"His sincerity, purity of intent, and love permitted a spiritual strength to envelop the room. I was deeply touched. Then I began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by that humble instructor. They were personal and related to my assignments in the area. They came in answer to my prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn.
As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life.
Subsequently, I visited the Sunday School class in our ward, where a very well-educated teacher presented his lesson. That experience was in striking contrast to the one enjoyed in the priesthood meeting. It seemed to me that the instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson. I had the distinct impression that this instructor was using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge. At any rate, he certainly did not seem as intent on communicating principles as had the humble priesthood leader.
In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. The message included specific counsel on how to become more effective as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it was not appropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location, where I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance." Scott, R. G. (2009, October). To Acquire Spiritual Guidance. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance
"Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily."
Scott, R. G. (2009, October). To Acquire Spiritual Guidance. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance
"The closer we keep our lives in harmony with the direction the Lord has given us to guide our lives, the more we will be in tune with His Spirit. A person who petitions the Lord for guidance must be worthy to receive it. His life must be in harmony and in keeping with the standards the Lord has prescribed for His children. His life must be in good standing before God and His people. It must be in harmony with the teachings of the scriptures, the prophets, and the order of the Church." Perry, L. T. (2003, October). We Believe all that God has Revealed. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/we-believe-all-that-god-has-revealed?lang=eng&query=elder+talks
“I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.” We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.
Revelation comes on the Lord’s timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven’t received all the answers we desire. As a General Authority, I was assigned to help reorganize a stake presidency under the direction of Elder Ezra Taft Benson. After praying, interviewing, studying, and praying again, Elder Benson asked if I knew who the new president would be. I said I had not received that inspiration yet. He looked at me for a long time and replied he hadn’t either. However, we were inspired to ask three worthy priesthood holders to speak in the Saturday evening session of conference. Moments after the third speaker began, the Spirit prompted me that he should be the new stake president. I looked over at President Benson and saw tears streaming down his face. Revelation had been given to both of us—but only by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father’s will as we moved forward in faith.”
Hales, Robert D. Personal Revelation:The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets. Salt Lake City, October 2007. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/personal-revelation-the-teachings-and-examples-of-the-prophets?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“As faithful children, youth, parents, teachers, and leaders, we may receive personal revelation more frequently than we realize. The more we receive and acknowledge personal revelation, the more our testimonies grow.” Hales, Robert D. Personal Revelation:The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets. Salt Lake City, October 2007. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/personal-revelation-the-teachings-and-examples-of-the-prophets?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to ‘ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.’ ‘Real intent’ means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.” Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Personal revelation can be honed to become spiritual discernment. To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish. The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift. It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible.” Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop ‘faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.’ Then with your firm ‘faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,’ you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you.
Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine.”
Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“The windows of heaven are open wide to the faithful and righteous; nothing closes them faster than disobedience. The unworthy cannot access fully the network of revealed truth. ‘The powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.’ ‘Obedience is the first law of heaven.’ That is why Alma exhorted us to ‘be humble, … submissive and … diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times.’
To open the windows of heaven, we must conform our will to God’s will. Diligent, enduring obedience to God’s laws is the key that opens the windows of heaven. Obedience enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord. ‘The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient’ are those who receive the blessings of revelation through the open windows of heaven.” Wirthlin, Joseph B. Windows of Light and Truth. Salt Lake City, October 1995. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/windows-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Windows must be washed regularly to clean away dust and dirt. If left to accumulate without regular cleaning, thickening grime can block out light and darken the window. Just as earthly windows need consistent, thorough cleaning, so do the windows of our spirituality.
Weekly sacrament meeting attendance helps us strengthen our resolve to keep our personal windows of heaven free from the obscuring haze of earthly distractions and temptations. By partaking of the sacrament worthily to renew our baptismal covenants, we clarify our view of life’s eternal purpose and divine priorities. The sacrament prayers invite personal introspection, repentance, and rededication as we pledge our willingness to remember our Savior, Jesus the Christ. This commitment to become like Christ, repeated weekly, defines the supreme aspiration of Latter-day Saint life.
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another way to keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of the Lord will keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp, focused crisply, and free from the dust of the world.” Wirthlin, Joseph B. Windows of Light and Truth. Salt Lake City, October 1995. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/windows-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges…” Uchtdorf, Deiter F. Your Potential, Your Privilege. Salt Lake City, April 2011. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/your-potential-your-privilege?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life.
Subsequently, I visited the Sunday School class in our ward, where a very well-educated teacher presented his lesson. That experience was in striking contrast to the one enjoyed in the priesthood meeting. It seemed to me that the instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson. I had the distinct impression that this instructor was using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge. At any rate, he certainly did not seem as intent on communicating principles as had the humble priesthood leader.
In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. The message included specific counsel on how to become more effective as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it was not appropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location, where I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance." Scott, R. G. (2009, October). To Acquire Spiritual Guidance. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance
"Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily."
Scott, R. G. (2009, October). To Acquire Spiritual Guidance. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance
"The closer we keep our lives in harmony with the direction the Lord has given us to guide our lives, the more we will be in tune with His Spirit. A person who petitions the Lord for guidance must be worthy to receive it. His life must be in harmony and in keeping with the standards the Lord has prescribed for His children. His life must be in good standing before God and His people. It must be in harmony with the teachings of the scriptures, the prophets, and the order of the Church." Perry, L. T. (2003, October). We Believe all that God has Revealed. Salt Lake City, UT. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/we-believe-all-that-god-has-revealed?lang=eng&query=elder+talks
“I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation—the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, … you must study it out in your mind.” We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.
Revelation comes on the Lord’s timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven’t received all the answers we desire. As a General Authority, I was assigned to help reorganize a stake presidency under the direction of Elder Ezra Taft Benson. After praying, interviewing, studying, and praying again, Elder Benson asked if I knew who the new president would be. I said I had not received that inspiration yet. He looked at me for a long time and replied he hadn’t either. However, we were inspired to ask three worthy priesthood holders to speak in the Saturday evening session of conference. Moments after the third speaker began, the Spirit prompted me that he should be the new stake president. I looked over at President Benson and saw tears streaming down his face. Revelation had been given to both of us—but only by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father’s will as we moved forward in faith.”
Hales, Robert D. Personal Revelation:The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets. Salt Lake City, October 2007. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/personal-revelation-the-teachings-and-examples-of-the-prophets?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“As faithful children, youth, parents, teachers, and leaders, we may receive personal revelation more frequently than we realize. The more we receive and acknowledge personal revelation, the more our testimonies grow.” Hales, Robert D. Personal Revelation:The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets. Salt Lake City, October 2007. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/personal-revelation-the-teachings-and-examples-of-the-prophets?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to ‘ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.’ ‘Real intent’ means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.” Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Personal revelation can be honed to become spiritual discernment. To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish. The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift. It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible.” Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop ‘faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.’ Then with your firm ‘faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,’ you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you.
Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine.”
Nelson, Russell M. Ask, Seek, Knock. Salt Lake City, October 2009. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“The windows of heaven are open wide to the faithful and righteous; nothing closes them faster than disobedience. The unworthy cannot access fully the network of revealed truth. ‘The powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.’ ‘Obedience is the first law of heaven.’ That is why Alma exhorted us to ‘be humble, … submissive and … diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times.’
To open the windows of heaven, we must conform our will to God’s will. Diligent, enduring obedience to God’s laws is the key that opens the windows of heaven. Obedience enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord. ‘The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient’ are those who receive the blessings of revelation through the open windows of heaven.” Wirthlin, Joseph B. Windows of Light and Truth. Salt Lake City, October 1995. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/windows-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Windows must be washed regularly to clean away dust and dirt. If left to accumulate without regular cleaning, thickening grime can block out light and darken the window. Just as earthly windows need consistent, thorough cleaning, so do the windows of our spirituality.
Weekly sacrament meeting attendance helps us strengthen our resolve to keep our personal windows of heaven free from the obscuring haze of earthly distractions and temptations. By partaking of the sacrament worthily to renew our baptismal covenants, we clarify our view of life’s eternal purpose and divine priorities. The sacrament prayers invite personal introspection, repentance, and rededication as we pledge our willingness to remember our Savior, Jesus the Christ. This commitment to become like Christ, repeated weekly, defines the supreme aspiration of Latter-day Saint life.
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another way to keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of the Lord will keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp, focused crisply, and free from the dust of the world.” Wirthlin, Joseph B. Windows of Light and Truth. Salt Lake City, October 1995. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/windows-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.
“Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges…” Uchtdorf, Deiter F. Your Potential, Your Privilege. Salt Lake City, April 2011. <https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/your-potential-your-privilege?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation+spiritual>.