NEW YORK NEW YORK STAKE CONFERENCE
“PERSONAL REVELATION”
Sunday, 14 November 1999 (English Session)
Arias Belnap In Germany
My grandfather Arias Belnap, better known as "A," was someone who experienced "exceptional things while living through quite extraordinary times." In later years, he said, "During my life time there have been strong feelings come to me of things to happen, sometimes called premonitions--things which were unknown to me at the time, but which did happen." One such event occurred on his mission. In the fall of 1913, "A" was called to serve in the Swiss-German Mission. Shortly thereafter, in May 1914, he received a strong impression he would not be staying in Germany much longer. He thought perhaps he might be transferred to Great Britain where he could better serve, since he was having difficulty with the language. He interpreted his patriarchal blessing, which said his voice would be heard "upon islands in the sea," somewhat literally to perhaps mean he should serve in the British Isles.
On June 28, 1914, Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist. As July 1914 wore on, Austrian pressure against Serbia increased, causing the great European powers, enmeshed in military alliances, to mobilize for war. On July 28, 1914, the dominoes started to fall. First, Austria declared war on Serbia, prompting Serbia's ally Russia to mobilize its army. This led the German Empire, which had previously proclaimed support for Austria, to declare war on the Russian Empire and its ally France. Germany's invasion of France through Belgium, whose neutrality was guaranteed by Britain under an 1839 treaty, caused the British Empire to declare war on Germany. Within two weeks the world exploded in "the Great World War," naively called "the War to End All Wars," or World War I.
In September 1914--more than a month into the war, "A" was able to make his way from Germany through the Netherlands to England, to the European Mission Office. American missionaries arriving in Liverpool who had served less than twenty months in Europe were reassigned to missions in the United States. "A" served the remainder of his mission in the Southern States. During that terrible month of August 1914, with no communication between Germany and Utah, "A"'s mother wrote him a letter--returned unopened--which reads in part:
Ogden City, August 14, 1914
Arias My Dear Boy
I am sending you a few lines not . . . know[ing] if they will reach you . . . . I thought there might possibly be a ship to carry mail to Europe, . . . [yet] for all that they tell me it is useless as no ships reach Germany. I am thinking of you every hour of the day, and wondering how you are, where you are, and what you are doing, if you received the draft and if you could get the money on it, if you are having anything to eat, and are not suffering in either body or mind. If you don't hear from us there need be no worry on your mind, for you know where we live and that here we will stay in peace and quiet among the mountains. . . . [W]e never know from one day to the next where you will be, if sick or well, among friend or foe, and if all your needs are supplied; hence we cannot help but worry some, especially now since the war has broken out. We get no reports from Germany so know not what is going on . . . but the reports are Germany has the greatest number killed and a fearful slaughter seems to be their lot. All I can say to you my boy is, be wise and careful in your sayings and doings, so you will not get in trouble of any kind . . . . All we can do now is to leave you in the hands of our Heavenly Father, hoping and praying He will take care of you during these troubles, and wait patiently though anxiously until we hear from you again. We are as well as can be expected and will write more, and give more news if we find this reaches you. With love and best wishes from your loving mother. Anna C. Belnap
Seeking Revelation
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. (A of F 7.)
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (A of F 9.)
From the First Vision to our current Prophet guiding the Church, revelation has been and remains a crucial component of the Kingdom. Upon "this rock" the Savior has built His Church. (Matt:16-17; TPJS, p. 274.) Revelation is a principle of knowledge. (See, e.g., TPJS, p. 330.) The Savior promised, "every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:8.) Every parent, instructor, home teacher, bishop, missionary, or member needs the spirit of revelation to function effectively. Joseph Smith taught, "[i]t is . . . the privilege of any officer in this Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his particular calling and duty in the Church." (TPJS, p. 111.)
"No man can receive the Holy Ghost," said Joseph Smith, "without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator." (TPJS, p. 328.) Yet, as baptized members with the Gift--meaning the constant companionship--of the Holy Ghost, are we really receiving the personal revelation we need? More important, are we meeting the conditions necessary for, and earnestly seeking, such revelation? Anne Osborn Poelman describes the opposite of an inspired life:
Drifting passively with popular currents, people . . . easily slip by the most crucial decision points in their lives, unaware of their importance. Decisions are made by default. Nonchoice, in essence, becomes a choice. (The Amulek Alternative, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997, p. ix.)
We are obliged to make personal decisions to the best of our ability. Such informed decisions result when we seek revelation, which can come in a variety of ways, including visions, dreams, visitations, clear feelings--sometimes described as a "burning" (see, e.g., Luke 24:32; D&C 9:8), an audible voice, or subtle promptings. Personal revelation may come while we kneel in prayer, read the scriptures, or ponder our patriarchal blessing. President Benson taught: "Answers to prayer come most often by a still voice and are discerned by our deepest, inner-most feelings." (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1977, p. 32.)
Receiving Revelation
Rather than review ways revelation can come, may I focus on a few things that may help us better prepare to receive and perceive it when it comes. Joseph Smith taught:
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 . . . 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. (HC, 3:381.)
Revelation must serve a purpose; otherwise, it is like the gift of tongues without an interpreter. Some purposes of revelation mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants include:
If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal. (D&C 42:61.)
[T]o [the righteous] will I reveal . . . all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. . . . For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will--yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76:7, 10.)
Several necessary conditions must be met to receive revelation. Alma taught:
[H]e that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed. (Alma 26:22.)
Bearing his testimony, Alma said he knew of a "surety" through "the Holy Spirit of God" of things revealed to him, having "fasted and prayed many days":
And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me. (Alma 5:45-46.)
Joseph Smith taught, "we never inquire at the hand of God for special revelation only in the case of there being no previous revelation to suit the case." (TPJS, p. 22.) Hence, regular scripture study and awareness of the counsel already given from those who guide and direct the Lord's Church are prerequisites for revelation. There is no better antidote to the abundant apocrypha than looking up the source and knowing for oneself.
Revelation requires work. "We are fearful," said Joseph Smith, "to approach [God] on subjects that are of little or no consequence, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially about things the knowledge of which men ought to obtain in all sincerity, before God, for themselves, in humility by the prayer of faith." (TPJS, p. 22; emphasis added.) Said Moses: "would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them." (Num. 11:29; emphasis added.) President Joseph F. Smith records "the eyes of my understanding were opened" after pondering over and studying the scriptures. (D&C 138:11.) Enos speaks of his "wrestle" before God, of his soul being "hungered," of kneeling down and crying unto God in "mighty prayer and supplication" for a day and a night prior to receiving revelation. (Enos 1:2-4.) The Lord said to Oliver Cowdery:
[Y]ou have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. . . . 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. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought . . . (D&C 9:7-9.)
"Personal"/False Revelation
Personal revelation is just that--"personal"--to be shared, if at all, only under correct conditions. Luke records twice that Mary "kept [the sacred] things" she learned of her Son "and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19.) Brigham Young taught:
Should you receive a vision or revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it as close, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and make it as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for he cannot safely reveal himself to such persons. (DBY, pp. 40-41.)
With something so personal, there is a need to discern what comes from the Lord from what comes from ourselves. Likewise, if there is "true" revelation, there is also "false" revelation. Things of the Spirit must make spiritual sense, meaning they are consistent with the doctrines of the Church, as well as feel spiritually right:
. . . behold, 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. . . . behold, this is the spirit of revelation . . . (D&C 8:2-3.)
Note the number of promptings and the wrenching evaluation process Nephi went through in 1 Nephi 4 before he slew Laban--obviously an "historical exception" the Lord required for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Again, things of the Spirit must make spiritual sense as well as feel spiritually right. We are to "ask in faith, nothing wavering." (James 1:6.)
When Revelation Doesn't Come
Even when the necessary conditions are met, revelation sometimes does not come--at least not in the way we might want or expect. I mentioned my grandfather's patriarchal blessing said his voice would be heard "upon islands in the sea." His 17 years as a bishop followed by 14 years in a stake presidency spanned the Great Depression and World War II. Once war broke out, "A" wrote regularly to numerous young LDS servicemen fighting in the great battles of the world. Many served in the Navy in the Pacific. Years afterward, they would thank "A" for words of counsel received at critical moments in their lives. Throughout the Pacific his voice, so to speak, was literally heard "upon islands in the sea" hundreds of times.
Sometimes amid our greatest challenges the heavens appear shut. Yet imagine Joseph and Hyrum knowing in advance exactly how the mob intended to storm Carthage Jail, or the handcart pioneers seeing in vision while still in England what would befall them if they left now for Utah. If we knew everything in advance, or received everything we asked for, life not only would be very different, but there would also be no growth--a greater, even eternal tragedy; for without opposition in all things, God's purposes would be thwarted. (2 Ne. 2:11.) Elder Maxwell said, "I can tell you, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me." (Neal A. Maxwell, New Era, Apr 1978, p. 6.)
Danger Of Denying Revelation
Once revelation comes, we are accountable for ignoring or denying it. (SeeDBY, p. 38.)
Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, . . . that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost! (3 Nephi 29:6.)
Again, "Deny not the spirit of revelation . . ., for wo unto him that denieth these things." (D&C 11:25.) Unfortunately, now and then a few are led astray, for "they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves." (2 Ne. 9:28.) "[I]f we have direct revelations given us from heaven," said Joseph Smith, "surely those revelations were never given to be trifled with." (TPJS, p. 54.)
Conclusion
Last Thursday was Veteran's Day--the day on which the armistice ending World War I was signed. Three of my grandfather's brothers also served missions to Germany--the two older ones also serving in parts of Eastern Europe that for most of this century did not see missionaries again until just this decade; while the youngest brother in the mid-1930s witnessed first-hand the rise of the Third Reich. My own first mission city, West Berlin--once a walled capitalist island in a communist sea on the trip-wire of the Cold War--just days ago celebrated the tenth anniversary of the peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall.
Brothers and Sisters, as we conclude this stake conference near the end of a millennium at the close of the most remarkable century, may I remind us that we, too, are doing "exceptional things in truly extraordinary times." Since last November, over [100] people have been baptized into the Church in our stake. Most of our units have had remarkable growth, with the number of move-ins this fall reaching perhaps historic proportions. Last month members sent approximately two dozen hand-sewn quilts to Kosovo in Serbia. Others are making clothes for newborns. Stake members donated around 90 pints of blood to the Red Cross, half a semi-truck of used goods to the Goodwill, and books and toys to needy children. Today a branch became a ward, and for the first time ever we are translating stake conference into Mandarin and Cantonese. Thank you for all you are doing. Thank you for revealing, to those in this great city who still "walk[] in darkness," the light of the Gospel. (Isa. 9:2.)
Like "A"'s mother, I can imagine Heavenly Parents saying to each of us:
All [we] can say to you my [son or daughter] is, be wise and careful in your sayings and doings, so you will not get in trouble of any kind . . . . [W]e . . . hop[e] and pray[] [for] you during [your] troubles, and wait patiently though anxiously until we hear from you again. We are as well as can be expected and will write more, and give more news if we find this [revelation] reaches you. With love and best wishes from your loving mother [and father].
I pray, Brothers and Sisters, we will always earnestly seek the personal revelation we need, and that the Lord desires to give us, to bless our own lives and the lives of our family members during these most extraordinary times in which we live.
And it shall come to pass . . . that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Joel 2:28.)