Personal Revelation

Sister Collin's daughter-in-law, Kenzie, was able to visit with us today from Sandy, Utah. We were small in number today so visitors were a happy site! We also welcomed Kim Hoffman today who recently moved into my neighborhood! Kim comes to us from the same ward as the Easton's and the Flams. I feel bad for that poor ward but we are definitely being blessed! Kim and her husband Art have a blended family of six children. 

"Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!" Today's lesson taught by Rebecca Lund Olmedo focused on the process of personal revelation. President Nelson's conference talk was the backdrop for our discussion. President Nelson explains why receiving personal revelation is so critical to us. "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

Several sisters; Sister Trina Murphy, Sister Becky King, Sister Vernita Granger and Sister Mariner, all echoed President Nelson about living in a world filled with with confusing and conflicting voices and without personal revelation, it would be easy to feel fearful, anxious and get pulled off the correct path. We can know for ourselves where to find truth because of the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 

So how do we recognize personal inspiration? Sister Alicia Call Petersonreminded us that answers can take time. Sister Jen Sharp shared that when we are looking for answers to a particular issue it may be hard to see the answer in the moment but if we receive confirmation that we are on the right track then we keep going and usually in hindsight we can recognize our answers. She said when we pray and don't act, it's only a wish. She also counseled us about the importance of helping our youth identify when they feel the Spirit and that includes realizing that crying is not required. Everyone feels the Spirit differently. Writing down how we see the hand of the Lord in our life will help us learn to recognize the influence of the Spirit and help us learn to recognize how He communicates with us. Sometimes it's hard to know if what we feel or think is from God or is from us. Sister Leslie Winward Wright pointed out that in a Face to Face with Elder Bednar the youth asked that very question and he replied if it is good, then to act on it. 

President Nelson also explains that good inspiration is based upon good information. Sister Rachel Terry Thomas reminded of the counsel in the doctrine and covenants to study things out in our own mind first and then to ask God. 

Family counsels are a great opportunity for us to learn about revelation. Sister Rebecca Lund Olmedo asked us to consider when was the last time we as a family asked a specific question as a family and sought revelation as a family. She then read a statement from President Nelson about their experience as a council and changed the words to reflect how it could be with our families.

"When we convene as a [family], our [home] become rooms of revelation. The Spirit is palpably present. As we wrestle with complex matters, a thrilling process unfolds as each [family member] freely expresses his/[her] thoughts and point of view. Though we may differ in our initial perspectives, the love we feel for each other is constant. Our unity helps us to discern the Lord’s will for [our family].

In our [family], the majority never rules! We listen prayerfully to one another and talk with each other until we are united. Then when we have reached complete accord, the unifying influence of the Holy Ghost is spine-tingling! We experience what the Prophet Joseph Smith knew when he taught, “By union of feeling we obtain power with God.”7 No member of the [family] would ever leave decisions for the [family] to his/[her] own best judgment!

Powerful! Sister Jennifer Bingham testified that hearts can be softened in family councils as family members are able to expand their perspectives and consider things from other points of view. Sister Maddie Trimble shared that her family councils are a safe place to share her opinions. She knows that her voice will be heard. 

President Nelson is optimistic about the future! He is also not naive about the struggles. Learning how to recognize personal revelation and teaching that process to our children is one way we can face the future without fear.