Testing Revelation
Dallin H. Oaks
I love this message by Elder Oaks. It is so true. The Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints receives revelation from God, and teaches us about what God wants us to do. We can verify what the Prophets have said by going to the original person where it came from. In other words we can pray to Heavenly Father and see if it is right, what Prophets have told us. Just like Joseph Smith received revelation from God when he asked his question(Joseph Smith History 1:16-17) we can to receive revelation from God. What I want to talk about is how Joseph Smith came to that point of receiving that revelation. All that I am going to talk about today can be found in Joseph Smith History 1:11-20. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng
Joseph Smith was 14 when people were confused about which church was the true church, this was the same with Joseph Smith as well. Joseph Smith went from church to church to try and figure out which church was true. None of them seemed right to him. Joseph Smith did some studying in the Bible. He told himself that either he needed to find out which church was true or he was going to remain in darkness for the rest of his life. He was reading in the Bible one day when he came across a verse in James chapter 1 verse 5 which reads "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not ; and it shall be given him. That scripture hit Joseph Smith with so much power that the next morning he went in the woods and prayed to God. He got into the woods where he wanted to pray, so he got on his knees and began to pray to God. Satan knew that God would answer Joseph Smith's prayer, so he tried to stop Joseph Smith from praying by binding his tongue so that Joseph couldn't speak, but Joseph Smith really wanted to know, so he exhorted all of his power to speak. Joseph Smith almost gave up, but at the last minute Joseph saw God and Jesus Christ and described it in these word "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head in the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two personages who brightness and glory defy all description. Standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said pointing to the other this is my beloved Son hear Him." (Joseph Smith History 16-17) Jesus Christ told Joseph to join none of the churches, because they were all wrong. (verse 20) This is how Joseph Smith received his revelation by praying to God the Father. I know that if we pray to Heavenly Father that He will answer our prayers. Even if it takes a long time to answer our prayers I know that He will and does answer prayers. I know this because He has answered mine.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know this because I have read the book of Mormon. I prayed to God to know if it was true. Heavenly Father gave me an answer to my prayer through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost gave me a warm feeling in my heart. This was an indescribable feeling. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God because I have read the Book of Mormon and I prayed about it to Heavenly Father. I did this same thing to know if the church was true. I got the same warm feeling from the Holy Ghost telling me that everything about the church is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet that leads our church today. I know that God the Father loves me. I also know that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and provided me a way to repent of the mistakes that I have made so that I can return and live with God in the next life. I am so great full for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that when I follow it and the things that the Prophet and apostles say to do that I will be blessed. I am great full for this. I know that I can find out what the prophet and apostles have said is true and from God by praying about it. Just like Elder Oaks said, " Anyone who doubts this , and none are discourage from personal doubts can verify the authenticity and content of the message by checking it with the official source, by revelation." Again this is so true, when we pray to Heavenly Father for things that we want to know, need, etc. He will help us out. I am so great full for all of the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have done for me.
I challenge all who read this to read the Book of Mormon and pray to God to know if it is true. I know that when you do that you will receive an answer, just like I did, and you will receive revelation from God. I know that these things are true! I hope that everybody who reads the Book of Mormon can come to know that these things are true as well!!!
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know this because I have read the book of Mormon. I prayed to God to know if it was true. Heavenly Father gave me an answer to my prayer through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost gave me a warm feeling in my heart. This was an indescribable feeling. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God because I have read the Book of Mormon and I prayed about it to Heavenly Father. I did this same thing to know if the church was true. I got the same warm feeling from the Holy Ghost telling me that everything about the church is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet that leads our church today. I know that God the Father loves me. I also know that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and provided me a way to repent of the mistakes that I have made so that I can return and live with God in the next life. I am so great full for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that when I follow it and the things that the Prophet and apostles say to do that I will be blessed. I am great full for this. I know that I can find out what the prophet and apostles have said is true and from God by praying about it. Just like Elder Oaks said, " Anyone who doubts this , and none are discourage from personal doubts can verify the authenticity and content of the message by checking it with the official source, by revelation." Again this is so true, when we pray to Heavenly Father for things that we want to know, need, etc. He will help us out. I am so great full for all of the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have done for me.
I challenge all who read this to read the Book of Mormon and pray to God to know if it is true. I know that when you do that you will receive an answer, just like I did, and you will receive revelation from God. I know that these things are true! I hope that everybody who reads the Book of Mormon can come to know that these things are true as well!!!
