NOTES ON REVELATION By Rosemary Wixom
If there is a central theme of the Restoration, surely it is that the heavens are open to us and the Lord wants to speak to us.
The word “revelation” is translated from a Greek word apocalypse meaning to make know or uncover. This is in contrast to apocrypha which connotes covered or concealed.
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus Answered and said unto him, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.’” Matt. 16:15-17
Joseph Smith explained that the rock upon which the church would be built was revelation. (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 274)
“We many times receive revelation without recognizing precisely how or when we are receiving revelation.” Elder David Bednar
In reference to the Doctrine and Covenants: “These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people. The prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and these revelations certify that they received it.” (Introduction to the D&C)
“….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. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God.” D&C 6: 22-23
“… You shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge…..Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” D&C 8: 1-2
“Study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it be right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing that is wrong.” D&C 9: 8-9
“Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.” D&C 11:21
What if our problems are not about problems at all? What if they are just ways to get closer to the Savior and each other? What if they are really for the purpose of getting us to our knees to seek revelation?