The prophet, Brigham Young said,
This people believe in revelation. This people did believe and do believe that the Lord has spoken from the heavens. They did believe and do believe that God has sent angels to proclaim the everlasting Gospel, according to the testimony of John [see Revelation 14:6–7] (DBY, 38).
We often hear it said that the living oracles must be in the Church, in order that the Kingdom of God may be established and prosper on the earth. I will give another version of this sentiment. I say that the living oracles of God, or the Spirit of revelation must be in each and every individual, to know the plan of salvation and keep in the path that leads them to the presence of God (DBY, 38).
The Lord is not everywhere in person; but he has his agents speaking and acting for him. His angels, his messengers, his apostles and servants are appointed and authorized to act in his name. And his servants are authorized to counsel and dictate in the greatest and what might be deemed the most trifling matters, to instruct, direct and guide his Saints (DBY, 41). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 42)
The Lord has never expected us to blindly follow His prophets in faith. We have long been taught and blessed with the ability to discern truth from error. We have been encouraged to pray over every aspect of the Lord’s Church and receive confirmation for ourselves. When confusion arises, peace can be found in personal prayer. When asked how he guided the saints by revelation, Brigham Young replied:
I teach them to live so that the Spirit of revelation may make plain to them their duty day by day that they are able to guide themselves. To get this revelation it is necessary that the people live so that their spirits are as pure and clean as a piece of blank paper that lies on the desk before the [writer], ready to receive any mark the writer may make upon it (DBY, 41).
. . .
It is the only thing that will enable us to understand the Gospel of the Son of God, the will of God, and how we can be saved. Follow it, and it will lead to God, the Fountain of light, where the gate will be open, and the mind will be enlightened so that we shall see, know and understand things as they are (DBY, 34). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 42,43)
We must “live so that [our] spirits are as pure and clean as a piece of paper.” In other words, we must be striving on a daily basis to do what is right. It doesn’t mean we won’t stumble, and it doesn’t mean occasionally we won’t fall. What it means is that every day, regardless of what happens, we get back up with our hand outstretched to the Savior and keep moving forward.
There is only one who will tell you are not worthy to continue following the Savior. He is the master deceiver and his lies are the most dangerous and deadly of all. Never, ever forget the Atonement and the price Jesus Christ paid for you. It caused Him, even God, to tremble and bleed from every pore. You mattered that much to Him. If you can always remember that you will continue to constantly move forward.
This is where this beautiful gift of revelation comes into play. Mormons do believe in the right of all to receive personal revelation in regards to everything within their stewardship. If you are a parent, your children are within your stewardship and you are within your eternal right to receive revelation to help them. If you are a bishop, you are allowed to receive revelation for the entire ward and are indeed blessed to do so. However, if you are Joe Schmo down the street, you are not allowed to receive revelation for the Church. That responsibility lies on the shoulders of the prophet and the prophet alone.
When the Spirit of revelation from God inspires a man, his mind is opened to behold the beauty, order, and glory of the creation of this earth and its inhabitants, the object of its creation, and the purpose of its Creator in peopling it with his children. He can then clearly understand that our existence here is for the sole purpose of exaltation and restoration to the presence of our Father and God (DBY, 37). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 42,43)
The gift and power to discern truth from error, and act upon it, keeps us from being led down a dark and dangerous path.
It behooves us to remember that Heavenly Father did not send us into mortality without the tools we need to succeed. The ability to discern truth from error is a great and powerful gift that will keep us from traversing roads which will stall, hinder or even cause us to miss the blessing or responsibility the Lord intended to give us.
But we should all live so that the Spirit of revelation could dictate and write on the heart and tell us what we should do instead of the traditions of our parents and teachers. But to do this we must become like little children; and Jesus says if we do not we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. How simple it is! Live free from envy, malice, wrath, strife, bitter feelings, and evil speaking in our families and about our neighbors and friends and all the inhabitants of the earth, wherever we meet them. Live so that our consciences are free, clean and clear (DBY, 36). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 43)
He went on to say,
Were I to draw a distinction in all the duties that are required of the children of men, from first to last, I would place first and foremost the duty of seeking unto the Lord our God until we open the path of communication from heaven to earth—from God to our own souls. Keep every avenue of your hearts clean and pure before him (DBY, 41).
If we draw near to him, he will draw near to us; if we seek him early, we shall find him; if we apply our minds faithfully and diligently day by day, to know and understand the mind and will of God, it is as easy as, yes, I will say easier than it is to know the minds of each other (DBY, 42).
Let us be humble, fervent, submissive, yielding ourselves to the will of the Lord, and there is no danger but that we shall have his Spirit to guide us. If we will open our lips and call upon our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we will have the spirit of prayer (DBY, 44). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 44)
We have the word of a prophet of God here, Brigham Young. What more do we need? Let me close with one more bit advice from Brother Brigham.
If the Devil says you cannot pray when you are angry, tell him it is none of his business, and pray until that species of insanity is dispelled and serenity is restored to the mind (DBY, 45). (Teachings of the Presidents: Brigham Young, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, 1997 45)
I would never presume to live my life without listening to and heeding the Holy Ghost as direction is whispered to me. Why would I try?
