Hearing from prophets, seers, and revelators can be more meaningful if we are spiritually prepared to receive their messages.
Photo by Drew Patrick Miller
Twice a year, the world has the opportunity to hear from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a two-day conference that is broadcast across the globe. Men and women who have been called of God prepare talks and share messages that they feel inspired to give.
But general conference can bring even more revelation than that which is given to apostles and prophets. Each person who listens to their words with a humble and prayerful heart can receive personal, direct revelation from the Lord. In the First Presidency message in the April 2016 Ensign and Liahona, President Henry B. Eyring explains this closely linked relationship between prophecy and personal revelation.
President Eyring teaches that God has always revealed his will to his chosen servants, the prophets. They humbly seek to know the words that he would have them say to his children. But just as these speakers must work, fast, and pray to receive inspiration from the Lord, we as receivers of their words must also put forth the necessary spiritual effort to hear the Holy Ghost speaking to us personally as we listen to the message of the prophets.
The Lord teaches us this principle in Doctrine and Covenants 50:19-22. He explains that those who preach and those who hear must both have the Spirit of truth in order to understand and be edified together. As President Eyring counsels us, we must each “do [our] homework” if we want to receive personal revelation from these conference talks.
Read President Henry B. Eyring’s article in the Ensign or Liahona to learn more about the connection between prophecy and personal revelation.
—Melissa Gee, Mormon Insights
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Find more insights
Watch a video featuring people from around the world sharing thoughts about preparing for general conference.
Read Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk about receiving spiritual knowledge.
Read or watch Elder David A. Bednar’s talk “The Spirit of Revelation” to learn more about how to receive and understand revelation.
I whole-heartedly believe in this principle. My mission president always said that we must “pay the price” for spiritual revelation. It takes work to be filled spiritually! But the blessings are absolutely worth it.