Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Spirit of Revelation
At least two prophets, seers, and revelators spoke on the topic of revelation during the 181st Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Both President Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar addressed the topic in similar ways. President Uchtdorf spoke of the folly of waiting on the Road to Damascus for marvelous experiences; Elder Bednar contrasted the sudden illumination of a dark room with the gradual light of the rising sun. A fundamental principle of both talks being that truth and light tend to come to each of us gradually as we worthily pursue it and prepare ourselves to receive it.
I was struck by a paragraph from Elder Bednar's talk (found here:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng )
President Joseph F. Smith counseled: “Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs, and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members … who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths. It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us that we shall be established in the truth, but it is by humility and faithful obedience to the commandments and laws of God” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1900, 40).
I was reminded of a missionary that I knew who, although not seeking miracles and signs, was seeking constant validation and answers to questions from general authorities. The answers he would treasure, for a while. Eventually, some time after his mission, he left the church. An illustration of the principle that we have to claim and use the light and truth given us; we can't rely on others; the Spirit must speak to our spirit, in our hearts and in our minds. Then we may be truly converted and we stay that way by steadily hearkening to it, our testimonies growing line upon line and precept upon precept.
I was struck by a paragraph from Elder Bednar's talk (found here:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng )
President Joseph F. Smith counseled: “Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs, and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members … who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths. It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us that we shall be established in the truth, but it is by humility and faithful obedience to the commandments and laws of God” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1900, 40).
I was reminded of a missionary that I knew who, although not seeking miracles and signs, was seeking constant validation and answers to questions from general authorities. The answers he would treasure, for a while. Eventually, some time after his mission, he left the church. An illustration of the principle that we have to claim and use the light and truth given us; we can't rely on others; the Spirit must speak to our spirit, in our hearts and in our minds. Then we may be truly converted and we stay that way by steadily hearkening to it, our testimonies growing line upon line and precept upon precept.
