Lesson 6: "I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, By the Holy Ghost"

7/30/2019 Lesson 6: "I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, By the Holy Ghost"

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To download past handouts, go to: highlandvalleysundayschoolnotes2012.blogspot.com

#1 President Boyd K. Packer: Noone of us can survive in the world

of today, much less in what it soonwill become, without personal inspi-

ration.(CR, Oct. 1991)

#2 Joseph Smith: No man can re-ceive the Holy Ghost without receiv-

ing revelations. The Holy Ghost is arevelator.(HC 6:58)

Joseph also said: It is the privilege of the

children of God to come to God and getrevelation God is not a respecter of per-

sons; we all have the same privilege.(Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, 132)

#3 Elder Dallin H. Oaks: We can-not have the companionship of the

Holy Ghost the medium of indi-vidual revelation if we are in

transgression or if we are angry or if

we are in rebellion against Gods chosen au-thorities.(Ensign, March 1997, 9)

#4 David Whitmer: At times when brotherJoseph would attempt to translate he would

look into the hat in which the stone wasplaced, [to exclude the light], he found he

was spiritually blind and could not translate.He told us that his mind dwelt too much on

earthly things, and various causes wouldmake him incapable of proceeding with thetranslation.

When in this condition he would go out andpray, and when he became sufficiently hum-

ble before God, he could then proceed withthe translation. Now we see how very strictthe Lord is, and how he requires the heart of

man to be just right in his sight before he

can receive revelation from him. DavidWhitmer also wrote: [One morning when J

seph Smith was getting ready to resumetranslating the Book of Mormon,] somethi

went wrong about the house and he was pout about it. Something that Emma, his wifhad done. Oliver and I went upstairs and J

seph came up soon after to continue thetranslation but he could not do anything. H

could not translate a single syllable. He wedownstairs, out into the orchard, and made

supplication to the Lord; was gone about ahour came back to the house, and askedEmmas forgiveness and then came upstair

where we were and then the translationwent on all right. He could do nothing save

he was humble and faithful.(B.H. Roberts,A Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:130-3

#5 Elder Bruce R. McConkie: Isometimes think that one of the

best kept secrets of the kingdom isthat the scriptures open the door t

the receipt of revelation Theprayerful study and pondering of the holyscriptures will do as much, or more, than

any other single thing, to bring that spirit orevelation into our lives.(Doctrines of the Restortion, 243-44)

#6 Elder Dallin H. Oaks: We do not over-state the point when we say that the scrip-

tures can be a Urim and Thummim to assiseach of us to receive personal revelation.

Because we believe that scripture readingcan help us receive revelation, we are en-


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couraged to read the scriptures again andagain. By this means, we obtain access to

what our Heavenly Father would have usknow and do in our personal lives today.

That is one reason Latter-day Saints believein dailyscripture study.(Ensign, Jan. 1995,8)

#7 President Boyd K. Packer: Inspirationcomes more easily in peaceful settings Ir-

reverence suits the purposes of the adver-sary by obstructing the delicate channels of

revelation in both mind and spirit Rever-ence invites revelation.(CR, Oct. 1991)

#8President David O. McKay en-couraged [us] to seek the Lord in

the morning hours, before we arecluttered with the cares of day. He

said that these morning hours areespecially conducive to inspiration. ElderNeal A. Maxwell cited this counsel and then

said, Others have felt that solitude andreading the scriptures can create an atmos-

phere conducive to the Spirit and can be de-veloped. After all, to read the words of

Christ already before us is a good thing todo before asking for more . (Ed J. Pinegar, Rich-ard J. Allen, and Karl R. Anderson, Teachings and Commentar-ies on the Doctrine and Covenants, 73.)

#9 Elder Dallin H. Oaks: I know from ex-perience that some seasoned members of

the Church do not know when they are re-ceiving a witness of the Sprit

Perhaps lifelong members of the Churchdont recognize the testimony of the Spiritbecause they have had it so often they take

it for granted. Perhaps they are looking forsomething startling and different

I have heard adult members of the Churchclaim they do not have a testimony because

they have never experienced a burning inthe bosom. (D&C 9:8)

If I thought this scriptural burning only referred to caloric heat, I would have to say

that I have never had a burning in thebosom either In this usage, it does not

seem to refer to heat but rather to an intensity of feeling.

For me, the witness of the Holy Ghost is aintense feeling of serenity or well-being.(Teaching, Learning by the Spirit, LDS Church News, 19901/02/93)

#10 Elder Jay E. Jensen: A number ofyears ago, in a meeting of returned missio

presidents, we reviewed different ways toimprove missionaries spirituality. One pers

said, We need to help all missionaries ex-

perience and recognize the burning of thebosom taught in Doctrine and Covenants

9:7-9. A member of the First Quorum of thSeventy then shared the following experi-

ence:One of the Quorum of the Twelve came

to tour the mission over which the Sev-enty was presiding. As they drove to thenext zone conference, the Apostle

turned to him and said, I wonder if youmight have left an impression in the

missionaries minds that has createdmore problems than you can resolve. AsI have traveled throughout the Church,

Ive found relatively few people whohave experienced a burning of the

bosom. In fact, Ive had many peopletell me that theyve become frustrated

because they have never experiencedthat feeling even though they haveprayed or fasted for long periods of

time.He explained that Doctrine and Covenants9:7-9 was given in response to the process

of translating sacred records. There theburning of the bosom was appropriate. The

principle can apply to personal revelation,


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said, but more precisely it related to thetranslation of the Book of Mormon. He coun-

seled the mission president to refer mission-aries to other scriptural references about the

Holy Ghost. For example, he cited the verseDid I not speak peace to your mind con-

cerning the matter? What greater witnesscan you have than from God? (D&C 6:23)Over the years, I have tried to learn the dif-

ferent ways in which the Spirit of the Lordworks. Surely God does speak from heaven,

but he manifests, confirms, or gives direc-tion in a variety of ways. (Have I Received anAnswer from the Spirit?,Ensign, April 1989)

#11 Elder Richard G. Scott: I

would explain that an impression tothe mind is very specific. Detailedwords can be heard or felt and writ-

ten as though the instruction werebeing dictated A communication to theheart is a more general impression. The Lord

often begins by giving impressions. Wherethere is recognition of their importance and

they are obeyed, one gains more capacity to

receive more detailed instruction to themind. And impression to the heart, if fol-owed, is fortified by a more specific instruc-tion to the mind.(Annual Church Educational SystemReligious Educators Symposium at BYU, August 11, 1998)

#12 President Spencer W. Kimball:The burning bushes, the smoking

mountains, ...the Cumorahs, and theKirtlands were realities; but they

were the exceptions. The great vol-ume of revelation came to Moses and to Jo-seph and comes to todays prophet in the

less spectacular way that of deep impres-sions, without spectacle or glamour or dra-

matic events. Always expecting the spec-tacular, many will miss entirely the constant

flow of revealed communication.(Munich, Ger-many Area Conference, 1973, 77)

#13 Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Visions do hap-pen. Voices are heard from beyond the vei

I know this. But these experiences are ex-ceptional Most of the revelation that com

to leaders and members of the Churchcomes by the still, small voice or by a feeli

rather than by a vision or a voice thatspeaks specific words we can hear. I testifyto the reality of that kind of revelation,

which I have come to know as a familiar,even daily, experience to guide me in the

work of the Lord.(Teaching and Learning by the Spirit,Ensign, Mar. 1997)

#14 Elder Dallin H. Oaks: We do not al-ways receive inspiration or revelation when

we request it. Sometimes we are delayed ithe receipt of revelation, and sometimes w

are left to our own judgment. We cannotforce spiritual things. It must be so. Ourlifes purpose to obtain experience and de-

velop faith would be frustrated if our Heavenly Father directed us in every act, even i

every important act. We must make deci-sions and experience the consequences in

order to develop self-reliance and faith.(BYU Devotional, 29 Sept. 1981)

#15 President Boyd K. Packer: Sometimeyou may struggle with a problem and not

get an answer. What could be wrong? It mbe that you are not doing anything wrong.

may be that you have not done the rightthings long enough. Remember, you cannoforce spiritual things. Sometimes we are

confused simply because we wont take nofor an answer

Put difficult questions in the back of yourminds and go about your lives. Ponder and

pray quietly and persistently about them.The answer may not come as a lightningbolt. It may come as a little inspiration her

and a little there, line upon line, precept


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upon precept(D&C 98:12)Some answers will come from reading the

scriptures, some from hearing speakers.And, occasionally, when it is important, some

will come by very direct and powerful inspi-ration. The promptings will be clear and un-

mistakable(CR, Oct. 1979).

#16 Elder Russell M. Nelson:Many of us have had experienceswith the sweet power of prayer.One of mine was shared with astake patriarch from southernUtah. I first met him in my medi-

cal office more than 40 years ago, during

the early pioneering days of surgery of theheart. This saintly soul suffered much be-cause of a failing heart. He pleaded forhelp, thinking that his condition resultedfrom a damaged but repairable valve in hisheart.

Extensive evaluation revealed that hehad twofaulty valves. While one could behelped surgically, the other could not. Thus,

an operation was notadvised. He receivedthis news with deep disappointment.

Subsequent visits ended with the sameadvice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke tome with considerable emotion: Dr. Nelson,I have prayed for help and have been di-rected to you. The Lord will not reveal tome howto repair that second valve, but Hecan reveal it to you. Your mind is so pre-

pared. If you will operate upon me, theLord will make it known to you what to do.Please perform the operation that Ineed,and pray for the help that youneed.21

His great faith had a profound effect uponme. How could I turn him away again? Fol-lowing a fervent prayer together, I agreedto try. In preparing for that fateful day, I

prayed over and over again, but still did nknow what to do for his leaking tricuspidvalve. Even as the operation com-menced,22my assistant asked, What areyou going to do for that?

I said, I do not know.

We began the operation. After relievingthe obstruction of the first valve,23 we ex-posed the second valve. We found it to beintact but so badly dilated that it could nolonger function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind: Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. The valve tissue wi

be sufficient ifwe can effectively reduce tring toward its normal size.

But how? We could not apply a belt asone would use to tighten the waist of ovesized trousers. We could not squeeze withstrap as one would cinch a saddle on ahorse. Then a picture came vividly to mymind, showing how stitches could beplacedto make a pleat here and a tuck

thereto accomplish the desired objectiveI still remember that mental imagecomplete with dotted lines where suturesshould be placed. The repair was completas diagrammed in my mind. We tested thevalve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, Its a miracle

I responded, Its an answer to prayer.The patients recovery was rapid and his

relief gratifying. Not only was he helped ina marvelous way, but surgical help for othpeople with similar problems had becomepossibility. I take no credit. Praise goes tothis faithful patriarch and to God, who an-swered our prayers. This faithful man livefor many more years and has since gone his eternal glory. (CR, April 2003)
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#21-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#21-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#22-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#22-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#23-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#23-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#22-https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/04/sweet-power-of-prayer?lang=eng#21-


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#17 Joseph Smith appeared to BrighamYoung in a dream and said: Tell the people

to be humble and faithful, and be sure tokeep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead

them right. Be careful and not turn away thestill small voice; it will teach them what to

do and where to go; it will yield the fruits ofthe kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep theirhearts open to conviction, so that when the

Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts willbe ready to receive it. [And here is where he

gives the best overall guide for recognizingrevelation:] They can tell the Spirit of the

Lord from all other spirits; it will whisperpeace and joy to their souls; it will take

malice, hatred, strife, and all evil from theihearts; and their whole desire will be to do

good.(Juvenile Instructor, 8:114, quoted in April 1989 Esign, 21)

#18 President Boyd K. Packer: We need

not live in fear of the future. We have everreason to rejoice and little reason to fear. Iwe follow the promptings of the Spirit, we

will be safe, whatever the future holds. Wewill be shown what to do.(CR, April 2000)

Other thoughts too great not to include:President Joseph F. Smith: When I as a boy first started out in the ministry, I would frequently go oand ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the

Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a ltle and there a little until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of myfeet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel fro

the heavens to do this, nor did he have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whispering of thstill, small voice of the Spirit of the living God, he gave to me the testimony I possess. And by this principand power he will give to all the children of men a knowledge of the truth. (Gospel Doctrine,5th ed. [1939], 7)

President Boyd K. Packer: The Holy Ghost communicates with the spirit through the mind more thanthrough the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings, through impressions and

promptings. It is not always easy to describe inspiration...The patterns of revelation are not dramatic. The voice of inspiration is a still voice, a small voice. Thereneed be no trance, no sanctimonious declaration. It is quieter and simpler than that. (CR, Oct. 1989)

Elder Jay E. Jensen: Although the Spirit may be the most important aspect of our latter-day work, maof us do not know how it functions; too often we are worked upon by the Spirit and do not even know it

Perhaps this lack of awareness is fostered in part by hearing or reading about spectacular spiritual experences. Frequent exposure to such experiences may lead some to believe that if they havent experiencedsome similar kind of outpouring or manifestation, they havent had a spiritual experience.(Have I Receive

an Answer from the Spirit?,Ensign, April 1989)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: The Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way.Many people do not understand this principle. They believe that when they are ready and when it suits

their convenience, they can call upon the Lord and he will immediately respond, even in the precise waythey have prescribed. Revelation does not come that way

The principle stated in [D&C 88:68] applies to every communication from our Heavenly Father: It shall n his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will. We cannot force spiritualthings.(Ensign, Mar. 1997)

Joseph Fielding McConkie:[In Vietnam,] Chaplain Smith and I would take turns asking [Victor L.Brown of the Presiding Bishopric] questions. ...He said, Brethren, I am going to tell you a story. You wonike it, but it is a great story. ...The story centered around a young man who had a very difficult problem


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He did not know what to do, so he visited with his bishop.The Bishop listened carefully and thoughtfully. He asked a few questions. ...He then confessed that he

had no idea what counsel to give [but would ask]. The next evening the bishop met with the stake president. He explained the young mans problem. Thestake president listened attentively and asked a few questions. ...He then said, Bishop, I have no idea

what to tell you [but I will ask]. The next day, as he met with the member of the Quorum of the Twelve, the stake president raised the

matter. The Apostle listened attentively and asked a few questions. ...He then said, President, I have nodea what to tell you, [but I will ask]. That afternoon he met with President McKay and carefully explained the problem. President McKay lis-

tened attentively and asked a few questions...and then said, Well, thats his (meaning the young mans0problem, isnt itThe story brought an end to our question session and with it the realization that our problems were ourand it was for us to solve them. That is why the Lord placed us there. (Finding Answers, BYU Devotional,12/12/2006)

Elder John H. Groberg: Let me tell what I have discovered I do not say that we will not get that bung in our bosom, for we will when it is the right thing. In my life there have been quite a few occasions

where there was absolutely no question about it that burning was there. For instance, I have had the eperience of installing stake presidents when there was absolutely no question, when I was positive thatthat is the man to be the stake president not. It has happened in other situations also, but generally it hworked the other way that is by eliminating the wrong directions to reveal the right direction, especiall

concerning our opportunities for progress in life in what we often term the temporal sense. We must try figure it out ourselves. In the past I have tried out whether I should go into business or into teaching ornto the arts or whatever. As I have begun to proceed along one path, having more or less gathered wha

facts I could, I have found that if that decision was wrong or was taking me down the wrong path notnecessarily an evil one, but one that was not right for me without fail, the Lord has always let me knowust this emphatically: That is wrong; do not go that way. That is not for you!

On the other hand, there may have been two or three ways that I could have gone, any one of which

would have been right and would have been in the general area providing the experience and meanswhereby I could fulfill the mission that the Lord had in mind for me. Because he knows we need the

growth, he generally does not point and say, Open that door and go twelve yards in that direction; thenturn right and go two miles But if it is wrong, he will let us know we will feel it for sure. I am positiveof that. So rather than saying, I will not move until I have this burning in my heart, let us turn it around

and say, I will move unless I feel it is wrong; and if it is wrong then I will not do it. By eliminating all ofthese wrong courses, very quickly you will find yourself going in the direction that you ought to be going

and then you can receive the assurance: Yes, I am going in the right direction. I am doing what my Fathn Heaven wants me to do because I am not doing the things he does not want me to do. And you canknow that for sure. That is part of the growth process and part of accomplishing what our Father in

Heaven has in mind for us.(What is Your Mission?, BYU Devotional, 1 May 1979)Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: ...once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retrefrom a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.

Dont give up when the pressure mounts.You can find an apartment. You can win over your mother-in-law. You can sell your harmonica and therfund one more meal. Its been done before. Dont give in. Certainly dont give in to that being who is ben

on the destruction of your happiness.He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. Cast not aw

therefore your confidence. Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.(BYU Devotional, Mar1999)


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The Voice is Still SmallElder Graham W. Doxey of the Seventy

CR, October 1991

..President Spencer W. Kimball, a man with unique experience in all levels of Church leadership, described thesubject that has been on my mind since this speaking assignment came. President Kimball said:

The burning bushes, the smoking mountains, the Cumorahs, and the Kirtlands were realities; but they werethe exceptions. The great volume of revelation came to Moses and to Joseph and comes to todays prophet in tess spectacular waythat of deep impressions, without spectacle or glamour or dramatic events.

Always expecting the spectacular, many will miss entirely the constant flow of revealed communication. (InConference Report, Munich Germany Area Conference, 1973, p. 77.)

Dramatic and miraculous answers to prayer may come, but they are the exceptions. Even at the highest levels responsibility in this kingdom of God, which is being built up upon the earth, the voice is still small.

In the Bible we read of the account of an earlier prophet who was rejected and discouraged. The word of the

Lord came to Elijah when the children of Israel had forsaken their covenant, and thrown down altars and slainprophets. He was told to go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed band a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord wnot in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kgs.19:1112.)

My testimony is that the Lord isspeaking to you! But with the deafening decibels of todays environment, all tooften we fail to hear him. I remember as a youth having the experience of being in company with an older manwho had lost much of his hearing ability. He had no hearing aid and was continually asking that we speak loud

so that he could be part of the conversation. He would say, Talk louder; speak up; I cant hear you.

That was before the days of television and CDs and boomers and blasters. I was interested in someones observation: With TV, and radio, and tapes, what young person has time to listen to reason? Listening is a challengfor us all today.

Timeto listen. The abilityto listen. The desireto listen. On religious matters, too many of us are saying, Whatdid you say? Speak up; I cant hear you. And when he doesntshoutback, or cause the bush to burn, or writea message in stone with his finger, we are inclined to think he doesnt listen, doesnt care about us. Some evenconclude there is no God.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote,Every common bush [is] afire with God; but only he who sees, takeoff his shoes.(Aurora Leigh, book 7, lines 82223.)

The questions are not Does God live? Does God love me? Does God speak to me? The critical question is, Aryou listening to him? Have you removed your shoes? It is the same foryouas it was for Elijah, as it is with thmodern-day prophets: The still, small voice is still small.

Aids to our hearing are available. How can we filter out the heavy decibels of darkness that surround us? Letme mention three of the more obvious ones.

Number 1: Revitalize your weekly worship. When you sing the hymns, for instance, ponder the meaning of the
http://lds.org/ensign/1998/04/moses-witness-of-jesus-christ?lang=enghttp://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=enghttps://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/19.11-12?lang=eng#10http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=enghttp://lds.org/ensign/1998/04/moses-witness-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng


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words, enjoy the spirit of the music. Sing with enthusiasm without regard to your tones. You will have a goodfeeling, and your spirit will be enlivened; and as you join with the Saints in the songs of the heart, the Lord proses to answer this with blessings upon your head. (See D&C 25:12.)

Next, partakeof the sacrament. Dont merelytakethe sacrament. Think of the covenants you are remaking. Trwitness unto the Father that you will take upon yourself the name of his Son, even Jesus Christ. Recommit youself to always remember him, to keep the commandments which he has given you. Your obedience will entitleyou to have his Spirit to be with you. If this sacred ordinance has become commonplace in your worship, if you

et your mind wander elsewhere during this weekly opportunity for spiritual renewal, if you just takethe breadand water as it passes, with no thought or recommitment in your life, then you have turned off a significant aidyour hearing.

Number 2: Pray to know Gods will, not to get things. Too often, because of our selfish desires, after a cursorThank you, Lord, we consume our prayer time in the listing of things we want, even of things we think weneed. We must be willing to release the death grip which we have on things, which have become as a securityblanket in our lives. Count the many hundreds of needed missionary couples who would be serving in the field that firm grip on the familiarities of home and of children and grandchildren could be loosened. The Lord is prepared to perform the miracle that will follow, which miracle is that both they and you will survive, even grow, wan eighteen-month separation. We must learn to pray with meaning, Not my will, but Thy will be done. When

you are able to do this, his whisperings to you will be loud and clear. The Prophet Joseph Smith, after five monof extreme suffering in the dungeon of Liberty Jail, experienced it, and he said, When the heart issufficientlycontrite,then the voice of inspiration steals along and whispers, My son, peace be unto thy soul. (History of thChurch, 3:293; italics added.)

Hearing aid number 3 has to do with the scriptures. In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord tells us that hespeaks to us through the scriptures. Of course, just reading words without our minds being centered on the mesage is not really listening. In section 18 we read:

And I, JesusChrist, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of ma

For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you,

Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words. (D&C 18:3336.)

And thus, what to many seems to be the monologue of prayer actually becomes a dialogue with God as we im-merse ourselves in the scriptures.

As it was with Elijah, so it is today. God is not in the earthquake, nor in the winds and fires of war, but he speato us in a voice that is small. With President Kimball, I, too, testify that it is this constant flow of revealed comm

nication which continues to direct this church through our prophet, Ezra Taft Benson, and through his counseloand through the Twelve Apostles. It comes to the Seventy and to the Presiding Bishopric. It comes to the stakepresidents, and to the bishops and to the quorum and Church officers throughout the world. It speaks to our msionaries; it comes to heads of families. I further witness that this still, small voice is speaking personally to youPlease be stilland listen!The Psalmist said, Be still, and know that I am God. (Ps. 46:10.)

I know that he lives. He loves you. He wants you to follow him, and to follow him not because of any spectacushowmanship on his part, but simply because you love himsimply! I bear my solemn witness that he lives annear you, and that we are being led by his living prophet in these last days. All of which I do in the holy name our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
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D&C LESSON 6 OUTLINE

Last week we discussed revelationwhy we need it and how to prepare to receive iThis week lesson 6 concentrates on how to recognize that we are indeed receivingrevelation as opposed to it being a product of our imagination. I really want this to ba practical, useful discussion, so I hope each of you will ask whatever questions may

come up for you, and add any insight you might have from your own experiences.

Receiving revelation is a learned skill, and each of us can and must make the effort develop it! Lets read the first quotation on the handout:

Quotation #1Now, for those of us who tend to believe its possible for others, but doubt ourselvefor whatever reason, Joseph Smith had this to say:

Quotation #2

So weve established that we need the gift of revelation, and that each of us is capable of developing it. Now what? Last week we didnt get very far in talking aboutwhat to do to prepare to receive revelation. We talked about faith. Faith is necessary

~What are the two components of faith? (belief and action. As James said,Faith without works is dead. see James 2:20)

~Does our attitude or mind-set also matter?Quotation #3

~So what must we do if were in transgression or angry? (repent!) I love these two very down-to-earth examples given by David Whitmer:

Quotation #4Notice that it wasnt a long, drawn out repentance. Joseph didnt flog himself with acat-o-nine tails, or bemoan his imperfection and unworthiness as some of us are woto do. He recognized his mistakes, made things right, and moved forward.

Moroni 8:26Besides faith, repentance and obedience, there are some other things we can do tofacilitate revelation. [Ear Trumpet]

Quotation #s 5 & 6

2 Nephi 32:3Quotation #7

~Any ideas on how we can create a reverent atmosphere in our hectic lives?Quotation #8

The sons of Mosiah gave us another key:Alma 17:3

~Anyone have any other ideas on how to prepare to receive revelation?


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Now lets get to the nitty gritty of how revelation is received, shall we?! We talked abit about D&C 9 last week.

~What did the Lord tell Oliver Cowdery about what he would feel if the translation was correct? (burning in the bosom, D&C 9:8)

Quotation #s 9 & 10For me, that feeling of peace is key. Lets go to:

D&C 11:12~What other feelings, besides peace, does the Spirit generate? (desire to do

good, be humble, merciful, kind)And lets read the next verse, also:

D&C 11:13Joseph taught: When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give yousudden strokes of ideas(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 151)

~And how do we know its the Spirit and not just our own imagination? (after

enlighten your mind the Lord adds the phrase, which shall fill your souwith joy.)

D&C 8:2-3Elder Richard G. Scott talks about this:

Quotation #11~Are there visions, dreams, visitations, and so forth?

Quotation #s 12 & 13Now What about those times when we have fasted and prayed and cried and doneall we know how to do, and still receive no answer. What then?

Quotation 3s 14 & 15

Now, I know weve been discussing the most common, daily revelation we can re-ceive as being through the still, small voice, through feelings and impressions. Id likto give one of those exceptional examples of revelationjust to remind us that reveation can be very specificthat God has not changed since Old Testament times.

Quotation #16~What is the key to such revelation? (see 4th paragraph: faith)

Let me end with a quote by Joseph Smith, who appeared to Brigham young in adream with a message for the saints:

Quotation #17Now, we know we live in troubled times. President Packer, an Apostle for our day,gives us the key to enduring our times:

Quotation #18

That we may rejoice and not fear is my prayer...


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Documents

Lesson 6: "I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, By the Holy Ghost"