Revelation

Ryan Reeder

Rel 393R-Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Prof. Richard Galbraith

October 26, 2000

Revelation

One topic of which the prophet Joseph Smith frequently spoke was revelation. The things he taught were calculated to ultimately bring us into the presence of Jesus Christ and to receive an assurance of salvation for ourselves. Thus, revelation is a prerequisite for salvation. However, the reception of these great blessings is predicated upon order, gradually obtained by "proper degrees" (64) ⁽¹⁾. Through gaining and furthering our knowledge of God and his Son, we can approach and gain eternal life.

"As Paul said, so say I, let us come to visions and revelations," paraphrased the prophet, (1 Corinthians 12:1), as he introduced a vision of the celestial kingdom (D&C 137). It was the prophet's desire that all might understand the revelations of God, "for God hath not revealed anything unto Joseph," he taught, "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" (170, italics added).

This last phrase is an important facet of revelation. No man ever arrived at this station in a moment; "he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees" (63-64). The Lord teaches that revelation comes "line upon line, precept upon precept, and I will try you. . .and prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant" (D&C 98:12,14). However, time is not necessarily a prerequisite if the conditions are met. Joseph taught "could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week, or any other time" (14-15). Through obedience to His covenant and commandments, the Lord promises us that we can receive truth and light until we are "glorified in truth and [know] all things" (D&C 93:28).

Joseph Smith taught how revelation in our lives can begin. He told us to "search the scriptures-search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit" (17). Thus, as we begin to notice these first intimations of the spirit of revelation, when "you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus" (172-3).

Joseph showed how essential revelation is. At some point, we must know for ourselves. "Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience" (365). It is essential to have a testimony of Christ for salvation. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10) and testimony is obtained through revelation. Therefore, "salvation cannot come without revelation" (182).

It is necessary to know something of the laws of God's kingdom before entering into it. This knowledge is communicated to man through revelation. As we grow in the knowledge of our Savior and His plan, we ultimately obtain eternal life. As Joseph Smith expressed it, "We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him" (63-64). This is the promise we have. Through the teachings of Joseph Smith and the power of personal revelation, and through our own obedience in all things, we can obtain these promises.

1. Page numbers in parentheses refer to Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected by Joseph Fielding Smith, annotated by Richard C. Galbraith, published by Deseret Book Company, 1993.