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Difference between revisions of "Question: How can you know if your answer to prayer, your personal revelation, is true?"
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| − | ==Question: How can you know if | + | ==Question: How can you know if an answer to prayer, a personal revelation, is true?== |
| + | ===With regard only to the foundational witness of the spirit to foment initial testimony, make sure you have followed Moroni’s Promise correctly=== | ||
| + | For information on this, see [https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Book_of_Mormon/Moroni%27s_promise/ these articles] | ||
===If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it=== | ===If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it=== | ||
| − | + | Regarding impressions to do something, how can you know if an answer is true? If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it. If you feel the promptings of the spirit to do something, then do it, and see what happens. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, suggests that we treat it like a seed, and make an experiment out of it. But debating its validity in a sort of theoretical way, won't ever provide you with that answer. | |
Joseph Smith talks of "pure intelligence" flowing into you: | Joseph Smith talks of "pure intelligence" flowing into you: | ||
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“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.” <ref>{{s||D&C|9|7–8}}</ref> | “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.” <ref>{{s||D&C|9|7–8}}</ref> | ||
| − | This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being. | + | 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!<ref>Boyd K. Packer, [https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/11/personal-revelation-the-gift-the-test-and-the-promise?lang=eng "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,"] ''Ensign'' (November 1994).</ref> | Describing the promptings from the Holy Ghost to one who has not had them is very difficult. Such promptings are personal and strictly private!<ref>Boyd K. Packer, [https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/11/personal-revelation-the-gift-the-test-and-the-promise?lang=eng "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,"] ''Ensign'' (November 1994).</ref> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| − | === | + | ===Compare the phenomena you experience and your decisions to the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets and apostles=== |
| − | Latter-day Saints don't believe that differences in personal revelation between different individuals means that those who pray and receive different messages than others do are wrong and not really receiving answers to their prayers. What it means is that | + | Regarding ''both'' a foundational witness to foment initial testimony and an impression to do something, if we want help in discerning the truth of the witness, we should compare our feelings to the pneumatology and principles of living taught by the scriptures and by modern-day prophets and apostles. It stands to reason that if we want to be led by Chris’t spirit, then we will try and measure our lives against what he has revealed through his servants so that we aren’t deceived (JS Matthew 1:37). |
| + | |||
| + | As taught in Preach My Gospel: | ||
| + | |||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | As you pray for inspiration, you should also confirm your feelings. For example, compare your decisions with the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets. Be certain that the feelings are consistent with the assignment you have; for example, you will not receive revelation to tell a local bishop how he should perform in his calling. Discuss your decisions and conclusions with your companion, your district leader, or your mission president when appropriate. | ||
| + | |||
| + | President Howard W. Hunter offered this counsel: “Let me offer a word of caution. … I think if we are not careful … , we may begin to try to counterfeit the true influence of the Spirit of the Lord by unworthy and manipulative means. I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself” (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 184). The Spirit of the Lord always edifies.</blockquote> | ||
| + | <ref>[https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-recognize-and-understand-the-spirit?lang=eng "How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?,"] ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service'' (2004)</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Personal revelation can differ between two people=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Latter-day Saints don't believe that the occasional differences in personal revelation between different individuals means that those who pray and receive different messages than others do are wrong and not really receiving answers to their prayers. What it means is that 1) We are all working at understanding and following the spirit and 2) that we are all receiving personal answers to our prayers from a loving Heavenly Father, and others are receiving personal answers to theirs. Personal revelation is beautiful precisely because these differences can exist. It deepens our understanding and love of the fact that our Heavenly Father works like a father--taking us, his children, where we are at currently with our specific needs, concerns, and desires and gradually giving us more light as we continue to humble ourselves, soften our hearts, and seek his will. Eventually we believe that the Lord will bring something to fruition in his own time and in his own way. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some may have "spectacular" experiences, while others may experience revelation only through a still, small voice. | ||
Boyd K. Packer: | Boyd K. Packer: | ||
Revision as of 16:33, 25 June 2018
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Contents
- 1 Question: How can you know if an answer to prayer, a personal revelation, is true?
- 1.1 With regard only to the foundational witness of the spirit to foment initial testimony, make sure you have followed Moroni’s Promise correctly
- 1.2 If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it
- 1.3 Compare the phenomena you experience and your decisions to the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets and apostles
- 1.4 Personal revelation can differ between two people
- 1.5 A revelation given to the whole Church is limited by the whole Church
Question: How can you know if an answer to prayer, a personal revelation, is true?
With regard only to the foundational witness of the spirit to foment initial testimony, make sure you have followed Moroni’s Promise correctly
For information on this, see these articles
If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it
Regarding impressions to do something, how can you know if an answer is true? If you want to know the truth of your own personal revelation, then you must test it. If you feel the promptings of the spirit to do something, then do it, and see what happens. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, suggests that we treat it like a seed, and make an experiment out of it. But debating its validity in a sort of theoretical way, won't ever provide you with that answer.
Joseph Smith talks of "pure intelligence" flowing into you:
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; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God,will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.[1]
However, as Boyd K. Packer points out, revelation does not "flow without effort" on the part of the person desiring it.
To one who thought that revelation would flow without effort, the Lord said:
“You have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
“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.” [2]
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![3]
Compare the phenomena you experience and your decisions to the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets and apostles
Regarding both a foundational witness to foment initial testimony and an impression to do something, if we want help in discerning the truth of the witness, we should compare our feelings to the pneumatology and principles of living taught by the scriptures and by modern-day prophets and apostles. It stands to reason that if we want to be led by Chris’t spirit, then we will try and measure our lives against what he has revealed through his servants so that we aren’t deceived (JS Matthew 1:37).
As taught in Preach My Gospel:
As you pray for inspiration, you should also confirm your feelings. For example, compare your decisions with the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets. Be certain that the feelings are consistent with the assignment you have; for example, you will not receive revelation to tell a local bishop how he should perform in his calling. Discuss your decisions and conclusions with your companion, your district leader, or your mission president when appropriate.
President Howard W. Hunter offered this counsel: “Let me offer a word of caution. … I think if we are not careful … , we may begin to try to counterfeit the true influence of the Spirit of the Lord by unworthy and manipulative means. I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself” (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 184). The Spirit of the Lord always edifies.
Personal revelation can differ between two people
Latter-day Saints don't believe that the occasional differences in personal revelation between different individuals means that those who pray and receive different messages than others do are wrong and not really receiving answers to their prayers. What it means is that 1) We are all working at understanding and following the spirit and 2) that we are all receiving personal answers to our prayers from a loving Heavenly Father, and others are receiving personal answers to theirs. Personal revelation is beautiful precisely because these differences can exist. It deepens our understanding and love of the fact that our Heavenly Father works like a father--taking us, his children, where we are at currently with our specific needs, concerns, and desires and gradually giving us more light as we continue to humble ourselves, soften our hearts, and seek his will. Eventually we believe that the Lord will bring something to fruition in his own time and in his own way.
Some may have "spectacular" experiences, while others may experience revelation only through a still, small voice.
Boyd K. Packer:
We do not seek for spectacular experiences. President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of the many who "have no ear for spiritual messages … when they come in common dress. … Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication."[5]
A revelation given to the whole Church is limited by the whole Church
A revelation given to the whole Church is limited by the whole Church. Joseph Smith said that "It is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instruction for those in authority, higher than themselves.[6]
On the other hand, the revelation we receive comes to us individually, personally, and from our unique perspective helps us to refocus on that distant absolute truth that are slowly working towards. It isn't about "getting it right now" so much as it is about making it more right so that we become better people. And in the end, it is the light that God gives us (individually and collectively) that becomes the ruler that we are measured with. And this of course gives us great hope that we (individually) can be saved despite all the strange notions and ideas we have both believed and sometimes abandoned over the years.
Notes
- ↑ Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith," 151.
- ↑ D&C 9꞉7–8
- ↑ Boyd K. Packer, "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise," Ensign (November 1994).
- ↑ "How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?," Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004)
- ↑ Boyd K. Packer, "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise," Ensign (November 1994).
- ↑ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 21.