1. Revelation: Avenue to Truth Chapter 2
Introduction 2. Revelation sometimes comes through dreams
(see Genesis 28:10–16; 37:5, 9; Matthew 1:20;
The Apostle Paul testified that no one can know 1 Nephi 2:2).
that Jesus is the Christ except through the power 3. Revelations can be received through the Urim and
of the Holy Ghost (see 1 Corinthians 12:3). This Thummim (see headnotes to D&C 3; 6; 11; 14; 17;
process, called revelation, is the means chosen by see also Abraham 3:1–4).
God to communicate with His mortal children. 4. Truth may be revealed by an audible voice from
heaven (see 2 Peter 1:17–18; Matthew 3:16–17;
Doctrinal Outline John 12:28–29; Helaman 5:20–33; D&C 130:13–15).
5. Angels are sometimes sent with messages for
A. God gives truth to His children through the children of God (see Joseph Smith—History
revelation. 1:30–33; Luke 1:11–13, 19, 26–28; Mosiah 27:11, 14,
17; Acts 10:3–4).
1. Revelation is communication from God to His
children (see Exodus 4:15–16; D&C 8:2–3; 76:5–10; 6. Revelation may come by vision (see Ezekiel 40:2;
Moses 5:58). Acts 10:9–17; 26:13–19; D&C 76:12–14).
2. The things of God are known only by revelation C. We must be worthy in order to receive revelation.
(see 1 Corinthians 2:9–16; Jacob 4:8). 1. We must trust in God rather than in the wisdom
3. God has given revelation to His children from the of man (see 2 Nephi 9:28; 28:31).
beginning and will continue to do so (see 1 Nephi 2. If we will diligently seek, the mysteries of God
10:19; Amos 3:7; Articles of Faith 1:9). will be unfolded to us (see D&C 11:7; 1 Nephi
4. Living prophets are guided by revelation and 10:19; D&C 42:61, 65, 68).
thus can lead us to truth (see 1 Nephi 22:2; 3. If we seek and obey the truth we are given, God
Numbers 12:6; Ephesians 3:3–5). will reveal more truth to us (see 2 Nephi 28:30;
5. The four standard works contain revelations to Alma 12:9–11; D&C 93:28).
God’s prophets and other chosen leaders (see 4. The Lord reveals truth to us if we study and
2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16; D&C 1:37–39). ponder the scriptures (see D&C 76:15, 19; 138:1–6,
6. Within their individual spheres of authority, 11; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Alma 37:1–8).
righteous people may receive revelation for their 5. Fasting and prayer will help prepare us to receive
needs (see James 1:5; 3 Nephi 18:20; D&C 28:1–7). revelation (see Alma 5:45–46; 17:3).
B. God reveals truth in a variety of ways. 6. Personal righteousness is a prerequisite for
1. Through the voice of the Spirit, the word of God receiving revelation (see D&C 50:29; 121:45–46).
is revealed to the heart and mind of individuals
(see D&C 8:2–3; 1 Kings 19:12; 1 Corinthians
2:9–11; Enos 1:9–10).
Supporting Statements
A. God gives truth to His children through
revelation.
■ “All revelation since the fall has come through
Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old
Testament. In all of the scriptures, where God is
mentioned and where he has appeared, it was
Jehovah who talked with Abraham, with Noah,
Enoch, Moses and all the prophets. He is the God
of Israel, the Holy One of Israel; the one who led
that nation out of Egyptian bondage, and who
gave and fulfilled the law of Moses. The Father
has never dealt with man directly and personally
since the fall, and he has never appeared except to
introduce and bear record of the Son” (Joseph
Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:27).
■ “One great reason why men have stumbled
so frequently in many of their researches after
philosophical truth is that they have sought them
with their own wisdom, and gloried in their own
intelligence, and have not sought unto God for
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2. Chapter 2
that wisdom that fills and governs the universe
and regulates all things. That is one great
difficulty with the philosophers of the world, as
it now exists, that man claims to himself to be the
inventor of everything he discovers. Any new law
and principle which he happens to discover he
claims to himself instead of giving glory to God”
(John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, 47).
■ “It is also the privilege of any officer in this
Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his
particular calling and duty in the Church” (Joseph
Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 111).
■ “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but
what He will make known unto the Twelve, and
even the least Saint may know all things as fast as
he is able to bear them, for the day must come
when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye
the Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from
the least to the greatest” (Smith, Teachings, 149).
■ “All things whatsoever God in his infinite
wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas,
while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the
our mortal bodies, are revealed . . . to our spirits same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were
precisely as though we had no bodies at all; and presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God,
those revelations which will save our spirits will will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit
save our bodies” (Smith, Teachings, 355). of God and understanding it, you may grow into
■ “In giving revelations our Savior speaks at times the principle of revelation, until you become
for himself; at other times for the Father, and in the perfect in Christ Jesus” (Smith, Teachings, 151).
Father’s name, as though he were the Father, and C. We must be worthy in order to receive revelation.
yet it is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer who gives the ■ “Revelation is promised us through our
message” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:27). faithfulness. . . . The Lord withholds much that
■ “It is contrary to the economy of God for any he would otherwise reveal if the members of the
member of the Church or any one, to receive Church were prepared to receive it. . . .
instruction for those in authority, higher than “We have little occasion to clamor for more
themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety revelation when we refuse to heed what the Lord
of giving heed to them; but if any person have a has revealed for our salvation” (Smith, Doctrines
vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, of Salvation, 1:283).
it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for ■ “If you will follow the doctrines, and be guided
the fundamental principles, government, and by the precepts of that book [the Bible], it will direct
doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of you where you may see as you are seen, where you
the kingdom” (Smith, Teachings, 21). may converse with Jesus Christ, have the visitation
B. God reveals truth in a variety of ways. of angels, have dreams, visions, and revelations, and
■ “I have had the administration of angels in my understand and know God for yourselves” (Brigham
day and time, though I never prayed for an angel. Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 126).
■ “Search the scriptures—search the revelations
I have had, in several instances, the administration
of holy messengers. . . . which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father,
“. . . As a general thing, angels do not in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest
administer to anybody on the earth unless it is to the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye
preserve the lives of good men, or to bring the single to His glory nothing doubting, He will
gospel, or perform a work that men cannot do for answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit”
themselves” (Wilford Woodruff, The Discourses of (Smith, Teachings, 11).
■ “A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination
Wilford Woodruff, 286–87).
■ “Inspiration is a form and degree of revelation. beware of; because the things of God are of deep
It is revelation that comes from the still small import; and time, and experience, and careful and
voice, from the whisperings of the Spirit, from ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find
the promptings of the Holy Ghost. All inspiration them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a
is revelation” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the
Doctrine, 383). utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate
■ “The Spirit of Revelation is in connection with the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of
these blessings. A person may profit by noticing eternity—thou must commune with God. How
the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for much more dignified and noble are the thoughts
instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing of God, than the vain imaginations of the human
heart!” (Smith, Teachings, 137).
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![Chapter 2
that wisdom that fills and governs the universe
and regulates all things. That is one great
difficulty with the philosophers of the world, as
it now exists, that man claims to himself to be the
inventor of everything he discovers. Any new law
and principle which he happens to discover he
claims to himself instead of giving glory to God”
(John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, 47).
■ “It is also the privilege of any officer in this
Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his
particular calling and duty in the Church” (Joseph
Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 111).
■ “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but
what He will make known unto the Twelve, and
even the least Saint may know all things as fast as
he is able to bear them, for the day must come
when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye
the Lord; for all shall know Him (who remain) from
the least to the greatest” (Smith, Teachings, 149).
■ “All things whatsoever God in his infinite
wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas,
while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the
our mortal bodies, are revealed . . . to our spirits same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were
precisely as though we had no bodies at all; and presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God,
those revelations which will save our spirits will will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit
save our bodies” (Smith, Teachings, 355). of God and understanding it, you may grow into
■ “In giving revelations our Savior speaks at times the principle of revelation, until you become
for himself; at other times for the Father, and in the perfect in Christ Jesus” (Smith, Teachings, 151).
Father’s name, as though he were the Father, and C. We must be worthy in order to receive revelation.
yet it is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer who gives the ■ “Revelation is promised us through our
message” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:27). faithfulness. . . . The Lord withholds much that
■ “It is contrary to the economy of God for any he would otherwise reveal if the members of the
member of the Church or any one, to receive Church were prepared to receive it. . . .
instruction for those in authority, higher than “We have little occasion to clamor for more
themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety revelation when we refuse to heed what the Lord
of giving heed to them; but if any person have a has revealed for our salvation” (Smith, Doctrines
vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, of Salvation, 1:283).
it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for ■ “If you will follow the doctrines, and be guided
the fundamental principles, government, and by the precepts of that book [the Bible], it will direct
doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of you where you may see as you are seen, where you
the kingdom” (Smith, Teachings, 21). may converse with Jesus Christ, have the visitation
B. God reveals truth in a variety of ways. of angels, have dreams, visions, and revelations, and
■ “I have had the administration of angels in my understand and know God for yourselves” (Brigham
day and time, though I never prayed for an angel. Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 126).
■ “Search the scriptures—search the revelations
I have had, in several instances, the administration
of holy messengers. . . . which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father,
“. . . As a general thing, angels do not in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest
administer to anybody on the earth unless it is to the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye
preserve the lives of good men, or to bring the single to His glory nothing doubting, He will
gospel, or perform a work that men cannot do for answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit”
themselves” (Wilford Woodruff, The Discourses of (Smith, Teachings, 11).
■ “A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination
Wilford Woodruff, 286–87).
■ “Inspiration is a form and degree of revelation. beware of; because the things of God are of deep
It is revelation that comes from the still small import; and time, and experience, and careful and
voice, from the whisperings of the Spirit, from ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find
the promptings of the Holy Ghost. All inspiration them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a
is revelation” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the
Doctrine, 383). utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate
■ “The Spirit of Revelation is in connection with the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of
these blessings. A person may profit by noticing eternity—thou must commune with God. How
the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for much more dignified and noble are the thoughts
instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing of God, than the vain imaginations of the human
heart!” (Smith, Teachings, 137).
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