Each One of Us Can Receive Personal Revelation

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The Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families lesson for the week of March 15-21, 2021 focuses on Doctrine and Covenants Section 27-28. As with many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants a variety of topics are covered in these two sections. They discuss the sacrament, the return of the Lord, the armor of God, the teaching of the Lamanites, and the order of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There are within the “Ideas for Personal Scripture Study” and “Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening” many suggestions that can help us learn more about each of these the topics I listed above. As I read over the ideas and suggestions in the manual, I thought about each of the main topics reviewed in these sections, any questions that I had, pondered my answers, and followed the impressions I received.

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Wendy Oickle

I was first struck and impressed by the words of Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at the opening page of the lesson. He said that as you study the scriptures and record impressions, “you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you” (“When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign, May 2004, 11).

We Can Receive Personal Revelation for Our Lives and Callings

We are important enough to the Lord and our Heavenly Father that they have given us the ability to receive personal revelation. Personal revelation can guide us in our everyday life or with our callings.

Oliver Cowdery

This was the case for Oliver Cowdery. The Lord counselled him: “And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:4). This emphasizes the importance of following the promptings of the Holy Ghost and living according to the commandments of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. We are each empowered to speak or teach.

At this time Oliver Cowdery was called to go and preach the gospel to the Lamanites. With respect to this calling, the Lord offered these words of comfort, “And it shall be given thee from the time thou shalt go, until the time thou shalt return, what thou shalt do” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:15). This promise lets us know that God will help us in whatever ways we are called to serve Him.

Learning to Follow Jesus Christ

Upon further study of my impressions on personal revelation, I was reminded of thoughts and ideas I had previously studied. I guess the Lord wanted me to reflect upon them once again. They mostly relate to receiving personal revelation regarding understanding and applying the lessons and teachings of the scriptures. We read in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” It is through the scriptures that we learn of Jesus. Through personal revelation we can get to know Him and learn how to follow Him in our daily lives.

Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught, “Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God’s purpose and direction for us” (“Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets,” Ensign, Nov. 2007).

Our Personal Revelation Can Increase

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President Dallin H. Oaks has taught another very important lesson about personal revelation: “The word of the Lord in the scriptures is like a lamp to guide our feet (see Psalm 119:105), and revelation is like a mighty force that increases the lamp’s illumination manyfold. We encourage everyone to make careful study of the scriptures and of the prophetic teachings concerning them and to prayerfully seek personal revelation to know their meaning for themselves” (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995).

I am ever grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and a Brother, Jesus of Nazareth, who want us all to return home and live forever with Them. They have given us all the gift of personal revelation to guide us in learning to know Them and Their eternal Plan of Happiness.