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How Can I Receive and Recognize Personal Revelation?
Personal revelation is available to anyone who is willing to put in the effort.
“Does God even want to speak to me?”
This was a question I used to have about personal revelation. God can help us make life decisions through revelation, but many of us may still question how it works.
Thankfully, as President Russell M. Nelson testified: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!”
Heavenly Father is eager to speak with all His children! Your experience may be different than mine, but here are some truths and ideas to consider that can help us improve our ability to receive personal revelation from Heavenly Father.
How Can I Invite Revelation?
There are many ways to invite revelation. For one, we can “search, ponder, and pray.” To me, this has included searching the scriptures and other gospel resources or talking with faithful friends and mentors. After all, President Nelson testified that “good inspiration is based upon good information.”
Pondering is just as important as searching the scriptures and praying. I am not perfect at taking time to ponder what I study, but it’s often those moments when I shut out distractions and turn to the Lord that I feel the Spirit guiding me.
President Nelson invited us to “pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.”
Church leaders have also emphasized the importance of purity, time committed to temple and family history work, service to others, and willingness to obey. These things can increase your sensitivity to the Spirit and help you receive guidance from God.
How Can I Recognize Revelation?
We might feel discouraged because we don’t see visions, hear voices, or have experiences like those in the scriptures or even people around us. But remember, “no two people experience God’s light and truth in exactly the same way.”
Sometimes the answer comes in the form of feeling peace when I make a choice in line with God’s will (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:23). Other times my mind feels enlightened as I learn something new from the scriptures (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:13). Occasionally a thought on how to serve someone pops into my head (see Moroni 7:13). And in quiet moments, I hear a gentle voice in my mind reminding me of gospel truths (see Helaman 5:30).
All these thoughts and feelings—and more—can be ways the Spirit speaks to us. Ask Heavenly Father for help in recognizing His voice, and He will help you hear Him.
Why Aren’t Answers Coming?
Sometimes I’ve done everything I can think of and still don’t feel like I’m getting an answer. Can you relate? Don’t be discouraged! God hasn’t abandoned us. There are several potential reasons why we might not get revelation as soon as we ask for it.
Maybe God has answered you, but it’s hard to recognize it. The Spirit can relay messages in many ways, and if you’re only expecting an answer in a certain way, you may miss it.
Perhaps you aren’t receiving a clear answer because God trusts you and wants you to use your agency to make a wise choice (see Ether 2:23–25). Acting in faith lets God confirm if you are on the right path or not.
Mental health challenges and other struggles that aren’t our fault can make it difficult to feel or hear the Spirit.
Perhaps there is something you need to repent of.
Or maybe you need more time and preparation before you’re ready to receive God’s word (see 3 Nephi 17:2–3).
There are many reasons why we might not be receiving answers as soon as we want them, but remember, God loves you! He will reach you in the right time and way if you keep reaching for Him (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).
As we keep inviting the Spirit in our lives, we will recognize that God does want to speak with us! He is ready to answer our questions.