles Before Us Are Never as Great as The Power Behind Us.

This is one of those stories that I try to read on a regular basis, especially when I am facing trials that don't seem to have an apparent solution. At the end of the article, Elder Oaks teaches that the Lord blesses us when we "are on the move." I have found this to be true so many times in my own life. 

"The obstacles before us are never as great as the power behind us"

Reach Out and Climb!

BY ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS of the Quorum of the Twelve – April 2002 New Era

---

Making it to the top means doing the difficult, even when you think you can’t.

How do we respond when we are confronted with a task that seems to be impossible?

All of us face obstacles. All of us have challenges. We all walk paths that lead us toward heights we think we cannot ascend. Sooner or later we all stand at the foot of cliffs we think we cannot scale.

In 1895 my great-grandfather, Abinadi Olsen, was called on a mission to the Samoan Islands. Obedient to the call of the prophet, he left his wife and four small children, including my maternal grandmother, Chasty Magdalene, in the town of Castle Dale, Utah. He traveled by train and ship to the mission headquarters in Apia, a journey of 26 days. His first assignment was to labor on the island of Tutuila.

After many weeks of living in what he called a grass hut, eating strange food, suffering severe illnesses, and struggling to learn the Samoan language, he seemed to be making no progress in his missionary work. Homesick and discouraged, he seriously considered boarding a boat back to Apia and telling the mission president he didn’t want to waste any more time in Samoa. The obstacles to the accomplishment of his mission seemed insurmountable, and he wished to return to his wife and children, who were struggling to support him in the mission field.

A friend who heard Abinadi Olsen describe the experience some years after his return, quoted him as follows:

“Then one night, as I lay on my mat on the floor of my hut, a strange man entered and in my own language told me to get up and follow him. His manner was such that I had to obey. He led me out through the village and directly up against the face of a perpendicular solid rock cliff. ‘That’s strange,’ thought I. ‘I’ve never seen that here before,’ and just then the stranger said, ‘I want you to climb that cliff.’

“I took another look and then in bewilderment said, ‘I can’t. It’s impossible!’

“‘How do you know you can’t? You haven’t tried,’ said my guide.

“‘But anyone can see’—I started to say in objection. But he cut in with, ‘Begin climbing. Reach up with your hand—now with your foot.’

“As I reached, under orders that I dared not disobey, a niche seemed to open in the solid rock cliff and I caught hold. Then with my one foot I caught a toe hold.

“‘Now go ahead,’ he ordered. ‘Reach with your other hand,’ and as I did so another place opened up, and to my surprise the cliff began to recede; climbing became easier, and I continued the ascent without difficulty until, suddenly, I found myself lying on my pallet back in my hut. The stranger was gone!

“‘Why has this experience come to me?’ I asked myself. The answer came quickly. I had been up against an imaginary cliff for those three months. I had not reached out my hand to begin the climb. I hadn’t really made the effort I should have made to learn the language and surmount my other problems” (Fenton L. Williams, “On Doing the Impossible,” Improvement Era, Aug. 1957, p. 554).

It is hardly necessary to add that Abinadi Olsen did not leave the mission. He labored for three and a half years, until released by appropriate authority. He was an exceptionally effective missionary, and he was a faithful member of the Church for the rest of his life.

When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the fulfillment of righteous responsibilities, we should remember that when we are involved in the work of the Lord, the obstacles before us are never as great as the power behind us. We should reach out and climb. Handholds will only be found by hands that are outstretched. Footholds are only for feet that are on the move.

The scriptures record many instances when the Lord blessed those who tried to do the impossible. Nothing is impossible to the Lord.

When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, they encamped by the Red Sea. The Egyptians thought the Israelites were trapped. Their backs were to the sea as they faced the pursuing chariots of Pharaoh. “Fear ye not, …” Moses declared, for “the Lord shall fight for you” (Ex. 14:13–14). The Lord then told Moses to command the children of Israel “that they go forward” into the sea (Ex. 14:15). As they did so, Moses stretched out his rod over the sea, as commanded, and the children of Israel went through the sea on dry ground (Ex. 14:16, 22). They had gone forward in faith, and what seemed impossible had occurred.

When Nephi was directed to return to Jerusalem to obtain the sacred records from Laban, he went forth in faith to do as he was commanded, even though he did not see how this could be done. Nephi knew that the Lord would give no commandment, save he would prepare a way to accomplish the thing he had commanded (1 Ne. 3:7). Through Nephi’s faith and initiative he accomplished his mission, and generations have been blessed by the outcome.

Nothing is impossible to those who keep God’s commandments and follow his directions. But the blessings that carry us over obstacles do not precede our efforts; they follow them. The Liahona was given to guide Lehi and his children, but it came after years in the desert, not when they were still in Jerusalem. The word of the Lord on the organization of the Camp of Israel (see D&C 136) didn’t come in Nauvoo. It came on the west bank of the Missouri near present-day Omaha, almost a year after the Saints had left Nauvoo.

What do we do when we face obstacles in the fulfillment of righteous responsibilities? We reach out and climb! The blessings that solve problems and carry us over obstacles come to persons who are on the move.