D&C 6–9: Spirit of Revelation

Segment 1

Scriptures:
D&C 6:7 (Mysteries of God)
Jacob 4:13 (Things as they really are)
D&C 6:11 (Find out mysteries)

Study Helps:
As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). (Prayer, Bible Dictionary)

Segment 2

Scriptures:
1 Nephi 15:8-9 (Have you asked for yourself?)
D&C 8:1 (Promise of an answer)
D&C 3:9-10 (Joseph is still chosen)

Words of the General Authorities:
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! … As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true. I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe! If only you and I can avoid being offended by their generosity. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Meek and Lowly”, BYU Devotional delivered on 21 October 1986)

I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. (Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity”, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with President Nelson, May 15, 2022)

The Lord loves effort. (Russell M. Nelson, “Restoration Conversations with President Russell M. Nelson”, also relayed by Joy D. Jones, “An Especially Noble Calling”, April 2020 General Conference)

In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”, April 2018 General Conference)

That catechization is one of the most effective means of mind development is exampled in the methods followed by the best of human teachers. Trench (Notes on the Miracles, pp. 148–49), thus instructively points the lesson as illustrated by our Lord’s question concerning the woman who was healed of her issue of blood: With little force “can it be urged that it would have been inconsistent with absolute truth for the Lord to profess ignorance, and to ask the question which He did ask, if all the while He perfectly knew what He thus seemed implicitly to say that He did not know. (James E. Talmage, “Jesus the Christ”, Chapter 20: Peace, Be Still)

Segment 3

Scriptures:
D&C 6:3,8,20,22,25,27, D&C 7:1,3,4,5,8 (Desire of God)
Luke 18:1-8 (Parable of the unjust judge)
D&C 18:18 (Ask what is expedient)

Words of the General Authorities:
Desire denotes a real longing or craving. (Neal A. Maxwell, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts”, October 1996 General Conference)

Prayer is essential to developing faith. When the Lord comes again, will He find a people who know how to pray in faith and who are prepared to receive salvation? (Carol F. McConkie, “The Soul’s Sincere Desire”, October 2016 General Conference)

Segment 4

Scriptures:
D&C 98:1-2 (Fear not, wait patiently)
D&C 9:8 (Study it out)
D&C 8:3-4 (Spirit of Revelation)
1 Nephi 3-4 (Nephi’s pattern of revelation)

Words of the General Authorities:
We need to be open to further personal revelation. After all, few of life’s destinations are reached via a nonstop flight. We should recognize that personal revelation may be received “line upon line” and “precept upon precept,”29 that revealed direction can be and frequently is incremental. (Dale G. Renlund, “A Framework for Personal Revelation”, October 2022 General Conference)

There are times when the only way to get from A to C is by way of B…I have absolute perfect knowledge that God loves us, and he expects us to pray and trust and not give up when something doesn’t seem to be going just right.  (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Wrong Roads” Inspirational Messages formerly Mormon Messages)

Segment 5

Scriptures:
D&C 9:8-9 (Burning in the bosom vs. stupor of thought)
D&C 1:24 (After language of their understanding)
D&C 9:1-3 (Continue patiently)
D&C 8:2 (Mind and heart)

Words of the General Authorities:
It is for reasons known only to God why prayers are answered differently than we hope—but I promise you they are heard and they are answered according to His unfailing love and cosmic timetable. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Motions of a Hidden Fire”, April 2024 General Conference)

Some misunderstandings about prayer can be clarified by realizing that the scriptures define principles for effective prayer, but they do not assure when a response will be given. Actually, He will reply in one of three ways. First, you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right. Or second, you can sense that unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong. Or third—and this is the difficult one—you can feel no response. What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. (Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer”, April 2007 General Conference)

Segment 6

Scriptures:
D&C 9:10-11 (Fear kept Oliver Cowdery from translating)
John 4:7-14 (Woman at the well)
D&C 6:33-37 (Doubt not, fear not)
D&C 6:21-22 (Peace to your mind)

Words of the General Authorities:
In the process of revelation and in making important decisions, fear almost always plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role. To Oliver Cowdery, who missed the opportunity of a lifetime because he didn’t seize it in the lifetime of the opportunity, the Lord said, “You did not continue as you commenced.” Does that sound familiar to those who have been illuminated and then knuckled under to second thoughts and returning doubts? “It is not expedient that you should translate now,” the Lord said in language that must have been very hard for Oliver to hear. “Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now” … After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel his love and hear the word of the Lord, “go forward.” Don’t fear, don’t vacillate, don’t quibble, don’t whine. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence”, BYU Speeches delivered on March 12, 1999)