Receiving Small, Subtle Revelations Doesn’t Mean You Have a Small Testimony

Have you ever doubted the strength of your testimony? If so, it’s time to analyze that doubt. Your testimony is stronger than you think, and your perspective on revelation might change the way you look at it.

Have you ever wished your testimony was stronger? Does it seem to be a dim glow in comparison to the radiance of others’ testimonies? Does it still seem like a seed when others’ testimonies stand tall like giant oaks? If so, you may need to take another look. Your testimony is likely much stronger than you think.

In the article “The Spirit of Revelation,” Elder David A. Bednar says, “I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions. . . . Please know that you are quite normal.”

Doubting the strength of your testimony is normal, but that doubt does not mean that you have a weak testimony. God is still communicating with you. You are still receiving revelation and being strengthened daily by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Many people determine the strength of their testimony based on the intensity of the revelation they receive. They believe that in order to be faithful members of the Church, they must receive a powerful revelation. This is simply not true. Revelation comes in many forms, big and small.

Elder Bednar uses three metaphors of light to better illustrate how we can identify revelation:

1. Turning on a light: Sometimes revelation is like a lightbulb moment. Doubt and darkness are instantly replaced with knowledge and light.
2. Seeing the sun rising: Revelation can also be gradual. The inspiration we seek may come little by little instead of all at once.
3. Stepping into fog: This type of revelation is the most common. We can faintly see the light and must take a step into the darkness to see a little more.

By understanding that revelation comes in various forms, we can see more clearly that God is communicating with us. And through recognizing that God is speaking to us, we’re better able to see that our testimonies are shining brighter and standing taller than we may have thought.

To read personal examples of many varieties of revelation, check out Elder David A. Bednar‘s complete talk: “The Spirit of Revelation.”

Source: LDS General Conference

—Breanna Call Herbert, Mormon Insights

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Find more insights

For a visual example of Elder Bednar’s metaphors of light, watch the short video “Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation.”

To learn how to prepare to receive revelation, read or watch “How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life,” by Elder Richard G. Scott.