11 - My favorite conference talks on revelation
General Conference
As most of you well know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Two times each year we have a church wide conference that all who are members or not a member can go to! Obviously it isn't practical to get everyone to one room so it is also broadcast all over the world. It is so Awesome!
Here are my favorite talks and thoughts from the two day conference.
Most of this post is directly taken from the talks. Blogger didn't really like my copying and pasting, so sorry for the formatting issues. Remember to come for the teaching, not the robe and bowl ;)
Most of this post is directly taken from the talks. Blogger didn't really like my copying and pasting, so sorry for the formatting issues. Remember to come for the teaching, not the robe and bowl ;)
Michelle Craig (Spiritual Capacity)
1. Be Intentional about Creating Time and Space to Hear God's Voice
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that most often God reveals Himself “to individuals in private, in their chamber; in the wilderness or fields, and that generally without noise or tumult.”
2. Act without Delay
When you receive promptings and then act with intention, the Lord can use you. The more you act, the more familiar the voice of the Spirit becomes. You will increasingly recognize God’s guidance and that He is “willing … to reveal His mind and will.”
3. Get Your Errand from the Lord
The Lord sends revelation to those seeking to help others.
4. Believe and Trust
The Lord is mindful of those who obey and, in the words of Nephi, will “prepare a way for [us to] accomplish the thing which he commandeth.” Note that Nephi says, a way”—not “the way.” Do we miss or dismiss personal errands from the Lord because He has prepared “a way” different from the one we expect?
2. Act without Delay
When you receive promptings and then act with intention, the Lord can use you. The more you act, the more familiar the voice of the Spirit becomes. You will increasingly recognize God’s guidance and that He is “willing … to reveal His mind and will.”
3. Get Your Errand from the Lord
The Lord sends revelation to those seeking to help others.
4. Believe and Trust
The Lord is mindful of those who obey and, in the words of Nephi, will “prepare a way for [us to] accomplish the thing which he commandeth.” Note that Nephi says, a way”—not “the way.” Do we miss or dismiss personal errands from the Lord because He has prepared “a way” different from the one we expect?
There were many pointers of Guidance in this talk, and it gave better light to many things I have discussed here with you, such as avoiding distractions, finding a mission, and walking the path of faith.
“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”
2. Stay Awake and Be Alert
Focusing our lives in and on the Savior and His gospel enables us to overcome the tendency of the natural man to be spiritually snoozy and lazy. As we are blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear,6 the Holy Ghost can increase our capacity to look and listen when we may not typically think we need to look or listen or when we may not think anything can be seen or heard.
3. Understand the Intent of the Enemy
“If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." "And that ye might escape the power of the enemy.”
Being watchful is so critical to everything I have discussed in this blog. David A Bednar points out some really important lessons here. Understanding this will really help you to apply Blog post 4, How to recognize revelation, among other topics.
The Call to Adventure
Still, there remains something undeniable, deep within our hearts, that hungers for a higher and nobler purpose. So how do you begin? It’s quite simple.
Incline your Heart to God
God knows that you are not perfect, that you will fail at times. God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.
Reach Out in Love to Others
To help others is the path of discipleship. Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.
Share Your Story
For our part, we will say, “Come and see! Find out for yourself how walking the path of discipleship will be rewarding and ennobling.”
The power of community in seeking revelation is another topic that is so critical to making a continual practice of seeking revelation. Finding and associating with people walking the same path is the next great leap after removing distractions.
Henry B Eyring helped me to focus more on the real goal of receiving revelation, which is to have a holier life. His talk has helped me reflect on how to better see enlightenment in all things like the last blog post explains. I know I will continue to reflect on it.
David A Bednar (Watchful unto Prayer Continually)
1. Beware of Evil's Beguiling Disguises“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”
2. Stay Awake and Be Alert
Focusing our lives in and on the Savior and His gospel enables us to overcome the tendency of the natural man to be spiritually snoozy and lazy. As we are blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear,6 the Holy Ghost can increase our capacity to look and listen when we may not typically think we need to look or listen or when we may not think anything can be seen or heard.
3. Understand the Intent of the Enemy
“If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." "And that ye might escape the power of the enemy.”
Being watchful is so critical to everything I have discussed in this blog. David A Bednar points out some really important lessons here. Understanding this will really help you to apply Blog post 4, How to recognize revelation, among other topics.
Dieter F Uchtdorf (Your Great Adventure)
We agreed to leave the security of our first estate and embark on our own great adventure of “there and back again.”The Call to Adventure
Still, there remains something undeniable, deep within our hearts, that hungers for a higher and nobler purpose. So how do you begin? It’s quite simple.
Incline your Heart to God
God knows that you are not perfect, that you will fail at times. God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.
Reach Out in Love to Others
To help others is the path of discipleship. Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.
Share Your Story
For our part, we will say, “Come and see! Find out for yourself how walking the path of discipleship will be rewarding and ennobling.”
The power of community in seeking revelation is another topic that is so critical to making a continual practice of seeking revelation. Finding and associating with people walking the same path is the next great leap after removing distractions.
Henry B. Eyring (Holiness and the Plan of Happiness)
Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us.
“Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. “Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? “Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Henry B Eyring helped me to focus more on the real goal of receiving revelation, which is to have a holier life. His talk has helped me reflect on how to better see enlightenment in all things like the last blog post explains. I know I will continue to reflect on it.
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