Receiving revelation in our lives

In Elder Richard G. Scott's most recent conference address he says:

One of the great lessons that each of us needs to learn is to ask. Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received.

As I was reading his talk this morning I recalled some thoughts I had last year while studying Jacob in the Book of Mormon. I recorded these thoughts at the time in the online journal available in the study notebook the church website provides and include some of that entry here:

Jacob inquired and as he inquired he received revelation for those within his stewardship. Chapter 1 says he was addressing them "after he had obtained his errand from the Lord". We also have the right and responsibility to seek inspiration on behalf of those whom we are called to serve. It is our duty to deliver to them the words the Lord would have them hear.

I am entitled to inspiration and revelation for the ward, each auxiliary organization is entitled to receive and more importantly responsible to obtain direction from a loving heavenly Father for their stewardships. If we are trying to run our programs independent of the Lord then our efforts will be far less effective than they would otherwise be.

I think it is even more important to consider the role revelation should play in our families. It begins as we seek revelation for ourselves. What can we do better? What do we have going on in our lives that may be impeding our ability to hear and feel the promptings God is sending to help us with our individual challenges. Elder Scott said:

When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures. 

There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight.

He further states:

On the other hand, spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. We will live for our appointed life span. However, we can improve both the quality of our service and our well-being by making careful, appropriate choices. It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit.

We need to be seeking the Lord's guidance. Let us obtain personal revelation to guide us in our responsibilities. Parents, strengthen your marital bonds through revelation, obtain revelation to guide and direct and bless your children. Find inspiration to serve in your callings. Let God give you a vision of the importance of your service.

Finally some concluding words from Elder Scott:

The scriptures depict how an individual’s capacity to conquer difficulty, doubt, and seemingly insurmountable challenges is strengthened by the Lord in time of need. As you ponder such examples, there will come a quiet confirmation through the Holy Spirit that their experiences are true. You will come to know that similar help is available to you.

I have seen individuals encountering challenges who knew what to do when it was beyond their own experience because they trusted in the Lord and knew that He would guide them to solutions that were urgently required. 

The Lord has declared: “And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.”² The words sanctify yourselves may appear puzzling. President Harold B. Lee once explained that you can replace those words with the phrase “keep my commandments.” Read that way, the counsel may seem clearer.³

It is my hope that each of us will live to be worthy to receive divine guidance and that we will be active in asking for that direction.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.