As we live the gospel, we receive the light, inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. (“Chapter 20: The Still, Small Voice of Revelation,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 181)
This is a beautiful gift given to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. This gift is personal, two-way communication, with God, who is our Heavenly Father and always petitioned in the name of Jesus Christ, as the Savior taught us to do in the New Testament. (John 16:23-24, 26)
Interestingly enough, I saw a picture on the internet which said, “Don’t pray about the Book of Mormon, that’s how they get you!” Now, I paraphrased that and it was a funny picture to me. How real it was, I don’t know. But it did make me laugh. But let’s take that message as if it were real and understand what they are asking you to do.
Don’t pray about the Book of Mormon, or anything else for that matter? Oh my goodness, why would I rob myself of the most precious communication Heavenly Father grants unto His children. Why would I pay attention to a sign in lieu of personal revelation from my Heavenly Father? Of this sacred gift, we are told the following by Heber J. Grant, the seventh called prophet of these modern times:
I rejoice … that every Latter-day Saint, every humble son and daughter of God that has embraced the gospel and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received the witness of the Holy Spirit; that the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, of healing, and other gifts and blessings, are found in the Church, and are not confined to men that hold responsible positions in the Church. I have listened to some of the most spirited and able, and some of the finest sermons of my life from men who held no official position. …
It is not position, it is not education that gives the Spirit of God; but it is keeping the commandments of Almighty God and being lowly in heart and desiring to fulfill the commandments of God in our daily walk and conversation. (Ibid)
If we are worthy, living the commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we are able to receive communication from heaven. In the Book of Mormon we are told:
And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned. (Alma 32:23, Book of Mormon)
Every worthy man, woman and child, by virtue of living by the principles, practices and precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ can, and do, receive answers to their prayers.
This is what it boils down to, if someone is telling you their inspiration is more important or better than yours, they are wrong. Each child of God is entitled to inspiration within the bounds of their stewardship. For example:
- The living prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, receives revelation for the entire church, even the world, for all who live on the planet today are within the stewardship of this living prophet of God.
- Each apostle or general authority receives revelation for the departments which fall under their care.
- Each bishop receives revelation for his ward or congregation for they are within his stewardship.
- Each mother or father receives revelation for their family, for each child is within the stewardship and responsibility of those parents.
that it is. These personal revelations you receive are to be shared when you feel prompted to do so and only at those times.
Just so it is completely understood, you are entitled to receive personal revelation or answers from your Heavenly Father regarding anything that effects your life, your mortal probation.
Let us turn one more time to the words of the prophet, Heber J. Grant:
There is nothing else that will bring the same joy to anybody as will doing those things that devolve upon them and that are pleasing in the sight of God. We come upon this earth to do the mind and will of the Lord, and it behooves each and all of us to so live that we will be entitled to the revelations of His Spirit, and that when we receive them we will have the courage and the determination to carry them out. 21
It behooves every Latter-day Saint to seek for the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God, and after receiving that, to use all the ability that he possesses in laboring for the onward advancement of God’s work. Never be found among the number that try to see how little they can do; but always be found among the number that try to see how much they can do. Have your aim high. 22
May the light and inspiration of God be our constant guide and companion. May we grow and increase in the Spirit of God and in the testimony of the Gospel, and in power and ability to accomplish the purposes of our Heavenly Father here on the earth; and may we grow in the desire to do so, is my prayer and desire. (Ibid)
This too is my prayer, that each of us, Mormon and friends of other faiths, learn to turn to our Father in Heaven for further light and knowledge. For the path has been clearly marked for our return to our heavenly home. I testify to each and every person reading this that you are loved, you are worried about, you are guided and you are protected if you will but trust that the Lord Jesus Christ lives in all His resurrected glory. Through Him and the life He lived, we learn of the Father who loves us with all the eternal capabilities a father can love.
I testify to you that if you will kneel in humble and sincere prayer, asking with unwavering faith if this be true, He will answer your prayers. You have a right to those answers, just remember, if you ask and receive, you must then act.
