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Personal Revelation Doctrine and Covenants 6,8,9 Moroni Chapter 10 5) And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 7) And ye may know that he is… for he worketh by power, Questions Will God really answer me? How will I know? What will it feel like? How do I know the answer is from the Lord and not just me making it up? Prophet Joseph Smith “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas… ... by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Teachings of PJS) Oliver Cowdrey Mother Smith: He said: “The subject upon which we were yesterday conversing seems working in my very bones, and I cannot, for a moment, get it out of my mind. D&C 6:2 Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; If there is a work for me to do in this thing, I am determined to attend to it. therefore give heed unto my words. Oliver Cowdrey D&C 6: 11 And if thou wilt inquire, … that thou mayest find out mysteries… 15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth; 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? Elder Mark E. Peterson Section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants was given to Oliver Cowdrey at a time when he wanted to be able to translate. The way the spirit communicated with Oliver may or may not apply to us. Oliver’s Desire to Translate D&C 9: 3 Be patient, my son… it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time. 5 And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced… 7 Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. Question Other than Oliver’s “burning in the bosom”, what are other ways we may “feel” personal revelation? Elder Henry B. Eyring I somehow managed to arrange [an] interview…with President Harold B. Lee. He received me in a kindly way. In my anxiety, I soon blurted out my question: “President Lee, how do I get revelation?” He smiled. I am glad he didn't laugh, since it was an odd question to ask. But he answered my question with a story… Then he gave me the lesson, which I now give to you, in about these words: “Hal, when we had done all we knew how to do, when we had our backs to the wall, then God gave us the revelation. Hal, if you want to get revelation, do your homework.” I suppose I should have been embarrassed to take his time to learn what the Lord told us all long ago. You recall the rebuke to Oliver Cowdery … Now, in fairness to Oliver Cowdery, he had some reason to be confused. The Prophet Joseph seemed to have the windows of heaven opened to him… at a speed that could easily have misled Oliver. I bear you my solemn testimony that the Lord opens the heavens to his servants today… But I also bear you my testimony that the words ‘study it out’ mean a degree of patience, labor, and persistence commensurate with the value of what you seek To the faculty and associated students of BYU, A former student and alumnus of your fine institution served with distinction as our company commander, Cap. William W. Jacobsen, Jr. He passed away on Dec. 21, 2004. He was a leader and a mentor applying those lessons he learned in Provo, Utah to his army career. He cared more about the well being of his soldiers than his own. I never heard Capt. Jacobsen curse. He would get upset and angry, but remain calm. He possessed enormous bearing, a characteristic of leadership. Capt. Jacobsen lived the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, self-service, honesty, integrity, and personal courage. When I think of the definition of an Officer and gentleman, I think of Capt. Jacobsen. Capt. Jacobsen mentored his married soldiers to become better husbands and fathers. Those that were not married he looked after as a father would. We will honor Capt. Jacobsen by continuing our mission here in Iraq. I would ask you to honor him by completing your education and emulating the example he set… Timothy Schmidt SSG, US Army